Posted to News on 8th Feb 2011, 10:49
Kiowa named Festo 'Premier Stockist of the Year'
Fluid power specialist Kiowa has won the prestigious Festo 'Premier Stockist of the Year' award for outstanding performance in 2010. The award is presented to the company within the Festo Premier Stockist network that shows the best sales growth of Festo products for the year, combined with demonstrable gains in operational efficiency - evidenced by over 90 per cent usage of the Festo on-line shop - and the highest level of commitment to strategic campaigns.
The award was presented to Justin Needham, Sales Director of Kiowa, by Stuart Gittins, Festo's REU Team Sales Manager. Also present were Colin Noble and Graham Walsh from Kiowa, and Festo's Marco Flori.
Kiowa's Justin Needham said: "This award complements an exceptional year with Festo and highlights the hard work, commitment to technology and excellence within the Kiowa sales force. We have retained the title of Premier Stockist for the second year running, which - according to Festo - has never been achieved previously. This high accolade demonstrates our position as a leading fluid power specialist.
"Our success is built on providing fast, cost-effective and knowledgeable service alongside efficient local, national and international distribution. Last year, with Festo's support, we trained over 36 engineering-based candidates to a pneumatic City & Guilds qualification here at Sleaford in Lincolnshire. Among other successes within our ever-expanding operation was the promotion of Festo's Energy Saving Service. Recognised as the leading approach to energy saving, Kiowa engaged with a number of brand-leading organisations to help reduce their KPIs.
"I would like to thank everyone within Kiowa for their hard work throughout 2010, and Festo for its support and high level of service."
Festo's Stuart Gittins stated: "Kiowa has demonstrated excellence in product campaigns, promotional activity, training commitment and process efficiency. It returns the best year-on-year growth of its Festo portfolio, principally by providing an exceptional level of service to its customers in the Sleaford and surrounding areas.
"The company also operates a highly professional and service-oriented business, meeting its customers' needs. Kiowa has established an enviable reputation with many leading industrial companies in the field, with a particular focus in the food and process industry. Its Fluid Power Division has expanded significantly in recent years and offers an extensive portfolio of pneumatic products and services including Festo Energy Saving."
The level of service provided by all Festo Premier Stockists aims to be exemplary; only companies that meet specific Festo-defined standards are granted the title. In particular, each stockist must operate in accordance with the ISO 9002 standard, carry guaranteed stock levels, and offer fully-trained technical support personnel and competent trade counter services. Each stockist has direct access to over 35million worth of stock held at Festo's European Customer Services Centre in Germany, enabling them to offer customers next-day delivery of virtually any pneumatic component, from a range of over 23,000 products.
