Executives from Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. recently participated in a product strategy meeting with key customers from across North America.
Set in Moab, Utah, the meeting was designed to give dealers a voice in the business, through both formal meeting time and one-on-one conversations during the two-and-a-half day outing.
Day one
The meeting kicked off with an open discussion led by Hercules CEO Bill Trimarco. The forum produced conversations on such topics as branding, programming and profitability. The large group then dispersed into breakout sessions, in which participants focused on product line expansion, operations and supply.
“We wanted to create another forum -- in addition to SEMA -- in which to have a group dialogue with our customers,” says Jedd Emans, vice president of sales for Hercules.
“This type of event always produces great things. When you put a group of the industry’s best together, you’re going to get some pretty outstanding thinking.”
But who goes to Moab and doesn’t get adventurous? Following the morning sessions, guests were given an opportunity to take out ATVs or ride a jet boat down the Colorado River.
Day two
Hercules brand Trail Digger MT mud tires were the focus of the second full day of the meeting. In a caravan of nearly 20 4x4 JKs, each outfitted with Trail Diggers, the group traveled the world-renowned Gemini Bridges and Hell’s Revenge trails, gaining first-hand knowledge of the tire’s performance as well as what an enthusiast looks for in a mud tire.
“The trail was brutal, but the Trail Digger over-performed," says Kenny Rogers, general manager of Shamrock Tire Co.
"The tires turned Hell's Revenge into Hercules’ Revenge. Honestly, I have never been more scared -- or sold -- in my whole life. I’m grateful for the memories from this trip.”
Hercules intends to make the product strategy meeting a biennial event. The company’s dealer incentive tripswill be held during the years opposite the product strategy meeting.
In 2012, the dealer incentive trip is slated for the Four Seasons Resort in Costa Rica. Customers qualify by achieving a minimum absolute volume and a year-over-year volume growth.
For more information on Hercules and its products, visit www.herculestire.com.
