Following A Fishing Trip, A Series Of Events Led A Drexel University Graduate To Establish A Company And Roll-Out Product In Sam's Club.
Online, October 4, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Matthew Fidler (MBA '99) never dreamed that a series of events that began during a fishing trip in Costa Rica would eventually translate into reeling in a deal with one of the world's largest retailers—Sam's Club.
"Every year, my father and I go on a fishing trip together. In 2013, my dad brought along Rod Phillips—the inventor of a portable tablet mount for cabinets" says Fidler. "Rod shared his story with me and I knew I needed to help."
For over two years, Phillips and his daughter, Stephanie Phillips-Taggart, had been working with Bucknell University's Small Business Development Center, Lewisburg, PA and Pennsylvania College of Technology's Innovative Manufacturing Center, Williamsport, PA to transform an idea into a product. Fulfilling a loved one's last wish for Phillips to achieve his lifelong dream of bringing an idea to market, the duo was passionate about the endeavor, but struggled with what to do next.
"We had an offshore manufacturer in place, but were uncertain of what to do from there," says Phillips, "That's when Matt stepped in with his extensive business knowledge and helped us form Upper Desk. Inc.—a technology accessory company that provides award-winning, five-star rated mounts for tablets, smartphones and convertible laptops."
As a Drexel graduate with extensive business experience, Fidler was quick to establish proper business processes and infrastructure. Working with both large and small companies—including Aon Risk, the M&M Mars Company, the Yodock Wall Company, and Trinity Industries, he has been credited with identifying opportunities, developing solutions and implementing strategies among leading brands and companies.
"Without a proper business infrastructure, a company cannot successfully grow," says Fidler. "I wanted to establish a small business that could easily scale into a big business."
Fidler, who serves as Upper Desk CEO, outlined the next steps for the company—including affirming manufacturing capabilities and developing logistics, freight and warehousing options.
"After incorporating Upper Desk, the first step was to ensure that the off shore manufacturing in Asia was able to deliver what it promised," said Fidler. "We traveled to China to inspect the facilities first hand—and to learn more about our manufacturing partner. Quality and cost was critical."
"Identifying partner companies that could be a fit for Upper Desk was my priority," says Fidler. We established a relationship with a global logistics and freight provider that helps ensure prompt inventory delivery from our manufacturer in China to our warehouse in the U.S." Finally, we found full-service fulfillment company which provides eCommerce and EDI-compliant B2B solutions as well as integrated technology and customer service solutions.
With all of the major infrastructure in place, Fidler directed a series of integrated marketing activities—including some major industry trade shows. Along with broader exposure, the trade show circuit validated the quality, consumer demand, and innovation of the Upper Desk products.
"The Portable Tablet Mount for Cabinets has won several innovation awards including the 2014 Gold Award for Innovation at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, the 2014 International Home and Housewares Association Innovation Finalist Award in Chicago, and the 2014 New Product Development Award from Bucknell University's Small Business Development Center," says Phillips-Taggart, President of Upper Desk. "Recently, Upper Desk also received the 2015 Pennsylvania Small Business Impact nomination."
With an impressive line of awards, Fidler and his team were invited to attend Sam's Club's 2nd Annual 30 Minutes to Win It program—an innovative initiative that brings new, exciting, quality products to club locations.
"I met the Sam's Club buyers at 2015 CES," says Fidler. "Before they left the Upper Desk booth, we had an invitation to pitch our products at their headquarters in Bentonville."
Just minutes into the pitch, the Upper Desk trio landed deal with Sam's Club. A nationwide rollout with 205 club locations is scheduled for November 1.
"We are honored to be a vendor of one of the words largest retailers," says Fidler.
Phillips-Taggart added. "Matt's broad business experience and exceptional education in international economics and marketing have prepared us for this opportunity—and what an opportunity it is. It's not every day a start-up company reels in a big fish."
For more information, visit www.upperdesk.com and www.susquehannalife.com/2015/06/18/75694/every-day-is-father-s-day .
About Upper Desk
Upper Desk, Inc. provides innovative technology solutions for daily living. Dedicated to enhancing life, the company's expanding product line meets the growing needs of smart phone, tablet and laptop users. Delivering modern, functional items that help protect personal computers, Upper Desk fits any lifestyle. From the home to office to medical and industrial settings, Upper Desk places technology where you need it.
Source URL: http://prweb.com/releases/2015/10/prweb12999110.htm
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