January 10, 2002

Phil Shaffer named 2002 manufacturers' representative               of the year.

Fenton, MO – AMS Automotive, Inc. is pleased to announce that Phil Shaffer of Shaffer & Co./Specialty Automotive has been named as the recipient of the 2002 Manufacturers’ Representative of the Year. Phil has provided marketing and sales support for AMS Automotive since January 2001. Based in Clayton, CA, Phil services northern California and portions of western Nevada.

During 2002, six major warehouse distributors and their associated jobber locations changed to AMS including H & H Distributors in San Leandro, CA; Kelly’s Service in Santa Cruz, CA; Kroeger Equipment and Supply in Fresno, CA; Jobbers Automotive Warehouse in Merced, CA; Six River Warehouse in Eureka, CA; and Sacramento TBA in Sacramento, CA.

Phil played an instrumental role in securing and organizing the changeovers in all instances. In fact, the managers at one warehouse commented that the primary reason they even considering changing to AMS new clutch kits was out of respect for Phil. In another instance, Phil committed to buy and install new shelving for the prospect during the changeover when it was discovered that the AMS kit box would not fit

on their existing shelves. In yet another instance, Phil secured the business of a prospect by personally selling several thousand dollars worth of their product.

 
During October of 2001, Phil attended technical training courses held at the AMS headquarters in St. Louis. The information he learned was taken back to his territory and applied through technical clinics, counterman training, and sales calls at each of the new AMS customers. This same product knowledge has also been used to entice several prospective customers closer to changing to AMS.

Phil demonstrates tremendous concern for the future growth of AMS, even when he isn’t directly compensated for his actions. In fact, he routinely calls on and services house-accounts by visiting them monthly to handle any warranty issues, inventory discrepancies, and to promote the AMS line by working with counter personnel by reviewing lost sales and promoting performance-oriented application-specific upgrades.

When AMS personnel travel in his region, Phil always pre-arranges appointments with quality-oriented prospects, while working to maximize the investment in time and expense. When AMS personnel aren’t working in the field, Phil communicates every week to touch base and discuss developments, potential problems, and areas of opportunity.

According to George Travis, Western Regional Sales Manager at AMS, “Phil is seriously concerned with the reputation he has in his market, and works hard to protect and enhance it whenever possible. He is a true believer in the AMS program and uses our high standards to enhance his already good reputation.”

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