Trade Show TalesBlog

Archive for May, 2010

Front Runner Silver, Prelude Platinum, and Eco-Fi Lava Changes

May 3rd, 2010 COMMENTS

Due to production and quality issues with Front Runner Silver, Prelude Platinum, and Eco-Fi Lava, please note the following changes:

  • Front Runner Silver — Discontinued until further notice. We will switch to Koala for all future orders.
  • Prelude Platinum — Discontinued until further notice. We will switch to Shadow for all future orders.
  • Eco-Fi Lava — Effective immediately, on Quadro Pop Up orders ONLY, we will use Front Runner Coal until further notice. Eco-Fi Lava will continue to be the preferred choice on Intro Fabric Panel and Euro LT Modular System orders.

These changes were prompted by stocking and quality issues from the manufacturers. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Word on the Street — April 26th thru April 30th

May 2nd, 2010 COMMENTS

Word on the Street by Kevin Carty

International Partners Visit

This week was busy both with orders and meetings. But I want to speak in particular about the meetings we held on Monday and Tuesday with our friends and partners from MODUL International.

As many of you remember, Classic Exhibits Inc. purchased a company called Modul USA in 2005. At the time, we were Modul USA’s largest customer. In doing so, we became the exclusive North American Network Partner for MODUL International, and with the purchase, we launched ClassicMODUL.

This was significant for the Classic Exhibits side of the business, but it was even more significant for the MODUL product line in North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico). Our relationship with MODUL International is quite different from Modul USA’s relationship with our German partner. Modul USA was an importer. We are a manufacturer, designer, and contract extruder. In striking our relationship with MODUL International, ClassicMODUL obtained the exclusive extruding rights within North America. Meaning we can (and do) extrude the majority of the profiles sold in North America. In fact, many of the most common profiles we use every day are pushed by an aluminum extrusion provider just a few miles from our location in Portland (which saves on shipping costs and turnaround time).

ClassicMODUL Aluminum Extrusions

www.classicmodul.com

The MODUL relationship has been important for Classic Exhibits, ClassicMODUL, and ClassicMODUL Distributors because it allows us to better manage inventory and to do so at a better cost to our distributors. While price is certainly a key component, it’s inventory control that presents the largest benefit to distributors. We currently have extrusion depots in Portland, OR, serving the West of the Mississippi region of the US and an extrusion depot outside of Hartford, CT serving the East of the Mississippi distribution. Soon we plan to open a location in the Southeast as well to serve from Texas to Florida and from the Carolinas to Missouri.

Well, I am happy to share with you that we reaffirmed our relationship with MODUL in North America this past week, and reviewed some exciting new profiles and accessories. These profiles will be available in the coming months.

On multiple occasions, you have heard me stress the value we place on our partnerships with vendors like Optima Graphics, Eco-systems Sustainable Displays, and Brumark (to name a few). But it is equally rewarding to have such a great relationship with our European partners. Relationships like the one we have with MODUL International allow us to better serve our distribution and manufacturing here in the States for years to come.

A special thanks to James and Bernd for their time, ideas, and partnership. James and Bernd — Be sure to spread the good word in Europe about the excellent Oregon Pinot Noir wines you discovered during your trip. And, yes, it did rain nearly every day you were here, but that only lasts for nine months. 🙂

Be well and have a safe and restful weekend.

–Kevin Carty

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