Major Growth Sparks Expansion For $40 Million Chch Company
Increasing demand and the need for expansion has sparked several key appointments at appliance importer and distributor
Specialised Sales and Marketing Ltd (SSM).
The multi-million dollar Christchurch-based company distributes and markets New Zealand's number one heating and cooling
range, GOLDAIR, as well as global market leader SHARK, which includes a wide range of floor care, steam cleaning,
kitchen and entertainment products. It also distributes and markets a wide range of SHARK products in Australia.
Since the company began seven years ago, it has grown from a three-person company to a 40-strong international team.
Due to its growing market penetration, SSM has appointed Jeremy Puttick as its first ever Auckland-based National Sales
Manager for the SHARK brand and Conair brands. With extensive account management experience both in New Zealand and the
UK, Jeremy's most recent experience was as National Sales Manager for Remington Products NZ.
Geoffrey Sullivan has also joined SSM in the new role of General Manager Operations. With post-MBA sales and marketing
experience in New Zealand and Australia, Geoffrey has recently returned to his home-town of Christchurch from seven
years operating in the UK market.
"These new positions have been necessitated by the growth and development of SSM, which is continuing to soar from
strength to strength," says SSM Founder and Managing Director Murray Reid.
The new appointments have also allowed Damien Sidebottom to move to a new role as Merchandising Manager, concentrating
on SSM's marketing, merchandising, advertising and sales support material. With a background in retail management,
Damien has been with SSM since its inception seven years ago.
To cater for its growing customer base SSM has also boosted its Internal Sales/Customer Service team and its Sales
Support team to provide greater retail support and service.
Murray Reid says that growth is due to the successful market uptake of their products. "The key to our products is that
they are innovative and fun to use while offering superior performance. We have always believed that is what consumers
want, and our success is proving that theory correct," says Murray Reid.