Industry News NABA Spells Out Requirements As a follow-up to last issue’s coverage of the NABA Show in Reno, Nevada, dealers may want to know how they can become members of the National Archery Buyers Association. President Norm Geertsen explained the uncomplicated procedure. Any dealer wishing to become a member must be in business for at least two years and have a legitimate store front. In addition, the store must have a federal tax identification number and a business license and must be open at least five days per week with regular business hours. Prospective members must also do at least $200,000 in annual sales and have a good credit rating. Finally, the new applicant must submit four industry credit references along with the membership application, which can be downloaded from the NABA website, www.naba-archery.com. Geertsen noted after a dealer is accepted for membership, he or she is required to attend either the annual ATA Show or the NABA Show that is held each February in Reno, Nevada. For 2016, those show dates are January 5-7 in Louisville, Kentucky for the ATA Show and February 11-13 for NABA’s show in Reno. Geertsen explained registered dealers attending either show are provided with a list, posted on the NABA website, of cooperating manufacturers that offer show special pricing. This special pricing is not available to non-members or to other dealers at the show. More information is available at the NABA website, www.naba-archery. com or by phone at (503) 658-7328. Parker Honors Top Dealer Parker Bows, a leading manufacturer of high quality compound bows, crossbows and crossbow accessories, is proud to recognize Green Top Hunting & Fishing of Richmond, Virginia for being the number one Parker Dealer in the USA for 2014. For the third consecutive year, GSM Adds SW Regional Manager GSM announced the hiring of new Southwestern Regional Sales Manager Zach Henderson. Henderson’s recent employment with the Dallas Cowboys’ merchandising gained the Cowboys an exclusive licensee agreement with Duck/Buck Apparel Company, owned by Jerry Jones. He developed business and maintained existing accounts on a national level with interaction with their sales representative agency. “I’m extremely pleased that Mr. Henderson has joined our sales team,” Gordon McMinn, GSM vice president of sales, said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge from the independent rep side and manufacturer’s side of the business. The addition of Henderson enables us to better streamline our current sales regions, which allows for more efficiency and increased coverage of all GSM customers.” Green Top was honored as Parker’s top retailer out of over 1,000 independent Parker dealers across the USA. Green Top has served the Richmond, Virginia area for over 60 years, providing expertise in hunting, fishing and the outdoors. “Since 1996, Green Top and Parker have had a relationship that goes beyond purchase orders and normal vendor relations,” Glen Harper, Green Top archery buyer, said. “We have developed a partnership, which is built on trust and the common interest of both organizations’ successes. Growing together with outstanding product assortments have resulted in improved sales for over 19 years.” Contact: Brandon Hylton Tel: (540)-337-5426 Email: [email protected] GREEN TOP HONORED AS USA MINT SPRING, VA; Parker Bows, a leading manufacturer o Crossbow Accessories, is proud to recognize Green Top Hun #1 Parker Dealer in the USA for 2014. For the 3rd consecutive year, Green Top was honored as Park independent Parker dealers across the USA. Green Top has s providing expertise in hunting, fishing and the outdoors. “Since 1996, Green Top and Parker have had a relationship vendor relations,” said Glen Harper, Green Top Archery Buy on trust and the common interest of both organizations succe assortments have resulted in improved sales for over 19 year Todd Wade, (left) national sales manager for Parker Bows, honored Green Top’s Glen Harper, Billy Nicar and Jimmy Hyman for Green Top being the number one Parker dealer in the USA. 112 May15AT112-113T-R.indd 112 4/1/15 3:04 PM Cherokee Sports Announces Expanded Management, Distribution Cherokee Sports, best known for its lifelike inflatable decoys, has expanded its operation and its management team to enable the company to increase its share of this market, according to Brett Fulcher, chief operating officer and president. Fulcher said that three managers with the Sweden-based Hexpol Group, experienced in M&A activities and product development, are taking leading roles with Cherokee. Tracy Garrison has become Cherokee Sports’ chief executive officer and Ernie Ulmer and Larry Johnston have joined the company management as chief financial officer and procurement director respectively. Fulcher also announced a distribution partnership with Remar, a Lebanon, Tennessee-based warehousing service company that will handle all warehousing, shipping, fulfillment and customer service representation. In making the announcement, Fulcher said the addition of these three executives aligns their proven skills with Cherokee’s historic innovation and demonstrated product success; “We are delighted to add Tracy, Ernie and Larry to Cherokee’s leadership team. Their experience will further the company’s profitability and growth as we look to enhance fulfillment capabilities, increase access to services, flatten seasonality and advance opportunities to develop additional retailer relationships within the market.” Fulcher went on to say, “we are particularly pleased to add Tracy to our group. He has a proven track record in building successful organizations, developing product distribution strategies and managing companies for longterm growth and he has done this on a national and international scale. His leadership skills will be exceptionally valuable to Cherokee as we continue to expand our organization and market share.” Fulcher said that one of Garrison’s key focuses is acquisition, an area that the new CEO has deep experience in. Garrison said acquisitions are an important part of the company’s growth strategy. “This industry has always been dependent on seasonal peaks and resultant valleys,” he said. “We see strategic acquisitions of complementary businesses as a means to smooth out the seasonality and drive more sales for Cherokee Sports.” The partnership with Remar will streamline distribution, Fulcher added, allowing Cherokee to better focus on its goal of producing high quality, zero defect products, leaving the smallest environmental footprint while providing the best product available. “We have seen strong demand for our products from hunters across the country and increased interest from a growing list of retailers,” Fulcher stated. “This enhanced Cherokee’s leadership group and our approach to the business will enable us to meet this demand and expand our brand into new markets. It continues our longheld philosophy to create a path where none currently exists.” In addition to this position with Cherokee, Garrison serves as president and chief executive officer of Hexpol Compounding, LLC and Hexpol Compounding, NAFTA. In addition to joining Cherokee, Ulmer has served with Garrison as the chief financial officer of Hexpol Compounding, NAFTA. Hexpol is a world-leading polymers group with strong global market positions in advanced polymer compounds, gaskets for plate heat exchangers and wheels made of plastic and rubber materials for forklifts and castor wheel applications. The company is based out of Sweden. Cherokee Sports, a middle Tennessee business founded in 1993 by Fulcher, has long been a suppliers of hunting equipment including an archery target repair kit, game calls and a patented line of photo-printed inflatable decoys. Reach the headquarters in Tennessee by calling (800) 858-2554. 113 May15AT112-113T-R.indd 113 4/1/15 3:05 PM