Confluence Watersports has expanded its sales team as part of an organizational restructuring of the sales division. Building on the success of the regional field representatives, the reorganization was designed to further drive sales at specialty through a combination of increased technical support, enhanced customer service, new key account personnel, and a dedicated e-commerce manager.
The restructuring of the team began in spring 2010, with the appointments of Brad Taylor as the director of U.S. field sales and promotion of Kevin Henderson to director of sales for Canada. Taylor traveled extensively to meet with U.S. retail partners, listen to their needs and identified potential areas for growth in both service and sales. This new restructuring of the sales organization will allow for the implementation of these expansion plans for retail partners and Confluence, alike.
As a key component of expanding independent specialty dealer support, Confluence announces the addition of five Technical Representatives in the U.S. and one in Canada. The “Tech Reps” will provide technical product training, warranty inspection and resolution, and support retailer shows and events. The company’s 13 regional Sales Representatives across North America remain the core of the Confluence sales team and the primary point of contact for retailers.
“We gauge our success by the success of our retail partners,” said Shelly Moore, vice president of North American sales. “With that in mind, the new structure allows greater collaboration with our retailers; identifying new sales opportunities while maximizing existing opportunities – at both the retail and manufacturing level. Without a doubt, sustainable growth in our industry requires a passion for paddlesports. We believe success is also based on analytic skills and a strong sense of strategic business development. We’re proud to have a team proficient and proven in all three areas.”
Moore continued, “We’ve learned that investing in education and training results in happy paddlers and higher sell thru. Our new Tech Rep team will deliver this added value directly to our specialty dealers. It’s a win-win for all.”
The final stage of the restructure is the creation of three new positions: an e-Commerce Manager, plus two Key Account Representatives. Respectively, Adam Ott, Courtney Moore and John Seals will fill those roles.
As e-commerce sales manager, Ott will be responsible for business planning and content management of the Harmonygear.com and Bombergear.com websites. Which includes creating and implementing retail promotions for the Shopatron platform.
Confluence accessory brands work with the Shopatron platform to capitalize on the massive untapped opportunity of online sales. Using Shopatron, Confluence provides the online “store” and retail partners make the sale. Ott will help retailers navigate the process and implement strategies to bolster their online sales.
Longtime customers will recognize Ott from his roles in customer service, product management and key account management with Confluence. He has been with the company since 2005 and is currently paddling whitewater in his new home base of Chattanooga, Tenn.
Courtney Moore will support key accounts on the east coast. Moore has been with Confluence since 2007, turning his vast retail experience and his passion for canoe and kayak tripping into increased sales for the Great Lakes region. He will relocate to New Hampshire and will work with L.L. Bean, EMS and Gander Mountain.
John Seals is new to the Confluence team as the west coast-based key account representative. Seals is well known and respected in the paddlesports industry as the founder of Seals Sprayskirts and, most recently, as the marketing and sales manager at Hyside Whitewater Inflatables. He will work with: REI, West Marine, Backcountry.com, TSA, Academy Sports and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
If you are a retail partner with questions, or interested in speaking to a sales representative, please contact Shelly Moore at shelly.moore@kayaker.com.
About Confluence Watersports:
Confluence Watersports is a family of brands that covers the full spectrum of paddlesports. Wilderness Systems, Perception, Dagger, Wave Sport, Mad River Canoe, Adventure Technology, Harmony accessories and Bomber Gear speak to different sectors, but share the same enthusiasm for the water. Based in Easley, S.C., but employing over 500 people across the U.S. and Canada, the company is a dynamic blend of passionate paddlers, adept businesspeople and paddling industry icons, jointly committed to ensuring the future success of paddling, in all its forms. To learn more about the company and its brands, visit www.confluencewatersports.com.