BIRMINGHAM, AL, April 6, 2018 – PRADCO Outdoor Brands, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of fishing and hunting products, is announcing a change in approach for its go-to-market sales strategy for its dealer and distributor customers.

Traditionally, PRADCO’s Hunting and Fishing divisions have been represented by a shared, in-house sales force for its dealer and distributor customers. Effective immediately, each division will manage its own, independent sales organizations.

“As the market and industry evolves, so too will PRADCO evolve” said Robert Schoenvogel, President of PRADCO Outdoor Brands. “Two years ago, PRADCO moved to a division-specific sales approach for its national account customers, and we have seen great success in terms of driving growth under this model for both the Hunting and Fishing divisions.  As a result, we have made the decision to take the next step and move to a division-specific sales approach for Hunting and Fishing across all customer categories. The new structure will afford greater flexibility and, more importantly, will allow us to better serve our customers in an effective and focused manner.”

 

PRADCO FISHING BRANDS TO BE SERVED BY DISTRIBUTORS

FORT SMITH, Ark. – PRADCO Fishing is implementing a new distribution strategy effective May 1, 2018. Beginning on this date, all independent dealers will be served by distributors. This includes all buying group dealers.

PRADCO’s sales management efforts will be handled internally with Chris Gulstad, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, and Russell Garner, National Sales Manager, leading the charge.

An extensive group of distributors will carry all 16 PRADCO Fishing brands and service dealers in their areas and in some cases nationally.

“As we continue to evolve, we constantly search for ways to serve our consumers and customers with the highest level of efficiency and service,” said PRADCO Fishing Vice President and General Manager Bruce Stanton. “After months of evaluation and discussion with various stakeholders, we have concluded that we can enhance our partnership levels with our key distribution partners to better service our dealers and get product to their shelves with greater speed.  We are excited to take this step with our key distributors, and we are committed to working closely with them to make this transition a success. It is a significant change for PRADCO and our dealers, but with our long-term commitment to brand building, product development and multi-media support of our brands, we know that consumers will demand our brands and products. It’s our job to ensure that continues to happen.”

As a result of this new direction, PRADCO Fishing will no longer be served by an internal sales force. It will continue to use the services of U.S. rep group Jeff Robles & Associates (Rockies / West Coast) and Canada’s Kolder Inc. to serve customers in those markets. All other dealers will be covered by distributor sales efforts, and further communications detailing the transition will be sent to all dealers in the coming weeks.

Garner will be responsible for all distributor sales in the U.S. and will be working closely with each to support all sales efforts to dealers.

All other business – Walmart, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Academy, Dick’s, Gander Outdoors, Mills Fleet Farm, Tackle Warehouse, Fish USA, Amazon and all other e-commerce and international customers – will continue to be handled as is.

For more information, contact Russell Garner: 479-414-8765; rgarner@pradcooutdoorbrands.com or Customer Service Supervisor Tessa Galarza: 479-441-1017; tgalarza@pradcooutdoorbrands.com

 

PRADCO HUNTING MOVES TO MANUFACTURER’S REP GROUPS

BIRMINGHAM, AL. – PRADCO Hunting is transitioning to a new sales force organizational structure. Under the leadership of Shaun McPhail, Vice President of Sales, sales efforts will be organized into three separate verticals: National Accounts, eCommerce, and Regional Accounts.

No significant change is anticipated in how PRADCO Hunting serves National and eCommerce Accounts.

The most meaningful change will impact how PRADCO Hunting serves Regional Accounts, which include all independent dealers, buying groups, distributors, and regional retail chains. Going forward, PRADCO Hunting will no longer be served by an internal, territory sales force. Instead, PRADCO Hunting’s sales management will work with a team of 3rd party, manufacturer’s rep groups. PRADCO Hunting will continue to work with U.S. rep group Jeff Robles & Associates (Rockies / West Coast) and Kolder Inc. (Canada). Additional rep groups are currently being interviewed to cover remaining U.S. regional territories. PRADCO Hunting anticipates having all rep group partners selected and onboarded by July 2018.

“Hunting is a regional business, and local and regional accounts continue to be the bedrock of our industry,” said Bart Stephens, VP and General Manager of PRADCO Hunting. “Moultrie, Summit, Code Blue, Knight & Hale, and Texas Hunter were all built at the local dealer level. These organizational changes reflect our expectation of continued growth at the local dealer level.”

“PRADCO Hunting is fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some of the best rep groups in the country,” added McPhail. “We believe that a network of regional rep groups will give us better coverage at the regional and local level.”

Effective immediately, PRADCO Hunting is soliciting proposals from manufacturer’s rep groups who seek to add iconic hunting brands to their portfolio.

PRADCO Hunting is also hiring for the following open sales positions: Regional Sales Director, Regional Sales Manager (East), Regional Sales Manager (Central), eCommerce Sales Manager, Sales Operations Manager, and National Account Manager for Walmart.

For more information, contact Shaun McPhail: smcphail@pradcooutdoorbrands.com