Ahead Tops the Vendor List at Pebble Beach and PGA TOUR Stop
New Bedford, Ma, November 8, 2006. . . . . . Known as a leader in golf headwear for nearly 10 years, Ahead has taken its incredible success formula into apparel and accessories and has quickly become a major player in both categories. Apparel and accessories now account for about 40 percent of Ahead’s overall sales. In five short years, their men’s and women’s apparel lines combined with metal and leather golf accessories has resulted in the company becoming one of the top vendors at a number of the prestigious resorts and golf retail shops around the country.
"At Pebble Beach, it’s all about the unbelievable experience our guests have," said Dale Kincaid, buyer for Pebble Beach. "And offering great merchandise that reminds our customers of the incredible time they had, plays a pivotal role in getting them back again. Ahead has helped us create walking billboards for our resort with terrific merchandise featuring outstanding designs that our guests are proud to wear. Ahead is our number one headwear, sweatshirt and t-shirt vendor."
In 2001, Ahead applied its distinct niche in the golf headwear market to their new apparel and accessories business and found immediate success. Success came from strong product offerings combined with multiple innovative ornamentation options. Today, Ahead has over 10,000 club logos on file and offers eight application techniques: bounce stitch, traditional appliqué, screen, woven appliqué label, rubber appliqué label, iron applique, motif, as well as traditional embroidery. Additionally, they offer two personalization machines that golf shops can use to customize headwear and accessories. The Aheaderizer embroiders the back of the cap with a name or saying and the Aheadinscriber engraves a name on Ahead’s metal accessories such as bag tags, money clips, credential badges, medallions and putter cups.
"When we originally introduced Ahead in the store, it was only their headwear on a pedestal," noted Tom Carberry, PGA TOUR Stop store director. "It didn’t take long for them to fill a 400 square foot section expanding the line with men’s and women’s apparel plus accessories and now they’re about to move into a 1,300 sq. ft. signature section within our 30,000 sq. ft. store."
"We have a lot of space to fill but we have no room for vendors or products that don’t perform. So we constantly measure how well products do in our store and Ahead is ranked at the top of the class," continued Carberry. "Their quality merchandise offers a great value for the price and results in a positive impact on our bottom line. We pride ourselves on the brands we associate with and the personal attention we give our customers. We’ve found Ahead’s personalization machines for caps and metal accessories as a great way to add a personal touch."
Currently, Ahead is working with a number of accounts, including the PGA TOUR Stop, on redesigning in-store displays and fixtures. Several accounts will showcase an Ahead custom designed section in their golf shops in 2007.
Ahead, was founded in 1995 and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the golf industry. Their success is predicated on quality products that feature innovative designs and ornamentations. Additionally, their customer first attitude has made them one of the most respected companies within the industry.
Ahead is a designer and marketer of branded headwear, apparel and accessories. Headquartered in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the company operates four distinct business units: the Ahead Authentic men’s apparel line; the Kate Lord Collection of fine women’s hats, apparel and accessories; the Ahead "Heavy Metal" line of golf accessories; and the company’s unparalleled line of Ahead Headgear. Ahead began in 1995 and has experienced double digit growth over the past 11 years and has earned numerous business distinctions. Ahead is a proud sponsor of PGA Authentic and a supporting partner of PGA Golf Retirement Plus.
Contact:
Ahead Public Relations
Jackie Beck
email: jackiebeck00@hotmail.com
phone: 860 304 3643
