Wolf

Is Wolf’s Efficient Supply Chain For Real?

Tom Wolf published this article on December 19, 2011 in Build your Business. No comments. | Comment

Over the past twelve months, Wolf has dramatically changed its business model to better support the independent dealer channel.  We’ve challenged the traditional two-step distributor supply chain model, looking to eliminate costs and simultaneously increase the competitiveness and profitability of our dealer partners.  The result is an incredibly efficient supply chain that offers independent dealers high quality products at remarkably competitive prices. 

This value proposition has resulted in a nice increase in orders and sales for both Wolf and its customers.  So naturally, some dealers are wondering whether these great products and competitive prices will last.  Are the deals Wolf is currently making simply “foot in the door pricing” or are they for real and entirely sustainable?

The answer is the latter.  Wolf’s deals are indeed for real, and its ability to continue offering these competitive deals is sustainable thanks to permanent improvements in its supply chain.  Combined with the unique partnerships Wolf has forged with its vendors and ongoing enhancements to its own internal processes, the result is a new capacity to deliver consistent value to the independent dealer channel.

But Wolf’s value proposition extends beyond good prices.  Part of the reason Wolf can offer high quality products at competitive prices is that it does not try to be all things to all people.  It concentrates its product offering on a few key categories which limits the proliferation of sku’s.  This does great things for Wolf’s manufacturing partners, making them more efficient.  And it also streamlines Wolf’s own handling, warehousing and shipping processes. 

What’s more, Wolf’s ability to limit sku proliferation also helps our dealer customers.  Wolf’s focused product offering makes it easier for dealers to recommend and order products.  The concentration on a few key products makes it easier for Wolf’s dealers to educate their employees on the technical features of those products.  Finally, the way Wolf markets and promotes its assortment of products makes it easier for dealers to stock and sell them.

All of this gives independent dealers a real competitive advantage.  Wolf’s ability to squeeze out redundant activities in the manufacturing and the logistics processes, coupled with the advantages of streamlined product design and narrow sku focus, give independent dealers a sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace.  Add in the inherently low-cost operating systems of most independent dealers and you have a powerful driver of value.  Wolf’s efficient supply chain gives independent dealers an unbeatable formula for winning the battle for the professional customer and the serious do-it-yourselfer.  But the best thing about the formula is that it is designed to last.  Wolf’s efficient supply chain is definitely for real.