AMELIA COURT HOUSE, Vir. — In an era where manufacturers are willing to sell to any channel that is willing to provide a PO, Eclipse Tools is refocusing its business on the electrical distributor.
Established in 1997, Eclipse Tools initially served the electronics, data comm, low voltage and electrical markets as the exclusive reseller of Pro’sKit 2,000+ products in over 20 product categories of tools and accessories to provide high quality, professional grade tools to contractors at affordable prices. The product range spanned from power tools to crimpers and test equipment.
Five years ago, Eclipse Tools expanded its product offering and combined exclusive products with its Pro’sKit offering to bring high-quality, cost-effective offerings to electrical distributors.
And the business has grown significantly.
Seeing that many brand name manufacturers were becoming indifferent to supporting the electrical channel as they sought to embrace big boxes and online sellers such as Amazon, Roger Scott, president of Eclipse Tools, decided to support the channel.
Said Scott, “In looking at the growth we’ve had in the electrical channel I felt it was important for us to focus our efforts. By concentrating on electrical distributors and partnering with the channel as our exclusive channel for our electrical products, we can focus our energies and bring more value, and resources, to our channel partners. For this reason, we’ve recently redesigned our websites and product catalogs. Distributors who go to www.eclipsetools.com will now have the option of choosing Eclipse’s electrical site, www.electricaleclipse.com or its non-electrical site, www.totaleclipse4u.com as well as download our electrical distributor exclusive catalog that has products that are only sold through electrical distribution. We provide distributors a quality product at 30-40% lower than branded competition. I felt further aligning with our customers made sense. Now our customers know that they can call me and that our interests are aligned.”
Visitors to www.electricaleclipse.com will see the company’s sixteen product categories dedicated to serving electrical distributors and contractors. The product offering includes crimping, cutting and stripping products; pliers, screwdrivers, hole making and test and measurement equipment; and installation tools such as fish tapes and push/pull rods, storage devices and job-site lighting to name a few.
The company has invested in a new website, a new catalog, hired two electrical distribution regional managers and six new electrical reps (Lake Michigan Sales, Kunz-Powell Associates, Hodges Southwest, Rains Electrical Sales, Cardel-Criste and Electrical Telecom Sales).
Said Martin Upperton, Northeast Regional Sales Manager, “Distributors were surprised that a manufacturer would commit to the electrical channel. It is a refreshing approach to be able to partner with electrical distributors. With our product quality, innovative approaches and affordability it’s a winning combination … and we help distributors make more money. We may not have the brand recognition of an orange wall, but we help distributors compete and put additional money on their bottom line.”