From the CEO – A Message from Richard Hunter, November 2005

In 1999, Hunter Industries began a little program that was designed to reward our customers for their loyalty and dedication. Little did we realize that our creation, the Hunter Preferred Contractor Program, would grow to be what it is today…the industry’s leading frequent buyer program.

But even now, as our membership numbers well into the thousands across the United States and Canada, I find myself asked—albeit just occasionally, but asked nonetheless—what exactly does the Preferred Contractor Program do for you, the customer?

Let me illustrate that with a recent example. A few weeks back, I received a call from one of our members. He wanted to express to me how being a part of the Program changed his outlook on his business.

Prior to joining the Program, his firm was only a partial user of our products. But, he explained how the opportunity to redeem his Program points for equipment and materials that could help his business grow encouraged him to consider buying more of his product from Hunter so he could earn more rewards, faster. He gave some new products a try, liked what he added, and before long, he found that he was now a full-line user.

With the extra points he earned, he was able to obtain educational training for his staff, providing them with comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge that keeps them a step ahead of the competition. In turn, they win more bids, do more jobs, buy more products, and make more income than before. Which means more Program points and…well, you get the picture.

We instituted the Program as a natural extension to what we already were providing our customers. It fit in ideally with our commitment to partnering with the professional installer by giving them products that offer outstanding value, a distribution system to ensure those products are available, a sales and customer service team that can be counted on for answers, and, now, a program that helps others grow their business.

In addition to all the Preferred Contractor Program does for you, now it also allows you to do something for your fellow man. One of the greatest natural catastrophes in the history of our country took place on August 29 and its effects continue today. Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast with a magnitude never before seen within our borders. The loss of life and property was enormous and entire communities were literally destroyed.

If there is a silver lining in all this tragedy, however, it is the spirit of compassion and generosity Americans have for one another. In times of need, we as a nation always come forward with a helping hand. And we’ve made it possible for the Preferred Contractor Program to afford you the ideal opportunity to do just that.

You can use those points that you’ve accrued and ask that their cash value be donated to the American Red Cross, specifically for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Hundreds of Program members have already done this, resulting in thousands of dollars of aid from some of the best people in the irrigation business…loyal, caring Hunter customers, just like you!