AutoCrib Speaker Tells Industrial Distributors How to Thrive in the Recession

    SANTA ANA, CA, April 04, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- AutoCrib, Inc. kicked off its Users Conference with a bang in St. Pete Beach, Florida last week with a speech by Rick Barrera, corporate strategist and marketing guru. Barrera showed the packed house of dealers and customers how rapidly shrinking macroeconomic cycles combined with the global financial meltdown could work to their advantage. "This is the greatest opportunity in your lifetime to take advantage of low interest rates to grow your business and take market share." said Barrera. "The government is pouring billions into automakers and other manufacturers to keep them afloat. They need your cost cutting expertise and have the money to pay for it." Barrera also showed them how key strategic partners like AutoCrib could enable them to cut inventories by up to 90%, freeing up cash flow for operations during the downturn. He then illustrated how to leverage information in innovative ways to better serve their customers while cutting their costs even more.

"You can't shrink your way to greatness," Barrera cajoled, "but you must free up capital that is tied up in low return areas and redeploy it to high return areas. The future is about innovation, creativity, intellectual capital leverage, information integration and revenue growth. Competition based on products and services is dead. Competition is now based around innovative business designs." He then went on to show them how to redesign their business models for exceptional growth and profitability.

"China is old news" Barrera continued, "Vietnam, Cambodia, and the entire continent of Africa are your newest competitors. You must be globally price competitive to thrive. You must use speed as a competitive weapon as well. Your goal should be zero elapsed time between the PO and the delivery. The only way you can accomplish that is with an AutoCrib."

"Manufacturers everywhere desperately need your expertise to help them to be globally competitive. Now is the time for you to leverage your deep expertise to help them get there faster," said Barrera. "You and your manufacturing customers must end your traditional arms-length, adversarial relationships and come together as true partners to win in the new global marketplace."

Barrera spoke at the 2nd annual AutoCrib users conference "Leading the Way" and set the tone for sessions that followed. Real-time information, taking advantage of opportunities and being bold were consistent themes of all conference speakers. Following Rick Barrera on-stage was Steve Pixley, CEO and President of AutoCrib, who spoke about industrial vending as a cost-saving tool for the tough economy. Steve also announced several AutoCrib innovations, including the field configurable RoboCrib, new AutoCrib website, AutoCrib University and major software enhancements. Another keynote speaker was Mr. Jon Schreibfeder, President of Effective Inventory Management, who spoke on managing for cash flow in a downturn and how to leverage your largest asset improve your bottom line.

"Our purpose for this event was to educate our distributors on how to utilize the tools AutoCrib has to offer to make a difference in both their sales and support efforts. We also wanted to showcase end-users that have used AutoCrib in unique ways or have made the information delivered by AutoCrib a key component of their business process, productivity analysis or used it to help overcome obstacles." Based on reviews from distributors and end-users alike, AutoCrib accomplished their goals with a bang. Attendees left ready to tackle the issues and problems of the current economy with a positive attitude and the sure knowledge that AutoCrib is a true partner in their efforts.

About Rick Barrera
www.overpromise.com
Rick Barrera is a nationally acclaimed speaker, marketing consultant and author, known throughout the Fortune 500 for his extraordinary speaking ability and his unique approach to brand building. His research on the strategies used by breakthrough brands like Starbucks, Chico's, Yellowfreight, Lexus, Tivo, and Google will change your thinking about marketing forever.

About Jon Schreibfeder
www.effectiveinventory.com
Jon Schreibfeder is president of Effective Inventory Management, Inc. Jon "grew up" in a family-owned pipe, valve, and fitting supply house. He studied inventory management with industry "gurus" such as Alan "Buddy" Silver and Gordon Graham. Jon has designed several inventory management computer systems and has also served as a distribution industry "troubleshooter" for two major computer companies. Over the past eighteen years, Jon has helped hundreds of hard-goods distributors improve their productivity and profitability by leading them through the implementation of effective inventory management systems.

About AutoCrib, Inc.
www.autocrib.com
AutoCrib has been providing innovative industrial vending systems since 1995. The basic concept of "tool vending" has evolved into a wide variety of products that assist manufacturers in controlling perishable tooling, safety supplies, MRO supplies and other "indirect materials". The product line includes handheld scanners, automated lockers, automated cabinets, traditional vending, and robotic carousel systems. No other company provides such a variety of point-of-use dispensing technology. The systems are driven by AutoCrib's powerful software, which provides end-users with real time usage data and in many cases, updates their ERP systems. This allows manufacturers to dramatically reduce the cost of indirect supplies by as much as 50% through accountability and access control.

To date, the company has over 5000 units installed throughout North America, Europe and Australia. The systems are sold primarily through a network of over 100 industrial distributors. With the support of AutoCrib, this network has built a reputation as being one of the best installation, training, and support organizations in the business.

AutoCrib is based in Santa Ana, California with sales offices in suburban Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas and Chicago.

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