Berner International Corp. named manufacturer representatives R. Williamson & Associates (Skokie, IL) and SRS Enterprises (Middletown, NJ) as its 2015 “Rep of the Year” for commission and buy/sell reps, respectively. The awards were presented at the AHR Expo 2016, Jan. 26, in Orlando, FL.

The 85-year-old R. Williamson & Associates, a Berner rep since 1973, earned its Presidential Gold - Commission Reps Award for its continued dominance with national drugstore chain accounts and industrial air curtain sales throughout its territory of Chicago, Northwest Indiana, Northern Illinois, and Southern Wisconsin. As an air movements and pollution control specialist, R. Williamson & Associates also went well beyond dock/door applications and continues to promote air curtains as aesthetic front door air comfort and energy-saving products for front entrances of hospitals, commercial buildings and restaurants, according to Rob Williamson, president.

"They've been one of our top rep firms for a very long time because they self-sufficiently market and sell the product just like an in-house regional sales manager might," said Berner's National Sales Manager Michael Coscarelli, who presented the award. 

The 23-year-old SRS Enterprises, which covers the New York City and New Jersey territories, was awarded the Presidential Gold-Buy/Sell Reps Award. Berner officials said SRS Enterprises had a great year with retail, commercial buildings, hospitals and especially dock/door projects, such as a New Jersey-based kosher winery.  

"SRS has perfected the art of closing the deal," said Steve Benes, a Berner sales manager. "While some reps depend on national accounts and large projects, SRS has shown a high rate of closing sales on the everyday orders." 

Berner International also honored four other manufacturer's representative firms for outstanding sales achievements during 2015:

• Silver Award Buy/Sell Rep - Vigmark, Montreal, Quebec

• Silver Award Commission Reps - S & J Equipment, Indianapolis

• Bronze Award Buy/Sell - Square M Systems Inc., Markham, Ontario

• Bronze Award Commission Reps - Bennett Holland & Associates, Inc., Harrison Township, MI.