Soave: Newsletter Fall 2006

Persistance

History shows that being the underdog can have its advantages. The Detroit Tigers, the scrappy baseball team of Soave Enterprises’ hometown, provided us with an amazing example of how the underdog can surprise and triumph. For those who may not have followed the 2006 pennant race, the Tigers were the ultimate “they came out of nowhere” team and won the American League Championship after years of losing seasons.

Fully embracing and utilizing the underdog position has also occasionally served us well at Soave Enterprises. When working hard to come from behind, we know we must rely upon two key tools: tenacity and teamwork. Combining an undaunted desire to succeed with a work-together attitude is a classic formula for success. Recently, several of our divisions have applied their own “never give up” approach with impressive results.

The team at Ferrous Processing and Trading has shown unflagging resolve in their attempts to open the doors at General Motors, despite meeting repeated rejection and disappointment. Importantly, though, with each rejection, efforts to sway the corporate giant not only continued over time, but ramped up. Recently, this persistent effort was rewarded with a long-term scrap contract, displacing a well-entrenched competitor in the process.

We can look to the west for another example. Since investing in our Mercedes-Benz dealership in 1998, this Kansas City franchise has struggled to move its market share. Today, there are two successful stores in the market led by a highly skilled and talented team of employees, and the Soave Automotive Group is recognized as a strong local and regional performer for this German luxury automaker.

There are lessons here for each of us, both professionally and personally. Luck alone won’t change the landscape; a determined effort will. Don’t listen to the naysayers, and remember that continuous, spirited teamwork and drive can overcome even the most dismal of forecasts. Just ask the teams at Ferrous, Soave Automotive and the championship Tigers.

Happy Holidays, Anthony Soave

The Water's Icy in the Windy City

CITY Beverage believes the public’s thirst for bottled water has not yet been fully quenched.

On October 16, the Chicago-based distributor began test marketing the super premium water, Icelandic Glacial. The new product is available through CITY Beverage’s Chicago and Arlington Heights divisions.

“We feel that there are significant opportunities for Icelandic Glacial in the Chicagoland area,” notes Mike Rinella, Import Specialty Brand Director for CITY Beverage. “Bottled water sales have grown 10% a year for the past 20 years. Currently, the most impressive surge is taking place at the higher end. The unique taste and exceptional purity of Icelandic Glacial will make it a quick standout in the marketplace.”

Bottled at the source – Iceland’s legendary Olfus Spring, a self-replenishing resource formed over 4,500 years ago – Icelandic Glacial has one of the most ideal Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) levels in the world at 68ppm. This rating allows the spring water to be classed as sodium free.

The brand’s distinctive squared bottles are available in three sizes ( .5L, 1.0L and a .75L sports cap ), as well as a variety of case variations. The packaging labels feature four different designs based on profiles of the Vatnajökull glacier.

“Priced competitively at $1.89 for the 1.0L bottle & $1.29 for the .5L size, Icelandic Glacial will become an affordable luxury for customers,” explains Rinella. “The CITY Beverage team is excited to introduce it to the market.” Icelandic Glacial is the latest nonalcoholic brand to be added to CITY Beverage’s growing portfolio of energy drinks and sodas.

Aristocrat Motors Sponsors Buffalo Run Road Rally

With almost 200 premier automobiles powering from venue to venue across Kansas and Missouri and competing in a European-styled road rally, the natural destination for the vehicles was Soave Automotive Group’s Aristocrat Motors. The Shawnee Mission, Kansas luxury automotive dealership was the presenting sponsor of “Buffalo Run,” a 100-mile adventure organized by KC Magazine.

Organizers compiled an on-going schedule of public and private events for October 13 and 14 throughout the metropolitan area. At 8:30 a.m. on Friday morning, Aristocrat Motors’ President and General Manager Mike Maurutto kicked off “Buffalo Run” with a wave of his green flag on historic Country Club Plaza. The participants, including many local celebrities, tooled from checkpoint to checkpoint, learning their next destination along the way.

Aristocrat Motors hosted the event’s finale, a free music festival headlined by five bands and boasting food and beverages, sponsored by Bud (of course!). On Saturday evening, when the participants reached the finish line outside the dealership, Maurutto addressed the crowd once again. He had the honor of welcoming everyone and presenting a check to the event’s beneficiary, the local Ronald McDonald House.

“It was a wonderful opportunity for Aristocrat Motors to be able to sponsor and host this fantastic event,” said Maurutto. “Rarely is there an opportunity which brings together the community for a day and evening of such unique enjoyment and enables us to make a contribution to such a worthwhile charity.”

Soave SPECTRUM is developed and published by Soave Enterprises LLC for and about the employees and the companies owned by Anthony Soave. Entire contents © 2008 Soave Enterprises LLC. All rights reserved; reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.