Boating Industry Intelligence You Can Profit From
WATSONVILLE, Calif. — West Marine has named Columbia Sportswear and Starbrite its co-vendors of the year as part of the company’s 15th annual VIV (Very Important Vendor) Awards.
“West Marine is proud to announce Columbia Sportswear and Starbrite as the co-winners of the West Marine VIV Awards for 2009,” Ron Japinga, EVP Merchandising for West Marine, said in a statement. “Each represents the ideals of offering customers high quality products, a commitment to innovation and excellent customer service that has been the hallmark of West Marine’s mission since its beginning.”
West Marine said it considered several factors when choosing the companies to single out, including consistent excellence in product quality, sales growth and the helpfulness of their sales support staff.
Other 2009 winners include:
— Best Sales Growth: Vertext Standard
— Best Vendor Representative: Mark Jordan, ICOM
— Best New Product: Revere—McMurdo FastFind 210 GPS Personal Location Beacon
— Best Supply Chain Partner: Schaefer Marine
— Best Store Sales Support: Raymarine
— Best Direct Sales Support: Sierra
— Best Port Supply Sales Support: Norcold-Thetford
— Best Visual Merchandising Support: Caframo
— Best Green Product: Starbrite
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