Provident Distribution, Tyndale House Publishers, Lighthouse Christian Products honored among 'industry’s elite suppliers'

Family Christian Stores (FCS) has recognized Provident Distribution, Tyndale House Publishers, Lighthouse Christian Products, Bridgestone Multimedia Group and Evergreen Enterprises as “the industry’s elite suppliers.”

On Aug. 2, the largest Christian retail chain—with almost 300 outlets nationwide—presented its 2012 Vendor Awards in Grand Rapids, Mich., recognizing five vendors in the categories of Supplier of the Year, Ministry Impact, Business Innovation, Partnership and Service and Distribution.

The awards' top honor, Supplier of the Year, was given to Provident Distribution “for its overall focus on business growth, strength in service, marketing and promotional efforts support, and excellence in product innovation,” FCS said.

In the past year, Provident has released albums from Casting Crowns and MercyMe, as well as the faith-based films Courageous and October Baby. Provident “demonstrates great creativity in promoting key releases in ways that drive sales,” as well as raising almost $75,000 for The James Fund, the primary philanthropy of Family, Family Christian said.

The Ministry Impact award went to Tyndale House Publishers. Tyndale recently partnered with Family Christian on three separate ministry Bible initiatives in which customers could donate a Bible to a woman seeking help at a crisis pregnancy center, a high school student in Ghana, Africa and a Spanish-speaking child in Latin America. Through the programs, FCS’ customers have donated more than a million Bibles in the past three years.

For the second year in a row, the Business Innovation Award was given to gift company Lighthouse Christian Products (LCP).

“This year, they created a new company to serve Family Christian’s expanding direct import needs, offering up excellent product development and effective sourcing practices,” FCS said. “They continue to show creativity in product design that targets Family’s core customers, and they are a leader in improving terms, lead times, fill rates and responsiveness.”

The Partnership Award was presented to Bridgestone Multimedia Group for “partnering with Family Christian to achieve solid business metrics, strong marketing and co-op participation and exceptional support of many promotional initiatives,” FCS said. “They are eager to think creatively and demonstrate great flexibility in business practices that drive sales without hurting the bottom line.”

The Service and Distribution Award went to Evergreen Enterprises, a designer and manufacturer of home and garden décor, for “maintaining a strong in-stock position, providing cost savings and profitability with margin improvement, and partnering on freight efficiency,” FCS said. “Family Christian has enjoyed strong sales of Evergreen’s acrylic cups and ceramic mugs this year, including many designs that were created exclusively for the chain.”

The Vendor Awards are “intended to recognize and honor the very best of those vendors in key categories each year,” said Family Christian Senior Vice President of Merchandising Craig Klamer. “The special partnerships we’ve built with each of these organizations, and the unique ways we’ve been able to work together, are what help Family Christian accomplish its purpose of spreading God’s Word and serving the widow and the orphan. The awards are a small token of our appreciation, but we are so grateful to be working collaboratively with suppliers who share a common vision with us towards achieving our calling.”

The vendors recognized each received a LCP bronze statue designed by artist Max Greiner and entitled The Divine Servant, depicting the account of Jesus kneeling to wash the apostle Peter’s feet.

In addition to the awards ceremony, vendors attended Family Christian’s annual James Fund event, A Day of Serving, A Night of Giving, featuring performances by Matthew West, Sanctus Real and Karyn Williams, as well as an inspirational message from author and motivational speaker Pat Williams.

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