PCL has announced the launch of its Partner+ initiative, which will be aimed at growing the brand’s market share by supporting distributors.
Sales Director, Lee Wright, explained: “The key goals of Partner+ are commitment and service. The programme will suit distributors who take a broad range of our cutting-edge products. This will enable them to develop and sustain long term sales to their own customer base, rather than just transactional sales.”
In return for a Partner+ company’s commitment, PCL will offer a range of incentives, including branded workwear, signage, advantageous trading and credit terms, standard and bespoke marketing support and advice on the use of mailing lists. PCL will also support on Point of Sale posters, product display stands and assistance with online promotion, including social media and website visibility.
Distributors with space to set up Partner+ “Air Centres” will also be supported to hold open days for local businesses to view the product offering, with the PCL team on hand to provide help and advice on the safe use of compressed air.
In addition, PCL can accompany partners on joint customer site visits, for example to introduce products and explain their benefits, such as PCL’s Quick Release Safety Coupling and its ability to prevent dangerous high-pressure disconnection accidents.
The first Partner+ member to be appointed is Surrey-based One Stop Air Shop (OSAS) Ltd, located just outside the old Brooklands Race Circuit. As a PCL distributor for almost 30 years, the company will be used as the business model for future sign-ups. Trading as Metro Sales since 1988, OSAS operates as a specialist compressed air wholesaler for the automotive aftermarket, paint refinishing factors, and compressor and pipework installers across the UK mainland, Northern Ireland and Eire. OSAS also supplies PCL’s tyre inflation products to several European companies within the aviation industry.
Gary Crotty, OSAS’s MD, described how he and his team are already making good use of the Partner+ benefits: “There’s a welcome pack with a budget to spend on marketing materials, plus a match funded marketing support fund. Perfect to concentrate the minds of sales staff at point of sale.
“We’ve repainted our building, commissioned and installed new signage, and had leaflets printed showing the most popular products of interest to generate a better understanding of PCL’s range to both sub-distributors and users alike.
“Our new two metre square sign featuring PCL compressors, hose reels and tools leaves no one in any doubt about what we sell in our PCL Air Centre. Inside we have a working screw compressor, pipework featuring PCL air treatment units, Dropout air separators, hose reels, blow guns and safety couplings. So a customer can see, feel and compare what they’re buying and know it works.”
Lee concluded: “One Stop is an excellent example of how Partner+ can set distributors on a course to continued success, ensuring we can flourish and grow supporting each other.”
