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DISTRIBUTOR NEWS 36 DECEMBER 2016 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com Crader Distributing Company receives marketing award C rader Distributing Company of Marble Hill, Mo., received the Triumph Award at a luncheon at the Marketing and Small Business Conference on October 25 at Ray's Plaza Banquet Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Selection of the recipient of the Triumph Award, which recognizes long-term marketing excellence in the region, was made by the Tri-State Advertising & Marketing Professionals, as well as the Department of Management and Marketing, and the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University. The Tri- State Advertising & Marketing Professionals is a non-profi t organization of communications professionals in the Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Paducah, Ky.; and Harrisburg, Ill., areas. "Crader Distributing Company defi nitely fulfi lls all of the fi ve Triumph Award criteria — legacy of sustained marketing and business success, appetite for innovation and continuous improvement, leadership in their business category, willing to take risks to grow their business, and geographically located in this region," said Dr. Charles Wiles, chair of the Triumph Award Committee. "We salute their long-time dedication and commitment to marketing excellence." Stan Crader, president of Crader Distributing Company and Blue Mountain Equipment (CDC-BME-Stihl), was not only on hand with several of his employees to accept the Triumph Award, but he also served as the conference's keynote speaker. When speaking about the future of marketing, he used a baseball analogy. "A great hitter doesn't watch the ball," he said. "A great hitter looks at the way the ball is spinning and anticipates where the ball is going to be." Roxanne Brown, director of marketing at Crader Distributing Company and Blue Mountain Equipment, also gave a presentation on "Digital Marketing: Specifi c Tactics to Make Strategic Connections," which focused on identifying digital trends, prioritizing the appropriate avenues for businesses, and consistently applying them to create unique consumer experiences. Founded in 1944, Crader Distributing and Blue Mountain Equipment is the exclusive distributor of Stihl outdoor power equipment in Missouri, Nebraska, southern Illinois, Texas and Oklahoma. The company has grown to serve more than 1,300 outdoor power equipment dealers throughout the Midwest with sales of more than $150 million. MWE acquires Westpro Power Systems Midwest Equipment (MWE) of Columbus, Ohio, recently acquired Westpro Power Systems, the manufacturer of Westinghouse portable power products. Through the acquisition, MWE added portable generators and digital inverter generators to its product offerings that include compact equipment tracks and tires, undercarriage components and portable climate control systems. The Westinghouse portable generators will be sold through various distribution channels and through MWE as an offering to rental and equipment dealerships. "We're committed to expanding our product offerings in the primary industries we serve," said MWE President James Cline. "Having offered Westinghouse products to customers of our ClimateRight portable climate systems for several years now, we saw an opportunity to bring those quality products under our roof. We also plan to offer the product line to our rental and equipment dealers. Also, Westpro Power Systems has a very talented team, and we are happy to have them continue to support the product line and join us." The Westinghouse portable power line includes a range of portable gas generators designed for customers and professional contractors, as well as a line of digital inverter generators for commercial, outdoor and at- home use and anywhere that quick, lightweight, temporary electricity is needed. The line complements MWE's ClimateRight portable HVAC systems for use on pet houses, RVs, tents, cabins, HD trucks, and small apartments or houses. MWE also plans to begin offering the products to its track and tire customers that include c o m p a c t e q u i p m e n t o w n e r s , e q u i p m e n t dealers and rental stores. Stan Crader, president of Crader Distributing Company and Blue Mountain Equipment, holds the Triumph Award that he and his surrounding employees proudly accepted on behalf of Crader Distributing for its marketing excellence. Pictured from left to right are as follows: Roxanne Brown, Francee McLain, Connie Bennett, Becky Hurst, Stan Crader, Stan Beel, Bob Clubb, Brad Crader and Scott Crader. the products to its track and tire customers that include c o m p a c t e q u i p m e n t o w n e r s , e q u i p m e n t dealers and rental stores.