This week, we celebrated our successful first quarter performance aboard the beautiful Tall Ship Mar in the Halifax Harbour. I connected with some of our long time valued dealers like The Country Ski Shop in Montoursville, Pennsylvania and The Ski Hut in Duluth Minnesota. I also provided updated product information to some on-line dealers.
Dawna & I joined the Trail Blazer team (with Mom & Dad) to celebrate a 47% increase in profits and a 63% decrease in operating expenses. The team’s financial performance this year has created the most profitable first quarter in our company’s history. Well Done!!! Traditionally the 1st quarter is our slowest quarter of the year. We celebrated the team’s accomplishments and, much appreciated hard work aboard the Tall Ship Mar for a relaxing and beautiful sailing tour of the second largest natural harbour in the world (The Halifax Harbour). After a great time, we look forward to where the wind takes us … into the 2nd quarter and beyond.
Improving performance continues while we compare 1st quarter results to industry benchmarks . The production department continues to implement corrective action to improve delivery. The administration department begins to implement corrective action to reduce our general & office expenses. Thank you team it’s very much appreciated!!
Friday afternoon, just before we left to get ready for the big 1st quarter celebration, we said good bye to our summer students. I offered them a Trail Blazer product, of their choice, to take home. Brandon Kettle worked with us this summer and is now headed back to J.L.Ilsley High School to complete his grade 12. Jordan Mopoho also worked with us this summer and is now headed back to Dalhousie University for his second year of post secondary education, where he is on the road to becoming a lawyer. Both Brandon and Jordan were a great addition & valued assets to the Trail Blazer team. I informed them both that they’re welcomed back next summer … We would love to have them!!
As the production of our Reverse D-Handled Snow Shovels begin to pick up and the departure of our summer students, I will begin reviewing applications for potential additions to Trail Blazer’s production team. I will be looking for self motivated individuals who will also communicate well in a high growth team managed environment.
Earlier this week, I received more requests for Trail Blazer’s new product catalogue from our long time valued dealers. Dealers like The Country Ski Shop in Montoursville, Pennsylvania, The Ski Hut in Duluth Minnesota and a potential new dealer, Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Smithers British Columbia. I continued to look for the buyer’s name to present our products to at Eastern Mountain Sports, in the North Eastern US while providing updated product information to one of our on-line dealers http://www.builderdepot.com. BuilderDepot, Inc. is based in San Diego, California and operates over 50 online stores that sell over 500,000 products. They’ve been serving repeat customers since 2000.
We also continue to receive more orders from our sales rep, Donald Turcotte, including our long time valued dealer, Magasin Latulippe and newest dealer Surplus D’Armée Pont Rouge in Quebec City. While our newest sales reps in the North Eastern United States added another fall distributor show, the Homes Farm Show in Barto Pennsylvania.
All the Best, Shawn Levangie