P20,21 FUSION PROFILE:SGBGolf_NEW_template 18/06/2009 14:53 Page 20
1000 Mile
1000 Mile
Jack Galaun, Managing Director of 1000 Mile, talks to SGB about the
company's many brands, the credo that motivates them, and a lot more besides
A
s brand names go, 1000 Mile is a JG: Basically, service. We are 100% focussed on
trusted and widely recognised name SGB: Presumably there is growth elsewhere service; we don’t mess customers around; we’re
among runners. But there's so much though? very rarely out of stock; we don’t have issues; our
more to 1000 Mile Sportswear Ltd than their JG: We are fortunate that there is growth products are good... . Plus our salesmen get out
socks, with the distribution of great brands everywhere. The ranges we represent to see customers and the public so that they are
like Thuasne, Compeed, Mueller and Nathan are constantly up to date on the needs of the retailer and the
(among many others) under their wings, too. evolving with consumer. I am proud to say that I believe we
Jack Galaun took the time to talk to SGB well are the role model for a good company. Our
about the company's excellent staff training customers feed this back to us - they’re
and tells us what makes the company receptive to us, they like us, they like the
tick… way we work. And because of the
wide range of quality brands we
SGB: How does 1000 Mile find the brands represent within the same field,
you want to work with? we are a one-stop shop for
Jack Galaun: We are fortunate that most customers - they can come to us
come to us because of our reputation and and stock up on socks [1000 Mile],
track record in the sports, outdoor, leisure sports bras [Thuasne], a hydration
and well-being arenas. Three or four, over unit [Nathan], a knee support (Mueller), all
the last few years, have approached us and in one go.
said “We’ve seen your profile on the thought-
internet, we’ve heard about you, would you out, relevant SGB: As you're a stock-holding company, and
like to distribute our brands?” Provided it has a products, so there none of your ranges are particularly
synergy and cross-selling ability within our is no reason for there seasonal, is most of your custom just-in-time
portfolio, we will review it and be delighted to not to be growth. And or do you use a pre-order model?
take it on. the principals of the JG: We can do either. With our
brands would not like us to larger customers we
SGB: What is the biggest part of the company in just sit idly by and see the performance appreciate forward
terms of turnover? of their products being static, they want commitment and then
JG: Socks, by quite a long way as they are our growth. it’s a case of once we
own brand and we manufacture them. know what their
SGB: Do you have any input into the needs are, we assure
product development of the them that they can
brands you distribute? order just in time or
JG: In a small way, yes we do. We whatever. But like anything
might recommend certain items else you need to know the
which are peculiar to Britain, demand.
quite a few of our brands are
American and things that might SGB: Your sales staff are very
work in America might not work impressive in their depth
in Britain and vice versa. So we of knowledge across the
do have an input, but it’s not ranges; are they a key part
crucial to those companies, I don’t of how you support
think, but they do respect us and retailers?
know what we’re doing here. JG: Certainly. They are a
dedicated and long-standing
SGB: How do you maintain the team. They are always happy
recognition and trust the brand to go into stores for staff
has achieved? training whether it's before,
20 SGB SPORTS JUNE 2009
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