“Welcome to new beginnings,” said Hako Australia’s managing director Frank Cupido in his opening address at the Hako Dealer Conference held at Rydges Hotel in Parramatta (NSW), late February. In the four years that have passed since Hako’s last conference, Cupido reflected on the impact the GFC and various natural disasters has had on how we do business today. “All our businesses have changed and evolved to meet todays business environment,” he empathised, “but it’s how we embrace future change that will determine the level of success we will achieve together. We want you, our dealers, to walk along that path with us.
“Hako’s focus this year is to build on 2011 success; to evolve and meet the needs of our customers, be involved and work together with our dealers and to have the resolve to meet any challenges head on,” said Cupido. “We achieved 17 percent growth in 2011. Our quality value proposition is being heard and recognised and we will continue to deliver that same quality message into the marketplace in 2012”.
Hako Australia’s new premises located in Wetherill Street, Silverwater (NSW) is a reflection of Cupido’s vision of the company’s ethos of providing quality equipment and customer service and, “demonstrates the investment being put into the company and its products,” he pointed out. “The new warehouse has been set up to deliver the utmost quality and efficient service of all our products.”
Cupido went on to give an update of Hako Australia’s streamline focus brand strategy with the promotion of only four Hako Group brands, their enhanced partner development strategy, as well as the handover of Rotobic manufacturing to Rugged Industries with Hako’s former product business manager Tibor Frei.
A range of presentations were delivered about dealer structure, Rotobic, distribution, environment impacts, marketing and a talk given by Martino Santi regarding Australian Consumer Law in regards to guarantees and warranties – a valuable and very informative presentation that had the attending dealers in animated discussions.
A visit to the Hako premises at Silverwater for interactive product demonstrations of the Hako sweeper and scrubber range, Rotobic and Citymaster range ensured day two of the conference was relaxed and enjoyable with hands-on participation.
The conference concluded with an awards breakfast at which many dealers were bestowed with accolade and thanks from the manufacturer for sales growth and support. The stand-out winner by far was Lindsey’s Cleaning Supplies of Bowen Hills (QLD) that received five awards; including Sales Excellence by an Individual in 2011 and Tyll Necker Most Outstanding Dealer Salesperson awarded to Ruth Allnutt; Sales Plan Achievement 2011, Winner of the ‘Back to the Future with Rotobic’ Campaign, Hako Australia Number One Outstanding Sales Growth and the award for Number One Dealer in Australia.
For photos of the event visit www.picasaweb.google.com/incleanmag