How to Get Product into APC Automotive Technologies
APC Automotive Technologies, LLC, is a leading supplier of automotive, light truck and heavy-duty replacement parts.
According to the company, “AP Emissions has been serving the emissions-control and performance exhaust aftermarket for more than 90 years, covering pretty much every vehicle ever made from traditional automotive to evolving light- to heavy-duty vehicles. Similarly, Centric Parts is the leading voice within the replacement brakes industry, originating technical standards and providing thought-leadership for brake systems engineering and advanced manufacturing. There’s quality, and then there’s Centric quality.
Together, we offer a vertically-integrated supply chain and all of the benefits that come from shared R&D, testing, manufacturing excellence, performance parts and extensive distribution channels.” Thus, we have two brands that have become fused as one leading giant in the automotive aftermarket industry.
Earlier this year, the company made key promotions and appointments to boosts their sales. Mike Barto, president and chief operating officer, made the announcement, stating, “The changes we’ve made to our sales team better reflect our company’s position as the leading, single-source undercar parts provider and also offer our customers easier access and cross-selling opportunities into our combined AP Emissions and Centric Parts/StopTech portfolios. Our new sales organization structure puts us in a much better position to directly support our strategic plans for growth and continued integration across the group.”
The United States automotive aftermarket is estimated to be worth $318.2 billion (2013), contributing more than 2.3% to GDP. The aftermarket employs 4.2 million people who work at manufacturers, distributors, retailers and repair shops. This manufacturer is a player in this industry and has been able to tap into the rich market available for it. It is of no doubt that there are millions of cars on the American roads and garages; replacements of parts are inevitable and the market is highly scalable. Though trends in the automotive industry are ever-evolving, this company has been able to withstand change for over 90 years, it is projected that its seat in the industry is assured and comfortable at that.
As a supplier, it is essential to know that you need a unique selling point. This is what makes you different from the other suppliers or vendors. The industry is wide. A lot of cars are placed on mass production and custom orders by the years and you don’t want to be a stub in the industry. Look at your market offerings and see what you can offer differently. Improve on your current product offerings and make them more attractive to customers. You can always carve a unique point for yourself by trust and superb customer service. Once your customers can have trust in your products, it won’t be difficult for you to get more customers out of recommendation by current customers. It is important to note that professional advice and service are essentials with which you can increase your customer base.
Submit Your Product to Apc Automotive Technologies Foods
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How to get your product into APC Automotive Technologies
- Understand you client: Before you spend a lot of time and money creating a product, you should know if anyone will want to buy it. Learn more about Market Research
- Learn if it’s protectable: Know if you can defend your product against cheap copies if it gets knocked off. Learn more about Copyright and Patent your product
- Test your product: Make sure that there’s a demand for your product and the customer understands what you are selling when it’s on the shelf and nobody is there to explain it. Learn more about Product Testing
- Perfect your pitch: Before you speak to decision makers, know your numbers, know your retailer and know your logistics in and out. Learn more about Pitching Your Product
- Don’t do it alone: If you haven’t been successful in retail before, a secret of success is that you can’t do it alone. Having great sales staff, customer support and marketing partners can take you from zero to success faster than if you tried on your own. Learn more about Retail Partnerships
Contact APC Automotive Technologies Buyer
Do not trust any “list” of buyers.
Typically retail buyers change either companies or positions every few years. This strategy helps retailers know that their buyers are not taking “kick-backs” and are selecting the very best product for the very best position each time.
Buyers are typically held to a very rigorous standard of sell-through volume that they must hit and because of this they are risk averse. Your job as a supplier or vendor is to convince them that the buyers going into the stores not only know about what you’re selling but are actively seeking the product in the store currently.
How to Submit a Product to APC Automotive Technologies
There are several ways to get a product placed in APC Automotive Technologies. However, most entrepreneurs only dream about getting their product distributed to major retailers, few actually do it. We have experienced a significant rise in interest since the show Shark Tank started airing on NBC. Mr. Checkout has had the pleasure of working with a few Shark Tank success stories such as KISStixx and 180 Party Cups which are now currently being distributed around the country to stores like Walmart, Target, Kroger, 7-Eleven and more.
If you envision your product would be a good fit for APC Automotive Technologies, we have a few steps to help you get your product on their shelves.
Here are the 6 steps you need to take to have your product placed in APC Automotive Technologies.
1. Start with the right questions.) Before you try distributing your product to APC Automotive Technologies, you need to ask yourself a few basic questions. Do you need to build demand for your product, or is there already a demand for it? Do you know that APC Automotive Technologies would be interested in selling your product? If you can strike a deal with APC Automotive Technologies can you handle the production volume? Do you want to sell directly to APC Automotive Technologies, or do you want to license your product to a manufacturer that will handle APC Automotive Technologies?
2. Be prepared to profit.) Does your product offer enough of a profit margin for APC Automotive Technologies? Can you sell your product at a reasonable enough profit to cover the packaging, shipping, commissions, marketing and wholesale distribution? Check APC Automotive Technologies guidelines for other fees that you will have to build into the cost of your product in order for you to be able to turn enough of a profit to make the effort worth your while. If you work with a discount retailer, they will try to strip your profits down to zero in order to keep their prices as low as possible.
The typical breakdown of margins are: If a products costs $1 to produce, that product will retail for $4. That product that retails for $4 will wholesale for $2 to distributors and stores that purchase direct. Big box retailers like APC Automotive Technologies may offer to pay $1.25 to the manufacturer if the product costs $1 to produce. That is the typical profit margin.
3. Determine if APC Automotive Technologies is the right store for your product.) The relationship between you and APC Automotive Technologies starts with you browsing their store for competing products. If APC Automotive Technologies already has a similar product, it is going to be very difficult to get your product picked up. Spend some time at your local Dorman Products, Inc. to see what kind of products they are selling, speak to the manager and see if he thinks your product will sell well in their store. Picture in which zone your product would best fit on the shelf and keep in mind that the most precious asset that these big box stores value are their shelf space. Keep this information in mind when you are preparing your presentation to APC Automotive Technologies.
If your company is minority or women owned, check APC Automotive Technologies and see if they offer specific opportunities for those designations.
4. Pitch your product to APC Automotive Technologies) Decide whether it will be you or a representative to present your product to APC Automotive Technologies. Your presentation depends heavily on your strengths as a businessperson as they will most likely ask financial questions and logistics questions.
It’s common for companies to hire a broker to pitch their product to APC Automotive Technologies, as it will be more likely that your product will make it to the next stage if the individual pitching your product has industry knowledge or a personal relationship with APC Automotive Technologies. The percentage of commission verses, however generally a broker will take around 5% to represent your product to APC Automotive Technologies.
We at Mr. Checkout have experience dealing with brokers and know that there are several retail brokers that have poor business practices that can potentially damage your brand. If you are seeking a legitimate APC Automotive Technologies broker, please give us a call for a recommendation. It could save you a huge headache and a lot of money.
5. Complete the required APC Automotive Technologies paperwork.) Often APC Automotive Technologies will have you go through an application process. However, before submitting the paperwork required by APC Automotive Technologies, you should contact a buyer at APC Automotive Technologies and let them know your intentions. Having a contact inside of the company will potentially move your application more smoothly through the process.
6. Anticipate the need for increased volume.) Having APC Automotive Technologies agree to stock your product will most likely mean a significant increase in volume. You should be prepared to ramp up your production and informing your manufacturer of this opportunity.
Having production, logistics and distribution to sync is not only difficult, it requires a significant amount of time invested in customer relations. Also, APC Automotive Technologies may have stipulations in the contract that may penalize you for delays in shipping and production. Have an attorney explain all contracts to you if you don’t understand the terms.
If you’re looking to sell your product to APC Automotive Technologies, be sure to thoroughly assess the marketplace, carefully prepare for production growth, and take full advantage of resources available to help you grow your business.
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