XPEL Technologies Corp. Achieved The Best Dealer Conference Event Yet
05.18.2007 & 05.19.2007
For those who did not make it, the event was jam packed with all types of information, great giveaways and fun filled evenings on the River Walk in San Antonio. Those who made it to the event said, “This is the best XPEL Dealer Conference yet, the information given here is priceless and I will really make use of this!”
Great Feedback was received from all of our dealers, many questions were answered and many new contacts were made in a happy and friendly environment over the two-day event.
The XPEL team has worked very hard all year and we are pleased to be able to showcase the company's successes, new upgrades to our services, designs, and programs, not to mention our plans for the future of the company and our dealers.
Steve McAuley (XPEL Technologies Corp. CEO) said, “This event was good. We all had a good time, but wait and see what we have in store for next year”
"It Is Time For Change"
“Change is inevitable” Rege Brunner (Chief Operating Officer) affirmed after giving a warm welcome to all attendees in his conference opening remarks.
Some of the topics he covered in his speech included:
- Letting change work for you!
- XPEL's exciting new changes.
- Delivering more value to our Dealers.
The New Face of XPEL
Rege Brunner explained that for XPEL and our dealers to keep growing, changes have to be made and the concept of change has to be embraced. As for XPEL he said changes would be made with, “Not just new people...,” but the XPEL corporate identity, culture, attitude, customer service and most importantly, with our strategic direction and new products. Rege closed his presentation with an emphatic, “We are excited that you are here!“
XPEL: For The Road That Lies Ahead
Steven McAuley (CEO), at his first XPEL Dealer Conference, was phenomenal. His presence was energetic and his impressive presentation gave visibility to a broader view of XPEL as a growing company with a very positive outlook.
To outline his philosophy for the company, he defined some key words he wanted everyone to remember: SUCCESS, PASSION, ENERGY, and CUSTOMER SERVICE.
Steve introduced the management team of the company, describing them as the face of success. After the introductions he gave a full financial overview of the company, plus covered selling strategies and the retail dealership operating cycle.
Market Presence
Steve put the spotlight on XPEL MOTORSPORTS indicating what an important asset it has become for the company, its dealers and the promotion of its products. The brand helps better market XPEL through alternative pipelines helping to generate growth in the brand for the future, awareness for our products, appeal for auto enthusiasts and sales for our dealers. He also talked about using some free marketing tools like MySpace.com and YouTube.com, some of the largest web community networks, which can bring more traffic and more revenue to the company. The attendees thought it was a great idea and are looking forward to all this new development.
New Products & Channels
In his presentation he included discussion on the new products and channels that XPEL is introducing:
- Window Tint Program
- New Training Offering
- Marketing
- RV Market
- Licensed Pattern Design
- New Market Opportunity
- Graphics
- New Market for Licensees
- Expanded Value Proposition for XPEL
SmartShield and XPEL
Steve introduced SmartShield as a strong new partner of XPEL and the new Paint Protection Liner product distributed exclusively by XPEL.
Steve brought his speech to an end by leaving the audience with some carefully planned thoughts asking each audience member to consider “What Does Success Look Like?”
He defined this concept for XPEL Dealers and XPEL Corporation.
For XPEL Dealers – Improved tool kit, more value from XPEL, new products, new channels, increased income, increased cash flow, operate with confidence
For XPEL Corporation – Increased penetration, increased retention, DAP download growth, new product launches, greater brand awareness, positive cash flow, increased stock price.
XPEL: Technology Today and Tomorrow
Ryan Pape (SVP Information Technology), introduced the advances and changes in the technology that makes our pattern delivery and design possible. He started by discussing the goals of XPEL's technology projects which include:
- Increasing the ability for DAP users to meet customer price points
- Giving XPEL dealers more products to sell
- Helping XPEL dealers reduce material cost, waste and shrinkage
- Increase productivity for XPEL dealers
- Helping dealers present their business more effectively
Ryan explained that the current software technology was old and in order to keep up with demand the DAP (Design Access Program) had to undergo big changes to increase the capabilities and improve user experience. Those changes will improve Microsoft Windows compatibility, web integration, flexibility for implementing enhanced features, and the ability to respond quicker to customer requests.
The new evolution of the DAP did not involve just small changes under the hood. The program, called DAP 7, is 100% new and was rewritten from the ground up. Notable changes for DAP 7 include: elimination of time-consuming database updates, multi-user support, new search and pattern manipulation tools, embedded artwork layout, and patent-pending pattern customization tools.
The introduction of “Server Based Preferences” reduces the impact to your operation from a computer crash. Your preferences will be visible in your organization and in the future these preferences will be accessible from a web browser. In other words, all your settings and preferences will be saved internally in the XPEL servers, so no data will ever be lost due to a corrupted hard drive in your computer.
The new DAP 7 has a fresh new look and interface design. The interface is more user friendly with enhanced drill-down search capability and the ability to sort results by any column. The new browser interface is designed to make it easier to locate patterns and provide pricing information. DAP 7 also includes a manual integrated in to the program.
The new pattern editing interface has a true multiple document interface, enhanced toolbars, menus, and includes pattern coverage labels to help users of the software identify each piece.
The patent-pending pattern customization tools include:
- Hood cut down feature (revamped from DAP 6.2)
- Arc trailing edge feature
- Wrap edges feature
- Bumper cut down tool
- ~10X multiplier on database = 400,000 applications
Announcing DAP 7.1
Ryan also announced the rollout of DAP 7.1, the week of the conference, which included new graphics and text capabilities, an integrated artwork library, and a new plotting workflow manager.
The graphics capabilities in DAP 7.1 create new profit opportunity with 15 new tools for graphics including the ability to render text of any font or size.
With the introduction of the new DAP 7.1, Ryan talked about the integration of a vector artwork library in to the system. The artwork library collection contains upwards of 20,000 stock images accessible with the payment of a one time fee per image. After purchase, the images are added to your personal library where they can be placed in vinyl or window tint. Ryan remarked that the new graphics capabilities have created “unlimited possibilities.”
The roll out of DAP 7.2 in August was announced to include enhancements like supplemental plot info collection, multi-user management tolls, major window tint and multi-plotter support.
Operating a Successful On-line Presence
Ryan not only talked about the technology behind XPEL, but also about how to run a successful web presence and how to communicate effectively and confidently to on-line consumers by operating with a high degree of professionalism on-line.
DAP 7.0 training
XPEL’s Boyd Hutton held interactive DAP 7.0 training in small break out sessions. XPEL had a full computer lab for hands-on use by conference attendees. Step by step instruction was provided on some of the most important tasks in the program, from searching within the new database browser to new pattern editing tools to plotting and creating catalogs.
Boyd took the time to make sure that every user had a complete understanding of how the new user interface works. He also directed them to the new reference tools that will make for a smooth transition from DAP 6 to DAP 7.
Assisting him with the labs were Mat Dietz, Ryan Davis, Daniel Aldrich, and the ever-popular Mike Hester.
Additional Presenters
Malcolm Hilcove (SmartShield CEO) presented their new product the SmartShield Paint Protection Liner. A fade-resistant, pliable plastic compound, used to protect vehicles from road debris and damage to critical vehicle areas, the SmartShield Paint Protection Liner product can be easily installed on any vehicle in 15 to 30 minutes. The audience was clearly interested in the product; questions from the audience were asked one after the other.
Lance George from Graphtec America Inc. gave a presentation on Graphtec’s line of plotters. He answered many questions on the operation and maintenance of Graphtec plotters. Additionally, he also helped XPEL to give away a free 30” plotter to a very lucky attendee.
Bank of America and the Law Firm of Jackson Walker contributed to the small business breakout session. Both companies provided excellent information on business, banking, financial and legal matters.
Jeff Cirucci from 3M talked about all the achievements of his company and how widely their brand is recognized and the opportunity that this presents for XPEL dealers.
Ricky Parker from Aegis Applied Films, an XPEL Dealer, presented their window tint and paint protection films.
John Byham, from Clear-Guard, spoke about the ATV and Powersports markets, including products manufactured by Yamaha, Artic Cat, and many others. He had samples of his plastic protection film for this industry, and was available for questions concerning the film or the Clear-Guard patterns now available in the DAP.
Links
Xpel.com - XPEL Technologies Corp. Official Web site
Myspace.com/xpeltech - Add us to your friends list!
Youtube.com/XPELTechnologies - Subscribe to our videos!