I think Tri Mark is a good suggetion for the perkins guys that do just the paper supplies and equipment. Thats what perkins should have stuck with but it to late because they devoted so much into the food that Tri Mark ate there lunch. I still think some of the guys that tips 100 was talking about that only do 25k a week would do better at a real foodservice broadliner like a US/Sysco or even Agar. If they could offer there customers the full range of products that the customers want instead of the stupid items the buyer are stocking they would do better. Go on the perkins website and look at what they have in food and you would think they were a convenient store distributor. Its a joke to expect the salesman to go into the foodservice market selling chocolate bars and italian gummy bears to the foodservice trade. Thats why i say perkins needs to get rid of panton, rafealson and crawford for allowing money to be wasted on this non salable product while good vendors products get less attention.

Is Ginsburgh a re-distributor like Bunzle? or a full end user distributor?

Ginsbergs is a great company to deal with. I didnt know they were making there way up to Massachusetts. If they do they would be a good fit for the Perkins salesman looking for a smaller family run business with the big broadliner feel fo products. These perkins salesman that are doing 25k a week would be a good fit for Ginsberg but maybe risky depending how they could service the perkins accounts. From what it looks like perkins is already a mess for these guys accounts the last thing they need is more screw ups. I also here that the accounts receivable at Perkins is the worst it could ever be and I heard today a multi unit switched to another distributor and stuck them for over a 150k. Some of these sales guys at perkins are not that good at collecting money and i suggest anyone that interviews any of the food guys at perkins ask for there receivables info so they keep a tight rope on there accounts.

The difference between an Agar and perkins is Agar is liquid. Perkins keeps borrowing for there DC and any additions or aquisitions. I wouldnt want the CFO's job over there. The CFO who handles this is worth every penny he's paid. I cant see how any independants can survive in these times if they dont at least own there facilty. Alot of independants that borrowed when times were good to keep up with the larger broadliners will have a tough time making it through the next couple of years. Who knows maybe Agar will buy Perkins someday. They have the capital.

Anyone know what happened to the Eastern Paper business that Perkins bought? I worked for Eastern before it was sold to Perkins and knew that we were in trouble at the time of sale. The owner was a good friend and employer and helped me land another job with a competitor before he sold. I notice alot of Eastern employees are not with Perkins anymore. One of our biggest accounts was Staples and we knew we were going to lose the account because of service issues and that's when the owner figured he would sell the company while he still had the account. I'm pretty sure Perkins must have lost Staples shortly after buying Eastern. I was happy to see my boss sell it for good money before he lost it all. I remember my boss telling me that Larry Perkins was not the smartest pickle in the jar when it comes to buying companies and that his brother Gary was just was just as naive. Any eastern people out there let me know so we can catch up! 

The problem with your thinking is Perkins do sent have an edge in paper products. All distributors carry paper now and the truth is they all work on smaller margins than Perkins. Why does an account need you for paper when they can get it from there food supplier for less money. I think this is the reason Perkins is trying to go into food because they see the day of the paper supplier is gone. You better learn the food trade buddy because if Perkins does sell out its most likely going to be a larger food service broad liner. As far as your food service guys that are getting reviewed they better hope they make the cut because from the couple I have seen on the street they have no chance anywhere else.