The production of Trail Blazer’s Jumbo Ratcheting Anvil Lopper continued, while Robert and his team try to take care of customers waiting for deliveries.  We were scheduled to deliver in January and a month later we’re scrambling to deliver half the orders … Yes, only half, the second half is still waiting for components that we suspect will arrive in early March.  The team has worked very hard this week, to produce & ship 6,816 loppers (just like the photo) and must produce & deliver another 8,640 loppers next week.  Robert will have to step up his team’s game to produce & ship approximately 30% more loppers next week.

We received all the required aluminum material needed to produce Trail Blazer’s Sawvivor Saw and all back-orders were produced and shipped this week.  Our next project will be to schedule plastic injection of our super tough nylon threaded tip.  This will allow Robert’s team to produce more Professional Paint Poles for Home Hardware.

The stores are now going through some exciting transitions or  are in the middle of the hard work involved with renovations to remodel their displays.  They do this each year with anticipation for the upcoming spring season.  They definitely are not looking to purchase any more snow shovels (can you blame them … we didn’t get much snow this year).  This most certainly does not mean our launch of Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovels is over.  While I complete the paperwork this week, to make these Nova Scotia made snow shovels available through all Home Hardware stores across Canada.  I sent out more information to the purchaser at Kent Building Supplies in Saint John, New Brunswick.  I would love to see this Atlantic Canadian home improvement retailer become interested in offering Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovels, Made in Nova Scotia, through their 34 store locations throughout the Atlantic Provinces.

Our partner, Repeat Merchandising with the guidance of Ben Cumming, started setting up pruning tool assortments at seven locations of Kent Building Supplies, located in Dartmouth, Halifax Nova Scotia, Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John New Brunswick, Mount Pearl & St. John’s Newfoundland.  I look forward to receiving and sharing photos.

Continuous improvement continued at Trail Blazer Products Limited when Ben Cumming showed great leadership and took the much required initiative to start a daily meeting.  These daily meetings will allow my whole management team (Ben Cumming “marketing & product development”, Betty Millard “shipping & receiving”, Monica Furlotte “sales & customer service” & Robert Woodman “production & purchasing”) to work together as a team.  They must work together on a daily basis to address our #1 concern and requirement needed to improve & increase profitability.  Adding more profit to the company, especially in the slow seasons, will improve cash flow.  Our #1 concern being the low percentage of on-time deliveries to our valued customers.  They must develop & control, on a daily basis, an inventory system that keeps enough products, at any one time, to meet our customers delivery requirements and not too much products that will be difficult to sell at the season’s end.

I received a presentation prepared by Dale Thibodeau, BDC consultant.  Benchmarking our expenses based on a 2 day discussion we had last week.  The presentation showed me how to add benchmarks to financials, compared to industry averages, with a detailed look at our material costs, new product development, shipping expenses & advertising.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

A Look back, February 19^th 2011

One Year Ago, I participated in a steering committee in Ottawa.  Where we reviewed the results of a pre-assessment from an international trade study & made recommendations of actions for the FITT (Forum for International Trade Training) Board of Directors. (2/3 of the Canada’s economy is focused on International Trade)

Today, FITT received funding to move forward with our recommendations.  I’m not participating in phase 2 while Trail Blazer requires more of my attention.  I would like to wish Caroline Tompkins and her team at FITT all the best & I look forward to working with you in the future.

[http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/2542-fitt-steering-committee-in-ottawa/]

Click on image to visit Acklands-Grainger

Acklands-Grainger continues to expand its market position by understanding and satisfying the needs of our customers. They’re Canada’s largest distributor of industrial products, offering the convenience of a single source.  With the largest selection of products from the world’s top manufacturers (I’m proud they included Trail Blazer products).  Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, 170 branches across Canada, 6 distribution centers and more than 2,200 dedicated team members.

As I focus on the needs in the Lawn & Garden market, to make sure dealers are supplied with Trail Blazer products to meet the needs of landscapers & gardeners.  I was excited to learn that our products are availabile for the industrial market because Acklands Grainger made Trail Blazer products available on their new web site.

We received the delivery of our final component to produce Trail Blazer’s Jumbo Ratcheting Anvil Lopper this week, while customers wait for their deliveries.  This item was scheduled to be delivered on December 10^th and 2 months later we received half the order … Yes, only half, the second half is now suspected to arrive March 1^st.  The team has already produced & shipped 5 pallets and starting next week will begin delivering another 156 pallets.  I would like to apologize for these delays and let you know we’re speaking to new suppliers to ensure this doesn’t happen next season.

We received our new packaging & signage telling the story of Trail Blazer’s Nova Scotia made products.  When they arrived, orders were quickly put together and delivered to 7 Kent Building Supplies located in Dartmouth, Halifax Nova Scotia, Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John New Brunswick, Mount Pearl & St. John’s Newfoundland.

Our plans for continuous improvement continued this week as we met with Dale Thibodeau, our BDC consultant from Fredericton New Brunswick, for 2 days and was introduced to benchmarking, which will guide us to increased profitability.  Dale spent the time discussing where our budgets are compared to industries averages.  He will be sending me a presentation based on our discussions next week.  I look forward to receiving this information and begin building a strategy over the next 2 weeks… to improve & meet budgets for increased profitably.  Initially, we’ll look at material costs, new product development, shipping expenses & advertising. Then meet with Dale to discuss our plan.

During our meetings, we determined that the #1 area to focus on for improvement must be delivery.  Everyone must make this their #1 priority and find all the necessary changes required to allow Trail Blazer to delivering orders on time … I can remember when we delivered all orders within 48 hours of receiving them.

Let’s do it again, Shawn Levangie

A Look back, February 12^th 2011

One Year Ago, The winter products were becoming scarce and the spring items are hitting the shelves, while a demand for combo packages & assortments were growing in the US.  Closer to home, Kent Building supplies offered an assortment of Trail Blazer products through-out Atlantic Canada for the first time.

Today, there is no difference, as our team works hard at getting Trail Blazer’s spring products to our valuable partners, who want them now, including Kent Building supplies for the second season.  But, despite the overwhelming demand for combo packages last season … this season appears to be combo less.

[http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/2487-trail-blazer-offers-4-piece-pruning-sets]

17 years ago (February 1995), I started selling the Trail Blazer Saw (now known as the Take-Down Buck Saw). Along with my dad’s invention, the Xtend-A-Saw; a folding saw equipped with a threaded socket into the bottom of the handle, to accommodate any universal threaded pole (Broom handle) which instantly turns this into a pruning saw for high out of reach areas.  Today, Trail Blazer’s Nova Scotia made products are supported by retailers, including Home Hardware, Lee Valley Tools and Amazon.com. Internationally through partners like Manufactum in Germany and S-Ski & Sport in Norway.  Now we’re adding snow-removal products! We noticed when Home Hardware take down their pruning equipment, snow shovels went up.  The new product frontier is promising, and I’m pleased to add a product line that will help to even out sales throughout the year.

I am very proud we were able to develop a snow shovel with Superior leverage to handle the heavy, wet or packed snow.  We wanted to build a snow shovel that could truly withstand the rigors of the Canadian winter … to get at & pry loose the hard stuff.

Our Reverse-D Handle snow shovel launch has slowed down.  Stores have started clearing inventory & preparing spring assortments.  These Nova Scotia made shovels  were available in over 20 stores in N.S. & distributed nationwide through G. Hjukstrom.  The growth continues, we received word that Home Hardware will offer our Reverse-D Handle snow shovels, Made in Nova Scotia, through their warehouses next season.  Making them available through all Home Hardware stores across Canada.

Ben Cumming waited patiently for new packaging this week.  As soon as it arrives, he’ll send it to our local representatives to set up this year’s spring assortment at Kent.  With the packaging & additional signage telling the story of our Nova Scotia made products.

I am looking forward to getting the new packaging into our stores & hopefully seeing the results of our new branding efforts that began over 2 years ago, with a focus on family business & the support of Norex, an outside marketing firm.  The progress was controlled & delayed at times because of budget constraints in the beginning, but since Ben started working on the project in-house, only six months ago, we are now in a position to start seeing the results of our hard work.  He also plans to launch a new catalogue, including our story & rep binder for our sales team in North America.  Ben’s contributions do not stop there.  He also is contributing to the product development, as he works on developing a new leaf rake & a new line of saws, knives & hatchets for the Xtreme outdoor enthusiasts.

I continue to work with Maple Trade in hopes to improve our financing for our spring deliveries and despite signing the documentation over 3 week ago.  We are still waiting to get formal approval from our bank … The bank’s aproval is required for Maple Trade to begin assisting us with paying our outstanding payables over the next couple of months.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

A Look back, February 5^th 2011

One Year Ago, when we got home from work … 40 centimeters of snow was waiting for us. Unless someone in your home had a snow day … Like my kids who received 2 days off school.  I would like to thank my kids Travis, Natalie & Victoria (again 1 year later) for sparing me from a snow covered driveway.

Today, when we get home from work … A clear driveway and spring weather is waiting for us, with no one even thinking about snow days.  Today we wait for the temperature to increase a little more, to grab our rakes & pruners to prepare the yards for spring.  (The year we decide to launch snow shovels … Just saying.)

[http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/2388-pruning-after-snow-bows-breaks-trees]

I continue to work with Maple Trade  and despite signing the documentation 2 weeks ago;  we must get formal approval from TD so Maple Trade can send our supplier of plastics parts “Onward” a letter confirming the amount of our outstanding account they’ll pay.  This week, I heard TD is still working on the application … Good news they will recommend this to be approved.  Once we receive approval Onward can release the parts we need and continue production. I look forward to cleaning up pay-ables in the next few months.

We have postponed spring deliveries to Sam’s Club in the US twice and have stopped deliveries of Mark’s Choice loppers & shears until we receive plastic parts from Onward.  I hope to receive letter of direction clearly confirming financing from Maple Trade next week … to stop any further delays.

The launch of Trail Blazer’s Reverse-D Handle Snow Shovels continued this week as I re-stocked Payzant Home Hardware, located in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia and delivered for the first time to Enfield Home Hardware, located in … well … Enfield, Nova Scotia.  These Nova Scotia made snow shovels are now available in over 20 locations in Nova Scotia and we wait for word from Home Hardware’s head office, located in St. Jacob’s, Ontario.  They are reviewing the shovels now and will decide shortly if they will be available in all their stores across Canada next winter.

We offer extension poles through all Home Hardware stores across Canada, under their Professional brand.  I now look forward to re-launching Trail Blazer’s Xtend-A™ Poles … now available with two different tip options and designed to meet the needs of anybody that has an out of reach job to do.

The once standard universal thread was varying drastically and many accessories would not work with certain extension handles.  A lot of R&D went into our Cast Zinc Tip to ensure that it has a thread pattern that will work with ALL accessories.  When tested on close to 50 accessories we had a 100% pass rate.  We know the strength of our Super Tough Nylon model … we also know some people prefer a metal tip.  That’s why we offer the new Cast Zinc model. 

After recommendations from Home Hardware stores, the Super Tough Nylon Tip was designed for our extension pole.  They work with all threaded accessories, as well as friction fit window squeegees.  Over a year and a half went into developing this tip … with a lot of emphasis on material selection.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

A Look back, January 29th 2011

One Year Ago, We were visited by Steve Hipson, co-host of the Hard Core Hunter who planned to offer our products on their website with “Hard Core Hunter” on them.

Today, I visited their website & discovered the gear store is still under construction.  I understand delays … & look forward to supplying Hard Core Hunter when they’re ready.

[http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/2327-hard-core-hunters-choose-trail-blazer]

While I visited Liverpool Home Hardware, I was very excited to learn that the Region of Queens Municipality purchased our Reverse-D Handle Snow Shovels.  Located in southwestern Nova Scotia and formed through an amalgamation of Liverpool and the County of Queens.  Queens County was founded by New England settlers and maintained strong ties with the American colonies until the American Revolution.  Queens County contains substantial portions of Kejimkujik National Park north of Caledonia and the Seaside Adjunct near Port Joli and Port Mouton.

Liverpool has the largest population in Queens County and a lively business community, whose largest employer is the Bowater Mersey Paper Company.  Large business franchises provide modern convenience, while the community’s quaint small shops still thrive in the original business district on Main Street, where Home Hardware is located.

Rafuse Home Hardware in this photo with Acadia

My excitement continued when I visited Rafuse Home Hardware.  I discovered Acadia University purchased some of our Reverse-D Handle Snow Shovels.  Acadia University is located in the town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where Rafuse is located.  Acadia received several A-level grades in the Globe and Mail and they emphasize a personalized education with an average class of 26 students, helping to maintain an intimate learning environment.

I was very proud this week, when Gow’s Home Hardware, in Bridgewater Nova Scotia, decided to start offering Trail Blazer’s Reverse-D Handle Snow Shovels & Pushers.  This will now make these Nova Scotia made snow shovels available in over twenty Home Hardware stores and Co-op Country stores in Atlantic Canada.

I visited Gow’s Home Hardware in Bridgewater Nova Scotia and I would like to thank them for choosing Trail Blazer’s Reverse-D Handle Snow Shovels & Pushers for their end-isle display (shown in photo).  I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to Amanda Fancy for becoming the new owner of Gow’s Home Hardware this month.  Previous owner Peter Gow said he’s confident the company’s values and philosophy will continue with Ms. Fancy’s ownership.  The business, which will keep the Gow’s name, is located at the Eastside Plaza, 450 LaHave Street, Bridgewater Nova Scotia.  Robert Dawson founded the business in 1848 and sold the hardware store to Walter Gow.  Peter Gow became the third-generation owner of Gow’s Home Hardware and the store is considered to be the oldest established business in Bridgewater.

Back at the office, I met with BDC consultants, who’ll provide work place training to improve profitability in February.  As I purchased Robert’s lunch … his Senators defeated my Leafs Tuesday,  we were joined by Andrew Hardman to discuss starting phase 2 of lean training with focus on inventory management.

Back at home, I was very proud of my son when I attended and watched his performance at Prince Andrew High School with my wife Dawna and daughters Natalie & Victoria.  Travis participated in a play “part of his drama class” about abusive relationships with a question period afterwards to create discussion on this important subject.  In the play a father was pushing his beliefs onto his son, a boy was pushing the thought of sex onto his girlfriend, a girl was angry with her boyfriend “my son” because of a lack of trust and a girl’s parents couldn’t accept that their daughter loved another girl.  They also performed the same play for grade 9 students at three different junior high schools in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.  My son also joined the cast while answering their questions to create discussion and let the students know that there is always someone you can talk to … A very important message.

I had a scary moment earlier this week during my weekly nature walk with Victoria & Rollie.  A very important part of our family cut his foot and required 9 staples & a pressure bandage to put it back together.  I feel very bad that this happened and we’re hoping for a speedy recovery for our special dog & important family member … Rollie.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

A Look back, January 23rd 2011

One Year Ago, I participated in Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s advisory session as an advisor and a family business panel during a half-day finance seminar.   I enjoyed lunch at the Nova Scotia Yacht squadron as a guest of the Halifax Executives Association.

Today, I seek out new knowledge from consultants to better my capabilities as a business owner; there is always room for improvement.  I enjoyed lunch provided by Acadian Seaplants who hosted our board meeting for the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.

[http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/2146-a-week-of-meetings-learning-sharing/]

Co-op Country Stores are located throughout Atlantic Canada and the Magdalen Islands.  Co-op Country Stores carry a complete line of feed products, crop inputs, farm inputs and animal health supplies to meet the needs of farms of all sizes.  As well, they supply Atlantic Canadian farmers, plus both urban and rural consumers with a selection of hardware, pet food and Trail Blazer products, such as our award winning Jumbo Anvil Lopper & Jumbo Geared Tree Pruner.

When I’m out of the office, I like to take advantage of the opportunity by visiting my valued Home Hardware dealers. Each visit I learn more from them about how to improve Trail Blazer products and our customer service. This allows me to focus on our continuous improvement & growth.

There’s one thing I like more than talking to dealers … That’s selling product!!! I’m excited to see re-orders for our Reverse D-handle Snow Shovels from all across Atlantic Canada. This week was no exception as I re-stocked the assortment at Payzant Home Hardware in Lower Sackville, NS. While I wait for response to samples we sent Home Hardware’s head office last week. The samples are for consideration for their warehouse. This could make our shovels available in Home Hardware stores across Canada.

This winter, the Nova Scotia made shovels are receiving media attention from as far away as Norway, last week with CTV’s Alyse Hand interview. Check it out at CTV’s Live at Five on Facebook. This week the coverage continued with a photo on the front page of Halifax’s Weekly News.

Halifax’s Weekly News [http://www.halifaxnewsnet.ca/Business/2012-01-10/article-2859408/Company-turns-snow-shovelling-90-degrees/1#.Twxcoz-ukds.facebook]

CTV’s Live at Five [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=319886814711094]

Back at the office, I continue to work with Maple Trade to finance this springs deliveries and I was relieved to sign the formal approvals and security documentation this week. I look forward to cleaning up payables in the next couple of months. We talked this week, among ourselves, with a much needed focus on continuous improvement. Discussing the importance for more awareness to how our actions affect profitability. While I patiently wait to hear back from BDC consultants, who will provide work place training to improve our profitability …, I hope to hear from them next week.

Back at home, we really didn’t do anything exciting, so I sat down with my family and told them we should do more new activities, because … Life is short! Natalie “my quick come-back daughter” corrects me … “Not really dad, Life is the longest thing you’ll ever do!”

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

A Look back, January 16th 2011

One Year Ago, I visited shows in Toronto, Ontario, including our first national distributor show for industrial products. Plus I joined the wonderful people at DHL who invited me to their sky-box to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs in action.

Today, were not participating in as many trade shows, but Trail Blazer products are still available (with 12 new products) through our national distributor of industrial products … Acklands Grainger. Plus I continue to watch the Leafs on TV.

 (http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/1956-spent-the-week-in-toronto-ontario/)

The Lefebvre family has been in business and located in downtown North Bay, Ontario for almost 100 years.  Lefebvre’s Source for Adventure has also been a much appreciated and long time dealer of Trail Blazer Products.  I would like to offer my deepest regrets to Jerry Lefebvre, and the entire Lefebvre family, for their unexpected loss.  I would also like to offer my best wishes, while they face the many challenges ahead.  Challenges like their experiencing right now, with the unhappy task of dealing with building and insurance ramifications. A necessity to determine how they will re-build their business.  I was pleased to hear that Jerry was quoted saying “We have great options, at this point we feel we are adequately protected with insurance but what insurance is all about its paperwork and suits so we’re in that process right now.”

This week we were interviewed by 3 newspapers & 1 television channel about our new Reverse-D handle Snow Shovels, made in Nova Scotia.  I was contacted by a new store in Sussex, NB and plan to visit them next week.  We met with BDC consultants to discuss improving our profitability.

An important step occurred this week, for the success of our Reverse-D handle Snow Shovels.  I sent samples to Home Hardware’s head office for them to review & consider for their warehouse.  This could make our shovels available in all Home Hardware stores across Canada next winter.  This winter, the Nova Scotia made shovels are receiving media attention from as far away as Norway.  Yesterday CTV’s Alyse Hand checks out a cool twist on a hot commodity made right here in the Maritimes.  Check it out at CTV’s Live at Five on Facebook

[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=319886814711094]

I would like to comment on Shelley Glover’s interview with Alyse Hand on CTV yesterday.  She did a great job!! Shelly and John Glover are the owners of Redmond’s Home Hardware in Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia. I am very proud to have our Reverse-D snow shovels available in their store.

Natalie “my daughter” joined me during bring your child to work day last November.  That’s when we set up Trail Blazer’s new Reverse-D handle Snow Shovels, made in Nova Scotia, in Redmond’s Home Hardware at the Crossroads in Upper Tantallon.  They’ve already sold out of Trail Blazer’s Reverse-D handle snow shovels twice with only 2 snow falls and in only 2 months.  I am very proud of both Natalie and our Nova Scotia made shovels.  Wayne Redmond, a well known local plumber for many years, opened the original hardware store at this location in 1980 and later added a separate Benjamin Moore paint store located in the same plaza.  Wayne sold both stores to local resident John Glover in 2000. Three years later John and Shelley “Wayne’s daughter” were married. They own and operate the store together under the Home Hardware banner.

Back at the office, I continue to work with Maple Trade & BDC to finance this springs deliveries.  We are still focused on continuous improvement, with more awareness to how our actions affect profitability.  I look forward to BDC consultants coming in and providing work place training to improve our profitability.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

A Look back, January 8th 2011

One Year Ago, Trail Blazer Opens their first evening shift thanks to our valued partners, suppliers & customers like Manufactum, Home Hardware, Lee Valley, Sam’s Club, True Value & Garrett Wade plus over 20,000 independent dealers across North America & Europe. 

Today, We are again 1 week into January & heading into the heart of winter with spring on our minds as we experience delays in producing our telescoping loppers because of delays from our suppliers. deliveries that are suppose to begin as early as next week are being delayed till the first of February.

(http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/1806-trail-blazer-opens-an-evening-shift-1st-time/)

For anyone who doesn’t know, I am the President of Trail Blazer Products Limited, this Nova Scotia manufacturer was started 16 years ago when I was building the Take-Down Buck Saw (developed by my dad, Curtis Levangie) in my Halifax apartment.  Today, Trail Blazer products are sold by over 20,000 retailers in over 40 countries.  A growth I’m very proud of.  Last year was a struggle – with the changes in the Canadian dollar, changes in US legislation’s & increases in China’s distribution – and we had to take a closer look at our productivity.  This year, Trail Blazer will be more focused on there budgeting procedures to ensure the dollars we spend provide the greatest growth with the lowest investment.

Trail Blazer must be more innovative in our operations.  Sometimes innovation simply involves looking at things from a different angle—maybe even a 90-degree angle. When we heard that Midwestern farmers were getting sore wrists from shovelling all day, we took the popular grain shovel back to the drawing board.

Slightest change produces greater results at lower cost.  Like our Reverse-D Handle Shovel, this involved turning the shovel handle sideways, so that it’s perpendicular to the shovel face. The configuration provides a natural, comfortable grip and extra leverage when lifting, while leaving the wrist & elbow aligned, reducing fatigue.

Trail Blazer must do more with what we have.  Eureka!! We had another thought.  When lawn & garden products are removed from our store shelves, snow shovels went up, and we need to be a part of this action to both increase sales and level off our annual cash flow. 

Slightest change produces new results at lower investment. That’s why the next step was a natural one for this Canadian company:  If the mid-west farmers can shovel grain more easily—why not snow?  And so Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-handle Snow Shovels & Pushers / Made in Nova Scotia are born.

The official launch of Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-handle Snow Shovels was intended for next year, but word of the new snow shovel is spreading fast. We already have re-orders coming in from across Canada — and the products are receiving media attention from as far away as Norway.  Our shovels are distributed in Norway through S-Ski & Sport, in Canada through G. Hjukstrom Limited. and  in the maritime’s through participating Co-op Country Stores and Home Hardware dealers.   My goal for 2012 is to have them available through all Home Hardware dealers across Canada … You can help!!  Ask your local Home Hardware retailer to carry Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-handle Snow Shovels & Pushers / Made in Nova Scotia.

Ask for Trail Blazer’s New Xtend-A-Pole in 2012, this pole will take the present pin locking extension pole with unconditional life-time warranty and add a new cast zinc tip with thread pattern that works on all accessories.  When tested on over 50 accessories … we had a 100% pass rate.

Happy New Year, Shawn Levangie

Akayla, Travis & Victoria

Having Christmas Eve on a Saturday this year was absolutely great!!! Having the full day off worked allowed us to head to Ostrea Lake and pick up Akayla.  I’m very happy, she was able to spend some time with us and enjoy one of our family traditions.  On our way back to the house we made a detour and headed to the woods equipped with Trail Blazer Products so we were ready to cut down a Christmas tree for our Christmas Eve tradition. Travis, Natalie & Victoria have had their own tree every year to decorate together while Mom, Dad, Dawna & I watch on and I was very please to see after 16 years … they still pull it off without hurting each other.

After we got the tree, the Levangie’s enjoyed Christmas Eve at my place. We watched Travis and Akayla for the second Christmas exchanging their gifts before she was off to her grand parents for the evening.  Travis was a lucky boy when he received a nice pair of Nike sneakers & he was very nervous as he gave her a silver bracelet with little crystal hearts.  We were joined by my Mom & Dad for this memorable gift exchange and enjoyed an entertaining dinner of Lasagna, Caesar salad and Garlic bread.  The food was good & the wine was fine!!

Rollie & Natalie

Christmas morning & I’d like to thank Dawna for the GPS & my parents “Curtis & Joan” for the blue tooth headset.  I’m now equipped to hit the road and visit  many stores in 2012.  I would like to thank Travis for the comfortable robe & slippers, the perfect outfit for my Saturday morning blogging.  My princess “Natalie” gave me the best cell phone holder for my office and last but not least my youngest, my angel “Victoria” gave my the Will Smith movie “I Am Legend” which we all watched together before going to bed. Rollie provided us the gift of family … If your family lacks a pet, I recommend you get one. I can’t picture mine without Rollie.

My family enjoyed opening gifts to each other at home and then headed to my parents to continue where my son received a Bracsa Vll Max … A special kayak paddle designed for sprint racing, like you see in the Olympics.  He’s a lucky boy.  After the gift opening we enjoyed an exceptional turkey dinner prepared by my mom.  The beer & wine was also fine!!

I’m now enjoying valuable family time, before we’re all back to work.  As I sit back and watch my family, I can clearly see that the greatest Christmas gift I’ve received is being together.  Merry Christmas to all … continue to appreciate that special someone and continue loving each other!!

Merry Christmas, Shawn Levangie

I met with the Toronto-Dominion Bank twice this week to discuss the lower receivables & excess inventory we presently have from the decrease in consumer spending last spring of 2011.  I also reached out to Maple Trade Finance, to see if they would cover some of the working capital tied up in our inventory, until we begin shipping again in January or February 2012 for next spring.  I am pleased to advise you that Maple Trade Finance has issued Trail Blazer Products Limited a credit proposal in the amount of $1,000,000 for their accounts receivable invoice finance facility.  This facility will be made available to our suppliers for funding their invoices generated from the sale of material we require to supply our Jumbo Ratchet Lopper to Wal-Mart Stores Inc. / Sam’s Club during 2012.  Furthermore they will provide us the ability to provide our key suppliers with an undertaking of their supplier direct payment service that would provide direct payment to suppliers we selected upon the advance of funding generated from our loan advance. They anticipate funding to commence January 17, 2012.  We are pleased to be working with Maple Trade Finance and look forward to a long standing relationship.

As Chairman of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters in Nova Scotia, I had the pleasure of joining Ann Janega, our Vice President with CME Nova Scotia, along with a small group of people from various different associations where we heard Nova Scotia Finance Minister Graham Steele open his presentation by stating;

“ Nova Scotians deserve to know how the government handles their money, and I want to make the province’s budget more accessible and understandable to people. This website brings the provincial budget into people’s homes, classrooms, and workplaces in a way that they have never seen before. It’s challenging, fun and informative. ” Finance Minister Graham Steele

He gave us time to speak about concerns with the tax structure & services being provided.  I’d like to praise the Minister for taking the time to listen & speak with us.  You can show him how you would balance the budget through an interactive website. (www.backtobalance.ca)  This will be the centrepiece of the Back to Balance pre-budget consultation, which runs until the end of February.

I sat down with Lynn Christie & Jim Proudfoot this week, co-owners of Water Drills International Inc. to share ideas about the distribution of the Water Drill, a unique but simple device for unclogging sinks, tubs and toilet drains.  They brought a unique combination of experience and talent to this venture, and together have advanced the Tool and its presentation to the point where it was just launched into the Canadian market through participating Home Hardware Stores across Canada.  To learn more about The Water Drill, an ennvironmentally friendly solution for a common household problem, clogged drains, visit http://www.waterdrills.ca.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

A Look back, December 5th 2010

One Year Ago, Ben Cumming joined operations to make improvements to provide better service for sales reps & customers - with an initial focus on;

1.  Procedures to provide samples, set up show logistics, layouts, specials, etc
2. Procedures to fix current product issues & ensure the highest quality.
3. Bring 2 years of experience to the R&D department & develop products.
4. Make sure customer needs are known in regards to packaging & shipping.

Today, we have improved quality control procedures in place & now provided well designed point of purchase materials & packaging … thanks to Ben Cumming.  (http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/1328-ben-cumming-focuses-on-serving-customer)

The introduction of our Reverse D-handle Snow Shovels, Made in Nova Scotia, continued this week when an assortment was delivered and set-up at Annapolis, Chester & Greenwood Home Hardware.  Our Reverse D-handle Snow Shovels are now available in twelve Home Hardware Stores and seven Co-op Country stores in Atlantic Canada.

Per Inge & Dawna in Norway

I received word from my partner & friend, Per Inge Sagmoen with S-Ski & Sport in Norway this week.  They now have snow in Norway and their Christmas will be white (Merry Christmas Per Inge, to you and all your family).  He also informed me that one of the leading leisure magazines in Norway will be testing snow shovels and our Reverse D-handle Snow Shovels will participate in the test, along with our ice scraper.  S-Ski & Sport shares the interest of outdoor life with many people in Norway, whether it’s sweating up a mountain, fishing along a lake, hiking in the woods, biking or skiing.  They’re not always happy with products available in the market, so they constructed models of their own.  Pants and jackets which match the customer requirements in Norway.  In addition, S-Ski & Sport became an importer and supplier of leisure equipment, tools and clothes, respectively branded as Trail Blazer, Era and Direct-alpine.  Their focus is on quality at all levels and they are a great partner!! Trail Blazer Products are sold through sports shops and outdoor stores all over Norway.  With competitive prices and prompt delivery thanks to Per Inge.

Morgan with our Xtend-A-Saw

We have not received snow for Christmas here in Nova Scotia, like Norway, but the Christmas spirit was flowing in great abundance at Trail Blazer Products Limited, Friday afternoon.  We shut everything down for our Christmas celebration with our team & family members.  It was a real pleasure seeing the young kids playing with the computers & my toy Home Hardware truck.  I would like to thank Joan “my mom” for ordering great food, Dawna “my wife” & Natalie “my daughter” for decorating the office and Dawna again & Morgan “Monica’s daughter” for setting up the food & beverages for the big event.  I now know, Morgan can put cans in coolers very well, Is capable of cutting down a Christmas tree “I was happy to see she used the Xtend-A-Saw”  and she locked the car keys in the vehicle while it was running … Just once, I’m sure she won’t do it again.  As the company continues to find ways to improve & re-structure for growth and to adapt to the changing global business environment, I was pleased to spend the afternoon sitting back & enjoying a cold one while witnessing the Trail Blazer team smiling and enjoying their well deserved afternoon.

Putting the Fun in Finance!!

Five weeks ago, I met with the Toronto-Dominion Bank to discuss the lower receivables & excess inventory we presently have from the decrease in consumer spending last spring of 2011.  I also reached out to Maple Trade Finance … five weeks later, I was happy to finally be able to meet with them earlier this week to see if they would cover some of the working capital tied up in our inventory, until we begin shipping again in January or February 2012 for next spring.  I should hear their proposal next week.  We started to focus on Trail Blazer Products future by preparing an eighteen month projection … five weeks later, the 1^stdraft is completed by my accountant at Grant Thornton and I look forward to reviewing it with them early next week.  This will provide the much needed foundation for our team at Trail Blazer to follow a structured plan that will achieve a profitable growth to begin the next chapter in the story of Trail Blazer Products Limited.  Since 2008, we have experienced many challenges, above I mention decrease in consumer spending -  which we can’t control, but we can control price and fight the change in the Canadian dollar lowering margins.  We must continually look to decrease our operating expenses after experiencing the increases caused by US legislation’s.

Robert Woodman

Back at the office, Robert Woodman “Our Operations Manager” is taking the lead role in our much needed efforts to reduce operating expenses throughout the company.  An exercise I recommend to all Canadian companies.  With a very important goal to better position Trail Blazer Products Limited for any future increases in expenses caused by government legislation’s affecting our business environment and any future decreases in margins caused by the changing Canadian dollar. Keeping in mind it’ll take time to see consumer spending rise back to previous levels.  He’s talking to BDC about recommended consultants who’ll be able to provide continuous improvements through in-house training with a focus on budgeting procedures plus inventory & supplier development.  He’s also talking to CME about training to improve in-house communication, providing better & faster customer service.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

A Look back, December 18th 2010

One Year Ago, Justin Caldwell & I wager on Toronto Maple Leafs versus Montreal Canadians … Today Toronto makes Justin too nervous to continue any wagers.  (http://www.trailblazerproducts.com/1439-revenge-is-sweet-snow-blazer%e2%84%a2-enters-usa/)

One Year Ago, Garrett Wade added our “New” Reverse-D Snow/Grain Shovel to their web site … Today it is still available on their web site with much growing popularity. (http://www.garrettwade.com/search.asp?ss=Trail+Blazer&x=16&y=19).

Húsasmidjan "Who saw smith ian"

This week we received our spring order (for the 5^thyear in a row) from Húsasmidjan… 16 home improvement stores in Iceland, seven of which are associated with garden center Blómaval.  Established in 1956 by Mr Snorri Halldórsson, born 1911 at Magnússkógar in the “Dalir” of Western Iceland…  An active master builder who built many renowned buildings in Reykjavík such as the National theatre and the University cinema. Húsasmidjan has gone through changes since 1956 and is now one of the 30 largest companies in Iceland.   They provide products, materials and expertise to the construction industry and do-it-yourself people (like me) with everything one would need for construction and maintenance of their homes in Iceland.  A beautiful country where I hope to be back to vist soon!

We received Really Big News!!!  Our long time distributors, Liberty Mountain and Peregrine Outfitters have signed an agreement for Liberty Mountain to acquire Peregrine and merge their distribution and fulfillment businesses.  The transaction between these two long-time outdoor distributors is planned for completion in December 2011 (Yes now … I said “really big news” not ”latest news”).  Under the terms of the agreement, Liberty Mountain’s President, Gary Heward and his wife Diana, will be the owners of the newly combined Liberty Mountain/Peregrine Outfitters distribution organization and operating under the Liberty Mountain name.  Both organizations offer a wide assortment of products, and the newly merged group plans to … not only support the different product lines currently represented, but expand on them.

Outdoor Retailer Winter market

Liberty Mountain will continue to sell Trail Blazer Products and all the other exclusive brands that each of the organizations currently distributes; nearly 800 brands and 15,000 non-exclusive items through warehouses in both Salt Lake City, Utah & Montoursville, Pennsylvania.  These items/brands, including Trail Blazer products, will be featured in the currently-in-production 2012 Liberty Mountain “Everything for the Outdoors” catalog, that is widely used by outdoor retailers and shops throughout the United States.  The newly merged Liberty Mountain and Peregrine Outfitters plan to exhibit at the upcoming Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City January 19-22. Everyone is invited to visit the booth to find out more about the exciting plans for the future and Trail Blazer Products (Booth # 13013).

Back at the office, Ben Cumming continues to work very hard on Trail Blazer’s new and much anticipated 2012 catalogue. Not just a product catalogue, a book telling the story of a father and son, the story of Nova ScotiaCompany, the story of Trail Blazer Products Limited.  Every so often Ben sends a page to show where he is at and with every update I receive, my excitement grows to hand out what I believe will be a catalogue that best represents Trail Blazer Products Limited since the company began 16 years ago with one product, The Take Down Buck Saw.

Back home with the Levangie family, I enjoyed seeing & listening to my daughters performing in their school band’s Christmas concert (Natalie on the flute & Victoria on the Sax). Plus I reviewed their reports cards (Natalie with straight A’s & Victoria has nothing below a B).  I’m proud of my girls, Natalie & Victoria, and love them very much.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

Our focus on continuous improvement continued this week when I joined Robert Woodman (Operations Manager, Trail Blazer Products Limited) at the Nova Scotia Productivity Conference 2011.  The conference took place at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  This was a facilitated open discussion session with the main focus on enhancing government activities and investment in Nova Scotia.  The main reason I decided to attend the sessions, was a panel discussion focused on Productivity Challenges and Opportunities.  The Panel included fellow CME board members Chuck Cartmill (President, LED Roadway Lighting Ltd.) and Derek W. Kinsman (Vice President, Chief Operations Officer, Composites Atlantic).  The panel also included a successful representative of rural Nova Scotia from Locke port with Cyril Meagher (President, Allendale Electronics Ltd).  Finally Scott Travers (President, Minas Basin Pulp and Paper Company) where Robert used to work, I’m happy he’s with Trail Blazer now.

Our expansion with Co-op Atlantic Country stores, the largest co-operative in Atlantic Canada, continued this week with assortments being delivered and set-up in three new locations.  Trail Blazer Product assortments are now available in nine Co-op Country stores (farm stores with a whole lot more) located in Amherst, Antigonish, Bridgewater, Coldbrook, Middleton, Sydney, Truro and Upper Stewiacke Nova Scotia.  The ninth store expanded Trail Blazer into New Brunswick with Co-op Home & Farm Supply in Fredericton.

The introduction of our Reverse D-handle Snow Shovels, Made in Nova Scotia, continued this week with assortments delivered and set-up in three new locations.  Trail Blazer Reverse D-handle Snow Shovels are now available at the following participating Home Hardware Stores in Berwick, Canning, Head of Jeddore, Liverpool, Stewiacke, Upper Tantallon, Wolfville, Yarmouth and seven Co-op Country stores (farm stores with a whole lot more) located in Amherst, Bridgewater, Coldbrook, Fredericton, Middleton, Sydney and Upper Stewiacke.

I joined Ann Janega (VP, NS Division, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters)  as Chairman of CME NS to express our concerns for the First-Contract Arbitration to the amendments committee, the same committee who heard from Dana LeBlanc (President, Michelin North America).  As a member of the business community I’m concerned first contract arbitration threatens jobs in the province, including thousands at the Michelin plant, which employs many members of my wife’s family along with 3,400 other Nova Scotians.  Michelin is threatening to leave if this kind of legislation if adopted.  The French-owned company has plants in Granton, Bridgewater & Waterville where several attempts to unionize failed.

Back Home with the Levangie family, I was very pleased to hear my oldest daughter & princess, Natalie, was chosen by her school principal & teachers as their “Top Tiger”.  She achieved the “Top Tiger Title” for her positive behavior & continuous contributions to the school and in their classrooms.  I am very proud of Natalie … but I am certainly not surprised, Natalie provides an outstanding positive contribution to our home and family with her contagious sense of humor on a daily bases.

 All the Best, Shawn Levangie

Our expansion efforts with Co-op Atlantic, the largest co-operative in Atlantic Canada, continued this week with assortments being delivered and set-up in two new locations.  Trail Blazer Product assortments are now available in five Co-op Country stores (farm stores with a whole lot more) located in Amherst, Antigonish, Bridgewater and Middleton Nova Scotia.  The fifth store expanded Trail Blazer into New Brunswick this week with the set-up at Co-op Home & Farm Supply in Fredericton.

Our sales rep Steve & Tanjia Atkinson, with our service providers Tom Weber & Dale Jones (ADD Associates Inc.) in Paola, Kansas service our independent retailers in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. Steve continued our growth this week when our assortment was shipped to Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply in Emporia, Kansas.  I would like to thank Steve and Tanjia Atkinson for their hard work and contribution to the growth of Trail Blazer Products Limited.

Bluestem Farm & Ranch Supply was first founded by Lee and Marjorie Nelson and has continued to serve the Emporia, Kansas, and surrounding area since 1961.  What began in a modest 2,000 square foot building in downtown Emporia headed west and expanded into a 60,000 square foot establishment at its current location on Highway 50.  The store has been at its present location since 1968 and continues to be a great example of another successful family owned and operated retail business. The sales floor is home to a wide variety of products, which includes just about anything you may need for your farm and home.

Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply is a member of Wheatbelt Inc.  Wheatbelt is a distributor specializing in the Retail Farm and Home market.  Their programs are geared to the independent retailer who have a special niche within the agriculture / harvesting tools, in addition to those departments which make up a complete retail source for hardware, automotive, clothing and do-it-yourself supplies.  Steve and Tanjia will continue to visit more members like Bluestem to offer Trail Blazer Product Assortments & attend the Wheatbelt trade show in 2012 to offer our drop ship assortment to their over 300 retailers in over 30 states in the US.

Back in Nova Scotia, I will continue to offer Trail Blazer Products for trail maintenance to outdoor retailers like The Trail Shop & The Adventure Outfitters in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  With increase changes in environmental influences, more & more outdoor enthusiast will continue to require, not only saws knives & hatchets, but loppers, shears & pruners to maintain their trails.  This is why I encourage all outdoor retailers to be ahead of the trends and increase the space you have allotted for tools and not only display the traditional saws knives & hatchets but offer loppers, shears & pruners to maximize trail blazing efforts.

Back at the office, improvements continue as Robert Woodman & Andrew Hardman get the entire team to focus on reducing waste.  This will allow us to increase storage space, production capacity and experience a more productive working environment … while increasing the entire teams pride for Trail Blazer Products Limited.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

16 years ago, I was building our Take-Down Buck saw in my apartment on Robie Street in Halifax Nova Scotia. Today, Trail Blazer products are sold by 20,000 retailers in 43 countries, including Home Hardware, Lee Valley Tools and Amazon.com. Now we’re adding snow-removal products! We noticed that when Home Hardware stores take down their pruning equipment from the displays, snow shovels went up, and we wanted a part of that. The new product frontier is promising, and I’m pleased to add a product line that will help to even out sales throughout the year. Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovels are distributed nationwide through G. Hjukstrom Limited and participating Home Hardware dealers. Still, I’m concerned & fighting some current realities. With a high Canadian dollar, looming US protectionism, and fierce competition from China, the challenges aren’t over for a business that sells 73% of its products outside of Canada.

G. Hjukstrom Limited is located in Surrey, British Columbia with warehouses across Canada. Offering automotive, industrial, hardware, security & sporting good products to dealers across Canada. You can contact them by phone (604-882-8211) Fax (604-882-9229), Toll Free Fax (1-877-883-8833) or e-mail info@hjukstrom.com . You can also visit their website http://hjukstrom.com

When I visited Home Hardware Stores to introduce our Reverse D-handle Snow Shovels, not only did they show interest in our shovels, they showed interest in our full pruning assortment. Part of Trail Blazer’s pruning line is branded as Mark’s Choice exclusively to Home Hardware, so for the first time this week we set up our complete 4 foot assortment, combining both the Trail Blazer & Mark’s Choice brand pruning gear at Rafuse Home Hardware located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. This assortment includes signage telling the story of Trail Blazer Products Limited “A Nova Scotia Owned & Operated Company” and their relationship with Mark’s Choice Limited ”Mark Cullen … Canada’s gardening expert!”.

The expansion of Trail Blazer products throughout Co-op Atlantic stores continued this week. With our first display at Scotian Gold in Coldbrook and after our presentation at Co-op Atlantic in Moncton last week, we were please to add a display to the Country Stores in Amherst & Middleton Nova Scotia.

Back at the office, I’m pleased to see improvements continue with productivity exceeding 90% efficiency and continued reductions in our expenses. Once again, Kelli Gouchie is on top of this, as she examined our employee benefits and changed our provider. This change will save the company over $7,000 a year. Now our entire team will increase their focus on improving inventory management to reduce expenses caused by back orders.

It is an absolutely great feeling for me to see the excitement for improving productivity & efficiency spreading among the entire staff at Trail Blazer.  I would like to thank everyone at Trail Blazer Products Limited for all their hard work & appreciated dedication towards our promising future and growth.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie