Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM SEPTEMBER 2020 26 BRANDSOURCE SEALS THE DEAL WITH UNITED APPLIANCE SERVICERS ASSOCIATION BrandSource has formalized its partnership with the United Appliance Servicers Association (UASA), regarded as North America's largest appliance repair trade group. Founded and led by fellow servicers, the non-profit association provides training, support, services, and business strategies for member businesses. Like BrandSource and its AVB parent which has supported servicing members for 60 years, UASA's mission is to help self-servicing appliance dealers strengthen their companies and become more profitable while also elevating the image of the industry, explained Executive Director Sarah Brown. The Chicago-based UASA also produces the Annual Service Training Institute (ASTI), a five-day educational event featuring classes by appliance industry leaders, manufacturers, appliance repair marketers and business experts. The next show is tentatively slated for Feb. 7-11, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. According to Brown, the newly forged pact will provide BrandSource members with discounted membership in UASA and attendance at ASTI. Membership benefits include reduced rates for insurance, healthcare, vehicle rentals, office supplies, and uniform and payroll services, as well as access to training videos and webinars, reputation management software, and inclusion in UASA's Business Directory. Members can also access the group's Service Library of training and service manuals; its best practices archive of service and warranty claims tips; and ChatUSA Forum, an online idea exchange where servicers help servicers. "The goal," said Brown, "is to educate servicers and help them grow." Brown noted that the alliance with BrandSource can be traced back to the buying group's 2019 Summit in Nashville, which ran concurrently with that year's ASTI. "We thought, 'How can we work together?'" Now, as the collaboration comes to fruition, "We're very excited as the partnership moves forward," she said. Corrine Caruso, general manager of Solar Refrigeration & Appliance Service in Metairie, LA, and president of UASA, similarly praised the BrandSource partnership. "This will bring the appliance sales and service sectors of our industry together to work more closely," she said. "It is an exciting development for both United Appliance Servicers Association and BrandSource, but most importantly for the appliance industry." The new pact is the fourth in a series of recent initiatives driven by the BrandSource Service Committee, which includes exclusive agreements with the Professional Service Association (PSA), online training academy Master Samurai Tech, and parts distributor Reliable Parts. For more information, BrandSource members can email Brand- Source General Manager Jarred Roy at jarred.roy@brandsource.com; contact their Member Relations representative, or visit UASA at www.UnitedServicers.com. BrandSource is a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc. ZEPHYR EXPANDS DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP WITH ALMO CORPORATION Almo Corporation adds 10 new states to Zephyr distribution territory Zephyr, the company that has transformed the kitchen through design, discovery, and care, expands its distribution partnership with Almo Corporation. Zephyr and Almo have been partners since 2014 when the company began handling Zephyr distribution in the Southeast and New England states. Almo will now handle distribution for Zephyr in the additional following territories: Delaware, Indiana (Southern), Kentucky, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin (Upper Peninsula). Almo Corporation is the largest independent distributor of appliances, consumer electronics, professional A/V equipment, furniture and housewares in the United States. Serving the needs of retailers across the country, Almo operates regional distribution facilities with over 2.5 million square feet of warehousing. "For the past six years, Almo has proven to be a successful distribution partner and we're thrilled to expand this partnership into a larger territory," says Dean A. Striler, Zephyr vice president sales. "This is an exciting time at Zephyr as our Presrv™ Wine & Beverage Coolers have really elevated our business and position in the industry. We're very fortunate to have Almo as our distributor as we grow our brand in these markets." "Zephyr continues to be a leading brand in our collection of specialty appliances," says Warren Chaiken, Almo Corporation President and CEO. "From its innovative technology, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service, we value our partnership with Zephyr." Zephyr sells direct in California, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. In addition to Almo, Zephyr works with national distributors including Monde Home Products US, Lakeview Appliance Distributing, and Doolittle Distributing. The expanded partnership with Almo Corporation is effective August 29, 2020. I N D U S T R Y [ N E W S ] RO

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