BEAM Dealers Optimistic About 2010 Sales

New products and new dealer support initiatives were big hits for BEAM Central Vacuum Systems, which shared a pavilion with Electrolux Home Care Products at VDTA.

"Combining our corporate presence at the show was an effort to serve the complete product and dealer support needs of our vac shop dealers," said Larry Hartley, vice president of sales and marketing for Electrolux Central Vacuum Systems.

Highlighting the show was the new BEAM Q PowerTeam with the EasyReach retractable hose, the first retractable hose that can power an electric power brush. Unlike hose management products that require inside-the-wall installation and separate hoses for each inlet valve, the EasyReach hose can be moved from inlet to inlet. The outer hose is only 12 feet long. When more hose length is required the user can release an inner hose to reach the full 30 feet. A simple push of a button on the handle then restores the hose to its 12-foot length by using the suction of the central vacuum system to retract the inner hose.

"The EasyReach Hose is ideal for dealers who are seeing significant growth in their retrofit business," said Jay Rollie, western regional sales manager for Beam Central Vacuum Systems. "They can offer their customers a PowerTeam that requires half the storage space of a conventional 30-foot hose, requires no special installation and can be easily moved from inlet to inlet."

Hartley noted that dealers also are interested in providing their customers with systems that are more interactive and intuitive, such as the BEAM Serenity IQS Power Unit. With up to 640 air watts of cleaning power and its permanent self-cleaning HEPA filtration system, the Serenity IQS offers an LED display that informs the user how efficiently the system is operating, when to check the collection bucket and when to call for service. The system also provides time and temperature readings.

In addition to showcasing products, the VDTA show also provided an opportunity for dealers to learn about Electrolux Central Vacuum Systems' new dealer support initiatives, including customized spring and fall newspaper inserts, model home and home show promotional programs. Also introduced at VDTA was a compact demonstration kit that allows dealers to demonstrate a BEAM Central Vacuum System in a customer's home.

"It's always great to see our dealer customers and learn about some of the exciting things they are doing to drive sales and grow their business," Hartley said. "We clearly saw an upbeat mood at VDTA. It bodes well for a successful year in 2010."

Reprinted from Central Vac Professional, May 2010