Bufftech® SalesMaster™ Program expands CertainTeed’s industry-leading array of professional education certifications

Effective sales technique is built on a strong foundation of product knowledge and a deep understanding of the trends that potential buyers look to for inspiration. Helping fence salespeople improve their knowledge and skills in these key areas – and ultimately succeed in the highly competitive building products market – is the goal of an industry-first training initiative from CertainTeed. The Bufftech® SalesMaster™ program is designed to provide fence dealer professionals with knowledge about the material formulations and manufacturing techniques that set Bufftech vinyl fence systems apart, a firm grasp of the forces shaping the consumer fence market and the ability to sharpen their professional sales skills.

"CertainTeed is known throughout the industry for its comprehensive contractor training programs," said Matt Gibson, marketing director for CertainTeed Siding. "We created SalesMaster to extend this training to our valued partners in the retail fence space. We believe the more that people who sell Bufftech know about our products and can perfect their sales skills, the better they’ll be able to provide superior, sustainable outdoor living solutions and guide their customers in the fence selection process."

As a major manufacturer of a wide array of building products, CertainTeed keeps a close eye on lifestyle trends, particularly those that affect the choices homeowners make when they embark on exterior remodeling projects. One such trend is "outdoor living," the idea that yards, decks, porches and patios can become extensions of a home’s interior space, with seating areas, fire pits and even outdoor kitchens creating more room for families to spend time together and entertain. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about one-third of the total dollar value of home renovations in the U.S. is spent on remodeling the outside of the home, including the yard.

Perimeter and accent fencing is a key element of these outdoor living spaces. With more and more homeowners concerned about the chemicals used to pressure-treat lumber, the high cost of maintaining a wood fence and the depletion of forest resources, Bufftech vinyl fence’s sustainability and performance attributes are clearly well-positioned to resonate with today’s consumers. The SalesMaster program was developed to help the fence dealer sales pro strengthen their sales skills, enabling them to tell the Bufftech story, and explain why the many benefits of Bufftech vinyl fence combine into the perfect solution for their customers’ outdoor living space.

Two levels of certification, Silver and Gold, are available. Salespeople can choose the option that best meets their needs and accommodates their schedules. To achieve Silver Level certification, the individual must complete the Bufftech SalesMaster Education and Development eCourse and attend one WebEd training session each year; the course workbook and test are available online for the ultimate in convenience.

Requirements for Gold Level certification include, in addition to obtaining Silver level status, completion of professional sales training offered by either the American Fence Association’s AFA University or a Sandler Online sales training package tailored for CertainTeed Bufftech, attendance at one in-person sales module training session with the local Bufftech territory manager, and attendance at two WebEd training sessions annually.

CertainTeed is the only vinyl fence manufacturer to offer a comprehensive sales training program for vinyl fence sales professionals. Bufftech SalesMaster for the sales pro, is the latest addition to CertainTeed’s comprehensive lineup of training programs for fence professionals.

For more information on all of CertainTeed’s fence/railing/decking education credential programs, contact your local CertainTeed Bufftech territory manager.

CertainTeed offers unsurpassed Freedom of Choice® through its industry-leading portfolio of long-lasting polymer, insulated and vinyl siding as well as roofing, fence, railing, decking and exterior trim. CertainTeed provides the advantage of using exterior products from a single source that are designed to mix-and-match with each other and feature authentic textures, versatile styles and rich color combinations, for a beautifully coordinated look. As the result of a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, CertainTeed is also the first manufacturer to issue and publish third-party validated life cycle assessments (LCA) for its vinyl, trim, fence and railing product lines. For more information, visit www.certainteed.com/freedomofchoice.

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