Expert Details
Expert in Consumer Goods, Exporting, International Outsourcing, Big Box Retail
Expert ID: 731410
Illinois, USA
Expert -28 years of experience and knowledge with a detail understanding working as an industry expert an consultant to investment companies, banks, Hedge funds, Law Firms, venture capital investors on the strategy transformation business model design and management. Former Principal and Senior executive of Martha Steward Arden companies, Totes Isotoner, Hartmann Inc, Arbone LLC, Clipper products . Previous board member of TGA, CORE-housewares association and Chairman of LLGMA steering committee. .
Our consulting services to our clients include our direct in field channel and market checks, delivering to our clients real time information and solutions on business challenges, market demand, sales trending, customer outlook, management trending, .This real time information in concert with our, consulting, communication experience and knowledge to our clients delivers current trends, competitive landscape business problem resolution, positive/negative performance analysis, merchandising /marketing/sales trends, demographics, Strategic planning compliance, outsourcing, new product introduction, competitive landscape forecasting, budgeting, GMROI.
Expert's company helps businesses to find the right solutions and opportunities by specializing in:
-Real time information in field channel and market checks delivering timely feedback for problem solving
-Consulting on Increasing Sales /Distribution/market share for new domestic and international markets and trade channels
-New Distribution and Markets expansion
-Management development .Strategic Planning
-New procedure and Product introductions/launches .Profit and Loss
-Distribution/Manufacturing Alliances. Business/.Market/Sales/management
-Outsourcing- international and domestic .Forecasting/ Budgeting/Cost controls
-Current solutions on business challenges
Some clients we worked with are Amazon, Nike, Do –It –Best, Catalogers, Brookstone, Front gate, QVC, HSN, Fortune 500 companies, Macys, Dillards, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Sears, JC Penney, Target, Sears, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Office Depot, Staples, Kroger, Costco, Expert Meyer, Walgreens, CVS, Amazon.com, Longs, AAFAS,Martha Stewart, Premium Incentive, ASI, PPAI, Michaels, Coach, Internet, B2B, Mass Market Chains, Specialty Stores, Drug Chains, Grocery and Discount stores, DFS, Importers and Exporters.
Results: Develop /implemented client programs by working with our customers, growing there business to 4000+new retailers/distributors/ market channels which increased their sales up to 430%.As a firm, we research, consult, and work with our clients on business solutions focused on the most cost effective results..
Expert did a detailed study and case analysis for a major supplier to a major discount retail chain. The client’s 1, 3 gallon refill and 5 gallon replacement business requires multi levels of tracking, servicing and replacement, to all the chain’s stores. That the client has limited control over its distributors as they are "at will" providers of these services may be a concern. This program is a traffic builder for the retailer, and should not be viewed as an on shelf retail sku. The expert completed a detailed SWOT analysis that detailed the client’s solid footing (generally) in this chain and the specific threats in product/service mix that the client should address. The expert completed a detailed case study and SWOT analysis for an apparel firm with an international/upper tier supplier base and varied sales profiles in different geographical regions. STRENGTHS: Good brand recognition in their client demographic. This is the higher income ( + $150,000) male consumer, 30 to 70 + years with excellent fitting tailored to the individual. Their clothing delivers a nice fitting garment that separates their clients from the crowd. Paul Stuart has a very loyal repeat customer base. Their Catalog business is growing. Another strength is their excellent customer service and well trained, knowledgeable sales staff. The client has more assortments in the high end luxury men's business than their other competitors.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1983 | Degree: Xerox PPS | Subject: Business Management Systems | Institution: Xerox PPS |
| Year: 1969 | Degree: BBA | Subject: Busniess Mangement and Ecomomics | Institution: University of Wisconsin |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2000 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:PresidentConsultant to the Investment Community, Banks, Venture Capital Groups, Legal companies Manufacturers/Retailers for the USA and International markets on Competitive landscape, distribution expansion, buyouts, IPO’s, sales, marketing, new product development/introductions/placement and programs. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1998 to 2000 | Employer: HI-PERFORMANCE INDUSTRIES | Title: Executive Vice President | Department: Marketing and Sales |
Responsibilities:Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Responsible for all USA sales, branding, budgeting, account development, and new product introductions. Strategic development and leadership of this luggage bags and consumer goods manufacturer with facilities in Guangzhou, New York, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, Italy, and Michigan.Accomplishments: Developed new customer base with Do It Best, Ace, K-Mart, Eddie Bauer, Dillards, Distributors, Martha Stewart, Columbia, Sears, London Fog, Totes/Isotoner, Swiss Army, Coleman, and Timberland. Developed and launched 28 new products and opened up 7 new trade channels. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1996 to 1998 | Employer: ARDEN /MARTHA STEWARD COMPANIES | Title: Vice President | Department: Marketing and Sales |
Responsibilities:Responsible for the management, sales, branding, marketing, budgeting, strategic development, and leadership of Arden’s Consumer goods products divisionAccomplishments: Developed six new private label brands for mass market, distributors, specialty stores, and upscale retailers. Eliminated down trending and turned around largest major account (56% of total business. Added new trade channels of e-commerce, catalogs, premium, and O.E.M. Expanded Arden and Martha Stewart brand business by 20%. Developed one / three /five year strategic business plan.: Implemented K-Mart inventory reduction program reducing excess inventory 50% in 6 months while increasing brand awareness and sales 37%. Opened 3000+ new retail/distribution locations in one year. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1986 to 1996 | Employer: CLIPPER PRODUCTS | Title: President | Department: Principal |
Responsibilities:Responsible for the management, growth, and leadership of this consumer goods, and travel accessory Company.Accomplishments: Achieved +35% sales growths for seven consecutive years; Established new distribution in Canada, Europe, Far East, and South America. Developed and implemented branded/private label business with Sears, Totes, Target, Samsonite, Distributors, L.L. Bean, Halliburton, Coach, Oakley, Chivas Regal, Seagram’s, V/F Corp- Jan Sport, Easton, Kmart, Macy's, Sharper Image, Nike, Wilson, Spaulding, and Orvis. Opened Sears, Target, QVC, Host Marriott, Meijer, the Sharper Image, AAFES, Zero Halliburton, Hartmann, Lands End, L.L. Bean, Premium Incentive, e-commerce, and catalogers. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1984 to 1986 | Employer: TOTES-ISOTONER INCORPORATED | Title: National Sales Manager | Department: Mens and Ladies Apparel and Accessories |
Responsibilities:National Sales Manager of this $300 +million apparel, luggage, bag, accessories, rainwear, patio, and Umbrella CompanyAccomplishments: Increased accessories division sales $4 million in first year. Developed and implemented brand/private label programs with Neiman Marcus, Saks, Totes Apparel, Totes Rainwear, Penny’s, Sears, Mass Market/Chromatics label and Totes Footwear. Built sales and management team responsible for 47% sales increase in 2 years; Opened Saks, Neiman Marcus, Sears, Penny’s, Macys, Nordstrom’s, K-mart, Federated, Dillard’s. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1969 to 1984 | Employer: HARTMANN LUGGAGE | Title: Vice President-Principal | Department: Marketing and Sales |
Responsibilities:Vice President and Principal of this $60 million company which was a division of Brown-Forman a $5.7 billion corporation. Managed ten direct sales personnel; Responsible for twenty-five states and Canada. Accomplishments: Increased sales over 45% per year for four years. Manager of the Year Award for 4 consecutive years (1977-1980); Introduced brand programs for Halston, Gloria Vanderbilt, Brooks Brothers, and Dansk; Promoted four times; Implemented program that delivered largest single year sales increase (72%) in company's 135-year history. |
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Government Experience
| Years | Agency | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2000 to 2004 | Agency: AAFAS | Role: Market Development | Description: Set up Planograms, Budgets, Forecasts, Compliance for travel ware and accessory area |
International Experience
| Years | Country / Region | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Years: 2000 to 2010 | Country / Region: China | Summary: Outsourcing new factories and vendors for House ware products, travel ware, consumer goods Working with vendor of record on compliance, factory inspection, VAT, import export, QA, pricing, duties, production scheduling |
| Years: 1991 to 1997 | Country / Region: Vietnam | Summary: Outsourcing new factories and vendors for House ware products, travel ware, consumer goods. Working with vendor of record on compliance, factory inspection, VAT, import export QA, pricing, duties, production scheduling. |
| Years: 1985 to 2012 | Country / Region: Canada | Summary: Outsourcing new factories and vendors for House ware products, travel ware, consumer goods. Working with vendor of record on compliance, factory inspection, VAT, import export QA, pricing, duties, production scheduling |
| Years: 2000 to 2013 | Country / Region: India | Summary: Outsourcing new factories and vendors for House ware products, travel ware, consumer goods. Working with vendor of record on compliance, factory inspection, VAT, import export QA, pricing, duties, production scheduling |
| Years: 2000 to 2013 | Country / Region: Mexico | Summary: Outsourcing new factories and vendors for House ware products, travel ware, consumer goods. Working with vendor of record on compliance, factory inspection, VAT, import export QA, pricing, duties, production scheduling |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| Director TGA Association Director-CORE Association Chairman LLGMA Association |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| Board Chairman LLGMA Association |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| 25 years of experience and knowledge with a detail understanding working as a consultant to investment companies, banks, Hedge funds, Law Firms, venture capital investors seeking information on this topic. I work with this industry on QA,in store inspections, Planogramming current trends, competitive landscape, real time in store intercepts, In field geographic intercepts, overruns. positive/negative performance analysis, merchandising /marketing/sales trends, demographics, Strategic planning compliance, vendor approval, training, outsourcing, new product introduction, RTV, competitive landscape forecasting, budgeting, GMROI, merchandising. |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| Xerox PSS l,ll,lll Supplier Demand Semianr Customer Demand habits Seminar Outsourcing Study and implementation Wal-Mart case study Motivation Training Luxury Goods /trade up merchandising Expert Witness testimony EDI Training and implementation |
| Vendor Selection |
|---|
| Have outsourced products in the following Countries China Hong Kong, USA Mexico Canada Vietnam Malaysia EU UK |
| Marketing Experience |
|---|
| Expert consults on marketing, sales, outsourcing, financial and business expansion services to investment firms, banks, venture capitalists, hedge funds, manufacturers, retailers, importers and exporters for international and domestic markets, new product development, introductions and placement. Expert has held executive level positions and was the Principal at Arden, Martha Stewart, Clipper Products, Hartmann Luggage and Totes. He was also the Director and Chairman on the boards of TGA, NHMA and CORE. Expert has over 25 years of experience and is very knowledgeable on business trends, major branded companies and leveraged buyouts. |
Fields of Expertise
advertising, branding, brick and mortar, business management, business operations, consumer choice prediction, consumer demographics, consumer focus group, consumer marketing, consumer product, consumer product design, consumer product ergonomics, consumer product label, consumer product labeling, consumer product marketing, consumer product packaging, consumer product safety, consumer purchasing behavior, consumer survey, conventional licensing, cost, cross marketing, customer satisfaction, customer segmentation, design for manufacturability, design for manufacture and assembly, direct store delivery receiving system, dispensing device, distribution channel, e-tailing, efficient consumer response, electronic data interchange, franchise marketing, high volume, low cost product assembly, high volume, low cost product design, household appliance, household appliance liability, household appliance new product development, household product, household product packaging process, in-store system development, international marketing, Internet marketing, market, market assessment, market development, market forecasting, market positioning, market potential, market research, market segmentation, market trend, marketing, marketing brand management, marketing communications, marketing database, marketing mix, marketing software, mass customization, mentoring, new consumer product development, new product assessment, new product launch, new product market survey, niche marketing, package consumer testing, packaging material selection, point-of-sale equipment, point-of-sale hardware selection, point-of-sale scanning system, primary packaging, product, product cost reduction, product evaluation, product launch, product liability, production cost, promotion, public relations, research and development, retail information system, retailing, management consulting, questionnaire, mobile marketing, over-the-counter drug packaging, post consumer recycling, retail expense reduction, retail operations improvement, retail system planning, retail system development, retail automation