The lawn and garden industry remains steady despite economic uncertainty and severe weather in some U.S. markets as dealers adopt smart inventory management strategies to help keep their businesses competitive.
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL ― GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF) said today that the lawn and garden industry remains steady despite economic uncertainty and severe weather in some U.S. markets. Dealers are using smart inventory management strategies to help keep their businesses competitive. For example, they're stocking the fastest-moving products in the right quantities. The result is that inventory is turning more quickly.
"Managing inventory is extremely critical for our lawn and garden dealers," said Marvin Solomon, managing director of CDF's outdoor products group. "As a result, we've developed insightful analytics and tools such as our online inventory management system to help them better navigate through today's choppy environment. In fact, our customers tell us that these additional options are just as valuable as the credit lines we provide."
Sentiment in the lawn and garden industry mirrors the results of GE Capital's U.S. Mid-Market Survey, which asked the chief financial officers (CFOs) of more than 530 companies for their views on a range of economic, industry and business-level issues. In general, CFOs still expect revenues to increase. Layoffs have stabilized and, in fact, cautious hiring continues. While their outlook for the U.S. and global economies has dimmed, these CFOs continue to feel better about the general health of their own industries and companies.
This is GE Capital's fourth survey of its kind. To obtain more information or to download the executive summary, please go to http://www.americas.gecapital.com/GECA/insightsandideas/overview.html.
To learn more about the ways CDF helps customers manage their inventory and to get access to exclusive industry intelligence, speak with a CDF representative by calling 800-451-5944 or visiting the CDF web site: https://sec.cdfconnect.com/surf/si.
CDF will be exhibiting at the Green Industry & Equipment (GIE) Expo Oct. 27--29 in Louisville, KY. Visit booth #11104 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. To learn more about the event, go to http://www.gie-expo.com/gieexpo/.
About GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance
GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance lent more than $30 billion to 30,000 manufacturers and their distributors across the Americas in 2010. Programs include inventory and accounts receivable financing, asset-based lending, private label financing, collateral management, e-commerce services and related financial products. For more information, visit www.americas.gecapital.com or follow company news via Twitter (@GEInventoryFin).
GE Capital offers consumers and businesses around the globe an array of financial products and services. For more information, visit www.gecapital.com or follow company news via Twitter (@GECapital).
GE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world's toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
Mark Chesney
GE Capital Commercial Distribution Finance
[email protected]
1-847-747-6518
1-847-544-9362
Lisa Tibbitts
GE Capital
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+1 203 956 4582
+1 203-803-6142