ASKO Not Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf
Submitted by advisor on Fri, 03/05/2010 - 5:38pm.
ASKO canceled its California and Hawaii distributor Waters Inc. ASKO has appointed Sub-Zero and Wolf distributor for Northern California, Riggs Distributing. A little bit strange.
- by joining Riggs, ASKO is deepening its dependence on Sub-Zero, which we felt was not the strategy when Sub-Zero announced the new dishwasher factory.
- Sub-Zero announced in 2008 that the dishwasher factory was on hold until 2011 or 2012.
- ASKO has NOT yet appointed a distributor in Southern California, where Westye still holds reign.
It was the collected wisdom that Bobby Riggs would not have a long distribution period. If they are taking on ASKO, one assumes that Riggs Distribution will have a long and healthy life, though it might be bought out by Westye.
If ASKO is joining Riggs, and Riggs is keeping Sub-Zero, then we must be able to assume that Sub-Zero is further delaying the dishwasher, and may have even committed to canceling the dishwasher. Perhaps we should already know this.....but we don't.
If ASKO has no fear of Sub-Zero's future plans, why don't they join Westye Southern California too?
We could reach no one at ASKO or Riggs Distribution for comment.
ASKO Press Release: Riggs
Press Release Released March 12, 2010
ASKO forms partnership with Riggs Distributing
ASKO Appliances Inc. located in Plano, Texas selling in all of North America, announces the appointment of Riggs Distributing of Burlingame, California as the authorized ASKO distributor for the Northern California and Hawaiian regions.
Riggs Distributing is a perfect match for ASKO Products. As a recognized premium distributor of high-end appliances, with the addition of ASKO water products, will provide the highest quality home appliances under one distribution umbrella providing convenience for the dealers, designers, architects and consumers throughout their territories.
“I am extremely pleased to be working with Riggs Distributing”, noted ASKO Regional Sales Manager, Tom Kosena. “Their organization is of the highest quality in this industry and has the reputation of providing unsurpassed service and promotional efforts on behalf of their entire dealer network. I am looking forward to bringing our great ASKO products into their business model. This is an outstanding partnership opportunity for all.”
ASKO products, manufactured in Sweden, recognized as a global leader in the innovation, design, and production of high performance, environmentally conscious products. ASKO dishwasher and laundry products reflect leading technology and design consistently earning high achievement commendations from multiple global associations over the past decade.
Riggs Distributing will display and warehouse ASKO products through their locations in Burlingame CA. and Honolulu, HI.
ASKO Confirms and Denies
We reached ASKO for comment.
Riggs Distribution will do a fantastic job in Northern California for ASKO, but Riggs was NEVER considered as a possible solution for Southern California. Didn't happen.
ASKO will be announcing its Southern California solution very shortly.
Advisor, are you slipping?
Just a little dig here to the almighty, all knowing advisor: I posted a comment here on Feb. 24 reporting that the Asko distributor in California had been cancelled. And now, some 2 weeks later, you finally are out with it. And you still don't know who the distributor for Southern California is going to be. Is it possible that Riggs was supposed to have the whole state, Sub Zero found out and slapped his hand and said No way to So Cal? After all, they might not want "two" distributors dealing with SZ customers in the So Cal region? We, your loyal readers, look to you Mr. Advisor, for ALL the answers. So we still love you even if you are a bit late and still somewhat in the dark on this one.......
Dear Minion
Our greatness is only through the continued devotion of you and minions like you. Our power is truly derived from you whom we lead. We see with your eyes. We hear first through your own ears. Our sight and our hearing are better than any individual, but only if our distant tentacles transmit what they have learned back to the central nervous system.
THAT, and we'd been bizy of late, and our normal contacts on this subject were unreachable.
Is this Riggs hand slapping truthy, or a rumor?
O' Great One!
I feel honored to be named as an official Appliance Advisor Minion! That is something I have aspired to become ever since I was a little youth in the dusty, small town in which I grew up. Yes, the report about Riggs Distributing is a rumour, but it sure makes sense. Time will tell but my money is on it being proven to be true.
Time won't tell
Carguy - My money says we'll never know. It definitely makes sense that either Bakke or Dunlap would tell Riggs to stay out of SoCal and turn down any SoCal opportunity offered. They wouldn't want him dallying in their backyard. But, those types of conversations would be between Riggs and Bakke and would never be repeated. It's a good guess though.