IAI Recognized for FOURTH Year in a Row. Gebhardt, receives special service honor.
COE awards Institutional Associates, Inc. for top sales volume for fourth straight year, Gebhardt recognized for overall service. Since 2018, Atlanta-headquartered company has won Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year by Pennsylvania office furniture powerhouse as IAI’s CEO takes home commemorative service award.
FARMINGTON, Pa. - Despite the challenges of doing business during a weary, second year of a global pandemic, the office furniture industry still saw slow growth in 2021 as more and more people returned to work in person. And, just like the past four years, COE Distributing, Office Furniture Distributor awarded Institutional Associates, Inc. the vaunted Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year award. The award identifies those manufacturers representative groups that led in top sales volume for the company.
However one thing was, in fact, new this year. That’s because Peter J. Gebhardt, IAI’s President and CEO garnered his first Golden Service Award for 10 years of service to COE. Leading IAI since the mid-80’s, Mr. Gebhardt first started representing COE back in 2011.
Returning to the Nemacolin Woodlands resort where the national sales meeting had been held for years prior to last year’s virtual-only exception, this year’s event featured Mr. Gebhardt, IAI staff and its reps from the three Southeastern states, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The 4-day meeting was hosted by COE employees and staff. Manufacturers, key partners and other rep groups from across the country also were assembled.
“I’m thrilled that COE has recognized us once again for what we’ve doing for their business,” Gebhardt said in a statement. “There’s no question they’re doing things differently as the industry, and the world, begins to rebound from the effects of this pandemic.”
Mike Flaherty, President and COO and Scott Nichols, Vice President of Sales made the announcements about both the top sales volume and the service award during the Thursday night award presentation.
James D. Ewing Jr., chairman and CEO remarked on the IAI Group.
“It continues to be impressive just how IAI is committed to COE Distributing and the OfficeSource brand,” Ewing said. “Achieving top sales volume for a fourth year in a row proves just that. It’s certainly no easy task, especially in light of the pandemic. We congratulate Pete, and his team and are happy to recognize them collectively and individually as integral partners for us.”
About COE
COE Office Furniture Distributor is known for its fabulous selection of wholesale office furniture. Specializing in forward thinking products for today’s work environments. From the high-end executive office to a small office tucked in the corner of a home, COE has a solution and most importantly a price to meet any budget.
About IAI
For over 50 years, Institutional Associates, Inc. (the IAI Group) has been specializing in the sales and service of office furniture, supplies and machines to business end-users through its dealers.