IKO Helps Contractors Weather Stormy Economy and Thrive

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May 29, 2014, 04:04 ET

Company's latest video shows how IKO's competitive advantages can help boost contractors' sales

KANKAKEE, IL, May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - IKO - a North American pioneer and global leader in the roofing materials business recently created and posted a brand-new video to the company's proprietary channel on YouTube, the world's largest video-sharing site.

According to Marketing Director, Carol Perkins, IKO believes that "the more you tell, the more you sell". She says, "We want to ensure our contractors fully understand ALL the competitive advantages IKO has to offer. That way, they can deliver that knowledge directly to their prospects with total confidence and possibly close more sales even in the current economic climate."

John DeRosa, IKO's Manager of Sales and Contractor Development, hosts this latest video called "Selling IKO". He presents a 3-part outline: Who is IKO? What sets it apart? What are IKO's products advantages? A brief company history highlights IKO's long tenure in the roofing business and the fact that it has zero outside long-term debt. This stability, knowing that IKO will be around for many years to come, offers homeowners tremendous peace of mind. It's an important selling point for contractors to make.

Vertical integration sets IKO apart. Mr. DeRosa explains how no other roofing manufacturer controls as many components of its materials as IKO does. The company manufactures the glass fibers that go into its mats, mines its own granules, pulverizes its own limestone and even oxidizes and weathers its own asphalt. Limiting its reliance on outside suppliers allows IKO to manufacture products of superior quality to anything on the market. DeRosa explains how IKO's granule colors are so consistent, contractors can match shingles even when they're manufactured in different plants.

He goes on to describe the company's flagship product: the Cambridge Advantage. Per square, it's one the heaviest-weight shingle of its class on the market. He attributes its weight to the weathering asphalt IKO itself produces.

Throughout the video, DeRosa shows contractors how to take these points of difference and effectively translate them into solid benefits their prospects can clearly understand in a well-crafted sales presentation.

"Contractors have tremendous confidence in IKO products. But sometimes they need help in marketing that knowledge. This video is designed to give them the precision tools they need to help close more sales."

He challenges contractors and other roofing professionals to watch the video, then take the information and use it in their next sales presentation. He's convinced it will result in higher close rates and more satisfied customers. View it at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NWz6emIc7U.

About IKO
IKO is a world-wide leader in the roofing, waterproofing and insulation industry for residential and commercial markets. A vertically integrated company, IKO operates more than 25 manufacturing plants throughout North America and Europe. IKO is a family owned business established in 1951.

SOURCE IKO