Sears Signs Exclusive Deal With Carrier to Sell Heating and Cooling Equipment Beginning in 2003
Sears, Roebuck and Co., (NYSE: S) already home to America's most popular brand of appliances in Kenmore, will begin selling Carrier heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and products in 2003 after signing a three-year agreement.
The ability to offer Kenmore and Carrier products at Sears through one of the nation's largest HVAC sales organizations further strengthens its position in the market, giving customers more reason to rely on Sears when it comes to outfitting their homes and families.
"Sears is pleased to be the only retail destination for Kenmore and Carrier heating and cooling products, which are renowned for their quality, features and innovation," said Mark Good, executive vice president and general manager for Sears' Product Repair Services business. "The agreement is another way Sears is providing our customers with the products and services that meet their changing needs."
The Carrier brand will benefit from an increase in exposure achieved through Sears' newspaper inserts, plus credit card inserts, direct mail, in- store displays, Internet exposure and television and Yellow Pages™ advertising.
"The retail channel is a growing market for the heating and cooling industry, and we're pleased to partner our Carrier brand exclusively with Sears, the leading retail home services provider," said Geraud Darnis, president, Carrier Corporation. "This is an exciting partnership, bringing together two industry leaders with a history of innovation and customer satisfaction. It is a natural fit."
The Carrier agreement will take effect on January 1. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Sears is the only retailer that services all major brands of HVAC equipment, regardless of where they are purchased. Customers can call 1-800-4-MY-HOME ® (1-800-469-4663) or visit http://www.sears.com/ to schedule an appointment with a Sears specialist to learn more about their heating and cooling options.
About Sears
Sears, Roebuck and Co. is a broadline retailer with significant service and credit businesses. In 2001, the company's annual revenue was more than $41 billion. The company offers its wide range of apparel, home and automotive products and services to families in the U.S. through Sears stores nationwide, including approximately 870 full-line stores. Sears also offers a variety of merchandise and services through its Web site, http://www.sears.com/ . In June 2002, Sears acquired Lands' End, a direct merchant of traditionally styled, classic Lands' End clothing offered to customers around the world through regular mailings of its specialty catalogs and online at http://www.landsend.com/ .
About Carrier
Carrier Corporation is the world's largest manufacturer of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems and equipment. It is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX), provider of a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries. For more information about Carrier, please visit http://www.carrier.com/ .
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Carrier Corporation founder Dr. Willis Carrier's invention of modern air conditioning. From his first cooling apparatus design on July 17, 1902 until his death in 1950, Dr. Carrier revolutionized the air conditioning industry worldwide, bringing mechanical cooling first to manufacturing processes such as textile mills and printing plants, and eventually to public spaces such as movie theaters, department stores, office buildings, the U.S. Capitol and homes.
SOURCE: Sears, Roebuck and Co.
CONTACT: Willy Medina of Sears, Roebuck and Co., +1-847-286-1624,
wmedina@sears.com , or Jon Shaw of Carrier Corporation, +1-315-432-3147,
jon.shaw@carrier.utc.com
Web site: http://www.carrier.com/
http://www.landsend.com/
http://www.sears.com/