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FRONT & CENTER News
about NYACS Member Retailers and Suppliers
MOUNTAIN/SERVICE DISTRIBUTORS: The South Fallsburg-based wholesaler received the SURE WINNER FOODS: The Saco ME/Syracuse NY based distributor of ice cream, novelties and frozen foods received a "Zero Sales Award" at Nestle's Ice Cream National Distributor Meeting. They were recognized for nationally having the lowest percentage of freezers (1%) showing zero sales in the field of any distributor, far below Nestle's target threshold. CHESTNUT PETROLEUM DISTRIBUTORS: President & CEO Mickey Jamal will be a speaker at the American Wholesaler Marketers Association’s Convenience Distributor Conference and Expo on February 17, 2012, in Las Vegas. He will be part of a panel discussion titled “What’s Driving the Changing Retail Landscape?” HEINEKEN USA: Olga Osminkina has been named Senior Brand Director for Heineken Lager. She previously was Executive Director, Global Marketing, for Estee Lauder companies. PERRY’S ICE CREAM: The Akron NY-based, fourth-generation craft ice cream maker scooped up a championship at the 2011 World Dairy Expo Contest in Madison WI, winning first place in the Best Frozen Yogurt category for its Peanut Butter Chip Frozen Yogurt. The contest attracted 700 entries from dairy processors throughout North America. Products were judged on flavor, body texture, and appearance/color and melting quality. SUNOCO INC.: The chain is expanding its Craft Beer Exchange program at its APlus convenience stores in Western New York. After starting this summer as a pilot program in 12 locations in the Buffalo area, the Craft Beer Exchange will expand into the Rochester market with eight new locations offering craft beers sold in growlers on up to 12 taps, as well as pre-packaged bottles and cans. Two new locations will be added in Buffalo. Customers can select from up to 12 rotating craft beers in 64-ounce glass growlers to go, or can create their own six packs from a selection of 12-ounce single bottles for $9.99. MILLER COORS: Parent company SAB Miller is acquiring the Foster's Group, the Australia-based brewer of lager brands including Corona and Foster's. NICE N EASY GROCERY SHOPPES: The chain opened its latest prototype store in Brewerton, Onondaga County, on October 25. At 6,700 square feet, it’s the largest Nice N Easy to date. Open 24 hours, it offers an expanded line of groceries with a grocery-style conveyor checkout, frozen foods and seafood, as well as a fresh meat selection. There is a walk-in "beer cave," full-service Easy Street Eatery with seating, and a produce department. The store has 10 fueling positions plus a new diesel facility to service over the road trucks. At its recent Service Awards Banquet, Nice N Easy recognized 48 employees for reaching milestones in their employment tenure with the company, including Sally Johnson, 30 years; Ione Hewitt, Phoenix Store Manager, 20 years; Jared Sturtevant, Director of Marketing, 15 years; and Melissa Tupper, Assistant Manager at Star Lake, 10 years.
TANKNOLOGY INC.: The Austin TX-based environmental compliance services company announced an alliance with TankLink, a division of Telular Corp., in which Tanknology will perform nationwide installation and related field support services for TankLink’s wireless tank level monitoring systems. Tanknology provides underground storage tank testing and related services at more than 50,000 sites per year. ANHEUSER BUSCH INC.: The brewer announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in its breweries and other facilities nationwide, including $27 million for upgrades to its Baldwinsville brewery to increase capacity, add new packaging lines and upgrade wastewater treatment process. CUMBERLAND FARMS: The New England Convenience Store Association presented Cumberland Farms’ Anne Flint with its Legislative Leadership Award. Also, the chain won one of three inaugural Doing Business Electronically awards presented by PDI in San Antonio TX. They were among 16 companies PDI honored for using its PDI/Enterprise product "for creative practices that saved their businesses time and money, improved decision making and reduced paper processes." RYKO MANUFACTURING: The Iowa-based company – North America’s largest provider of managed car wash systems– has changed its name to Ryko Solutions Inc. and launched a new brand identity program, including a new logo and website at www.ryko.com. TWO BAYS SERVICE: Bay's Mobil, a family-run gas station for over 46 years, recently reopened after closing for upgrades in the summer of 2008. The Mobil-branded location offers regular, midgrade, and super gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. It also is one of the few locations in Dutchess County offering E85. MIRABITO FAMILY OF COMPANIES: The Binghamton-based chain plans to bring Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop, Canada's largest publicly traded restaurant chain, to 33 of its 55 Mirabito, Quickway and Convenience Express c-stores in New York. Among the locations are Castle Creek, Brewerton, Camillus, Syracuse, Central Square, Vestal, Endicott, and Hancock. With 3,600 restaurants, Tim Hortons is the second largest coffee-by-the-cup retailer in North America. NEW YORK LOTTERY: The Lottery has earned Level 2 Responsible Gaming Framework Certification from the World Lottery Association. After becoming a WLA member in 2009, it achieved Level 1 Certification the following year. In 2011, it completed a rigorous self-assessment of its current Responsible Gaming practices required for Level 2 Certification, and submitted the results to the WLA's Independent Assessment Panel (IAP) of international experts in the field of corporate responsibility. TOMRA NA INC: The global provider of advanced recycling solutions was ranked 31st by Waste & Recycling News magazine’s on its 2011 list of the Top 100 Recyclers in North America. Criteria for the Top 100 list included recycling revenue, volume, employment, materials recycled – including paper, metals, plastic and glass – and number of recycling facilities. Harald Henriksen is TOMRA NA’s new President and CEO. GUIDA’S MILK & ICE CREAM: The New Britain CT-based dairy has named Michael Young as its President and Treasurer, succeeding the retiring Michael J.A. Guida. He is the first non-family member to assume top leadership of the family-owned business. James Guida was promoted to Executive Vice president and Secretary. 7-ELEVEN INC.: The company, which acquired the Wilson Farms chain earlier this year, has begun converting Western New York Wilson Farms locations to 7-Elevens. The first conversions were in Buffalo, Tonawanda, West Seneca, Lockport, Niagara Falls, Lancaster, East Amherst, and Cheektowaga. Changes include new signage and paint, changed aisle configurations, and equipment upgrades. The units now carry Slurpees and other proprietary 7-Eleven products. CITGO PETROLEUM CORP.: Stephen DeBlois is the new Senior Territory Manager for upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania, succeeding the retired John Wyckoff.
August 2011 ANHEUSER BUSCH INC.: John Driscoll of Saratoga Springs has been promoted from Key Account Manager, servicing retail chains, to Sales Director for Upstate New York, servicing wholesale distributors. His A-B career began in 1988 as a seasonal employee at Busch Gardens, Tampa. Since 1994, he has held a series of marketing and sales positions in Wilmington NC, Charlotte, Salt Lake City, and Seattle prior to Upstate New York. ROBO ENTERPRISES INC.: The family-owned business held a grand opening ceremony June 24 for its third convenience store, located at 817 North Main Street in Jamestown NY. The location offers motor fuel, fresh sandwiches and pizza, lottery, beverages, snacks, coffee, and other convenience items, as well as the company's second upscale laundromat. PEPSI BEVERAGES CO.: Darlene Roop, Retail Key Account Manager for Upstate New York, has been promoted to North Business Unit Retail Marketing Manager. She and her new husband Jim are relocating this summer to Columbia MD, where the business unit office is located. Darlene joined Pepsi in 2002, and has won two President's Awards and the "Top Gun" sales award. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the Sage Colleges of Albany and a Bachelor’s in Finance. MWS ENTERPRISES INC.: Jessica Sidebottom, daughter of co-owners Mark and Patti Sidebottom, has joined the family business as Director of Business Development/Economist. She recently graduated from New York University with a Master’s Degree in Economics. Her sister, Katie Wagner, who holds an MBA from the University of Buffalo, was recently promoted to Vice President of the company, managing operations and vendor relations. 7-ELEVEN INC.: Jocelyn Webster is now government affairs representative for New York and other Northeast states, succeeding Steve Watson, who left the company. RYKO MANUFACTURING: The Iowa-based company – North America’s largest provider of managed car wash systems– has changed its name to Ryko Solutions Inc. and launched a new brand identity program, including a new logo and website at www.ryko.com. SUNOCO INC.: Sunoco has launched a Craft Beer Exchange pilot program in Western New York. Empty counter space at 12 Sunoco APlus stores has been retrofitted with beer taps and Kegerators, allowing them to fill and sell glass "growler" containers with small-batch draft beer on the premises. Growlers are refillable half-gallon glass jugs containing just under a six-pack of beer. After they're filled, they are sealed with a sticker to comply with the state's open container law. COCA COLA: “125 Years of Summer Fun” is the theme of Coke’s world-wide 125th-anniversary celebration, featuring a special 8-ounce commemorative bottle, a new 1.25-liter bottle size, in-store anniversary displays, print and radio advertising, and collectible cups. SONBYRNE SALES: The chain has opened a Byrne Dairy store in a century-old Liverpool landmark, the former Galeville Grocery on Old Liverpool Road location. It’s a modern, 5,000-square-foot C-store that manages to incorporate historic elements of the old grocery, including a rooftop bell once used to warn of rain when the area was part of Gale Salt Works and drying coarse salt needed to be covered. TURKEY HILL DAIRY: The “Turkey Hill Experience” opened in Columbia PA on June 4, showcasing the science, technology, history and mechanics of how Turkey Hill Dairy makes ice cream and iced tea. Located in a recently restored former silk mill, it has 20,000 square feet of exhibits, interactive activities, and dining attractions. RIVERSIDE GAS & OIL CO.: The company’s office has moved to 319 Corinth Rd., Suite 2, Queensbury NY 12804. CITGO PETROLEUM: After a 41-year career in the petroleum business (23 years with Mobil, then 18 with Citgo), John Wyckoff retired July 1. CUMBERLAND FARMS INC.: Ten New York students were among the 130 awarded $1,000 Cumberland Farms “Believe & Achieve Scholarships” this year. Students entering college who live within 30 miles of any Cumberland Farms outlet are eligible. Academic performance and financial need are factors in the selection. THE HERSHEY CO.: John Bilbrey has been named President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to being appointed interim President and CEO in May, he was Chief Operating Officer, and before that, Senior VP and head of Hershey North America. QUICK CHEK CORP. : Jennifer Vespole, Director of Food Service for the 125-unit chain, was one of three recipients of "Leader in Foodservice Awards" presented by FARE magazine and Foodservice at Retail Exchange (FARE) at their annual conference in Scottsdale AZ. WILSON FARMS INC./7-ELEVEN INC.: 7-Eleven has completed its acquisition of the 188-unit Wilson Farms chain of convenience stores headquartered in Buffalo, and is expected to soon begin rebranding the locations to 7-Elevens. NEW YORK LOTTERY: New instant games launched August 2 were the $5 “Cash Bonus” and the $2 “Aces & 8s” and “Cash x 10.” Scheduled to launch August 30 are the $10 “Triple Million,” the $5 “Wheel of Fortune,” and the $2 “New York Instant.” February 2011 TARGETED SOLUTIONS LLC: The Plymouth MA-based management consulting firm launched a new program designed to maximize efficiency for the convenience and petroleum industry using smart phone and touch pad technology. Called “Dashboard Advantage,” it provides owners and operators with high-tech tools for real-time reporting on areas such as store conditions, maintenance requests, employee surveys and marketing execution. NOCO EXPRESS SHOPS: The Tonawanda-based chain received the Customer Experience Award presented at CSP Information Group’s Convenience Retailing University conference in Glendale AZ. “From the point-of-purchase to the gas pump to the street and even into the home, NOCO Express is pushing the boundaries of how technology can be used to increase store sales,” said CSP. CITGO PETROLEUM: Citgo has embarked on a multi-year re-imaging program marking its 100th anniversary. Gradually, all 6,500 of its locally owned and operated locations will be rebranded with a new “Centennial Image Design,” featuring a predominately red triform design on the retail canopy and pumps. "The rationale is to mark our second 100 years as a major player in the energy arena with a fresh, modern new look to assist our customers in putting their best face forward well into the 21st century," said Gustavo Velásquez, VP of Supply and Marketing. SUE’S PINE VALLEY BUSY MART: Busy for the past 27 years, the Chemung County independent convenience store closed February 23. Proprietor Sue Richter has sold the location to Dandy Mini Mart and is happily retiring into “full-time grandmotherhood.” TRIPIFOODS INC. / MWS ENTERPRISES INC.: Tripifoods was named 2010 Vendor of the Year by East Amherst-based MWS Enterprises, operator of Yellow Goose Markets and Arrow Mart stores. XTRA MART CONVENIENCE STORES: The New England Convenience Store Association inducted XtraMart Executive Vice President Paul Samar into its Hall of Fame. A Past President of the NECSA Board of Directors, he received NECSA’s Legislative Award in 2009. GUIDA’S MILK & ICE CREAM: The marketer of milk, cream, juices, water, fruit-flavored drinks, dessert toppings, and ice cream mixes is expanding its main warehouse in New Britain CT to add new capacity and consolidate off-site storage facilities, improving plant efficiency. The 22,000-square-foot, two-level addition will accommodate an additional seven loading bays and a four-tier pallet racking system with a 1,000-pallet capacity. Completion is expected in May. SUNOCO INC: Strengthening its position in key upstate New York markets, Sunoco is acquiring 25 retail locations in the Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and Rochester areas from Lehigh Gas Corp. of Bethlehem PA. Ten will be company operated, the rest by direct franchise dealers. Conversions to the Sunoco brand will start in April. HAROLD LEVINSON ASSOCIATES: The Farmingdale-based wholesale distributor has purchased Stanlou Wholesale of Yonkers, its third acquisition of 2010. Founded in 1965, Stanlou is a regional tobacco and candy wholesaler with annual sales of $65 million. GRIFFITH ENERGY INC.: Effective January 1, the Rochester-based firm changed its corporate name to Superior Plus Energy Services Inc., but will continue to use the Griffith Energy trade name. NICE N EASY GROCERY SHOPPES: Colleagues recently threw a surprise 70th birthday party for President & CEO John MacDougall. Winners of the chain’s 2010 Corporate Manager and Foodservice Manager Contests were Patty Major, Manager of the Tully store ($15,000 prize) and Joe Peckman, Foodservice Manager at the Route 342 Watertown location ($10,000). THE HERSHEY COMPANY: J.P. Bilbrey has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for day-to-day operations and global commercial activities. KNC HOLDINGS: Christian King, President of the Albany-based chain of convenience stores, car washes and Papa John’s restaurants, has been named to the 17-member Papa John’s national franchisee advisory council. 7-ELEVEN INC.: The Dallas-based convenience store operator recently opened two locations in New York City’s Murray Hill neighborhood as part of a five-year plan to dramatically increase its Manhattan presence to 100 by recruiting existing retailers to become 7-Eleven franchisees. AZTECH TECHNOLOGIES: Business Development Manager Tanjia Maynard has left the company to manage an offshore wind power project. The new main NYACS contact at Aztech is James Stair. SARA LEE FOOD SERVICE: Following Dan McCarville’s retirement, the new NYACS contact at Sara Lee is Eileen Otte based in Roxbury MA, 978-407-7190. NEW YORK LOTTERY: New instant games launched in February were the $5 “Minute to Win It” and “Empire State Millionaire” and the $1 “Double Wild 7’s.” Coming in March are the $5 “Lucky Tables” and the $2 “Super Money x 10” and “Cash Multiplier.” CORNERSTONE TELEPHONE CO.: The Troy-based telecommunications firm has acquired Public Interest Network Services Inc. of New York City and ActiveHost Corp., a data center and host provider in Schenectady. September 2010 CHESTNUT PETROLEUM DISTRIBUTORS: CPD Energy Corp. (Chestnut Petroleum) of New Paltz has purchased ExxonMobil property assets and supply interests in 83 gasoline station properties in the Hudson Valley. They will add to CPD’s existing portfolio of over 100 sites owned, operated and supplied in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The newly acquired company-operated, dealer, and supply facilities are located in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester counties. All will remain Mobil-branded. Founded in 1981 by CEO Mickey Jamal with one Mobil station in New Paltz, CPD has grown to become one of the largest distributors of motor fuel in the Northeast, representing the Shell, Mobil, Gulf, and Sunoco brands. UPSTATE NIAGARA COOPERATIVE INC.: The Buffalo-based company’s Lowfat Blended All Natural Vanilla Yogurt won the Gold Medal at the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest in Wisconsin, scoring a perfect 100 at the evaluation by a panel of expert judges. It also earned Silver Medals for its Lowfat Blueberry Yogurt, Bison Light Sour Cream, and Bison Pineapple Cottage Cheese. Also, Cornell University’s Department of Food Science judged Upstate Niagara’s buttermilk and lowfat strawberry yogurt as best in their respective classes at the New York State Fair’s Dairy Day on August 30.
CROGHAN CONVENIENCE LLC: The Herzig family celebrated the grand opening of their third Nice N Easy franchise location September 11th, a 2,800-square-foot store on Number Four Road in the Lewis County town of Watson, near Lowville. They acquired a mom-and-pop store and gutted it, installing new coolers, freezers, countertops and other fixtures, including a full deli. Outside there are two Citgo-branded MPDs. The staff of 12 includes experienced employees from the chain’s other stores as well as former P&C managers. YANCEY’S FANCY: The Corfu-based artisan cheese maker was named Grand Champion of the 2010 Dairy Products Competition at the New York State Fair on the strength of its Gold Medal-winning Jalapeno and Peppadew Cheddar, which also had won a Gold Medal at the World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison WI earlier this year. CUMBERLAND FARMS INC.: The Cumberland Gulf Group has purchased ExxonMobil's real and contractual interests in 75 properties on Long Island. They will remain Mobil-branded as company-operated and dealer locations. "We are proud to welcome Mobil, one of the premier brands in the Northeast, as a part of our business portfolio," said CEO Joseph Petrowski. Cumberland Farms stores in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Florida have begun offering $3 Visa and $3 Discover reloadable prepaid debit cards featuring real-time text message alerts, online bill pay, 99-cent ATM withdrawal fees, direct deposit and no hidden fees. NICE N EASY GROCERY SHOPPES: The Canastota-based chain, which was founded in1980, recently held its 30th anniversary celebration at Utica-Rome Speedway with bands, a kids zone, a classic car and bike show, food and fun activities. “It was a great day and one that many will remember for years to come,” said John MacDougall, Nice N Easy President and CEO. “I am glad we were able to celebrate with our customers and thank them for their 30 years of business.” Awarded the grand prize, a 1980 Pontiac Turbo-Trans Am Indy 500 Pace Car, was John Groat of Syracuse, whose name was drawn from 75 finalists attending the celebration. SARA LEE FOOD SERVICE: Long-time sales manager Dan McCarville has retired after over 30 years with the company. QUICK CHECK CORP.: The New Jersey-based chain opened its newest New York store at 601 Main Street in Middletown on August 30. NEW YORK LOTTERY: New instant games in October will include the $5 “Million Dollar Bankroll,” the $2 “$50,000 Doubler,” and the $1 “Wicked 1’s.” August 2010 TARGETED SOLUTIONS LLC: The Plymouth MA-based consulting firm announced a new partnership with Ready Training Online, bringing online training services to the convenience industry. For the past five years, RTO, an Elizabethtown PA-based company, has offered standard courses on essential training topics including sexual harassment and diversity/violence in the workplace, as well as custom courses specific to businesses of all sizes. In addition, Targeted Solutions has launched an expanded web site. HAROLD LEVINSON ASSOCIATES: The Farmingdale-based wholesale distributor acquired House of Oxford, a wholesale cigar and tobacco distributor based in Somerset NJ. HLA is currently licensed in 31 states with applications pending in all others. HLA Vice President of Sales Marty Glick said HLA was the fifth largest cigar and tobacco distributor in the U.S. before the acquisition, and this makes them one of the largest direct-to-retail distributors in the nation. LORILLARD TOBACCO CO.: Lorillard has elected Murray Kessler as president and chief executive officer, effective July 13. Mr. Kessler, 51, joins Lorillard most recently from The Altria Group. He previously was president and chief executive officer of UST LLC S&S FOOD BROKER: S&S has been appointed broker for Paramount Farms (Wonderful pistachios), Thanasi Foods (meat snacks and seeds), Hoffco (cell chargers, LED flashlights, sunglasses), and Sundia (salsa and chips). S&S was named 2009 Broker of the Year by Prairie City Bakery and Cheese Pleasers. Meanwhile, three new employees joined the S&S team. Greg Petko, covering the Southern Tier, Western New York and Pennsylvania, has 35 years of experience serving grocery stores, mass merchandisers, drug chains, distributors and convenience store chains. Elizabeth Sugarman, with 15 years of food industry experience, is covering New England. Sara Roberts is a new customer service representative. QUICK CHEK CORP.: CSP Information Group named Dean Durling, CEO of Quick Chek Food Stores, as its 2010 “Retailer Leader of the Year.” He will be honored October 7 at a dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta during the NACS Show. Based in Whitehouse Station NJ, Quick Chek is a privately held, family-owned chain of 120 convenience food stores in New Jersey and the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York. CORE-MARK / FINKLE DISTRIBUTORS INC.: Core-Mark, one of North America’s largest wholesale distributors, is acquiring Finkle Distributors Inc. of Johnstown NY, increasing its geographic footprint in the Northeast. Core-Mark provides distribution and logistics services as well as marketing programs to 25,000 retail locations in 50 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces, including C-stores, grocery stores, drug stores and other specialty and small format stores. FDI President Dan Finkle is joining Core-Mark to service his existing customers and help grow market share by leveraging the resources of the combined companies. XTRA MART CONVENIENCE STORES: With NHL legend and ESPN hockey analyst Barry Melrose on hand to sign autographs, the chain celebrated the grand opening of its newly rebuilt store in Lansing, Tompkins County. The expanded 4,000-square-foot location includes a Dunkin' Donuts franchise. NOCO EXPRESS SHOPS: Continuing its “store-within-a-store” concept, the Tonawanda-based chain has introduced a Mighty Taco takeout restaurant inside its newly remodeled and expanded NOCO Express at Bailey Avenue and McKinley Parkway in South Buffalo. Meanwhile, Scott Keller of Depew NY won free fuel for a year courtesy of NOCO Express and M&T Bank in a drawing among cardholders making transactions at M&T ATMs in NOCO stores. RED BULL NA: Stefan Kozak is the new CEO of Red Bull North America. He joined the firm six years ago, most recently serving as "head coach" for Canada and Latin America. JACK LINK’S BEEF JERKY: Founder and CEO Jack Link was named Ernst & Young’s Upper Midwest Region Entrepreneur of the Year in the “Master” category. Using the family's beef jerky recipe, he started the business in 1985, selling products out of the back of a pickup truck. WILSON FARMS INC.: The Williamsville-based chain named Perry's Ice Cream and Miller Brewing Co. its Vendors of the Year, based on criteria such as their support of Wilson Farms corporate initiatives, community involvement, service and response to stores, support of advertising and marketing programs, and making a difference to the stores they service. Meanwhile, Chester's, a leading fried chicken foodservice offering, opened its newest location inside the Wilson Farms in Niagara Falls. SUNOCO INC.: The Sunoco/Price Chopper supermarket “Fuel AdvantEdge” program has expanded north into the Potsdam, Massena, Gouverneur, Canton and West Carthage regions, with 10 local Sunoco locations participating. In addition, Sunoco officially opened its new ethanol plant in the former Miller brewery outside Fulton, Oswego County. Sunoco entered into a multi-year partnership to be the official fuel retailer and convenience store of the Indy Racing League's IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights. REID STORES INC.: The Lockport-based chain has acquired three stores in Chautauqua County from Lake County Dairy. Now rebranded as part of Reid’s “Crosby's” chain of C-stores, they are in Falconer, Westfield and Bemus Point/Greenhurst. They feature many upgraded amenities including Crosby's new takeout and eat-in menu at Crosby's Corner Cafe.
DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP: Continuing its 125th anniversary celebration, Dr Pepper released six collectible cans featuring legacy artwork and popular advertising slogans such as "I'm a Pepper" and "10, 2 and 4." In addition, 12-pack cases highlight key moments from the brand's history such as its origin at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco TX in 1885.
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Wholesale and Manufacturer (WAM) program’s prestigious “Best Retailer Compliance” award during a meeting of WAM-member distributors held just prior to the NACS Show in Chicago. WAM was developed 17 years ago to give independent and chain retailers access to promotions, shippers, displays and programs from major manufacturers, enabling them to earn incentives previously available only to larger chains. It is the only retailer accrual program of its kind. Each year, Mountain enrolls its retail customers in a multitude of manufacturer programs, monitors their progress, and helps keep the retailer “compliant” on the programs they sign up for. The stores receive payments ranging from $500 to $1,500 annually. Based on retail dollars earned, Mountain/Service won the award for best compliance among the 26 distributors nationwide that participate in WAM.
NOCO EXPRESS LLC: The Tonawanda-based chain’s parent company, NOCO Energy Corp., announced a sponsorship deal that places the green-and-orange NOCO logo with its new "At Home, At Work, and On the Go!" tagline at center ice in the First Niagara Center, home of the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres. Showing it off at left are NOCO executives and long-time Sabres fans James and Michael Newman.
Toy Truck and Race Car packed with sounds and lights, sold exclusively at its stores in New York and 15 other East Coast states. This year's truck has four-wheel spring suspension and a pull-out ramp that automatically activates a hydraulic sound. Its flatbed trailer carries a race car modeled after an American stock car featuring a pull-back racing motor. A push of the race car's gas cap activates flashing lights and revs the engine.