NEW BEDFORD, Mass., October 14, 2010 – AHEAD reports through the first three quarters of the fiscal year that sales are up versus prior year and bookings for its fall 2010 and spring 2011 line are up versus prior year in all three categories – headwear, apparel and accessories. AHEAD’s success can be credited to its one-stop solution for the golf professional, delivering high-quality embroidered headwear, apparel and accessories with small minimums and quick turnaround time.
“In today’s economic climate our customers are looking for companies that have the product lines they want and who make it easy for them to do business with. We have made operational improvements that our customers have truly benefited from,” said Jeff Waller, national sales director. “One significant change was to offer smaller minimums and quicker turnaround times on embroidered orders, allowing golf shops to turn their inventory quicker, enabling them to replenish faster, and keeping their shop looking fresh and fully stocked. This change has positively impacted our business.”
“I always look forward to seeing what products have been added to the already expansive line,” Carol Crumling, merchandising specialist, Grande Dunes Golf Club.
“AHEAD has come such a long way since I first started dealing with the company eight years ago. The headwear is a cut above the competition and this is why they are our exclusive headwear company. With their apparel, they offer new and exciting merchandise every year, all at reasonable prices while maintaining the quality of the fabrics. The vibrant colors and new styles, along with the texture, comfort and durability of the products, are a few of the reasons why Grande Dunes has been so successful with the AHEAD line of products in our golf shop.”
AHEAD, which started as a golf headwear company in 1995, has quickly grown to one of the premier golf companies. In 2004, it took its expertise of innovative approaches in ornamentation into the highly competitive golf apparel category and found quick success. By combining high performance apparel with creative and innovative ways to customize, AHEAD has become a top choice in golf shops and merchandise tents at PGA Tour and USGA events.
During a year where golf rounds are down nearly four percent nationally, AHEAD has enjoyed moderate growth in sales. The company also reports 2011 bookings for apparel headwear and accessories up versus previous year. Leading the way in bookings are the new performance polos and outerwear merchandise for spring 2011. Headwear is as strong as ever as new styles and enhanced ornamentation continues to attract golfers.
With service being an important component of the company’s success, AHEAD has recently added five seasoned golf sales representatives in key territories:
Jeff Parkman, jeffp@aheadhq.com, Eastern North Carolina
Darrell Livingston, darrelll@aheadhq.com, Oregon and Southern Idaho
Dave Curtis, davec@aheadhq.com, Washington State and Northern Idaho
Devon Newell, devonn@aheadhq.com, Northern Ohio
Heather Shell, heathers@aheadhq.com, Southeast Florida
“I am pleased to add these new reps as part of our team,” said Waller. “They have tremendous experience in the field and are known within their respective territories for their hard work and exceptional service. They will be assets to our company and our customers.”
In 2011, AHEAD is positioned to once again lead the way in providing its customers outstanding products at an exceptional value combined with the industry’s best business practices. These core principles have made AHEAD one of the elite companies in the golf industry today.
AHEAD® is a designer and marketer of branded headwear, apparel and accessories. Headquartered in New Bedford, Mass., the company operates four distinct business units: the AHEAD® men’s apparel line; AHEAD® Headgear, AHEAD® “Heavy Metal™” line of golf accessories and the Kate Lord™ Collection of ladies hats, ladies apparel and ladies accessories. AHEAD is a supporting partner of PGA Golf Retirement Plus, a licensee of the USGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the official headwear of the AJGA. For information on AHEAD, visit www.aheadweb.com.
Contact:
Jackie Beck, AHEAD Public Relations, 860.304.3643, jackiebeck00@hotmail.com
