Woods Expands Program With Ameritech Deal
By Martha McDonald -- TWICE, 5/24/1999
Woods Industries of Carmel, Ind., which recently began distributing IBM computer accessories and Zenith audio/video accessories, is now adding Ameritech communications accessories to its line. The latest licensing agreement calls for Woods to manufacture and distribute an extensive line of Ameritech telephone and communications accessories including jacks, adapters, connectors and cords.
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"This alliance enables us to provide customers with a new line of branded accessories," said Ameritech spokesperson Joan Walker. "Placing our Ameritech name on the package signifies to customers that the product meets our exacting quality and performance standards."
"The Ameritech name goes well beyond telephone accessories," said Woods' president Dan Esposito. "It has a history, it has a connection with the Bell name, and it has a significant presence in North America. Ameritech's wired business reaches 20 million people, and the company has approximately 3 million wireless customers. In addition, it has security operations in all 50 states and Canada. The name is very strong."
"With the Ameritech, Zenith and IBM brands, we have relevant brands that bring to market products that support the flow of voice, data and signal into the home," Esposito said.
The first approximately 150 Ameritech products are scheduled to roll out in August at the National Hardware Show. They will also be featured at Comdex and CES, along with line expansions. Suggested retail prices for the majority of the Ameritech accessories are expected to range from $1.99 to $9.99, and a few items will sell in the $15.99 to $29.99 range.
Altogether, Woods is offering about 600 SKUs in its IBM, Zenith and Ameritech lines.
Retailers are devoting more space to accessories, said Esposito. "It is not unusual for a retailer to have eight feet of communications accessories, and the minimum is four feet. Ten years ago, two feet was standard."
The initial Ameritech line will include about 150 telephone and communications accessories. The telephone line includes one tool (a modular two-way crimper), seven adapters, five connectors, 27 jacks, 22 cords, four wires, and 19 other accessories such as a bell ringer, cable clips, a replacement antenna, a message stopper, and a line amplifier.
Communications accessories will include six adapters, eight cords, 20 jacks, four connectors, an RJ-45 modular crimp tool and two wire packages.
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