Mountain States Sports Marketing Inc., was originally established in 1984 by Terry Labrum, Steve Smart and Bill Hayes (who also founded Sportsman’s Warehouse), in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mountain States Sports Marketing LLC, is now owned and actively managed by Brad Ruddell. Having purchased the company in 2010 after 35 plus years in the sporting goods industry the last 20 years serving as Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Weatherby Firearms.
Why Choose MSSM Group?
In a word, URGENCY! We operate with one simple objective; get our factories the order, or be able to explain what needs to be done to get them.
Ask any of the manufactures we represent and hear directly what they have to say about our performance. We pride ourselves on our territory knowledge, work ethic, product and program presentation skills and product training capabilities, providing the companies we represent the best opportunity to grow their business.
And that urgency is FOCUSED! Focused soley on shooting sports accounts, period. We don't dilute our time selling fishing or camping equipment, or any other sporting goods products, we call on retailers and distributors who carry and sell firearms and firearms related products.
We invite you to contact the customers in our territory, especially those in the out of the way places. The large geographic area, with a small population base in some parts of our territory, makes this sales region unique. We are staffed, and regionally located so that the dealer calls get made. MSSM Group has developed a strong relationship with its customers via hard work and frequent contact. They’ve learned they can depend on us.
We are proud of the results we’ve generated for our factories. We have represented many of our factories for over 20 years. Our agency has been awarded rep group of the year several times, from several factories and our territory managers have been honored with rep of the year awards from many of those same factories.
What do you get in the way of manpower with us?
We are a 8 person sales group, with a 4 person internal support and management team. Our territory managers are experienced with all types, and at all levels of both direct and two step distribution channels. Including a Amazon Specialist focused on not only gaining access for your products, but put them on a path of growth and at the same time, managing the challenges that come with this account. Our sales force is best known for their sales experience, product knowledge, ethical approach and seasoned professionalism. We conduct regular face-to-face meetings with the chain stores, distributors, buying group members, independent, specialty and internet retailers, as well as farm/ranch stores and co-ops.
As mentioned above, we have an experienced Amazon Account Specialist who's worn all three Amazon hats; he's worked directly for them as a buyer, he's run his own multi-million-dollar 3P merchant business and he's prepared to shepard your brand through this significant retailer. He's seen behind the curtain, knows how to navigate their systems, and, most importantly, he understands that Amazon is just one piece of your overall sales objectives.
Aggressive promotion of our manufactures product in the Western US and Canada is what we do.
Our business office in Timnath, Colorado is staffed with an experienced office and accounting manager, as well as administrative and data processing staff supporting our territory managers.
How will your existing accounts be managed and new ones targeted?
This issue probably tops your list, and ours as well. Understandably, you can’t experience growth with a new rep group in a territory without protecting what’s already been established. MSSM Group shares your concerns for the existing business in the territory. We will give top priority to providing you with a smooth, trouble free transition, while strategically targeting new business to enhance territory sales.
We set our call frequency so that we see all accounts a minimum of four to six times a year. We will personally meet with all of your key customers and find out what their immediate needs are and work with them on a specific plan to grow their business with your product. Assumptions are set aside, and you will see a “from the ground up” approach to serving the territory and your brand. New attitudes, increased account contact, creative selling ideas and solid customer support and follow up are proven strategies we will employ to increase your sales.
Our database of over 1000 region specific accounts insures that if you’re not doing business with them currently, we know who they are and will get your product in front of them.
The team at MSSM Group looks forward to the opportunity to tailor a specific territory development plan for your brands sales objectives.
Customer references, specific brands, and factory contacts are available upon request.
