SPARKS, MD--(Marketwired - Jul 8, 2014) - GearWrench®, a premier hand tool brand from Apex Tool Group, known for tools that deliver speed, strength and access, today announced Street Team, a new program that gives independent mobile distributors the support of an established tool brand without the restrictions of a franchise.
"Response to the program is strong and we are already exceeding early expectations," said Paul Steinweg, director of marketing for Apex Tool Group Automotive.
The Street Team program is available through select warehouse distribution partners. Ideal for mobile drivers who are already independent as well as those currently working for a franchise, the Street Team program offers exclusive incentives and support for those who sell the full line of GearWrench tools to automotive repair shop professionals.
"Automotive pros trust the mobile dealers who drive into their shops on a regular basis and offer innovative new products and other tool solutions to help increase productivity. These mobile dealers sell GearWrench today, but we wanted to give them a program that empowers them to respond to increasing demand for our tools beyond wrenches and ratchets," said Steinweg. "Street Team is a natural evolution for the GearWrench brand, which has a reputation among technicians for innovation, value and quality."
GearWrench Street Team is designed for mobile distributors who want more freedom with their inventory, customer base and territory. Every new Street Team member will have access to truck signage options and a dedicated Street Team advocate for field support. GearWrench will also launch a website that includes pre-release product information, exclusive promotions, selling tips and customizable promotional materials.
To qualify, Street Team independent drivers will commit to individually tailored growth targets for GearWrench hand tools over a 12-month period. GearWrench created a process to identify growth metrics unique to each dealer in coordination with their sponsoring warehouse distributor.
To simplify the conversion process, the GearWrench team designed a conversion program that allows drivers to switch out current inventory and quickly get up and running with new GearWrench inventory. The program includes vehicle branding with truck wraps and decals. A full wrap option is available for former franchise drivers looking to join the Street Team with an existing truck.
Street Team drivers will carry the complete GearWrench line, which goes far beyond its popular wrenches and ratchets and includes sockets, pliers, screwdrivers, specialty tools and more.
A comprehensive marketing campaign and new website will launch this year. Dealers who want to consider Street Team qualification should contact their local GearWrench distributor.
About GearWrench:
GearWrench is a premier hand tool brand from Apex Tool Group, one of the largest hand tool manufacturers in the world. Since the launch of the original patented five-degree ratcheting wrench, the GearWrench brand has continuously led the industry with breakthroughs in pass-thru ratchets, sockets, screw/nut drivers, pliers and specialty tools. Millions of GearWrench products have been "Professionally Tested" throughout the world. Additional information about GearWrench is available online at www.gearwrench.com.
About Apex Tool Group:
Apex Tool Group, LLC, based in Sparks, MD, is one of the largest worldwide producers of hand and power tools, tool storage, drill chucks, chain, and electronic soldering products. Directly and through its subsidiaries, Apex serves a multitude of global markets, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, energy, hardware, industrial, and consumer retail. Apex markets its portfolio of diverse products under its own brand names in addition to being the principal manufacturer for several key private label products for certain retailers for many years. Additional information about Apex Tool Group is available at www.apextoolgroup.com.