Icebreaker, the New Zealand-based manufacturer of merino wool activewear, has gone live on CenterStone Technology Inc.s iVendix B2B e-commerce application.
iVendix will provide Icebreakers sales reps and more than 2,000 dealers with a 24/7 on-line ordering solution in the U.S. with more countries coming online in the months ahead. Icebreaker dealers and sales reps now can view automated catalogs, check on the availability of product, place orders, and track and monitor the status of those orders using iVendix since it is accessible 24/7 via the Web.
“When looking for a B2B solution the choice was very easy. Centerstone has a tremendous track record in providing a fast and easy solution, which is a perfect fit for us,” said Icebreakers Russ Hopcus, president of U.S. operations. “We want to be the easiest company for specialty retailers to purchase pure outdoor merino from. CenterStone’s iVendix solution has a proven track record, is widely accepted and will allow our dealers and sales reps to order 24/7. That means more merino for everyone.”
“Icebreaker has joined a growing list of companies that understand the urgency of becoming more efficient, given the speed at which business is changing and against the backdrop of a slowing economy. To succeed, let alone just survive, the old ways of conducting business at the wholesale level have to be replaced with more efficient processes,” commented Tom Detmer, CEO of CenterStone Technologies.
“Icebreaker, like all our clients, came to the realization that their B2B site, targeted at specialty retailers and sales reps, is as important as their B2C Web site, which is targeted at consumers,” he continued. “Essentially, iVendix becomes the foundation for Icebreakers B2B internet strategy for their retailer community. After all, specialty retailers-the wholesale buyers-in reality, spend more dollars directly with a manufacturer than individual consumers, so providing a B2B solution for them is imperative. We are excited that Icebreaker has recognized the potential of iVendix as their B2B e-commerce solution, and with more than 12,000 active users of our Web-based application, we are confident that dealers will also be quick to embrace iVendix for Icebreaker,” added Detmer.
Brands that currently use CenterStones Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform and make the companys other solutions available to retail customers and sales reps include: The North Face, JanSport, Vans, Reef and VF Imagewear, part of VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC); Pearl Izumi; Marmot Mountain, Ex Officio and Marker Apparel, brands of Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH); Under Armour (NYSE: UA); Helly Hansen; Perry Ellis Intl. (NASDAQ: PERY); Geneva Watch Group; Cleveland Golf; SmartWool, a division of Timberland (NYSE: TBL); RipCurl; Billabong; Sport Obermeyer; Smith Optics; KHS Bicycles; Dale of Norway; ONeill Clothing; Hot Chillys; Petzl; Sole Technology; Icebreaker; Four Star Distribution (C1RCA); Fresh Produce Sportswear; Yakima Products; Patagonia Europe; 180s; The Orvis Company; Life is good®; The Quiksilver Rossignol Group; Timbuk2; ShockDoctor and others.
