Glen Harston

Glen Harston, group vice president of sales, said the program helps dealers increase turns and manage their cash flow.The program also gives ABG,s Chattanooga factory more control over its raw material inventory and smoothes its production and staffing schedule, which helps bolster dealer margins.

Harston said many suppliers front-load dealers with inventory early in the season.Dealers then face a significant bill in late spring, often before selling through their inventory, crimping cash flow.

And if certain models fail to sell, dealers are forced into unprofitable markdowns to clear inventory, he added.ABG also has its own accessory brand, Real Design, which sells carbon fiber and aluminum wheelsets, stems, forks and handlebars.

,Listening to dealer feedback on our initial presentations helped us strengthen the program and ensured that we were providing a program that enables us to be a business partner,, Harston said.

ABG based the program on timely dealer payments and a unit commitment that dealer are comfortable with, Harston said.
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Glen Harston

,We are always looking to find innovative new ways to support our dealers, but in this case it just has not worked as we had planned,, said Glen Harston, vice president of sales for ABG.
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Glen Harston

"Over the past 12 months, we've visited dealers throughout North America in an effort to better understand their needs and concerns," said Glen Harston, vice president of sales at ABG."As a result, we have already taken significant steps towards solidifying our IBD relationships with stronger communications and a new distribution strategy."

Since Colorado Cyclist was the brand's largest dealer, Harston realizes making up for those lost sales isn't going to happen overnight."It will take us a while to recuperate," Harston said."We're trying to do the right thing for our dealers.They had requested such a move."

ABG also feels this move will translate into more efficient production and distribution methods, eliminating the need for the closeout sales that Colorado Cyclist has helped Litespeed manage in past years.

Harston said the split was amicable."Litespeed is grateful to Colorado Cyclist for their help overcoming the over-production issues we encountered under previous management.We have certainly enjoyed a productive partnership," Harston said.

Glen Harston Replaces Lynskey At ABG CHATTANOOGA, TN (BRAIN)¿American Bicycle Group appointed Glen Harston as its new vice president of sales.Harston replaces former vice president of sales and marketing Mark Lynskey, who left the company earlier this month.

Glen Harston Replaces Lynskey At ABG
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Glen Harston Replaces Lynskey At ABG

JULY 19, 2005 -- CHATTANOOGA, TN (BRAIN),American Bicycle Group appointed Glen Harston as its new vice president of sales.Harston replaces former vice president of sales and marketing Mark Lynskey, who left the company earlier this month.
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Harston has spent the last four years working for ABG as an outside rep in Florida, and previously worked in a similar capacity for GT and Cannondale.

"It's great to have Glen here on the inside with us," said Steve Lewis, ABG's president and chief executive officer.
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Harston will work with American sales manager Steve Dunn and European sales manager Andy Moorehouse.
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"I am so thrilled to be here in this position and come up with new ways to further serve our dealers," Harston said."And I am confident that the transition will be smooth."

Harston will move with his wife, Sara, and his kids Todd, Katie and Emily to Chattanooga at the end of July, and begin his new role Aug. 1.
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Glen Harston