Lubrication Specialties Inc. Hires Director of National Sales
Lubrication Specialties Inc. (LSI) has hired Brian Merz as the company’s director of national account sales.
Merz previously served as senior key account manager for Idemitsu Lubricants America in Cleveland. With two decades of experience in strategic planning, new business development and sales management, he has worked for some of the largest companies in the lubrication industry, including Shell Oil Products and Pennzoil-Quaker State Company, both as the senior national account manager.
Merz reports directly to LSI President Chris Gabrelcik and will work remotely from Cleveland.
“We were very fortunate to find Brian and add him to the team. His outstanding relationships with the major retailers developed over the last 20 years promoting and supporting products similar to ours made him a perfect fit for this key senior position,” said LSI President Chris Gabrelcik. “Within the last year we have positioned Hot Shot’s Secret to be the brand to watch for increased market share. With all upper management positions filled, we are now poised to fully support our distribution partners with the level of attention and planning that will help move product quickly.”
Prior to his position with Idemitsu, Merz served as the senior national accounts manager for ITW Global Brands. There he managed several of the company’s largest customers including AutoZone and Target for the automotive and mass retailer channel, and managed five independent sales rep agencies covering territory in the Southeast, Northeast and Midwest.
LSI is the manufacturer of Hot Shot’s Secret brand fuel and oil additives.
“Hot Shot’s Secret has made incredible leeway in a very short period of time,” Merz said. “It will be my goal to support our existing retailers with customized programs and promotions to support sales and to grow distribution vertically and horizontally, to ensure increased share across all markets.”
Merz can be reached at brian@lubricationspecialties.com.
For more information about Lubrication Specialties Inc. visit LubricationSpecialties.com. For more information about Hot Shot’s Secret products, visit Hotshotsecret.com, or call 800-341-6516.
