Archive for November, 2008

Classic Style, Uncompromised Value — Only Blanco

To meet today’s market need for value, Blanco is introducing the Stellar series, a new product line that combines the very best of proven product designs, traditional market finish, and our exacting measure of quality.

Stellar is the new alternative to no brand, low quality imports and has unmatched value in the mid-priced segment.

For consumers, Stellar offers the exceptional value of a trusted European brand with the security of lasting quality and timeless beauty; that only Blanco can achieve.

For the trade, Stellar creates the exceptional opportunity to capture greater margins by utilizing a true branded solution that delivers the versatility of a compact SKU offering.

Stellar makes the selling process easier because it features shapes already popular with consumers. The new line’s Refined Brushed Finish, both aesthetically pleasing and easier to clean over other competitor finishes, is a clear industry improvement on the standard American market finish. And only six SKUs cover every application, which reduces overall inventory carrying costs and improves cash position through increased turns.

Details of this exciting new rollout:

• Beginning next week, we are shipping samples to reps and select customers for pre-selling.
• By the end of the month we will have price pages, spec pages and a basic sell sheet available to assist in pre-selling.
• New glamour images will be available on Information HQ in the next few weeks.

Good selling, and please join in the conversation. Share your thoughts on this or other topics by clicking the comments link below.

You have been waiting for it, and the new Performa is finally here.

The already extensive Performa line grows once again with the addition of a new stainless 1¾ bowl design, and its reverse, that fit into a standard 36” cabinet. That expands the Performa line to 37 models in stainless steel and granite, including kitchen, prep and bar sinks.

Information on the new sink, and the entire Performa line, will be available on Monday, Nov. 17 at www.blancoamerica.com and the BlancoPerforma microsite at http://www.blancoamerica.com/performa/

Starting Nov. 19 we also will provide you with these additional resources:

• Product specifications sheets will be posted on our website.

• We will have price pages available

• The Information HQ site will be updated with new Performa images

• Updated rep training will be sent out via email the week of Nov. 17.

• The new Performa catalog will be available by the end of November.

Many of you requested the new Performa size option, which only adds to the sink’s already strong appeal. Builders, designers, architects and remodelers have turned to Performa because it offers them a complete collection of premium kitchen and bar sinks, in both stainless steel and Silgranit®.

Performa:  Luxury That Fits. A wide range of product choice makes it easy to extend a look from the kitchen, to the island, to the bar in the entertainment area, with consistent style and quality.

Good selling, and please join in the conversation. Share your thoughts on this or other topics by clicking the comments link below.

Two seasons ago two NFL quarterbacks did something remarkable. In separate games only weeks apart, David Carr and Mark Brunell each completed 22 consecutive passes in a single game, a new record for perfection.

Now imagine that each football pass represented a dollar of sales, and that to be considered successful you had to complete 40 passes a game, for all 16 games of the season, and then continue to do that for more than three seasons. With only one single miss allowed.

That is the monthly target that Blanco has set for our logistics/warehouse operation, the best in the business. Customer service is given a monthly error rate target of 0.05% of monthly sales. That is the equivalent of losing $1 for every $2,000 in sales.

That’s a very high standard, but one they have exceeded. Since June 2008 they have consistently topped this target with an impressive error rate of 0.01% per month. That is only $1 lost for every $10,000 in sales.

Warehouse is given a monthly error rate target of  0.08% for shipping. Since June 2008 they have consistently exceeded this target with an error rate of 0.07% or less per month.

That high level of customer service saved approximately $1,500 on returned goods last year. So far this year they have saved the company $13,000 on returned goods.

This level of service is an extension of our commitment to quality, from innovation, to design to delivery performance. We know this is important to you, because these are your customers and you don’t want a single order to go awry.

Do you have an idea about how we can do an even better job? Share your thoughts on this or other topics by clicking the comments link below.