Kippie Helzel, MAS, vice president of sales for CPS/Keystone, Erie, Pa., announced the launch of its “Fast Lane” free 24-hour rush service.
“The key for CPS has been to add this rush service while maintaining our traditionally low prices,” said Helzel. “The CPS team has worked to handle the new service with confidence and ease, maintaining our position as ‘the value leader.'”
Helzel also announced several appointments to the CPS sales team. Christie Wright has been appointed Northeast regional sales manager, Betsy Shuster has joined the company as inside sales representative supporting the Northeast and Midwest territories, and Dawn Browne has become inside sales representative for key accounts and sales in seven states.
These appointments are part of a sales development strategy that began with the hiring of Bruce Schermerhorn as Midwest regional sales manager in September, 2013. Rebecca McLaughlin, sales and operations manager, will oversee the successful implementation of the “Fast Lane” service, as well as coordinate the strategic sales plan.
“CPS has benefited from the loyalty of thousands of distributors who recognize our low prices on the industry’s most popular, proven promotional products,” Helzel explained. “That said, we recognized the need for personal outreach and follow up, both in the field and from the home office. I am proud to say we are delivering that in key markets, while maintaining our famously low prices.”
Wright comes to CPS with years of industry experience at Gemline, Lawrence, Mass., and Hub Pen Company, Braintree, Mass., with extensive work in inside sales, customer service and key national account management.
“Having worked with so many distributors, large and small, for years, inside sales and outside, I can truly say that I love working in a strong, hands-on way with distributors,” Wright said. “What excited me so much about joining CPS was the fact that my closest distributor customers and friends all knew CPS, and were enthusiastic about me joining the company.”
Wright is responsible for states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire and Eastern Pennsylvania.
Shuster joined CPS from Leeds, New Kensington, Pa., where she worked in inside sales support for the Northeast.
“CPS’s highly respected reputation and rating in the industry makes my job easy,” Shuster said. “Our great low pricing makes it easy for me to open the door to, and connect with distributors, both on the phone and via email, and to offer so many terrific price options for programs and everyday orders.”
Shuster will be the key inside contact supporting customers in both Wright’s and Schermerhorn’s territories.
As part of the company’s expanded sales strategy, Browne has been appointed to inside sales for key national accounts as well as seven states.
“I am excited to be in sales supporting our key national distributor partners, as well as our customers in several states where I have been active in regional shows for many years,” Browne said. Browne will support distributors in Delaware, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio.
For more information on CPS/Keystone, visit www.keystoneline.com.
