DO YOU KNOW YOUR COMPETITION?

DuBois Marketing sells new starters and alternators. Yes, it’s true. We stock some late-model units. We try to offer units that you may not have seen yet, that will allow you to get a core in your system, and fast-moving numbers that may have sales spikes that catch you unprepared. We do not have a full line, not even close.

We don’t have a catalog of units. We don’t supply any rebuilt units, aside from an occasional spot buy. We don’t have 3000 Lester numbers in stock. If we did, and I were a rebuilder, I would be a little bit suspect. Wouldn’t we have the system in place to sell direct to the part stores and garages, a.k.a. your customers?

We visited this issue in January 2003, lamenting the loss of the traditional lines of distribution in our industry. This traditional line was: component manufacturer sells to suppliers, suppliers sell to rebuilders, rebuilder sells to W.D./part stores and garages, who in turn sell to the general public. If this line still exists, it is blurred almost beyond recognition. Overseas manufacturers are increasingly courting the larger part store chains and/or setting up their own distribution points in the States.

We believe our percentage of new unit sales mirrors the percentage of new unit purchases by our rebuilder customers. Well over 80% of our sales are still components. Can your other suppliers say that? The CS-130 alternator has already become such a low-priced commodity that many rebuilders don’t even rebuild them any more. We’re sure you agree that this is not a healthy trend. It is not in the best interest of the rebuilder to become a “re-seller.” Obviously, as a committed supplier to the rebuilding industry, it is not in our best interest either.

We’re in an incredibly complex and competitive business environment. There are no simple answers. DuBois Marketing has stated that we will continue our commitment to the REBUILDING industry. As our rebuilder customers go, so shall we.

We want you to know what side of the line we’re on. We continue to weed out any vendors that circumvent the lines of distribution. We simply cannot afford to buy from any company with the ability to compete against our customers.

Competitors are coming from many different non-traditional segments. It is in your best interest to identify them. Support those vendors supporting you.


Continued success,

Mark Hoogterp, General Manager
DuBois Marketing Inc