Every year, for the past five years, we've asked the mobile distributor industry to supply us with their selections for considering the top distributor of the year. This year, we awarded the 2015 Professional Distributor Mobile Distributor of the Year to Dean Ulsh, a Matco Tools distributor out of southeastern Pennsylvania.
Ulsh may look like your average mobile tool dealer. But he brings a lot to the table in terms of providing his customers an exemplary service, as well as helping his community by organizing local charity events.
Nominated by now-retired district manager Ernie Parent, Ulsh exemplifies a true distributor that works hard every day to help his business succeed. Here are a few key reasons Ulsh was selected for this year's honor:
Success building relationships with customers
"Rapport with shop owners and lead techs has been the key to Dean's success in the business. He has always maintained exceptional rapport with his customer base, but in the past two years he has taken it to the next level by really developing a solid rapport with every shop owner, service manager and lead tech," says Parent.
I witnessed this in the shops we stopped at as well. Ulsh has a knack for relating to his customers and sees himself as a guy who can come into the shop to brighten their day.
Helps his fellow distributors
According to Parent, Ulsh is very involved with Matco and his regional area. “One of Dean's strengths is that he will not address any concern unless he and the distributor have been able to work out a solution that makes sense," says Parent. "Dean is very passionate about distributors being successful and spends a lot of time listening to their concerns and offering guidance and advice.”
Ulsh is also part of the Matco Distributor Advisory Council, or MDAC. This group meets throughout the year "to discuss improvements and changes we would like to see company-wide," says Ulsh.
A community leader and charity event organizer
Another reason for Ulsh's selection as this year's Mobile Distributor of the Year award? His ability to organize a charity event spanning his entire district of Matco distributors, raising more than $19,000 for breast cancer research and awareness for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Ulsh worked with others in his community, including Don Schumacher Racing, to help organize the giveaway in conjunction with an annual NHRA race held in a nearby city.
Overall, Ulsh as provided many examples for other distributors to follow. To get a glimpse into his business and read the full distributor profile on Ulsh, visit VehicleServicePros.com/12052156.
