NORTH CANTON, Ohio — The Timken Co. recently presented its 2014 Automotive Aftermarket Manufacturers’ Representative Awards during Automotive Aftermarket Week earlier this month in Las Vegas. Timken distributed the awards to the recipients at a recognition breakfast to kick off the 2014 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo.
Timken awarded its 2014 Representative of the Year honor to Ed Palnau of Kitchin & Sons Inc. in Richmond, Ind. Palnau is the district sales manager for Western Michigan and has more than 25 years of experience in aftermarket sales. “Ed really stepped up this year to focus on customer relationships,” said Mike Peace, Timken national sales manager for the automotive aftermarket. “He understands the needs of the market and has served Timken well.”
Palnau, a resident of Rockford, Mich., has been with Kitchin & Sons Inc. for more than nine years.
In addition, Timken selected RepWorks Marketing LLC as the 2014 Manufacturers’ Representative Agency of the Year, based on the agency’s continued success through its business focus and prioritization. “We are pleased to recognize the hard work and dedication of the RepWorks sales leadership and support teams,” added Peace.
This past year, RepWorks expanded its outside and inside sales support roles to assist sales representatives and sales support in the office. The agency aggressively participated in the Timken Product Specialist training program over multiple years, as well as promoted and supported Timken Demand Insight inventory evaluation tools. RepWorks corporate offices are located in Mesa, Ariz.