Types of Customers
The comprehensive world of industrial sales has a vast variety of sales opportunities from "mom and pop" shops to the largest organizations in existence, including the US government (GSA sales). The vastness and diversity of industrial markets allows you to focus on the type of sales experience you are seeking. You may find yourself working directly with purchasing agents, shop hands, mechanics -- technicians, maintenance supervisors, managers and executives -- in short, the potential of interacting with all levels of an organization.
What are the different types of industrial sales customers?
One of the most encouraging things about industrial sales is that the large variety of customers tends to make industrial sales somewhat recession resistant. The types of customers include the following businesses and industries:
- Manufacturing
- Avionics
- Aircraft Maintenance
- Railroads
- Power Generating Plants
- Gas, Water, Sewage, Telephone Utilities
- Recreational Vehicles
- Pleasure Marine
- Industrial Marine
- Plant Maintenance
- Government (Local, County, State, Federal)
- Distributors
- Electrical Contractors
- Electric Motor Rewind/Transformer Shops
- Fork-Lifts/Material Handling Equipment
- Construction and Contractor Equipment
- Farming and Agricultural Equipment
- Truck/Bus/Trailer Equipment
- Transportation Refrigeration
- Commercial Appliance Repair
- Vending and Coin Operated Machines
- Commercial HVAC, Chillers and Boilers
- Control, Automation, Laser and Robotic Systems
- Communications Systems and Equipment
- Medical Equipment
- Medical X-Ray Apparatus
- Hospitals
- Elevators
- Welding Equipment Repair
- Resorts and Hotels
- Rental Equipment Repair
- Television, Stage and Radio
Do industrial sales opportunities exist with all customer types?
Some sales positions will be specialized where sales happen within a single or specialized customer type. Other sales opportunities may be more comprehensive, providing access to a large variety of industries and customer types. Your success will largely hinge on finding a job that corresponds closely with your interests and goals.
If you are passionate about sales and enjoy working closely with people in a variety of industrial environments, you will probably want to find a job that encompasses all or most of the customer types. If your passion is focused on a specific industry such as Marine, then you will probably want to find an opportunity with a manufacturer that is product or service specific and with a history of selling to a narrow market segment.
Industial Supplies - Industrial Sales>
Every Hi-Line representative manages a territory, similar to a route sales position, where quality industrial supplies are delivered directly to the customer's bins.
If you enjoy the industrial community, working with people, and being your own boss, then contact Hi-Line at industrialsales@hi-line.com for a rewarding career in industrial sales.