Werner Blog

Looking back at 2011 and Looking forward to 2012

When you look back a year it is much more than just 52 weeks, 365 days...It holds so many memories and emotions.  As you look back on 2011 we hope both your triumphs and set backs serve as a spring board to start yet another New Year.  From the family at Werner Paddles we want to first thank our customers for all your support over the years and of course in 2011, we can't do it wihout you.  For all of our friends out there may the start of 2012 open new doors to a great future.  .

Werner's New Warehouse & Shipping Facility

Werner Paddles has added a new warehouse and shipping facility to support their growth.  The new facility located in Monroe Washington is just a few miles from the production factory in Sultan. This new facility has more than doubled the space allocated for storage of paddles.  Additionally, Werner’s Shipping Department is now located in this space which will allow more room for staging orders.  The original warehouse space will be used to expand production capacity to meet the market’s growing demand.

The implementation of the new facility to Werner dealers has been seamless. All correspondence and return shipments will continue to ship to the production address in Sultan, Washington. 

“The addition of the new warehouse and shipping facility really shows our dealers how we continue to invest in our infrastructure to support the growth in our business.  The cornerstone of what we do; providing the world’s best paddles and outstanding customer service, is better supported by our expanded facilities.  We are looking forward to a great new year with the best paddle delivery in the business,” says Jim Miller, Werner Paddles Marketing Manager.

Werner Paddles Hires Rob Yager As Northwest/Midwest Sales Rep

Werner Paddles has added to its stellar sales team.  As the 2012 season kicks off, Werner has announced that Rob Yager will join their team as the Northwest/Midwest Sales Representative. 

Rob has a long history in paddlesports with over twelve years of paddling experience. Most recently Rob was the Retail Manager at Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company.   Rob will be responsible for servicing Werner dealers in OR, WA, ID, MT, WY, ND, SD, NE, IA, AK, MI, WI, MN, IN and IL.

“We are very excited to have Rob as a member of the Werner Sales Team.  He has a great passion for paddling and a vast wealth of retail experience,” says Doug Ragan, Werner Paddles Sales Director.

Danny Mongno, who was filling in for this position, will continue in his position as Regional Sales Manager for the Northeast and Eastern Canada and Field Marketing Coordinator. 

Happy Thanksgiving from the Werner Paddles family.

From the home of Werner Paddles, Sultan Washington, from our family to your's we wish you a Happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday.  We hope it is enjoyed with lots of laughter amongst close ones.

SNEWS Dealer Survey Lands Werner Paddles As The 2nd Best Company to Do Business With For The Third Year In A Row

Werner Paddles was voted the second best company to do business with in the Outdoor Industry, in the 2011 SNEWS Outdoor Retailer Dealer Survey.  The survey appears on line (you must be a subscriber to access the survey results).

Werner captured the number two position for the third year in a row after moving up two places, from number four, in the same survey in 2007.  “It is such a great honor to be named in top positions three years in a row.  This is especially important to us, in that it is our dealers who cast the votes.  It takes our entire team; great product design, quality production, on time delivery, and our sales, service and marketing teams focusing on helping our dealers sell through.  These seem like basic concepts, but it is our area of focus”, says Jim Miller, Werner’s Marketing Manager.

The SNEWS full survey lists the best and worst vendors to do business with.  Werner landed right behind Patagonia who took the number one position.

“We look forward to working in partnership with our dealers in the coming season. Our service really is a margin builder and a reason we repeatedly get recognized by our dealers,” says Miller.

To get the full results you will need to be an All Access SNEWS subscriber. You can login to view the results or subscribe by visiting the SNEWS site.

Werner Paddles Voted Best Kayak Paddle in Canoe & Kayak’s Readers Choice

The paddling public has spoken and Werner Paddles has been named as the “Best Kayak Paddle” in the first ever, Canoe & Kayak Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards. These awards were created to highlight the innovation and triumphs in the paddlesports industry.

“Werner Paddles is stoked to receive this award from the readers of Canoe & Kayak Magazine.  It is such an honor because it is the paddling public, the real users that chose us,” says Jim Miller, Werner Paddles Marketing Manager.

Additionally, all of the top ten paddlesports dealers that were awarded are Werner dealers. “Top quality specialty dealers are the backbone of this industry.  They educate and inform consumers about the best gear so they can have the best possible experience on the water,” says Miller. The winning dealers are:
1. Austin Canoe & Kayak (Texas)
2. Aqua Adventures (California)
3. Appomattox River Co. (Virginia)
4. Rutabaga (Wisconsin)
5. Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company (New York)
6. California Canoe & Kayak
7. Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe (Oregon)
8. Lincoln Canoe & Kayak (Maine)
9. Nantahala Outdoor Center (North Carolina)
10. Naples Kayak Co. (Florida)
The magazine staff of paddlesport enthusiasts created their list of qualified candidates, then invited subscribers and online readers to vote for their favorite paddling brands, products and people through an online survey. In total, 3,600 Canoe & Kayak readers voted in less than 30 days.

Canoe & Kayak Magazine will publish the Reader’s Choice Awards in the December 2010 issue and online at www.canoekayak.com.

Werner Paddles Catalog Photo Facebook Contest

Werner Paddles has a ton of great friends on Facebook.  A lot of our friends tag their pictures with “Werner Paddles” when they post them.  This is gone a little viral and we think it is cool so we came up with a contest for choosing our catalog photos.  It will work like this.

1. Become a friend of Werner Paddles on Facebook
2. Upload and tag images with “Werner Paddles”
3. Add comments and get your friends to “like” it
4. Werner Paddles will review the images and choose the winners. 
5. Each winner will receive any paddle in the line. Up to a $465.00 retail value.
6. Winners will be chosen by May 17th 2010.

So here is the fine print:
The winners will be chosen solely by Werner Paddles. The winners must certify and acknowledge that they own the photograph or have the right (i.e., permission) to permit Werner Paddles to use, edit and publish. If selected, the winner will need to grant us the rights to reproduce the image in print and online versions of the catalog. Werner reserves the right to choose images not included in this contest.

Because the image will be printed it must be in the following format: JPG format - at least 8.5" wide x 6" tall at 300 dpi (or 2550 pixels wide, 1800 pixels tall)

We are stoked to see our friends on line and on the water.  Upload those images now!

Werner Paddles Featured In Local Paper

Three generations of paddle builders. Werner Sr, Bruce, Erich, Derich, Schyler 

Werner Paddles was recently featured in the Herald Newsaper and at HeraldNet.com  The article focuses on paddlesports being recession resistant; the strong local roots of the company and the care the company takes in hiring and retaining the best people. The reporter got a chance to talk to several employees and see the manufacturing operation which comes through nicley in the article.

Werner Paddles: Voted 2nd Best Company To Do Business With For The Second Year In A Row

Werner Paddles     was voted the second best company to do business in the Outdoor Industry, in the 2009 SNEWS Outdoor Retailer Dealer Survey.  The survey appears in the Winter 2010 issue of SNEWS magazine and full results will be posted on line February 1, 2010.

Werner captured the number two position for the second year in a row after moving up two places, from number four, in the same survey in 2007.  “It is such a great honor to be named in top positions three years in a row.  This is especially important to us, in that it is our dealers who cast the votes.  It takes our entire team; great product design, quality production, on time delivery, and our sales, service and marketing teams focusing on helping our dealers sell through.  These seem like basic concepts, but it is our area of focus”, says Jim Miller    , Werner’s Marketing Manager.

The SNEWS full survey lists the best and worst vendors to do business with.  Werner landed right behind The North Face who took the number one "Best Supplier To Do Business With" position.

"We look forward to working in partnership with our dealers in the coming season. Our service really is a margin builder and a reason we repeatedly get recognized by our dealers,” says Miller.

To get the full results you will need to be an All Access SNEWS subscriber. You can login to view the results or subscribe by visiting the SNEWS site.

Werner Paddles Changes Canadian Rep Force

Werner Paddles has announced additions to their rep force and changes to their rep structure.  Effective July 1, Western Canada will be serviced by Nikki Rekman and Eastern Canada will be serviced by Mark Scriver. 

“Nikki and Mark are both experienced Canadian paddlers and sales reps.  Most dealers and industry folk consider them to be two of the finest reps servicing Canada today.  They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will enhance Werner Paddles presence in Canada and enrich our total Sales Team.” says Doug Ragan, Sales Director for Werner.

Mark Scriver: SUPing 

Nikki and Mark will remain independent reps adding Werner to their other fine lines including Kokatat, Boreal Kayaks, and Esquif Canoes. Nikki began her career 15 years ago in retail. Later working in the manufacturing sector as the Sales & Operations Manager at North Water Rescue & Paddling Equipment and now represents several prominent brands in paddlesports.  “Nikki has a great history in promoting paddlesports through her work with the Trade Association of Paddle Sports and as former Director of the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium; she bring a big picture view to the industry and our dealers needs,” says Jim Miller, Werner’s Marketing Manager. Mark Scriver has been in the paddlesports industry since 1980 as an instructor, guide, boat designer, author, retail paddlesports buyer and manufacturers sales representative. He has competed internationally for Canada in whitewater freestyle and Open Canoe slalom and helped organize, local and international competitions. He enjoys all aspects of paddling from canoeing to sea kayaking, to SUP.

 Nikki Rekmann: Canoeist Extraordinaire

In other Werner rep news; Danny Mongno will now service Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Danny is one of the most experienced and well respected paddle sport reps in the industry and has covered the Northeast for Werner with great success as well as handling Mid-west Field Marketing for a number of years. 

“We look forward to our new representation in Canada and the changes in the upper mid-west, to bring an even greater level of service and support to our dealers in these areas,” says Jim Miller.

Werner Paddles is the leading manufacturer of high quality kayak, canoe, and stand up paddles, operating near the banks of the Skykomish River in Sultan, WA. For more information call 800.275.3311 or visit us at www.wernerpaddles.com