Not only is the economy getting stronger nationwide, it is booming in Longmont, Co., headquarters of the DEUTER USA division. Pat Loomis, President at Deuter is elated with his recent numbers, “Projections are on target and we are ahead this year, in fact, sales are up 40% for 2004, and we expect the same for 2005,” said Loomis. This is looking to be a great year for Deuter. Loomis attributes this soaring growth to two factors. First, retailers are having great sales success and are making in- season reorders. After 25 years in the business, Loomis knows intuitively what to carry, has the right product in stock, and can turn around requests in 24 hours with over-night delivery; this affords exceptional service and contented customers.
The second reason influencing this positive growth is Deuter¹s product line of Kid Carriers. Although Deuter is new on the block for this segment in the US, they are seasoned manufacturers of Kid Carriers in Europe. “We find we are filling reorders of this pack on a daily and weekly basis,” adds Loomis.
In just the last 12 months, Deuter has opened 200 more accounts, doubling their retail relationships for a total of 400 in outdoor specialty and bike. Deuter maintains strong ties with their long standing accounts because the product sells.
Opening new doors takes new relationships. In the last two years, Deuter USA division has expanded their national sales representative force to 20, 11 of which are bike-specific reps, 6 outdoor and 3 that are outdoor and bike combined.
A new addition to the sales team is Ben Winther. Ben has a long history of hiding out in the woods and not bathing for days. Eventually like the rest of the folks in the industry, the time came for him to shower up and begin to offer others all the great things he has played with every day. Regardless, it¹s not so bad to upgrade the ol' duct taped gear. Once out of the woods, Ben joined Walden Kayaks and worked his way into a more-than-responsible role of, “Assistant National Sales Manager.” After six productive years at Walden, Ben launched his own independent sales rep business working the New England territory (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT).
Keith Paterson, National Sales Director for Deuter, notes that, “I was impressed most by Ben's record of in-store service, retailer after retailer said they see Ben in their shop more than their own staff.”
Ben currently represents Walden Kayaks, Moonstone Mountain Equipment, Northern Lights Stoves, Bic Sport Kayaks, Ranger Canoe, North Water Paddle and Rescue Equipment, Crescent Moon Snow Shoes, Mad River Rocket Sleds, Gaia Paddlesports and now Deuter backpacks.
