Distributor News

How distributors choose to navigate today’s complicated business landscape can put them either on the road to success or the highway to hell. American Solutions for Business (ASB), Glenwood, Minn., appears to be mapping out profitable routes through vertical market sales. Currently celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary, President Larry Zavadil recalled ASB’s first few years in business when some in his small group of sales associates were focused on particular industries, including government, health-care and banking. “Everyone quickly learned to call upon their peer specialist to secure a new client, and sharing became part of ASB’s unique culture,” he said. “We learned that we

of the distributors comprising BFL&S’ 2005 Top 100 ranking, 47 have some type of production capabilities. Sun Coast Forms & Systems, Sarasota, Fla., and MACORP Print Group, North Wales, Pa., explained that it is a natural compliment to their distributorships—a way to work smarter and serve customers. What it is not, is an attempt to compete with manufacturers. In fact, manufacturer partners benefit by increased jobs entering the independent supply channel due to these enterprising distributors’ efforts, and their presses are not bogged down with less profitable jobs. “My manufacturers know they’ll always get camera-ready artwork from us and we can print short-runs of

Every cloud has a silver lining, but those accompanying Hurricane Katrina carried a golden opportunity for Yvette Hymel and Rachel Zabala. Hymel was a sales executive and Zabala was a graphic designer for a New Orleans-based company that provided promotional products and some printing. A little more than a week after the storm devastated the area, the owner relocated to Houston and rented new office space. “I was born and raised in New Orleans and was getting married in November, and Yvette has two kids in school here,” said Zabala. “Our roots are planted in New Orleans. We couldn’t fathom moving from home.” Many of

This month’s mystery product simplifies sophisticated, emerging technology-enabled products for end-users by introducing them via a traditional industry workhorse. The convenient, innovative concept also makes it easy for distributors to market. Use the following clues to try to guess what the product is: • It’s a smart way for end-users to meet emerging radio frequency identification (RFID) compliance initiatives. • It combines pressure-sensitive labels and RFID technology for a value-added solution. • It is a holistic approach to increasing compliance demands. mystery product revealed Headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill., Weber Marking Systems introduces RFID Starter Kits, featuring specific RFID