Joins Growing Number of Distributors Using ARI’s Products and Services
MILWAUKEE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ARI (OTCBB:ARIS), a leading provider of technology-enabled business solutions that help equipment dealers, distributors and manufacturers build sales and profits, announced today that Central Power Systems of Columbus, OH and Tampa, FL, has selected ARI’s PartSmart Web™ electronic parts catalog and PartSmart Cart for use by its internal staff and dealers throughout North America.
Under the agreement, ARI will host PartSmart Web, provide ongoing updates for supported manufacturer catalogs and support an interface to Central Power Systems’ website. Using PartSmart Web, Central Power Systems’ dealers will have on-demand access to the parts catalogs for Briggs & Stratton, Briggs & Stratton Power Products, Briggs & Stratton Motor Sports, Murray, DOLMAR Power Products and Electrolux Consumer Products (including Poulan, Poulan Pro and WeedEater). In addition, dealers will be able to submit online purchase orders 24×7 using ARI’s Shopping Cart feature. The solution was launched earlier this month.
“Our goal was to provide our dealers with the tools they need to be competitive and successful. Since ARI is the de facto standard in the Outdoor Power Industry and our dealers are familiar with ARI’s offerings and are very comfortable using its suite of products, the decision to partner with ARI was easy to make,” said Michael Finn, president of Central Power Systems and president of the Integrated Distributors Network (IDN). “In a world where time is of the essence, it is critical that our dealers are able to quickly obtain reliable and accurate information. ARI’s PartSmart Web will provide just that with its real-time interface to our backend system. In addition, ARI’s suite of products will enable us to add additional features and services as needed.”
“Central Power Systems’ decision to select ARI’s products will give their dealers access to the information they need to succeed and better serve their customers,” said Brian E. Dearing, chairman and chief executive officer of ARI. “We’re confident that PartSmart Web and PartSmart Shopping Cart will add value to their businesses by making the parts look up and ordering process easier and more efficient. We welcome this opportunity to work with Central Power Systems and are committed to not only meeting, but exceeding, their expectations,” said Dearing. According to Dearing, ARI is also working with other members of IDN, including Magneto Power, MWE, Power Source Canada, Preferred Power and SEDCO, to deploy PartSmart Web and PartSmart Shopping Cart for use by their respective dealers.
Note: PartSmart Web™ was previously named EMPARTweb™ and PartSmart Cart™ was previously named Shopping Cart. ARI recently changed the names of several products to unify the company’s branding.
About Central Power Systems
Central Power Systems, a privately held company, was founded in 1985. The company distributes small engines, service parts and outdoor power equipment through a network of 6,000 registered service dealers in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Western Pennsylvania, the panhandle of Maryland, Florida and the Bahamas. Central Power Systems is an authorized Central Sales & Service Distributor for Briggs & Stratton (including Murray), a distributor for AYP/Poulan Pro/Weedeater, a distributor of Dolmar Power Products and other quality OEM product lines. Central Power Systems distributes products from their locations in Columbus, Ohio and Tampa. Florida. They supply sales and service professionals in the Midwest and Florida and major customers on a nationwide basis. Complementing their OEM product lines are their aftermarket replacement parts lines. Central Power Systems maintains a comprehensive parts and service network to support the products of Windsor Forestry, Dealer’s Choice, Interlube International (Opti-2 and Opti-4), NGK Spark Plugs, Champion Spark Plugs and Martin Wheel.
About ARI
ARI is a leading provider of electronic parts catalogs and other technology enabled services to increase sales and profits for dealers, distributors and manufacturers in the manufactured equipment markets. ARI currently provides approximately 94 parts catalogs (many of which contain multiple lines of equipment) for approximately 70 equipment manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe. Approximately 73,000 catalog subscriptions are provided through ARI to more than 24,000 dealers and distributors in approximately 89 countries in about a dozen segments of the worldwide equipment market including outdoor power, power sports, ag equipment, recreation vehicle, floor maintenance, auto and truck parts aftermarket, marine and construction. The Company builds and supports a full suite of multi-media electronic catalog publishing and viewing software for the Web or CD and provides expert catalog publishing and consulting services. ARI also provides dealer marketing services, including technology-enabled direct mail, email and an award-winning dealer website service that makes it quick and easy for an equipment dealer to have a professional and attractive website. In addition, ARI e-Catalog systems support a variety of electronic pathways for parts orders, warranty claims and other transactions between manufacturers and their networks of sales and service points. ARI currently operates four offices in the United States and one in Europe and has sales and service agents in England and France providing marketing and support of its products and services. For more information on ARI, visit our website www.arinet.com.
