In the mail yesterday I received an attractive new 2006/07 Libbey Glassware catalog from Marck and Asscoiates. I didn't request these, so it is likely they sent these out to all of their customers.
On the Marck website I ran across this announcement dated August 22, 2006. LINK
This was obviously unplanned and an abrupt change effecting Marck.
From the tone of the announcement letter from Marck and Associate's President, I speculate that he wouldn't mind having our support to help reverse this decision. I would recommend, if you are so moved, that we take a minute to call or e-mail Charles Rice to discuss this decision.
Libbey has several different market divisions. You can see where Charles Rice fits into the mix below.
Brenda Bennett, Vice President, Consumer Marketing
Robert A. Bules, Vice President, Foodservice Sales
Gretchen Gotthart Skeldon, Vice President, Industrial Sales
Terry Hartman, Vice President, Engineering, Research & Development
Jeff Joyce, Vice President, Retail Sales
Peter D. Kasper, Vice President, Foodservice Marketing
David A. Mefferd, Vice President, Export Sales
Michel Nouafo, Vice President, International Marketing
Charles Rice III, Vice President, Premium and Cutter/Decorator Sales
I am speculating, only speculating, that part of this decision may have something to do with Marck's low pricing structure, which fits their business model just fine, but probably effects the "normal" margins of other industry distributors. Libbey can't ask Marck to raise their prices or that would be price fixing, but they can eliminate the problem by taking away their distribution rights. I could be way off, but something stinks here. |