Canadians Shine At Matco Tools Expo In Florida

Canadian Matco Tools distributors were honoured at the annual Matco Tools Expo held in Orlando, Florida where the North American manufacturer and distributor of automotive equipment, tools and tool boxes put the spotlight on its North American distributor teams and individual Matco Tools franchisees.

Thomas Willis, president of Matco Tools told an enthusiastic audience that while the North American economy may be troubled by the sub-prime mortgage and credit crisis, and worries about a possible recession, the company itself was continuing a strong growth path. With 270 new products added last year, Willis said Matco Tools will continue adding to and updating its line of popular tools boxes and hand tools, and will be bringing out a new set of air ratchets this year.

Ralph Breitkreutz, general manager for Matco Tools Canada honoured his Canadian Matco Tools district managers and distributor teams at the show, thanking the Canadian team and their families for their efforts in growing the Canadian operations. Breitkreutz said the Canadian operations had a sales growth of 104.5 per cent to plan in 2007, with 11 new distributors being added to the Canadian team in Ontario.

“We had a 73 per cent year-on-year sales growth,” he added. “We are now the second largest mobile tool provider in Ontario and we have currently 31 distributors servicing automotive customer. We are in the process of adding an additional 12 in 2008.”

Breitkreutz said the Canadian team’s success came from the enthusiastic attitude each brought to the challenges of growing Matco Tools in Canada and in developing long-term relationships with customers. He also took time to thank his district managers and their teams: Chris Snider whose team covers the GTA, and eastern Ontario to Ottawa; Mike Trampleasure and his team with covers the majority of Southern Ontario; and Bill Drinkwater whose team looks after all areas north of Highway 7 in Woodbridge, Ontario.

SSGM