Scenario 13.2
Use the following to answer the questions.
Star Supplies Inc. manufactures commercial-grade floor cleaners, such as vacuums and floor polishers. The firm
has recently begun manufacturing other janitorial-related product lines, such as paper products and chemical
cleaners. Star Supplies distributes its products in two ways. It sells its vacuum, floor polisher, and janitorial supply
products to an independent business that takes title to the products and then sells them to various small businesses
throughout the region. Also, Star has a list of large businesses that it distributes to directly, on an as-needed basis.
These businesses keep very little inventory and purchase janitorial supplies in small quantities. Recently, Star has
decided to add two new service product linespaper shredding and a uniform rental service. Clint Rodriguez, the
marketing manager, is conducting a meeting to discuss the ways in which Star can strategically manage these new
businesses. Star has the choice of marketing the paper shredding service to their large business clients, by picking
up the paper as they drop off the other janitorial supplies, or they can buy a small paper shredding business and
market to both large and small business customers. With regard to the uniform rental service, Star can either pick
up and deliver the uniforms to the small businesses themselves, or contract that out to a third party.
144. Refer to Scenario 13.2. Which of the following is Star Supplies Inc. most likely using to market its vacuum, floor
polisher, and janitorial supplies to its small business customers?
a. Wholesalers
b. Retailers
c. Merchants
d. Industrial distributors
e. Manufacturers’ agents