IBT has always been about productivity. From its very first days, the company's approach to industrial merchandise selection, manufacturer relations, customer service and internal operating principles has promoted doing it better, faster and first.
As the company evolved and grew, their emphasis on training of both employees and customer staff has further boosted productivity in the workplace.
The IBT ideal is to not only have the right mechanical component for the customer, but also to look beyond the immediate problem or crisis to solve the underlying root cause – and, possibly, prevent recurrent downtime questions and issues.
This interest in and passion for productivity manifests itself in many ways. IBT sales reps are trained to understand the customers' businesses.
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To become knowledgeable about their equipment.
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To be able to help troubleshoot system problems.
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To offer alternative answers that can save time and save money.
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To look at the world from the customer's point of view.
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To be someone who is there to help the customer get better output and throughout, not just sell stuff.
It must be working. IBT is celebrating its sixtieth year in the industrial distribution business. The company has grown and has prospered. It is still proudly and fiercely independent – and under family ownership.
As the late Forrest Cloud observed to his associates several years after he retired: "I've seen competitors come. I've seen competitors go. We keep on doing our best for our customers – and it seems to be working. For them and for us."
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