Border States Announces 2015 Supplier of the Year Recipients

FARGO, N.D.— Border States Electric’s (BSE) Supplier of the Year Awards recognize manufacturer partners that provide exceptional service and continue to show dedication and support to BSE and its customers.

Acuity Brands receives Above and Beyond Service Excellence
The Above and Beyond Service Excellence Award is given to a supplier that has exhibited unprecedented support to BSE and its customers. It’s structured to distinguish the supplier for providing excellent service and recognizes their dedication to the mutual relationship. Acuity Brands was chosen for numerous reasons. Their support of marketing programs, training and speed to market on new product introductions were best in class.

Left to right:
Representing Acuity Brands: Jose Cordova, Dennis Noyce, David Grimm, John Kimmel, Sero Cardamone and Brian Rhea.

Milwaukee Tool receives Sales and Marketing Excellence
The Sales and Marketing Excellence Award is given to a manufacturer partner that actively participates in sales efforts and helps strengthen BSE’s customer base. Nominees are leaders in profitable sales growth, gross margin improvement and product and sales training. These suppliers excel in joint sales and marketing strategies, customer-focused marketing programs, innovative marketing promotions, market development funding and sales tools and materials. They provide catalog content and support industry initiatives, local branches and new business opportunities with a compelling spirit of partnership. In 2015, Milwaukee Tool collaborated with BSE on a number of innovative marketing strategies and was a strong supporter of BSE’s sales and marketing initiatives.

Left to right:
Keith Holland, BSE; John Farrell, Milwaukee Tools; Jamie Christian, Milwaukee Tools; Dave Pawlaski, Milwaukee Tools; Bruce Penas, BSE; Paul Brandvik, Milwaukee Tools; and George Perlenfein, BSE.

Littelfuse receives Operational and Technological Excellence
The Operational and Technological Excellence Award is presented to a supplier that provides innovative, state-of-the-art business practices and quality services. Those nominated for this award are a step ahead of the rest as evidenced by technology-driven logistics, services, inventory performance and communications. The recipient works collaboratively, emphasizing a true spirit of partnership. Littelfuse was chosen for continuing to maintain the highest status in BSE’s vendor performance management program. Littelfuse continues to drive transactional costs out of the supply channel by automating as many processes as possible with IDW data quality, EDI and other innovative means.

Left to right.
Representing Littelfuse: John Rodney, Jeff Salt, Maureen Janosch and Matt Cole

Regional Supplier Sales Representative or Agency Awards
Regional Supplier Sales Representative or Agency awards are given to supplier sales agencies, agents and representatives that maintain dependable partnerships that go above and beyond to support BSE’s customers and employee-owners. Recipients must meet all selection criteria, including developing localized marketing strategies with BSE branches, offering strong local support for sales calls, resolving issues or problems quickly, driving consistent growth and frequently helping the branches and all departments.

BSE supplies products and services to construction, industrial and utility customers. The 100 percent employee-owned company is the eighth largest electrical distributor in the U.S. as ranked by Electrical Wholesaling magazine. BSE has more than 1,900 employees and 80 branches in 16 states. Corporate headquarters are located in Fargo.