COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—The 2010 NAFCD Distributor Marketplace again played to rave reviews as new or smaller suppliers sought to fill empty territories. This time, however, floor covering manufacturers had the benefit of exposing their product to another set of wholesalers on the building materials side.
According to Fred Reitz, vice president of operations, J.J. Haines and outgoing NAFCD president, one hard- wood flooring manufacturer was especially pleased to have three building materials dealers—from Pennsylvania, Alabama and California—express interest in taking on the line. “I haven’t heard one negative comment,” he said. “Every one has been positive.”
Fred Giuggio, vice president of sales and marketing for Formica and Kronotex USA, had different goals for his two brands. “For Formica, our distribution family is full. We were
there to meet with our distributors because they were all in one spot. We talked about the next few months. However, on the Kronotex side, we have some available territories.” One of the best things, he said, was that the Marketplace afforded it the opportunity to convey that Kronotex is a U.S. company with domestic manufacturing in South Carolina. “We now have that recognition factor.”
Wade Bondrowski, U.S. director of sales, Mercier, was also looking to fill in some territories and actually signed one distributor at the show. “It’s also important to show our existing customers we will continue to support their needs.”