Nationwide Marketing Group, the buying group for independent appliance, electronics, furniture and bedding retailers, has been named a 2018 Energy Star Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award winner.
This is its 12 consecutive award.
The award honors the group’s continued leadership in promoting environmental protection through superior energy efficiency achievements. This accomplishment, which Nationwide said was made possible through the efforts of its thousands of independent members, will be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington on April 20.
Nationwide’s partnership with the Energy Star dates to the program’s inception over 20 years ago. The group said its members have long recognized Energy Star products as an opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment and their customers’ lives.
Nationwide’s group-produced promotional messaging is available to members in a matrix of advertising and communications media, allowing turnkey access to materials that help them better promote the benefits available to a consumer when choosing Energy Star items. Members leveraged these assets in over 10,000 digital and television campaigns in 2017, said Nationwide.
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The group also noted that it developed, produced and launched the industry’s first comprehensive Energy Star training program, in partnership with the EPA, for major appliances and consumer electronics. The exclusive educational suite, housed in Nationwide’s online Learning Academy, was made available to the approximately 50,000 front-line sales professionals within the group’s Member companies.
“Nationwide Marketing Group values our partnership with Energy Star,” said Richard Weinberg, business services senior VP for Nationwide. “Our strong relationships with both vendors and dealers has enabled us to drive sales of Energy Star-qualified products, thus retiring many older, less-efficient major appliances and consumer electronics. In support of our members, we remain committed to continuing our work to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment. Additionally, our focus on products that meet the Energy Star Most Efficient qualification has increased, allowing our members to provide an even more outstanding value to the consumer.”
Added Frank Sandtner of Nationwide’s senior leadership: “The Energy Star partnership is one that presents great value on all fronts. Our members have long provided consumers with a shopping experience that centers on making sure the needs of the consumer are filled at the highest levels, and Energy Star products present a great value, both at the initial purchase, and over the life of the product. Our vendor partners have invested tremendous effort and considerable resources in developing the most innovative, high-performance and energy efficient products ever introduced, and this partnership helps place a spotlight on these advanced appliances and electronics.”
He continued: “And finally, we, along with the membership, are committed to leaving a positive impact on our society and our planet, with the Energy Star partnership being a pillar of fulfilling that commitment by bringing to market products that make a real impact on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and with responsible use of energy and water.”
