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This excerpt taken from the SMG 10-K filed Nov 29, 2007. Leveraging our
core strengths and competitive advantages in the United
States
As stated previously, the Company has succeeded, in large
degree, due to our ability to leverage our competitive
advantages, including our world-class supply chain,
industry-leading brands and our commitment to innovation. The
opportunity to further build upon these strengths is a major
focus of the Company and will be key to driving continued growth
and financial improvement.
Specifically, the Company is investing behind a key initiative
to further improve upon its technologies and processes with the
goals of enabling increased supply chain synergies and creating
global shared services that result in lower selling, general,
and administrative costs. In addition to this effort, the
Company is currently exploring other supply chain initiatives
designed to lower our cost structure without compromising our
commitment to quality. For example, the Company will launch a
pilot
program in fiscal 2008 to explore the economic viability of
regional manufacturing and distribution of lawn fertilizer.
In addition, the Company intends to increase its investment in
its sales force, an area that is also considered to be a key
competitive advantage. The Company’s interaction with its
major retail partners is a key reason for its success. In fact,
several of the Company’s largest retail partners have
awarded us with “vendor of the year” or similar honors
over the past several years. In addition to working closely with
retailers, the sales force also provides the Company an
opportunity to interact with consumers on a 1-to-1 basis in
stores. Our in-store counseling program, which is utilized
during the peak of the lawn and garden season, provides the
Company with a critical advantage by helping consumers. Of
course, the Company also uses other means to build upon its
relationships with consumers. To that end, in fiscal 2008, the
Company intends to launch a state-of-the-art website that will
improve our ability to communicate with consumers while also
creating an online experience that allows them to speak with
each other in public chat rooms, message boards and blogs. In
addition to the website, the Company plans to increase its
investment in promotions, cross-branding and other key marketing
initiatives in fiscal 2008.
Research and development initiatives also will be increasingly
focused on helping to create a more positive experience for
consumers who use our products. Over the years, we have a proven
track record of growing our business by providing consumers with
value-added products that make success in the lawn or garden
easier to attain. Looking ahead, we are focused on developing
even more products that are easier to buy, easier to use and
easier to store. Our commitment to environmental stewardship
also will become increasingly evident in products currently
under development or being considered.
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