Tribute, Inc.’s partnership with Eaton Corporation has been strengthened by the implementation of Tribute's Windows-based distribution management product, TrulinX, in Eaton's facility in Van Wert, Ohio. The Van Wert facility, part of Eaton’s Hydraulics business, is a large manufacturer of hoses and fittings used primarily in the agricultural and automotive industries.

Eaton Corporation chose TrulinX’s Counter Store application for their pilot project, the new Van Wert Aeroquip Express Store. This new store will serve three purposes: 1) test market new products 2) serve the local market with high quality products and services, and 3) illustrate to Eaton Distributors a “Best Practice” counter sale operation.

“The Van Wert Aeroquip Express will serve as a real-world training ground and laboratory for Eaton distributors, as well as for Eaton itself,” said Jeff O’Hearn, Eaton product manager. “It will enable us to learn market needs, market dynamics, and merchandising techniques firsthand and to pass this knowledge onto our distributor partners.”

Potential Aeroquip Express store owners, as well as current owners, are encouraged to visit the store that will be a test site for new merchandising programs and to share ideas on how to sell fluid-conveyance products in agriculture, construction, and truck and bus markets,which are all prevalent in the Van Wert area and commonly served by Eaton distributors.

“Overall, the store will be a working environment for both Eaton and our distributors to share industry knowledge, which will ultimately lead to more successful sales strategies for our distributor-owned retail stores,” O’Hearn said. Tribute’s distribution management software enables Eaton distributors to reduce purchasing expenses and remove costs and errors from the supply chain.

Tribute will be at the upcoming Eaton Distributor’s Meeting August 15-18 in Dallas - check us out at Booth #101 and see our presentation, Streamlining Your Internal Operations Using TrulinX from Tribute, on Wednesday, August 18th at 11 am.