San Antonio, TX — Just steps away from The Alamo, more than 800 Mac Tools distributors and 150 vendors convened for the 2009 Mac Tools Tool Fair Jan. 15-18.
This year’s tool fair featured Mac Tools’ 2009 theme of “The Pride and The Promise” and a supporting message of a five-point pledge — a pledge of Integrity, Loyalty, Service, Quality and Solutions. These messages were conveyed throughout the four-day event, at the Tool Fair trade show, the family reunion party, in the training classes, awards presentations and a special concert by 38 Special.
At the kickoff rally, Mac Tools President Mike Murray presented highlights from 2008 and looked forward to the challenging year ahead.
He proudly announced that Mac Tools brought on 150 new distributors in 2008, and a new tool school in Columbus, OH. This new school offers a computer center and a virtual truck, which contains the same inventory a starter distributor would have in his/her truck. In it, new distributors can see why certain tools are placed in certain positions throughout the truck for better marketability.
An 18-member Distributor’s Council also was established in 2008, with a summit held in Columbus in September, as well as teleconferences throughout the year.
While Murray presented even the challenges of the economy with a positive attitude, one subject struck a nerve: warranty abuse. He stated that there was a dramatic increase in online sales of broken tools and warranty abuse in 2008, and that Mac Tools is taking legal action to halt this compounding crime.
Race car drivers John Force and Kenny Bernstein offered inspirational words to keep distributors fired up and excited about selling Mac Tools. Force has been with Mac Tools for 15 years, and Bernstein, 21 years.
“We constantly try to help you sell your product,” Bernstein said to the distributors.
He continued, telling them to “Rethink how you do your business today,” and that they have the ability to do more each day if they so desire. “You have to look at every aspect of your business to find where you can save or make it more efficient.” Analyze what you do and be willing to make a change. “Ask yourself each morning, ‘Have I done the best I can?’ There is opportunity; you have to make it.”
Murray also reported that 30% of Mac Tools distributors grew their businesses in 2008. “There is opportunity. The service you provide is the differentiation between you and your competitors.”
