"Many people probably weren't even aware that Consolidated's Ford distributorship division was separate from our manufacturing operations," Brown said, adding that the distribution division of Consolidated has now become a stand-alone corporation under new ownership and new management.

"We have folded our Ford contracts into the new corporation," Brown said. "We have a very profitable operation."
 Profitable enough in fact to win Ford's Pacesetter Award for its sales increase of 14 percent in 2006. 

  
"It was a good year," Brown said. "We refocused all of our energy towards Ford. We also implemented some new marketing strategies that allowed us to go in and help dealers with some marketing blitzes."

Brown said one strategy that proved successful was direct contact with the dealerships customers. "We go into a dealer's market with the dealer's blessing and call on his customers to help generate sales for the dealer, which in turn, benefits us."   
 In 2006, Ford also launched a new marketing campaign specifically for engines and transmissions including a three-year/75,000-mile limited warranty covering parts and labor.

"The new campaign included rebates to installers and an extended warranty," Brown said. "They were really trying to reach their aftermarket customers."

This year, new products and innovations promise to keep sales figures climbing as CSS expands its role in the automotive market, Brown said. CSS is introducing Pirelli tires, the Mini-Pic(an engine-lifting device), and a line of A/C parts into its product offerings. The new lines will target Ford, GM, and Volvo dealers, he said.

"The introduction of Pirelli tires is part of Ford's 'Around the Wheel' program," he said. "It helps get the dealer engaged in more tire work, which often leads to other possible sales."

Brown said the addition of new products allows CSS to sustain consistent, long-term growth in a fixed territory, but it won't change the direction of the company. 

  
"Although we are adding more products, we are not looking to change our direction and move into a new market," he said. "Engines and transmission will still be our focus."

Through all the change, Brown said much has remained constant. 

       
"We've never really left the original purpose of the business," he said. "We started with Ford in 1940, and we've had some of the same customers for 67 years. I think that says something."

Brown said the engines and transmissions distributed by CSS also have an advantage over the competition because they are application specific and built more complete.

"Our engines are better," he said. "They are built to original equipment specification quality, with engineering support from Ford Motor Co., and other remanufacturers can't say that."

CSS stocks about $3 million in inventory, including 250 engines and 600 transmissions, Brown said.  The inventory is divided between a warehouse in Hutchinson and a new 38,000-square-foot warehouse in Kansas City. The new warehouse is 17,000 square feet larger than the previous warehouse, he said.

"We don't currently need all the space, but as distribution of our products grows, we hope to utilize the space."
 CSS is one of 11 Ford-authorized powertrain distributors in the United States. They employ 17 employees, 12 in Hutchinson and five in Kansas City, Brown said.