Independent distributor Bob Fyler worked with two other distributors to establish America’s Best Tools (ABT). The group now has a total of eight distributors from around the United States, including California, Ohio, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington.
According to Fyler, “We want to be known as: ‘We sell the best tools in America, and all the tools you’ll need.’”
Business support
Fyler says the group gets together on a conference call once weekly to discuss how everyone’s business is doing, in addition to one-on-one phone calls he may have with individual distributors throughout the week.
“We share ideas back and forth. Not only do I give them some great ideas, they give me great ideas right back,” says Fyler.
The group also shares deals provided by different manufacturers, with help from Ace Tool.
ABT features a monthly flyer with specials and exclusive products available from participating manufacturers, which all ABT distributors can use for their business. They also have a Facebook group and special branding for trucks through SK Hand Tools.
While SK is the flagship domestic brand that Fyler and other ABT distributors feature on their trucks, these distributors also have ties to a number of other manufacturers in order to offer competitive products and pricing.
Currently, America’s Best Tools works closely with SK Hand Tools, Ingersoll Rand, Milwaukee Tool, Autel and AIRCAT, among others.
Fyler stresses that an independent distributor who works with ABT still remains just that; an independent. He says ABT is there to provide support and special opportunities for independent dealers, so they don’t feel isolated in running their business.
“Our main tagline is being independents without being independent,” says Fyler.
Future outlook
“Our goal is to help any professional distributor who has a good business, but basically can’t get over that hump and make a decent profit,” says Fyler. “We give them that opportunity to enrich their lives, and make themselves more profitable.”
Fyler hopes to grow the organization to 50 distributors by the end of 2015. Once the group grows that large, Fyler believes a team will be established to focus on servicing the other ABT distributors. He may have to cut back on his route to accommodate the additional involvement required for recruiting and maintaining ABT distributors, but doesn’t foresee ever stopping the service he also provides his customers.
“I don’t think my tool truck will come off the route ever. I think it’ll always be on the route. I’ll still take care of my customers that I’ve had for almost eight years now. They depend on me being there every week.”
For the future, Fyler continues to work with the associated tool manufacturers to have America’s Best Tools branded shirts for all of the ABT distributors to wear. A customer credit card is also in the works to assist ABT customers with financing larger balances.
“This is a very low overhead operation. It doesn’t make money like franchises. It only supports itself for advertising and recruitment, not for a big infrastructure,” says Fyler. “That way, all the profit goes to the distributors. That’s our goal.”
