ChSPZ's sales to the authorized dealers totaled 26 million rubles in the first quarter of 2002, which is a 36% increase over the corresponding period of last year.
   Development of a network of authorized dealers of ChSPZ in the regions last year was one of the main lines of company's sales and marketing policy. ChSPZ's first authorized dealers appeared in St. Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod. Russia's South and Central regions are also considered as prospective places for setting authorized dealer relationships.
   Sergei Sokolov, ChSPZ general director, noted that only companies with very good business reputation, which target small wholesalers, have necessary equipment in their storehouses and have been ChSPZ partners for at least a year can be awarded a status of an authorized dealer.
   Evgeni Afonin, deputy sales and marketing director of Metaltorg (Nizhny Novgorod), said that upon receiving a status of an authorized dealer by Metaltorg, its clients' trust in the company went up, that in turn increased sales. He also remarked that Metaltorg and ChSPZ relationship has gained additional potential for development. This is no accident, since ChSPZ authorized dealers get an opportunity to attend free courses on Sales Organization, ChSPZ Product Range and Product Properties. They also gained access to financing of own marketing activities in their respective regions.