Although your focus may be on maintaining cars and trucks, batteries for alternative applications – and the chargers to keep the juice flowing – are on the move. Greater numbers of people with boats, landscaping tractors and ATVs are looking to their favorite automotive component provider to meet their needs.
“This segment sees increased demand year-over-year,” says Deno Valenti, a member of the Automotive Distribution Network who is general manager of the aftermarket division at Lowe Automotive. In 2010, sales of battery tenders for power sports equipment more than tripled over the purchase levels seen in 2009.
A “line of demarcation” is in play at the National Pronto Association, which buys battery chargers from two suppliers. “They seem to be serving two markets within Pronto; the repair market and the retail market,” says Mike Mohler, vice president and director of product management.
“You’re going to need an expanded offering for cross-marketing into the do-it-yourself and do-it-for-me” aspects of the charging segment, he advises.
The lines of trickle chargers, jump starters and battery maintenance devices for all types of battery-based equipment are experiencing heightened demand among the membership.
“We continue to sell the commercial chargers – bench chargers and the ones you roll around,” Mohler reports.
Pronto’s programs are getting a revenue-inducing jolt from the marketing efforts generated by charging equipment manufacturers, he says.
“They have good sales literature that explains the category and it’s expanded opportunities,” notes Mohler, “so it’s good to get on board to take advantage of the opportunities within the category.”
Although your focus may be on maintaining cars and trucks, batteries for alternative applications – and the chargers to keep the juice flowing – are on the move. Greater numbers of people with boats, landscaping tractors and ATVs are looking to their favorite automotive component provider to meet their needs.
“This segment sees increased demand year-over-year,” says Deno Valenti, a member of the Automotive Distribution Network who is general manager of the aftermarket division at Lowe Automotive. In 2010, sales of battery tenders for power sports equipment more than tripled over the purchase levels seen in 2009.
A “line of demarcation” is in play at the National Pronto Association, which buys battery chargers from two suppliers. “They seem to be serving two markets within Pronto; the repair market and the retail market,” says Mike Mohler, vice president and director of product management.
“You’re going to need an expanded offering for cross-marketing into the do-it-yourself and do-it-for-me” aspects of the charging segment, he advises.
The lines of trickle chargers, jump starters and battery maintenance devices for all types of battery-based equipment are experiencing heightened demand among the membership.
“We continue to sell the commercial chargers – bench chargers and the ones you roll around,” Mohler reports.
Pronto’s programs are getting a revenue-inducing jolt from the marketing efforts generated by charging equipment manufacturers, he says.
“They have good sales literature that explains the category and it’s expanded opportunities,” notes Mohler, “so it’s good to get on board to take advantage of the opportunities within the category.”
