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Thank you Utica Rome Speedway
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity
by Eric Lehner
It is a pleasure to have Utica Rome Speedway join the community of facilities using TrackMoist from Winning Brands to condition their track. Uttica Rome Speedway is a happening place, or as Uttica puts it, ‘The Action Track of the East”. Website Link: www.UticaRomeSpeedway.com
May
09
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Nice Addition to the Family as 1000+ Viet Nam Packaging is Completed
1000+ in the Community, International, Launch Activity
by Eric Lehner
We are looking forward to positive experiences and new product friendships in Viet Nam as an entry point for South East Asia. The special business model designed for this initiative is described in the Winning Brands News Release of November 8, 2014. The Viet Nam packaging for 1000+ Stain Remover, World’s Most Versatile Cleaning Solution is shown below.
actuly its a great day
May
05
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Canadian Tire: More In-store Events Allowed for 1000+ Stain Remover
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity
by Eric Lehner
Yesterday’s in-store merchandising event for 1000+ at a location of Canadian Tire included positive feedback about 1000+ from customers and staff alike. The “Ladies Night” format of this event generated a nice atmosphere and provided an opportunity to share experiences. 1000+ Stain Remover gift baskets are always popular. Some consumers are discovering 1000+ for the first time because certain stores are upgrading shelf positioning of 1000+ , putting us beside national brands. Some shoppers will pick us up instead of the national brand to “check us out” and experiment. Some will like what they find and a new customer is born. Quality of placement matters. Examples of shelf presence beside national brands is shown below (taken recently at a different stores).
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May
05
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Results In: TrackMoist Approved
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity, Testimonials
by Eric Lehner
Fans of the Radio Control Racing hobby know that the Thornhill Racing Circuit near Austin, Texas is awesome. It is the largest 1/8 scale off-road track in the United States. The results of recent testing with TrackMoist were awesome too. Accordingly, TrackMoist from Winning Brands is being introduced to groom the track. Thank you, Thornhill, for your leadership in this sector. Video of the facility is here:
Annual Report Attorney Opinion Letter Completion Next Week
Regulatory, Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
The Attorney Opinion Letter which will complete the 2013 annual filing will be uploaded next week, at which time the Winning Brands Current Information Tier will be renewed. This should have been completed by May 1st. It was delayed for practical reasons unrelated to the report itself.
Financial are out for year end
Winning Brands in Tennessee
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity, Store Scenes, Testimonials
by Eric Lehner
Thank you, Tony Stone, for your initiative in adding 1000+ Stain Remover, World’s Most Versatile Cleaning Solution, to your Porter Paints outlet. Tony’s store is called Franklin County Paints located in Winchester, Tennessee. Tony confirmed receipt today of his custom rolling merchandising display unit for the opening inventory.
Tony’s store video link is here:
TrackMoist welcomes Sweeny MX in Oklahoma
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity
by Eric Lehner
TrackMoist has been chosen as the soil conditioning solution for Sweeny MX in Oklahoma, with the start of the season April 27th weekend. The following is a live link to YouTube showing the facility in use.
Mar
18
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Shareholder Question
Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
I have recently been asked by a shareholder who wrote to the company whether I would be willing to review the online discussion boards in order to respond to so-called negative posts. This request seems to have been prompted by his frustration that many friendly shareholder posts in discussion boards are deleted by moderators if the posts are supportive of the company.
I think it is appropriate that I agree to this request and am placing the response on this widely seen CEO Weblog for several reasons.
The first reason is that Winning Brands has always been more responsive than most of its peers in the Pink Sheets OTC environment to shareholder communication, regardless of its tone. The company is accessible and this sets us apart. Secondly, the purpose of the CEO Weblog is to discuss both the company’s progress and challenges; it is fitting that criticism of the company is acknowledged and addressed in the CEO Weblog for the benefit of weblog readers who do not go to the discussion boards, so that they know that the criticism exists, and what the core concerns are. Thirdly, it is not clear to what extent negative comments on discussion boards are “sincerely” critical, or are based on inaccurate assessments or have ulterior motives. Some of the most negative remarks are posted by anonymous people who acknowledge that they are not shareholders. Their posts in other discussion boards (about other companies) are often negative as well. By drawing attention to such negative concerns about Winning Brands in the CEO Weblog, I can help prospective investors (who are considering buying Winning Brands shares for the first time) to be aware of the existence of these concerns. It’s dry reading because of the quantity of detailed information, but important and helpful for any genuinely interested party. The points below are only some of the concerns. Others will be responded to as well.
1. Reverse Split (and no subsequent uplisting)
It has been said that the company promised that it would never reverse split its stock. In reality, the company did not promise that a reverse split would ”never” occur. It did promise that a reverse split, if it occured, would be made for the purpose of an uplisting to a higher quotation tier, such as OTCQB. Such elevation requires registration with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Therefore, following the reverse split April 25, 2013 auditors and attorneys were identified who would be prepared to participate in the process of registration for Winning Brands. This involves a retroactive audit of two years, plus an interim stub period for the balance sheets. Also, it is necessary to complete an S-1 registration application. The professional fees for these two steps exceed $50,000 and the outcome is not certain. This is because the S-1 process is an application; becoming registered is not a “right”. The SEC reviews, comments and requests modification of the S-1 application. No guarantee is provided by the SEC that the outcome will be favourable. For this reason, it is important to be ready when submitting the S-1 registration application that issues of interest to the file reviewers are addressed in advance. This minimizes cost overruns and reduces uncertainties during the SEC commenting period. In the case of Winning Brands, a partial deposit restriction of the type affecting many OTC stocks, also called a “chill”, is an additional factor. It has been in place for three years. It constrains trading on some platforms and not others. It would appear that E-trade, Fidelity, Scott Trade and Charles Schwab are not affected, whereas TD Ameritrade and some others are. Elevation to the next level in our case requires coordination of these three issues, not merely two. The current status of our desire to elevate Winning Brands to OTCQB through registration is that the PCAOB certified auditor (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board) agrees that completion of our 3(a)10 debt settlement process, which was announced in our previous public filing at www.OTCMarkets.com, is desirable so that the SEC has a clear record of how the company dealt with the share issuances associated with the 3(a)10, within the registration documents. It is the duration of the 3(a)10 process that is not yet known.
2. 3(a)10
This process, referred to in our most recent OTC Markets public filing, is a method to settle debt on a non-cash basis. It is beneficial because not only is the debt reduced, so too are the associated interest costs. 3(a)10 is granted by one of several courts considered by the SEC to have sufficient authority and objectivity to approve the issuance of free-trading shares to qualified creditors. No proceeds of the sale of these shares by creditors may come to Winning Brands. It is not a method of financing. It is purely a method by which willing creditors are satisfied to accept shares in lieu of cash to consider themselves repaid. This is helpful to Winning Brands as it will permit the reduction of liabilities on the balance sheet, contributing to the company being more attractive to friendly investment. Like all things in life, this process has varying standards of quality, depending upon who is carrying it out. In our case, we are being careful to observe the spirit of the legislation to ensure that only creditors and lenders benefit – and that no funds come back to the company as investment. Doing this correctly takes time. Therefore, although the balance sheet will improve in 2014 as a result of the 3(a)10, the process does not provide the company with further working capital. Lack of working capital has a bearing on the company’s ability to generate sales. This is also the reason that the company has not yet implemented a reduction of its authorized share count. It would be cynical to decrease it to a much lower figure prior to knowing what degree of dilution is required to complete the 3(a)10. An earlier expressed intention to reduce the authorized share count was made before it was confirmed that Winning Brands would qualify for the 3(a)10. These elements are interconnected. The company is being conservative in discussing these points presently so as not to alter its position needlessly.
3. DTC (Depository Trust Corporation) Chill
The reason that Winning Brands has a chill is that a former subscriber to a Regulation D, Rule 504 financing, did not hold his shares long enough as required in regulations governing this form of investment. The DTC would prefer to see the resolution of the SEC’s position on that subscriber’s issues with the SEC because it has occured before for that subscriber with other companies. Therefore, the chill is not a complaint against Winning Brands, but rather concern with a 504 subscriber. The background administrative mechanisms that cause the imposition of, and eventural removal of, a chill can take a very long time. It is the DTC’s publicly stated position that a successful SEC registration is relevant in a decision of whether to remove a chill. This is possibly because registration formally accounts for the progression of shares from an unregistered life to a registered life, and thus more clearly sets out what is available to the public (and what is passing through the clearing system) and why. The current status of our DTC chill removal is a dual process of awaiting the legal resolution between the 504 subscriber and the SEC in matters between them while also obtaining confirmation from the DTC whether our S-1 registration, as presently conceived, will be satisfactory.
4. Poor Sales
Winning Brands sales have remained stable for several years, and declined in 2013, rather than growing. The expectation for a hot penny stock is that the company’s product sales will go through the roof. If a company’s product has been around for several years, then the conventional wisdom is that the product, or the company, or its CEO, or all three are not up to the task and the company will never amount to anything. The problem with that reasoning is that it ignores the fact that the majority of penny stocks have little or no sales, yet many have very high market capitalization – ocassionally up to $100 Million, even when there is no company revenue whatsoever. By that standard, Winning Brands is significantly underpriced, if one feels the company will succeed. The reason that I feel the company will succeed is that despite a lack of impressive sales, the company has impressive consumer relationships and several very good retailer relationships. The central argument about the company’s ability to soar are based on its ability to create sufficient awareness of its lead product through effective marketing. Naturally, there are many opinions as to what constitutes effective marketing. Since WNBD began trading, in aggregate, several million dollars of our products has been moved through retailers. The cost to Winning Brands of doing so, however, has been higher than the realized profit. This is why Winning Brands has a working capital deficit. However, the annual operating loss has been declining since 2009. In other words, despite the sales challenge, the company’s net financial performance has actually been improving. Also, there continues to be a flow of positive consumer feedback, good retailer engagement and lessons learned about the combination of the two. If Winning Brands can increase its marketing visibility, sales will increase commensurately. Most consumers have not yet heard of the company’s products – that is why the potential of Winning Brands is so great. If most consumers had heard of our lead product 1000+ and rejected it through disatisfaction, then the situation would be completely different. However, in reality, the vast majority of North Americans are completely unaware of the existence of this very useful product. Consumers who have discovered 1000+ (and our other products), seem to like them, and they let us know how much through testimonials. Winning Brands’ operating goal is to increase consumer awareness and achieve major tipping points in distribution. Slow, organic growth is not viable because the costs of waiting are too high. The most impactful tipping point would be the listing of Winning Brands’ lead product, 1000+ Stain Remover, World’s Most Versatile Stain Remover, by a corporately operated national banner in the USA.
5. Lack of USA national banner
The three most important banners for Winning Brands in this context are Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart. Our product has earned its place on the shelves of all three of these banners in Canada. Winning Brands has a relationship with all three U.S. parent offices also, including formal vendor numbers, but not yet a national on-the-shelf presence in the USA. Home Depot USA has placed 1000+ Stain Remover into its online offerings at www.HomeDepot.com. Lowe’s USA has been testing 1000+ at three Lowe’s locations in Ohio. Walmart USA has tested 1000+ at its Sam’s Club division. All three banners are happy with the product, satisfied with Winning Brands as a vendor but have not yet committed to a roll-out nationally. We have come close to larger regional tests, but circumstances on the retailers’ end has delayed that for a number of reasons. The protracted nature of these delays give critics the message that it will never happen. In the company’s opinion, that assessment would be more logical if these three retailers chose to end their relationship with us - that would be easy enough for them to do. Some version of a brief e-mail asking us not to bother them anymore would take one minute to send. Yet, they have not done so. Securing any one of these three national banners would instantly make Winning Brands financially self-sufficient allowing us to move from being an aspiring brand requiring funding to survive into a brand with traction that can be confident of its future and grow much faster with a distribution platform of a national retailer for national advertising purposes. The dramatic impact on Winning Brands of securing such a national banner can be determined by extrapolating the sales numbers that we have with the stores in the Canadian subsidiaries. The stores are virtually identical in concept and layout between the two markets. Throughout this prolonged waiting period it has been possible to calculate what the impact would be for Winning Brands of increasing its national big box store count by a combined 8,000 locations. This may never be achieved. But then again, it may be. It is simply not known at this point. The criticism of which you should be aware is that the prospective banner partners could have acted by now if they intended to. Their failure to list nationally may represent indifference or even a negative orientation. It is the position of Winning Brands management that the U.S. headquarters would not be wasting their time with us if there were no interest, nor would our presence in their Canadian stores be sustained and even nurtured. It is possible that they are assessing whether the brand has staying power and will continue to build loyalty amonst its existing consumers. In the meantime, we are seeking expanded presence in independently owned retailers. The principal distribution channel is hardware, accounting for a potential 40,000 locations across a range of co-operatives and locally owned outlets. Do it Best, with 3,500 affiliated stores is an example of one cooperative. Others include Ace and True Value. We have made some progress, but need to perform much better to make a real difference.
6. Lack of activity or sporadic activity in other Winning Brands products
The company is considered by critics to have abandoned or botched other product launches, and even that reference by Winning Brands management to other products is a diversionary tactic. The reality is more nuanced. The business plan calls for focus on a lead product to achieve national or international prominence. The others are follow-through products. What is less obvious is that the competitive marketplace calls for continuous product development. A static product is a sitting duck, waiting to become obsolete. Accordingly, we have been using this period (i.e. while the lead product seeks traction) to keep refining the follow-through products with R&D and small scale tests with key partners. The reason that we do not substitute one of the follow-through products for 1000+ is that 1000+ has unique techncial and branding elements which make it suitable to become a household name across tens of thousands of retail points of sale in North America and beyond. If the right tipping points occur, then this model has been shown in the case of other relevant consumer product precedents to have dramatic financial consequences. Even with 1000+ Stain Remover, there have been refinements to respond to learning in the marketplace. The name change from Winning Colours was very well received by retailers.. The new package treatment, including new label and bottle both, have been appreciated by retailers whose personnel, and buyers, prefer the brighter bolder look, with good shelf presence and complete elimination of bottle pannelling (a form of gradual deformation that arose from an interaction of the product and its container). For several practical reasons, more will be heard about Winning Brands’ other products going forward. Several behind-the-scenes events, such as the retirement of formerly exclusive distributors, new alliances, etc are emerging. In the case of TrackMoist, to give one example, Winning Brands had been lacking an operational field team for this specialized soil conditioner for dirt entertainment surfaces. This has been rectified. Also, there were new environmental regulations looming that needed to be addressed. Now in 2014 TrackMoist is more visible than previously, and implementation is likely to recover. The new website is www.TrackMoist.com Other Winning Brands products will have their first-ever dedicated websites in 2014 as well. From a critic’s perspective, the special concern for possible investors should be that the failure of these various projects to take off sooner is a sign of weakness, failure or incompetence. The company’s perspective, however, is that the perseverance shown by Winning Brands to stay on mission and retain respectful relationships with a variety of commercial parties in all of its endeavours can just as much lead to breakthrough-events eventually. The role of the penny stock environment is to provide a setting in which interested investors and companies can meet and take risks in the pursuit of rewards.
7. Losses by shareholders
Critics would like you to know that many long term shareholders have lost a great deal of money by holding on to their shares. Here again, the reality is more nuanced. WNBD began trading in 2006. A review of all trades ever made, and all prices ever paid, is possible. Records of these transactions are permanent. They reveal that in terms of dollar volume, a period of several years existed with enormous liquidity and gradually increasing lows. Close to $80 Million worth of shares were traded during this period. A great deal of profit was made by persons who bought at what they perceived as lows (including the triple zeros) and what they perceived as the highs. As a result, it is a myth that a large number of Winning Brands common shareholders have been with the firm as holders since inception. The share turnover proves otherwise. There are some very long term shareholders, but a much smaller number than claimed by critics. The company has consistently asked long term shareholders to make themselves known to the company. Through the years, the aggregate number to have responded is less than 100, whereas at any point in time, there may be several thousand people in and out on a trading basis, according to the formal Non-Objecting Beneficial Owner List (NOBO), which sets out how many shareholders have their shares in street form with brokerage accounts. The important point here is that no loss is “acceptable”. The company strives to accomplish a mission and to provide a platform for speculation or investment as best suits the profile of the participant. The company aspires to being worthy of long term relationships, but cannot define in each case what that means for each individual. Over the years, many people have made a profit from their investment in Winning Brands. After taking their profit, some reinvested a smaller amount. There is a broad range of experiences - several thousand people have purchased, and sold, WNBD. The most respectful thing that the company can do for its shareholders is be clear in describing what it is trying to accomplish, provide information that illustrates progress (or lack thereof) and to encourage discussion with the company to ensure that the views of its shareholders are understood, including suggestions where applicable. Winning Brands files financial statements regularly. Sometimes they are late by a few days. They are always of sufficient quality in content to have earned the highest trading tier available to non-reporting issuers, the “Current Information Tier”. The history of public filings by Winning Brands demonstrates respectful, consistent disclosure, with no attempt to conceal the extent of the challenges, nor any attempt to conceal the enthusiasm by Winning Brands to accomplish a terrific undertaking. We are passionate about creating a national consumer brand(s) with all the exciting potential that flows from that difficult accomplishment, if attained.
The purpose of replying to these 7 points above is to ensure that you know that certain posters on discussion forums would like to you fully understand the risk involved with Winning Brands. They feel the company cannot, and will not “make it”. They wish that you would find another place to put your money.
Thank you for your interest in Winning Brands. I would be pleased to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Eric Lehner, CEO
Winning Brands
This post has no tag
Mar
14
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Home Depot – 1000+ Stain Remover Inventory Viewable Online
1000+ in the Community, Advertising, Launch Activity, Store Scenes
by Eric Lehner
Of interest to shareholders: Home Depot Canada, which has 1000+ Stain Remover on the shelf in most stores now, provides shelf-count inventory to the general public online, by entering a postal code and viewing nearby stores. For example, the screen shot below shows the number of 1000+ Stain Remover bottles on the shelves of Home Depot stores around Edmonton, Alberta.
Invited Back
1000+ in the Community, Advertising, Launch Activity, Store Scenes
by Eric Lehner
It was a pleasure to be invited back to Lowe’s for more in-store promotion on Saturday, this time with larger displays. Below is an assortment of photos. Interaction with store associates is a further benefit of such joint exercises. Such opportunities are by invitation only – that’s why we appreciate them so much.
I was in this stock also that long but it hasn't met my purchase price
04
Texas Testimonial – TrackMoist
Launch Activity, TrackMoist in the Community
by Eric Lehner
The note and photo below were received today from Texas:
Thank you very much for getting the sample Track Moist to me in time for our race here in Hutto, Texas. We had a great turnout at over 210….and the track turned out fantastic….best ever. I have attached a picture of how well the track blue-grooved in….wide and great traction. (We did put the track Moist on at double strength.) I am talking to other track owners in the area…
What to buy or to sell?
Meeting Dealers – Lancaster
1000+ in the Community, Advertising, International, Launch Activity, Testimonials
by Eric Lehner
Winning Brands supported the Lancaster Dealer Market in Louisville, Kentucky February 22-23 by being present to meet with attending dealers and discuss ways to build momentum together. It is a pleasure to hear first-hand dealer experiences with 1000+ Stain Remover and to discuss in-store marketing ideas. The photos below include a retailer from the Bahamas who carries 1000+, colleagues in the industry confering on trends, Lancaster personnel, and the 1000+ Stain Remover demonstration station.
An honour for 1000+ Stain Remover from Home Hardware
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity, Store Scenes
by Eric Lehner
Placement of 1000+ Stain Remover varies between stores. We were delighted to see this proud new display (photo below) by a member of the Home Hardware co-operative featuring 1000+ Stain Remover prominently in the Cleaning Department. It is an honour when a store takes such initiatives completely on their own, based on their first-hand knowledge of 1000+ Stain Remover and their satisfaction with Winning Brands as a supplier. Much appreciated.
Home Depot Quebec – Thank you!
1000+ in the Community, Advertising, Launch Activity, Store Scenes
by Eric Lehner
1000+ Stain Remover brochures designed specifically for the Home Depot banner (to align with the chain’s visual identity and marketing theme) have been requested by Home Depot Quebec stores for the first time. This is In response to a positive experience by Home Depot stores elsewhere in Canada with the first run. The French language version print run was completed today and will be distributed to participating stores in Quebec through the Home Depot Merchandising Execution Team. We very much appreciate the opportunity that we are being given to improve our connection to Home Depot’s Quebec customers.
Website for TrackMoist: Live
Launch Activity, TrackMoist in the Community
by Eric Lehner
TrackMoist website has been launched today: www.TrackMoist.com The display is compatible for conventional or mobile device searches. The website will make it easier for interested customers to connect with Winning Brands and for TrackMoist to gain momentum. This is the first of several new product-specific websites that Winning Brands will be launching for its brands in 2014.
Walmart: First time in Cleaning Aisle
1000+ Stain Remover in the Community, Launch Activity, Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
Thank you to an observant shareholder who noticed that a Walmart store near them had taken the initiative to expland placement of 1000+ Stain Remover in that Walmart location beyond the Paint Department for the first time, to the Cleaning Department, as well. We are grateful for the initiative by that Walmart location to find a place for 1000+ beside Drano, Lysol, Greenworks and other national brands. Photo below. It’s a nice gesture of opportunity for the 1000+ Stain Remover brand by Walmart store. We are not aware of ever having been added to the Walmart cleaning aisle before. Much appreciated!
Not found maybe cancelled or you got wrong info
14
Upfront in Lowe’s
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity, Store Scenes, Testimonials
by Eric Lehner
It’s great to see that 1000+ Stain Remover is very recently gaining added visibility through special placement in some settings of Lowe’s Canada. The Paint Department below, which has access to all solvents and cleaners available to North American retailers, displays one liquid stain remover and cleaning solution in its coveted impluse buying section at the Paint Desk. It is 1000+ Stain Remover, shown here with its bright new label treatment (now arriving into Canadian Lowe’s store inventory). The label was developed with consultation and feedback from our retailers and their store associates – and is being welcomed by them.
Gestures of cooperation by prominent and respected retailers, such as special placement initiatives like this, validate Winning Brands’ determination that 1000+ Stain Remover, World’s Most Versatile Cleaning Solution achieve its rightful place as a household name and a favourite consumer product.
We will continue to work as hard as necessary to earn the confidence of retailers across the board, and consumers, to achieve this. We very much appreciate the cooperation of the many positive people with whom we have the priviledge to work toward this goal. It’s a very difficult task, but that is why the rewards are so high for the few that succeed.
Nice to see – Home Depot
Launch Activity, Store Scenes
by Eric Lehner
It’s great to see that our new 1000+ label treatment is also finding its way to Home Depot Canada shelves now to replace the previous generation of our packaging. Something like this takes a while to work its way through the distribution system, but it was worth the effort. Our new branding has terrific shelf presence.
On a technical note, it is interesting that our larger size offers better value to the consumer too, on the basis of unit volume, compared to the well known competitor to the left. The consumer has to pay 1.5 cents per mL for the other brand rather than 1.08 cents per mL for ours. In other words, the buyer of our regular sized bottle gets 38% more product for money and far more versatility of uses. That’s only one of the reasons that we have much room for growth for the 1000+ Stain Remover brand.
Shareholder Question: Re-orders
Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
We receive shareholder questions from time to time about re-orders by stores; how often, how much, what is the trend, what accounts for variations, etc.
We provide occasional specific store banner statistics, but avoid routinely publicizing store activity by banner name as as a courtesy to them as well as for other reasons. For general interest, however, we have put together a chart (below) showing the activity of one Winning Brands distributor who supplies a number of stores, for an 11 month period in 2013, for the regular size 1000+ Stain Remover bottle, by sumary units for a representative sampling.
The purpose is to illustrate that the unit volume of re-orders varies considerably from month to month and does not follow a clear pattern, with the exception of a general build-up during the warmer months relative to winter time. The charts are similar for our other distributors - substantial variation from month to month – but continuous re-ordering nonetheless.
We are encouraged by the fact that tens of thousands of households make our lead product a regular part of their life. Our goal is to increase this number to hundreds of thousands of households, and eventually to millions of households. There is room for profound growth by Winning Brands because so few people have heard of our brands yet. Obvious repeat purchasing, customer satisfaction and dedication to mission makes a solid foundation for this objective.
[chart]investorshub.advfn.com/uimage/uploads/2013/12/24/xpaqfGallonNew Member in the Family – One Gallon KIND Laundry Detergent with Gentlr(TM) Technology for Sensitive Skin
Friends and Family, Launch Activity, Store Scenes, Testimonials
by Eric Lehner
We are proud to welcome this new format to the KIND Laundry Product line. KIND Laundry Detergent in the one gallon SKU delivers 128 loads of finely-tuned laundry treatment for gentless to skin, fabrics and the environment. Our proprietary Gentlr(TM) Technology represents continuous progression of our cleaning agents and manufacturing methods to achieve these desirable outcomes – while maintaining the performance necessary to be mainstream competitive in cleaning results and price. Mother Ease Diapers is the first to have taken delivery. In addition to their retail location in St. Catharines, Ontario Mother Ease can ship KIND anywhere in North America. Their website is here: www.mother-ease.com
Here is a link to the KIND Laundry Detergent one gallon SKU and Gentlr(TM) Technology News Release:
http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/winning-brands-expands-kind-laundry-detergent-range-with-gentlr-technology-sensitive-otc-pink-wnbd-1865063.htm
-Format-Launch-December-2013-958x1024.jpg[/chart]
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1000+ Stain Remover
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS!
During the Holiday Season children like making Christmas cards, paper chains for the tree, decorations and ornaments. Creativity often comes with a mess. We can all picture crayons, paint and glue on clothing, floors, walls, carpets and hands.
Your Christmas craft saviour can be 1000+ Stain Remover. Gentle on skin, clothing and fiber but strong enough for paint, glue and other adhesives.
Enjoy the Christmas creativity without worrying about the mess!mg][/img][/url][tag]insert-text-here[/tag]
HomeDepot.com now includes 1000+ Stain Remover in Ship-to-Store Service
Launch Activity, Store Scenes
by Eric Lehner
HomeDepot.com now includes 1000+ Stain Remover in the “Ship to Store” program. This was not previously the case. It means that consumers who would rather pick-up their online purchase of 1000+ Stain Remover (from HomeDepot.com) can now collect it at the Home Depot store closest to him/her (or another location if they choose for some reason). Home Depot Ship-to-Store Service is not new, and covers many products, but now includes 1000+ Stain Remover too. Previously it was necessary to ask for help of local store staff to organize it. It has gone through a test phase and now seems to be operational for all 1000+ consumers. We appreciate this step by Home Depot.
Dec09
Do it Best Update – November 2013
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity, Store Scenes, Testimonials
by Eric Lehner
Thank you, Do it Best, for continued work with Winning Brands to introduce 1000+ Stain Remover to stores and consumers. Updated numbers received today. 945 Do it Best stores have now become acquainted with the product, placing replenishment orders 1,607 times for an aggregate of 17,886 bottles of mixed sizes. Winning Brands marketing initiatives with DIB in 2014 are likely to be stronger than in 2013. This will help us cross the 1,000 store mark, so that we can start to move toward the next threshold of 2,000 member stores. Since launching with the Do it Best hardware cooperative, we have had no consumer complaints passing back to us through the DIB system, nor complaints from the DIB stores themselves about doing business with us. We are proud of having earned this high level of satisfaction. It reflects our dedication to the mission and our sincere respect for our customers.
Huge Changes at GSA for Cleaning Products
Launch Activity, Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
A major overhaul is being made by the General Services Administration to its procurement protocol. The change has been under consideration for much of this year, but it is now certain to be implemented. The gist of the change, known as the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI) is to radically reduce the number of primary contractors across several categories of supply. In the case of janitorial and sanitation supplies, for example, it will reduce the number of suppliers from approximately 1,000 to 21, of whom only 6 will supply cleaning compounds.
The Blanket Purchase Agreement protocol for merely studying the application is nearly 100 pages long as the core document, not including many ancillary documents. It is so burdensome that it effectively precludes most businesses from qualifying. There has been an outpouring of protest from the ISSA, the world’s largest cleaning industry association, based in Illinois. The following is a link that describes the ISSA’s position on the subject and is a very helpful backgrounder: http://www.fmlink.com/article.cgi?type=News&archive=false&title=ISSA%20protests%20impact%20of%20GSA%20federal%20strategic%20sourcing%20initiative%20on%20jansan%20industry&mode=source&catid=4&display=article&id=45091
The impact on Winning Brands of this policy shift will not be as great as on suppliers who already have more at stake, especially those who only supply “standard” jan/san products. They will see their existing supply contracts ended in most cases, resulting in a loss of existing income. Since Winning Brands had not yet established its supply lines to client agencies, there will be negligible impact on our present business. Instead, we will need to change our approach going forward. Rather than dealing directly with the GSA through a contract under our own legal administration, with all that this entails, we will identify patners who, once approved, can add qualified specialty products because they are BPA suppliers to the agency. Interestingly, we have already been approached by one such condending BPA consolidator. This outreach to us by a major contending BPA supplier confirmed to Winning Brands that the GSA policy change does not spell the end of possibilities for Winning Brands’ future government supply, but rather a change of method. Other suppliers who have only typical or ordinary products and who rely on high volume, low margin, generic supply products are not as fortunate. As the ISSA makes clear in its representation link above, the GSA policy change will hit those companies hard.
This GSA policy change will give Winning Brands greater freedom to identify niches which can be served through the new distributors without Winning Brands itself needing to maintain an administratively complicated reporting protocol that carried contractual limitations of what pricing we could charge other customers, minimum fees, minimum annual dollar turnover, separate EDI, inspection of facilities to comply with a variety of code issues, etc. Those administrative functions will now be performed by the “consolidators” – holders of the new Blanket Purchase Agreements. Since Winning Brands cannot have it “both ways”, i.e. trying to be a consolidator while also trying to be a supplier to consolidators, Winning Brands has voted with its feet and provided its GSA Contract Resignation on good terms rather than try to be one of the consolidators.
Bottom line: Our aspiration to one day supply the U.S. government with a meaningful quantity of product will be reconceived through partnerships rather than directly, with the result of greater flexibility and reduced cost of compliance for Winning Brands.
In replying to our resignation, The GSA, officially affirmed its positive relationship with us through this kind thought “…Thank you for your reply and the best of success in your company’s continued efforts in both the commercial and Governmental marketplace…” The last three words are significant.
Winning Brands is grateful for its continued good standing with its customer organizations, even when circumstances require changing methods. That’s life. Adaptability is a key survival skill for organizations.
Nov26
Current Information Tier Renewed
Regulatory, Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
With receipt of the official notice below, Winning Brands has again earned renewal of the Current Information Tier designation.
The fact that thousands of non-reporting stock issuers either refuse or are unable to meet the guidelines required to hold the Current Information Tier proves that this formal designation is a meaningful distinction and a source of pride for Winning Brands.
Thi stock has realy gone down wish they would put out more updates untill they start produceing it will not gto up
Shareholder Question: Store Decision
Launch Activity, Shareholder Correspondence
by Eric Lehner
QUESTION
Eric, any progress on the talks with that big box retailer “….(Previous) ANSWER Yes, Winning Brands was invited to participate in a Product Line Review at one of the major retailers in the category in July. We attended and made our case. The PLR process will be completed in August and a decision regarding changes in the category should be known in November.” Anything yet?
ANSWER
All vendors participating in this Line Review have been told by the retailer that their decisions pertaining to this review have been deferred by 60 days. That puts it into the end of January. In my opinion, we should not rely on this, because the line review/listing decisions of the largest chains are increasingly unpredictable despite encouraging intentions that category buyers may have as individuals. In other words, it does not matter how encouraging the retailer is in conversation with the vendor at any and all in-person meetings leading up to their line review decisions, and no matter how much the buyer genuinely likes your product(s) on a personal level, it has become impossible to predict the outcome. I have even had a national buyer make verbal commitments in the presence of others – that have not materialized. Unpredictability seems to have increased in the last few years with the growing adoption by the largest retailers of internal committees. There is also a drive toward SKU reduction across many categories resulting from the slow-down in economic growth during the last few years. It has become impossible in this environment to project a retailer’s final corporate decision based on the intentions of the buyer, even if communicated face to face, until that formal corporate decision emerges from the retailer.
Nov15
Love those testimonials!
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity, Media, Testimonials
by Eric Lehner
Message of interest below received from L through Facebook yesterday . There are millions of potential customers, just like L, who already have access to the supposed universe of “all those cleaning products out there”. Why then would a such consumers, like L, who discover us, find 1000+ such a refreshing change and take the trouble to tell us how they feel? This is at the heart of why 1000+ Stain Remover, World’s Most Versatile Cleaning Solution has a great future. We have a real contribution to make and have what it takes to become a household name and favourite in our category. Thank you, L, for introducing yourself. Spread the word! Cheers.
Nov14
Hospitality at Home Hardware – Increasing Invitations
1000+ in the Community, Launch Activity
by Eric Lehner
Thank you, Home Hardware stores. We seem to be receiving more invitations to attend your Ladies Night promotions. It’s an honour to be a vendor that stores like to deal with. It’s also terrific to get feedback directly from consumers and to hear first-hand how store staff describe 1000+ Stain Remover to their customers. Meeting people who buy and use 1000+ keeps us “real” when generating marketing materials. Despite the realism, it’s terrific that so much enthusiasm is fed back to us in these events. The photos below were taken yesterday evening. The Ladies Night events generate quite a good turnout.
aff got him on the left sid too so he cant now complain