Team Insight

TRIGON Advice for Team Dealers: Knowledge is key, stresses Neal Halvorson, director of business development. "As in, be sure your customers know that you carry these hard goods, such as batting cages and nets, soccer goals and lacrosse goals," he says. "Team dealers have unique advantage over all catalog and online direct sellers in that they can meet with and get to know the AD, coach or facility direc- tor — they can walk around their campus or facility to see what equipment needs they may have. ey need to know about the products they are selling so they can offer solutions to their customers' needs." Unlike catalog or online sellers, they are also able to service the customer aer the sale, sometimes even offering to help assemble goals if it will help close a sale. Technology Trends: Trigon continues to upgrade its website functionality along with digital technology to allow its dealers easier access to catalogs, product info, pricing, inventory and even assembly instructions. "is will enable them to streamline and focus their sales processes with their cus- tomers to increase more sales," points out Halvorson. As for equipment, portability and safety will continuing to be driving factors in product development, especially as multi-use fields become the norm. New Product Focus for 2023: In 2022, Trigon Sports celebrated its 15-year company an- niversary of helping its customers Make Winning Possible. "As we look ahead to 2023, we anticipate an increasing demand for baseball, lacrosse and soccer equipment," says Halvorson. And not by accident, Trigon has expanded its product lines in soccer and lacrosse to include everything from backyard and recreational goals up to official NFHS/ NCAA goals. "We are excited to start on our second 15 years at Trigon Sports in 2023." CHAMPRO Advice for Team Dealers: For 2023, dealers should see inventory at higher levels than traditionally seen with demand cycles recov- ering post-COVID, points out Matt Klein, senior product manager–hard goods. And with the freight industry rebounding, brands will be putting themselves in a position to allow for volume growth. "To move inventory, dealers should start developing programs that merge volume packages paired with apparel companies like Champro," he says. Technology Trends: Technology that should be the focus for 2023 is production quality. Champro is putting its efforts into producing a higher level of quality in the construction of the nets and goals we offer through im- proved design and materials. New Product Focus for 2023: Champro is offering new Gravity-Weighted Pop-Up Soccer Goals designed to be used at all levels of play. e weighted base system reduces the likelihood of goals tipping over upon impact. With the weighted system, these goals are technologically designed to be the strongest pop-up goals on the market. GILL ATHLETICS Advice for Team Dealers: Ball stop netting can be a very "set it and forget it" type of product so unfortunately sometimes team dealers are forgetting about the opportunity, points out Mike Cunningham, national sales manager. He recommends downloading the Gill Athletics Sports Construction Checklist and walking through an athletic director's facility with them. Technology Trends: Cunningham sees prod- uct technology utilized to extend life and reduce maintenance. New Product Focus for 2023: With Gill's new Ball Stop Net Release technology, the netting now automatically drops when a specific wind/weight threshold is met, saving the poles from damage. is allows for a longer life span for a system and reduces the cost of expensive, unnecessary repairs. EQUIPMENT: GOALS/NETS 29 • Team Insight ~ November/December 2022 teaminsightmag.com Trigon Champro Gill Athletics

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