Dec 2, 2021
Today we are going to be diving into how to win and grow your business at Kroger and Meijer, and we are joined today by Brent Bortman and Phil Bortman.
Segment 1: How to start a relationship with Kroger and Meijer? How to get into Kroger and Meijer? What is the game plan or strategy to gain distribution with Kroger and Meijer?
Segment 2: What's new at Kroger and Meijer for existing brands?
What are the current trends, challenges or opportunities brands
should know to be successful?
Segment 3: Phil Bortman and Associates – Tell us about the company,
services and outcomes brands can expect.
CTA: If you want to learn more about how to successfully do business with Kroger and Meijer you can contact us through jandhlabs.com and if you feel your brand needs to help getting into Kroger and Meijer or with your current Kroger and Meijer business you can contact Phil and Brent:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-bortman-4230886
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Guest Bios:
PHIL BORTMAN
ROLE: PRESIDENT PHIL BORTMAN & ASSOCIATES
Phil Bortman is the President and Founder of Phil Bortman &
Associates, a sales brokerage firm specializing in representing
consumer packaged goods companies. He is responsible for the
overall growth and retention of the business.
Prior to founding his company, Phil was a partner in a successful
small agency MGR Sales Associates in Michigan for more than 14
years. Phil learned the manufacturer’s representative business
during a 18 year tenure at Pankow Associates. While there, he was
awarded Sales Representative of the Year multiple times. He was
responsible for managing major HBC vendors, Snack and Food vendors
and increasing their sales revenue from $10 million to $35 million
in under 3 years.
Phil was responsible for taking the Breathe Right product from a
test market in Michigan to a national success story that sold to
GSK for over $300 million. After decades in the industry, Phil
still greatly enjoys seeing his accounts succeed and negotiating
deals that are beneficial for both the company’s accounts and
vendors.
Phil graduated Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, with a
bachelor’s of science in Pharmacy and Psychology. After graduating,
he spent several years practicing as a registered pharmacist, in
both independent and large chain drug stores in the Midwest and
Southwest. His early career has made him uniquely positioned to
understand retail trends and buying patterns. He resides in metro
Detroit and enjoys golfing, exercising, classic cars, watching
Detroit sports teams and spending time with his family – including
his 11 grandchildren.
Brent Bortman
Brent Bortman is the Director of Sales for Phil Bortman &
Associates, which is a sales brokerage firm, specializing in Health
and Beauty care products, specialty food, and snacks. Brent is
responsible for the company’s Health and Beauty care portfolio as
well as the company’s growth accounts. Brent has been with the
company for more than a decade and manages accounts with Meijer,
Kroger, Target, Cardinal Health/Kinrey and various other
retailers.
He works with consumer packaged goods companies of all sizes and
has had success taking startup companies to mass market awareness.
He was the first to bring several well-known brands like Zarbee’s,
Cremo, and SmartyPants among others to mass retailers.
Prior to joining Phil Bortman and Associates, Brent led sales teams
in different sectors including the mortgage industry and payroll
companies. A native Michigander, Brent is a graduate of Michigan
State University, with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He currently
resides in the metro Detroit area with his wife, son and twin
daughters. You’re most likely to find him on a golf course in his
spare time.