As it enters its fourth decade of business, New Jersey-based Princeton Tec is expanding its global reach for 2015. To usher in this expansion, longtime U.S. sales manager, Justin Kline transitioned to international business development manager. To kick off his new post, Kline recently took a unique, human-powered approach to expanding and growing the company’s European partners by saddling his bike and pedaling his way around the continent to cultivate connections.
Following the OutDoor trade show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, in July, Kline began peddling Princeton Tec across Europe as he pedaled his touring bicycle from town to town. Beyond the personal challenge and lifestyle shift, the slow-moving approach resulted in valuable economic and market insight, ultimately allowing Princeton Tec to better support the brand’s diverse international distribution partners, says the company.
“Typically we only had access to our distributors for a few hours at annual trade shows, and our direct exposure to markets was limited to a few days during short visits,” said Princeton Tec’s vice president Dave Cozzone. “With Justin, it allows us to have a longtime brand expert fully immersed in a number of key international markets.”
To date, Kline has pedaled more than 2,500 miles through 10 countries and has met with numerous key distribution and retail partners along the way. Kline’s travels have landed Princeton Tec several new distribution partners including the Markus and Christoph Krah brothers of Krah GmbH in Germany.
“I’ve learned far more about the economic situation and market opportunities of a country by chatting with a local family over dinner than in any tradeshow hall,” said Kline. “Christoph and Marcus Krah are industry-leading suppliers in the German sporting and professional markets, and are a perfect pairing for the Princeton Tec brand. I am psyched about our newly formed partnership with Krah GmbH and the potential that lies ahead in the German market.”
In addition to Krah GmbH in Germany, Kline’s biking/business adventure has earned partnerships with AB Camping in Denmark, Nordsport in Russia, Metroasis in Taiwan, and Marvid International for government and industrial markets in Singapore.
