Franke Creates First and Only 'Partner Loyalty Program'

HATFIELD, Pa., April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- In a business climate dominated by "less," Franke Luxury Products Group (FLPG) has designed a unique brand integrity program that gives more. The Franke Authorized Reseller program begins this spring and is unique in the industry. Its goal is to protect Franke wholesalers, showrooms, dealer partners and their customers, leveling the playing field and ensuring that each and all will get what they pay for when acquiring products bearing the Franke name. According to FLPG General Manager Charles Lawrence, "Consumers are all familiar with brand loyalty programs that serve the brands; but we were determined to create a partner loyalty program that protects and rewards our partners who share our commitment to the creative design, quality and heritage that define 21st Century luxury."

Lawrence, who in addition to his role with FLPG is a member of the North American Advisory Board of the Chief Marketing Officer Council, points out, "We think it's fitting that as the brand nears its 100th birthday, Franke Authorized Resellers forms a quality-assured network of support reaching seamlessly from manufacturer to consumer." The mutually binding agreement commits the partners to moving beyond simple order taking to the level of assisted sales and service. The AR partners will be distinguished by the willingness to provide proper displays, a trained sales team and pre- and post-sale service. They reaffirm that "a good deal" involves much more than simply offering the lowest advertised price.

Consumers and end users including builders, architects, designers, plumbers and other Authorized Resellers will recognize the authorized marketing partners by their licensed use of Franke trademarks, copyrights trade dress, etc. Resellers operating without the Franke license are prohibited from using these symbols of brand integrity.

Additional tools Franke will use to protect the image and reputation of its branded products will include

• the strengthening of its selective distribution network;
• a Minimum Advertised Price (MAP) policy;
• elimination of drop shipments for Internet resellers;
• graphic standards and trademark guidelines;
• authorized dealer locator at http://www.FrankeKSD.com;
• unauthorized customer list on http://www.FrankeKSD.com

Leading up to the Group's brand integrity initiative, the U.S.-based Franke Luxury Products Group spent the past six months strengthening their national network of sales and distribution partners by welcoming outstanding organizations in four major market regions across the United States.  

Four new partners all share the Franke commitment to accompanying excellence in design with the pre and post-sale service the brand's owners see as the distinguishing characteristic of the company and products: Platsky/PK Luxury in New York and New Jersey; William Castor in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas; Smith & Stevenson in North and South Carolina; and Pinnacle Sales Group in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida panhandle. This brings the Representation network to a total of more than 20 regional specialists.

Franke, the world's largest manufacturer of kitchen sinks, is a privately held $3 billion company specializing in the design and engineering of luxury systems for the management of air, water and waste and known for creating "Kitchens Without Compromise." Based in Switzerland and operating 85 subsidiaries in 41 countries, it is marketed in the U.S. by Franke Luxury Products Group and its national network of Authorized Resellers, committed to being here today and here tomorrow for its quality-conscious customers and consumers.

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SOURCE Franke Luxury Products Group