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In its brick-and-mortar business, ClearPlus
sells only to resellers (Automotive warehouse
distributors, Jobbers and Professional Installer
chains who buy wiper blades directly from
manufacturers). Unlike importers and private
brand repackagers who use third party manufacturing
facilities, ClearPlus is a basic manufacturer
with direct control over its quality, costs
and deliveries. Although the wiper blade product
category has grown in each of the last five
years, gross margins are greatly affected
by over distribution of national brands and
easy availability of secondary channel inventory
(product buy backs and inventory lifts). ClearPlus
is fast positioning itself as an alternative
to leading national brands and getting recognized
as a company that protects the interests of
its resellers.
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