Salesman of the Year Staff Writer: T.N.Totten

Volume 14 Issue 1

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Totten’s annual Kickoff Sales Meeting was held at the Courtyard by Marriot in Monrovia on January 22nd. The theme of the meeting was ‘hold’ based on the patience William Wallace used as a military strategist in the movie Braveheart.

In a very turbulent market environment, the sales staff was urged to be patient and study each situation carefully before an offer is made. The steel tubing market price plunged over 40% on December 12 leaving all holding inventory with plenty to think about.

Connie Keast had managed the company’s inventory so that only about 15% was affected by the price change which has made Totten’s ability to compete in the 1st quarter quite easy. The key now is plain and simple as more tons are needed to provide a healthy work environment for Southern California.

The keynote speaker at the dinner was Mike Leone, Vice President of Sales for the J.D. Fields Company (Houston, Texas). Mike shared some very interesting product information about the different grades of pipe, where it is sold, and what the current trends are. Fields holds a 50,000 ton inventory of structural and line pipe as well as a full compliment of OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods) for distribution throughout the United States. With pipe production very sporadic, Fields has made a nice living having inventory that end users need between production runs.

Totten’s 2008 performance was reviewed along with a forecast for 2009 which will need to be altered given the continued tight credit market stifling demand in commercial construction.

The Salesmen of the Year award was handed out to Bill Pond whose territory led the pack in improvement over 2007. A special ‘Rookie of the Year’ award was also given to Chasen Slifkoff for remarkable productivity in Totten’s Northern California territory. Chasen began in the warehouse, moved into inventory control and was then offered the sales opportunity up north. The company consistently ran two trucks up I-5 all year for Chasen virtually doubling his 2007 totals. Congratulations to both men on giving the company an outstanding year.

Totten welcomed for the first time at the event new comer Kelly Totten who is now representing the company in the Pacific Northwest. His territory encompasses Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Alberta, and British Columbia. Kelly lives in Seattle but is learning the life of a traveling salesmen.