There’s a lot going on at Manchester’s Trust Distribution of late – we were invited along to their 10th Birthday bash last month but not their channel incentive to Las Vegas and nor their track day for resellers as Editor Ian Hunter reports.
This last month at Trust Distribution has been very retro! Back in the day there always seemed to be some fun things happening in the channel – sales incentives and parties were so 80’s but the economic climate of recent years seems to have sucked all the fun out of the business.
In fact Trust turned back the clock even further with a 70’s themed party and disco to celebrate their tenth birthday with suppliers and channel partners at The Cheshire Hall in Altrincham.
Directors Terry Ambrose and Vince Leahy laid on food and entertainment all day with a warning to guest ‘be prepared to chill in the afternoon and boogie till you drop in the evening!’
We thought it best to leave the commentary to guests with David Hughes, Managing Director of Manchester based reseller Incom Business Systems, saying he was asked recently which company, other than his own, did he admire most and why.
“I said Trust Distribution. They are a perfect example of how to set up, run and grow a business from scratch. I joined them recently to celebrate their 10th birthday – ten years of record growth too. The business is run by great people who look after their customers and their team, with professionalism, fun and TRUST!”
Graham Bevington, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer at Mitel, commented, “Mitel has really enjoyed its partnership with Trust over the last 4 years. We believe it has been to our mutual benefit and that of our partners. Congratulations to Vince and the team, we very much look forward to being part of the next 10 years in the Trust journey.”
Chris Bleakley, Managing Director of Telesis, who as Purchasing Manager at Britannia Communications placed the very first order with Trust, says he thought it was hard to think of Trust as simply a supplier, “They are so much more than that. Trust is very much an extension of your own business that’s how much they care about you and your customers. No matter whom you deal with right across the company they all share exactly the same ethos and values. Total satisfaction as standard.”
Eddie Bird, Joint Managing Director, of reseller Unify Business Solutions, commented, “Congratulations to Trust on their 10th Anniversary. Unify Business Solutions has been a customer for the majority of that time and really appreciate their down-to-earth, fun and friendly attitude to business, and of course their channel only policy. Good luck for the next 10 years!”
Simon Hughes, Distribution Manager at NECi said that time passes quickly when you are having fun.
“10 years? Where’s that gone! It was immensely gratifying to see the leaps and bounds that Trust Distribution have made in that time and I was honoured to have been a part of the success story.”
Jeff May, Sales Director at Konftel, says his firm appointed Trust as one of our Distributor’s shortly after their inception 10 years ago.
“In all of that time they have always been utterly engaged, driven and co-operative. They are a delight to work with, creative in their approach and always focussed on customer service. They represent our brand with utmost professionalism. Their name suits them perfectly.”
In The Fast Lane
Trust waited just two weeks for the party hangovers to disappear before they took a team of their Panasonic resellers to a track day at Donnington Park.
Damian Silkstone, Panasonic Brand Manager at Trust Distribution, described the day as one for team building but above all – fun.
“Trust has been working hard to build Panasonic business with our channel partners and it was great to thank those we have been working closely with for their effort and put some fun back in to our working relationships.
The day was well organised with three 1 on 1 sessions with professional driving instructors in VAG Trophy cars. There was plenty of track time for everyone. Later we enjoyed sitting in on some ‘Hot Laps’ with two British Touring Car Championship drivers who showed us how to do it properly.
Unbeknown to guests they were evaluated on their driving skills throughout the day with the prize for Driver of the Day going to Doug Young of Service Telecom who declared the day ‘Excellent!’