Article Number : 1980 |
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| Date | 5/14/2007 9:55:07 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=1980 |
| Abstract | LA CANADA, CALIF.—He spent his entire career in the flooring industry as a sales and marketing executive and left a legacy of innovation, achievement and success... |
| Article | LA CANADA, CALIF.—He spent his entire career in the flooring industry as a sales and marketing executive and left a legacy of innovation, achievement and success. In 57 years, Bill Martin held top positions with companies on the East Coast and West Coast, eventually returning to California, where he passed away on April 17 from complications of a heart-related ailment. He was 79. Born William C. Martin on Dec. 1, 1927, in Southern California, he attended local schools and graduated from the University of Southern California in 1950. He launched his career soon after graduation, becoming a sales representative for Sloane- Blabon Corp. of Los Angeles, a manufacturer of resilient products. His territories included Salt Lake City, Denver and Detroit until 1953 when the company was purchased by Congoleum and he was transferred to the San Francisco territory. In 1954, Martin won Congoleum’s Man of the Year award for outstanding performance and was promoted to district sales manager of the West Coast; at age 27, he was the youngest person to be a district sales manager in the history of the company. He later was promoted to assistant general sales manager and relocated to Kearny, N.J., and in 1960 was named Congoleum’s director of marketing. In 1964, he left Congoleum to return to the West Coast as general sales manager for Roberts Consolidated Industries in City of Industry, Calif. He was then named director of marketing and eventually promoted to vice president and general manager of the International Division and managing director of each wholly-owned subsidiary in England, Holland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Martin started subsidiaries in Sweden, Switzerland, France and Germany and entered into joint ventures in Mexico and Brazil. In 1971, domestic marketing was added to his international responsibilities. In 1976, he and two other employees purchased Roberts from Champion International, and he was elected executive vice president. Six years later, he left Roberts and founded Martin Industries in Los Angeles, a manufacturers’ representative firm for flooring and related products. He served as chairman, and his son, William C. Martin III, is president, a position he continues to hold. In 1989, the elder Martin joined Johnsonite as vice president of sales and marketing and retired from that position in 1997, but remained as a consultant for new business planning, new products and colors. Johnsonite president, Jeff Buttita, said, “I enjoyed my relationship with Bill; he was instrumental in teaching me the flooring business, from product to competitors, to all the personalities in this industry. Coming from outside the industry, his advice and his encouragement were critical to me and the company. “Bill came to the company in 1989 and set the foundation that he and others were able to build upon. Today, Johnsonite is an industry leader, nearly 10 times the size it was when Bill began with the company. None of this would have been possible without his vision, leadership and commitment to wanting to make a difference. He will be missed.” Martin’s creative marketing and merchandising were the hallmarks of his success. He was a charismatic leader and a consummate salesman, respected by his colleagues, customers and competitors. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Joanne; daughter, Anne Wortmann, and her husband, John; son, William C. Martin III, and his wife, Teri, and grandchildren John and Devon Wortmann, and Victoria Martin. |