St. Charles, IL—Country Business magazine, a 25,000-circulation trade publication for the retail gift and home decor industry, has named Colonial Tin Works, Inc., of Greensboro, North Carolina, its 2011 Vendor of the Year. Colonial Tin Works is a designer, importer, and distributor of antique-inspired gifts and home decor, such as tin lanterns, metal candleholders, replica glasswork, treen, silicone-dipped bulbs and more. The 31-year-old company was recognized for its continual introduction of new products, strong devotion to customer service, and a hands-on approach to keeping the company successfully growing.
“Colonial Tin truly understands the importance of developing new products and creating an easy and quick ordering system for its customers. The company introduces 150–300 new products twice a year, which means storeowners can always find great-selling merchandise to stock their shelves,” says Susan Wagner, editor of Country Business.
President Tom LaRose and Vice President Charlie Lederer regularly go on antiquing expeditions to find inspiration for the company’s vintage-inspired giftware. From there, the products go through an intense design phase and are then produced overseas, maintaining strict quality control. The result is a product that reflects an antique or period look yet is available at an attractive price point. Colonial Tin’s customers can place their wholesale orders at trade shows or via phone, email, fax or through the company’s password-protected website. Colonial Tin keeps its customers informed through regular e-mails, and provides display and sales tips and advice both online and via e-mail.
Country Business presents its Vendor of the Year award each year to one outstanding vendor in the gift and home decor market. Nominated companies are judged on innovative and quality product development, competitive pricing, exemplary customer service, strong marketing, and dedication to the business and its community. Top finalists are then voted on by specialty retailers across the country. Colonial Tin ranked extremely high in both the judging by the awards committee as well as the voting by the retailers.
“Choosing a winning vendor becomes more of a challenge each year,” says Wagner. “Our industry has some outstanding companies that continue to deliver their absolute best in terms of product design, customer service, community involvement, and business growth. Colonial Tin focuses on providing the best possible business relationship and happy working experience with both its customers and its employees, and nowhere was this more evident than in the retailer voting.”
As Vendor of the Year, Colonial Tin Works was recognized at a special awards ceremony held at the Chicago Market: Living and Giving in July, where the company was presented with a gold and black-marble engraved trophy and participated in an industry Q&A discussion. An article about the company appears in the July/August 2011 issue of Country Business.
Colonial Tin Works can be reached at PO Box 49909, Greensboro, NC 27419; or by calling 800-433-5054 or visiting www.colonialtin.com.
Country Business is published seven times a year in St. Charles, Illinois. The magazine is written for independent retailers of gifts and home accents. For subscription information, call 800-448-0245.
