Maruyama conducts successful new distributor training program

 

MARUYAMA MEETING — Pictured from left to right are as follows: Michael Whittington, technical services manager, Smiths South-Central (SSC); SSC territory managers Danny Rachow, Billy Penick, Jerry Freeman, Keith Seward, Marty Kelly and Al Bettis; Maruyama’s Chris Martin and Jay Larsen; and SSC Principals Billy Smith and Robert Smith.

With the additions to its family of distributor partners, Maruyama U.S., Inc. is organizing training programs designed to successfully introduce the company’s people, products and programs.

Maruyama’s Chris Martin, regional sales manager, and Jay Larsen, technical sales support manager, recently conducted a two-day training meeting for employees at Smiths South-Central (SSC) Sales Company in Springhill, La. The meeting was attended by each of SSC’s six territory sales managers, representing Maruyama in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas; Michael Whittington, technical services manager, SSC; and SSC Principals Billy and Robert Smith.

Although ultimately successful, the SSC meeting began inauspiciously. The early morning hours of the first day brought thunderstorms and heavy rains to northwest Louisiana, inundating Springhill with almost eight inches of rain in less than two hours. The relentless rain flooded the SSC office and warehouse.

“I’m extremely proud of our employees,” said SSC Vice President Robert Smith. “Everyone braved the storm to help to move the water through and out of our facility, as well as secure all computers and inventory from harm. With all hands on deck, we managed to escape with no product or property damage once the storm finally subsided and moved out of the area.

“A special vote of thanks to Chris and Jay from Maruyama; both were instrumental in the clean-up effort, and they still pulled off a terrific meeting when we reconvened in the afternoon. With a detailed product orientation, hands-on demonstrations, and the presentation of marketing programs, the SSC sales team is now well-versed in the full line of Maruyama products and programs, and anxious to get in the field to call on customers. Our meeting simply confirms my stance about Maruyama — quality products, quality programs, and quality people.”