Our year end was this week, Tuesday April 30^th, and I took this time to think about our present position and our progress over the last year.  Some of the improvements we achieved were increasing our gross margin by 20% and significantly reducing our operating expenses by 49%.  We achieved the improved margin by changing some of our suppliers and providing in-house lean training to our production staff.  I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and sincere thank you to all our customers and suppliers for their tremendous patience and support.  After a tough 4 years, we reached out to BDC consulting for support and guidance.  We have been working very hard for the past 16 months and we are slowly, but successfully turning the company around.

Overall, I am pleased with the year end results and our successes, but not without struggles from an unexpected and unavoidable 37% reduction in sales.  Our suppliers were having delivery issues and in some cases going out of business.  The significant back orders and cancelled orders occurred while we were setting up our needed new suppliers.

I am very pleased to report that the new suppliers completed their set-up and production has re-started on Monday April 29^th.  Again, I would like to thank our customers for their patience and sales will once again provide results with improved margins and a lower operating expenses still in place.  I’m proud of the progress we have made over the past year and the positive nature from both our customers and suppliers relationship experienced to date.  I am excited to continue to work together with them and pleased that our cash flows are anticipated to turn around.  If it were not for the unexpected supplier issues …  it would have been a perfect year.

We’re feeling the pressure to ship back orders quickly and improve cash flow.  Causing frustration and resulting in our people not pulling together as a team when they’re needed most.  In worse case scenario, they take their frustrations out on their coworkers.  Step back, celebrate your successes … Then focus on getting our products out the door.

With my head buried in the numbers, I spent no time working with customers.  I’m happy Justin Caldwell is now in business development and is on the ball. He started working with a new dealer on Monday.  Justin made a successful presentation to Sanders Tree Farm Supplies Limited, a private company categorized under Chainsaws, Forestry, Lawn and Garden Equipment; Small Engine Service that’s located in New Ross.  They are interested in offering Trail Blazer’s Telescopic Ratchet Bypass Loppers and Trail Blazer’s Telescopic Geared Hedge Shears in their store while they are presently selling Bacho Loppers for $150.00 … Do I charge enough?

Justin also visited Acadia & Quigley’s, a small vibrant Benjamin Moore dealer located in Halifax for more than 50 years.  The store manager gave Justin a re-order for Trail Blazer’s Xtend-A™ Poles.  The store manager was born in Halifax-Dartmouth and worked for Home Hardware in the early 90′s giving him a solid foundation in paint & decorating.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

I had a great time joining Julia and Leah at Norex, when they officially opened their doors at the big yellow house on Gottingen Street.  That’s where we celebrated their move to the marvelous North End Halifax and they showed off their new digs.  Because this was a Norex party … It was no ordinary house warming.  I had the pleasure of attending my very first “Horse Warming” party!!! And I felt immediately welcomed as Leah offered me a fine Garrison beverage!  As an added bonus, I got to see our friends Laura, Michael & Judy.  Michael is with Awesome Halifax! Norex hosted them during the “Horse Warming” where we enjoyed some really awesome pitches.

Awesome Halifax! Gives away $1,000 a month with a great show and a little hype, which is why the public is invited to attend their live grant events, happening the last Thursday of every month.  The finalists pitch their ideas to trustees (which I’m thinking about becoming one) and that night someone walks away with $1,000 to implement their idea.

Our introduction of Trail Blazer’s new all purpose gloves continue this week.  As we sent Barrett Lumber some pricing, because they are planning to offer our gloves to their guys working in the yard.  Harold Barrett started the successful mill over 80 years ago and the business is now being run today by his three sons, David, Hugh and Keith (who I proudly know).  Glenn’s Ammo is planning to offer our gloves to their hunting dealers because you can still get your fingers in the trigger without taking them off.  Our all purpose gloves are made with full-grain goatskin leather palms, hooded fingertips & spandex back to provide the form-fit requited to fit in critical areas.

I continue to speak to Home Hardware, in St. Jacobs Ontario, about adding Trail Blazer’s Hatchets, Made in New Brunswick, to their three warehouses across Canada.  I gave them some samples during the Market last week.  I would like to offer the sheath separately.  I will prepare a list showing which hatchets it fits on now … I already know it fits on Fiskars.

While I was at work … I received a wonderful call from my youngest daughter.  Victoria was proud and excited to tell me that she received straight A’s on her report card.  My angel, Victoria, started junior high with her grades ranging from mostly A’s, she’s always been smart, some B’s and a C.  Almost two years later, while she is completing grade eight, Victoria’s report card shows everyone … that she has worked tremendously hard to raise her marks and now she celebrates a report card with the great accomplishment of straight A’s!!!  Victoria shows another example of continuous improvement in action … I am very proud of Victoria!!!

Back at the office, our production coordinators join forces to improve communication with our plastic production taking place in Bouctouche NB.  Both Brent and Don traveled to Bouctouche this week because the injection set-up must be completed now … to begin shipping 10,000 of Trail Blazer’s Telescopic Loppers we presently have on back order.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

I attended Home Hardware’s 100th Market in St. Jacobs, Ontario.  The market showcases the company’s extensive selection of products, such as Mark’s Choice Garden Tools, Home Professional Extension Paint Poles and Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-Handle Snow and Grain Shovels.  This celebration of Home’s 100th Market is the result of our shared commitment to put the independent dealers at the forefront of everything we do.  Dealers and vendors from across Canada reap the benefits of being part of the Home team, providing our Nova Scotia made products with competitive pricing & superior customer service that Home is known for.

During the market we offered a hot deal on Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-Handle Snow/Grain Shovel, made in Nova Scotia, to help celebrate the 100th Market.  I discussed our Hatchets, made in NB, with the buyer.  We will continue to discuss the possibility of adding Trail Blazer’s hatchets to their three warehouses across Canada next week.

While I was at the market in St. Jacobs, my son Travis and his friend Jake Ryhno competed in the Metros Cheerleading Championships with their Prince Andrew Panthers.  My son attends grade twelve and is part of the cheerleading team at Prince Andrew High School, located in Dartmouth Nova Scotia.  I first saw Travis cheerleading at the Cheer Expo in Halifax last month.  I was very proud of Travis when I saw their fantastic opening toe touch! So high!  After this week’s Metro championships they are all very excited to advance to the Provincial Championships on April 26th and 27th in Glace Bay, Cape Breton.  I’m even more excited that I’ll be cheering them on!!!

Back at the office, the production of Mark’s Choice loppers is stopped for 3 days while the red components, used in the handles, are replaced by our new injection facility located in Bouctouche New Brunswick.  I would like to thank Don Paquet, one of our production coordinators, for ensuring the quality that Trail Blazer products are very well known for.

On my way back from Home Hardware’s 100th Market (my 30th) in St. Jacobs, Ontario, I stopped in Grand Falls, New Brunswick to check on the progress taking place with repairing my jeep.  Last week I encountered slippery roads on my way to Ontario and ended up sliding off the road and rolling over.  I grabbed a rental to continue to Ontario and nine days later, it is still not quite road ready.  I am sad to say, my jeep will not be coming home with me this time.  As we wait for two back order parts to be delivered, I hope to be heading back to Grand Falls, six hours west from my home in Dartmouth Nova Scotia, to pick it up the first of May and bring her home.

I was back in the office Friday, when I saw Betty Millard, our shipping coordinator, successfully moved her office & shipping department to improve productivity and maximize warehouse space.  I will be announcing more moves during our weekly meeting this Monday to improve inventory control and maximize our continuous improvement.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

I hit the road Tuesday morning with a goal to visit as many stores in Quebec and Ontario as I could before setting up the Home Hardware booth on Friday.  I started driving through New Brunswick and did not make it very far.  I was approaching Perth-Andover for lunch when I encountered slippery roads.  I ended up sliding off the road and rolling over.  Only slightly cut & bruised thanks to a great roll bar, I was able to put the jeep on 4 wheels and drive it back onto the highway.  I have no idea how I drove it back onto the highway because I discovered my two front tires were facing each other.  I was not going anywhere … time to fine a tow!!!

Only three hours later and I was happy to see my jeep being hoisted up.  By this time I am discovering new pains and the wet snow was doing its toll.  I must say that I love my cell phone!!!  Talking to my dad for moral support and oh yah!! … Calling the tow truck!

I climbed up into the warm tow truck and felt much better during the 60 kilometer drive to Grand Falls New Brunswick, where I would fine an auto body shop, a car rental and a comfortable hotel room.  After Six hours since I had the accident, I am staying in Grand Falls for the night and thanking “Skype” for connecting me to Dawna.  The next morning, a half a day behind schedule, I am back on the road while my jeep stayed in Grand Falls for much needed repairs with a phone call to the insurance company.  I drove straight through Quebec that day.  My new goal was to reach St. Jacobs in time to set up for the Home Hardware Market on Friday & relax before the show starts.

I only encountered one more snow fall during my travels and an ice storm when I reached my destination.  Pulling over for lunch, this time, when the snow started. With the crash still in my mind, I wasn’t going for a repeat performance … Letting the storm pass first!

I’m in St. Jacobs and while setting up I had the opportunity to discuss our Xtreme™ Hatchets, made in New Brunswick, with the buyer.  We’ll continue discussions on Sunday.  Another item made in NB is our Xtend-A™ Garden Tools.  I was proud to see the Mark’s Choice Xtend-A™ Garden Tools, made by Trail Blazer, featured on the header of the Mark’s Choice booth.  These tools can be attached to any threaded pole to give your back a break, or to get into that hard to reach place.

While I’m on the road … my boy Travis competed in a Cheer Leading.  My youngest daughter Victoria competed in a Field Hockey and my princess, Natalie; built the greatest art project … they are all so talented.  I love visiting customers … but I miss my family.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

A Word From Justin…

This week I delivered a re-order to the manager of the Dulux Paint store in Dartmouth who carries a full display of our Made in Nova Scotia Poles.  After delivering the order I decided to go visit all of the other Dulux Paint store in the Halifax area on Friday. I am enjoying getting on the road and visiting our valued local customers and excited to expand my territory

By Justin Caldwell

We received more requests for Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Hatchets made in Bouctouche New Brunswick.  Our hatchets are built with a high carbon stainless steel blade that has excellent edge retention and very reliable, reinforced Non-Break Polypropylene handle to ensure strength.  The 13” Ergo Hatchet model’s handle is ergonomically contoured to provide a natural feeling grip and the 8” Mini Hatchet model has a notch behind the blade to provide control when working in tight places.  Both hatchets are provided with a belt sheath, a no question lifetime warranty and are available in black, blue, green, orange, pink, red or yellow handles.

We received a pricing request for Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Hatchets from Wilson’s Home Hardware located in Barrington Passage Nova Scotia; The A.G. Outdoor Super Store located in Kelowna British Columbia and Liberty Mountain … the largest wholesale distributors of technical outdoor products in the United States, located in Sandy Utah.

We also received a pricing request for Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Hatchets from Dulux Paints located on Akerley Blvd. in Dartmouth Nova Scotia … when they placed a purchase order for Trail Blazer’s Xtend-A™ Poles … Made in Dartmouth.

Trail Blazer’s extension poles  - available in five different length configurations & designed to meet the needs of any out of reach job to do.  They are constructed from materials, designed to keep the overall weight down while maintaining strength that will never fail.  The outer tube is compromised of rigid fiberglass while the inner tube is a unique oval shaped aluminum that offers rigidity.

There are two unique key features with Trail Blazer’s Xtend-A™ Poles … The large easy to operate pin locking button is produced with extremely durable glass filled nylon to offer a lifetime of issue free operation.  Plus anybody in the extension pole and threaded accessory industry knows the challenge that was presented over the past few years.

The once standard universal thread was varying drastically and many accessories offered would not work with certain extension handles and vise versa.  Trail Blazer put a lot of research and development into there Cast Zinc Threaded Tips to ensure that it has a thread pattern that will work with ALL accessories offered.  When tested on over 50 different accessories offered, we had a 100% pass rate.  We tested a range of accessories for cleaning, changing globes, angle adapters, locking cones, end tips, brushes, dusters, bulb changers, clamps, and for solar panel cleaning, painting, window washing, dusting, bulb changing & even sign letter changing.

Back to Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Ergo and Mini Hatchets … Glenn’s Ammo & Outdoor Gear Inc., our wholesale distributors of outdoor products in Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, asked us to let them know if Trail Blazer starts to make our hatchets with a camouflage handle … I’m excited to say, they’re Coming Soon!!!

Next week I will be heading to Ontario for Home Hardware’s Spring Market in St. Jacobs.  It has been a while since Home Hardware looked at Trail Blazer for their outdoor category. We presently manufactures the Home professional extension poles for their paint department & in the seasonal department Trail Blazer manufactures some of the Mark’s Choice garden tools and Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovels.  I am hoping that Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Ergo and Mini Hatchets made in Bouctouche New Brunswick Canada will open the possibility of Trail Blazer products being offered in Home Hardware’s outdoor product category.

Before I leave for Ontario, I will prepare as much information as I can to offer Trail Blazer’s new Xtreme™ Ergo and Mini Hatchets made in Bouctouche New Brunswick on the web sites of our many on-line dealers like Amazon.com, builderdepot.com and Lowes.ca.  I will also prepare information on Trail Blazer’s new All Purpose Gloves.

Yes Gloves!!! We started offering Trail Blazer’s new All Purpose Gloves; Made for Trail Blazer with a full-grain goatskin leather palm to offer durability & comfort, plus a spandex back that is flexible to provide form-fitting memory.  They are equipped with hooded fingertips & thumbs for reinforcement in critical areas and the air flow mesh is offering maximum ventilation for superior comfort.  Most important is the snug-fitting wrist with Velcro closure to keep out the dirt & debris to protect your hands.  We already received a pricing request from S-Ski & Sport … Trail Blazer’s valued wholesale distributor of technical outdoor products in Norway.

Back at the office, I was very pleased to see Christie Lamothe take a leadership role with the Trail Blazer team and help Betty Millard to continue moving the shipping department to improve productivity and Brent Jensen and Don Paquet with restructuring to maximize the efficiency of our warehouse space … Christie is making a great addition to our team.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

I spent my time working with other companies and associations.  I started the week by spending some more time assisting my dad with a business plan for Able Electric Ltd.  After two fun filled days of thumbing through financial data, I participated in CME’s manufacturer’s executive council to discuss sustainability.  The final day of our four day work week, was spent meeting with BDC consulting to discuss inventory management and ways to improve cash flow.  Then Thursday evening I attending an entrepreneur’s forum, where we enjoyed a very tasty dinner and participated in an informative discussion about sales and branding importance.

Justin Caldwell continues to expand his experience in customer service by visiting our local dealers.  Justin now spends 100% of his time (or should be) talking to Trail Blazer’s customers to learn different and better ways to handle their needs.  He is spending time visiting some local customers and time phoning other dealers to extend his service.

Justin visited Tom Kennie with Fraser’s Pro Home Centre in Berwick Nova Scotia this week.  He presented Trail Blazer’s new Xtreme™ Ergo & Mini Hatchets made in New Brunswick & our Nova Scotia made Telescopic 5-Pulley Tree Pruner (our top selling pole pruner).  While he was there, Tom placed an order for an assortment of Trail Blazer’s Telescopic Ratchet Loppers and told Justin about their newest store, located in Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia.  Fraser’s Pro Home Centre now has five stores located in Berwick, Kentville, Kingston, Bridgetown and Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia to serve you in our beautiful Annapolis Valley region located in the western part of the NS peninsula.

Justin has started preparing for a new sales position by learning about new potential Trail Blazer dealers.  Now that he’s full time customer service (or should be) … he is going to make the next evolution towards a sales position.  If he works with new customers the same way he cares about present customers … he will do great with the new endeavor.

Justin was talking to our distributor, Glenn’s Ammo & Outdoor Gear lovated in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia.  When talking to Glenn, he learned about Raven’s Archery … owned and operated by George & JoAnne Spencer in Steam Mill Nova Scotia.  Raven’s Archery is a full service Archery Pro-Shop that offers a full range of Archery, Bow-Hunting and Target Supplies.  Trail Blazer’s original Take-Down™ Buck Saw and camouflage Xtend-A™ Saw are both very popular with bow-hunters.  They also offer bow and arrow repairs and if their not repairable you can purchase a new bow and all the accessories you require with free set up and two free shooting lessons.

Back at the office, Christie Lamothe gets settled into the Trail Blazer team while Betty Millard begins to move the shipping department to improve productivity.  Brent Jensen and Don Paquet begin restructuring to maximize the efficiency of our warehouse space.  Next week … I’ll  join Monica Furlotte for lunch to discuss our next steps for growth.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

A Word From Justin…

This week I had a meeting in the Annapolis Valley where I grew up with Tom Kennie of Fraser’s Pro Home Centre in Berwick which went really well.  Tom placed his Spring Order and asked me to visit the other 4 Fraser’s that day in Annapolis Royal, Bridgetown Kingston and Kenville.  The Annapolis Royal location is the newest store which is featured in the picture and I look forward to helping them grow as well as the other locations have.

By Justin Caldwell

Prior to going on vacation last week, I started telling our stores (not all yet … still working on it) about Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Hatchets.  We recently started making these hatchets in New Brunswick with a high carbon stainless steel blade to provide excellent edge retention and a reinforced Non-Break Polypropylene handle to ensure strength.  The handle is now available in multiple colors.  The 13” handle is ergonomically contoured to provide you with a natural feeling grip.  The 8” handle has notch behind the blade to provide total control when working in tight places.  Both sizes of Trail Blazer hatchets come complete with a belt sheath & a no question lifetime warranty.

When I returned on Monday, I discovered that we already received purchase orders from The Outfitters Adventure Gear & Apparel in St. John’s Newfoundland Canada & Sheepleg in Elizabethtown Kentucky United States.  The New Brunswick made hatchets are now available at http://www.builderdepot.com … an on-line retailer based in California USA.

The Outfitters Adventure Gear extends beyond gear. They offer a full range of kayak & backpacking equipment rentals, instructional courses, sea kayaking tours, maps & trail guide info, plus they can help plan your next trip.  They have grown to become a leader in Newfoundland and Labrador, supplying specialty clothing and equipment for self propelled outdoor adventures. With Newfoundland being such a diverse mecca for outdoor adventures, owners Jonathan Earle and Robert Seymour identified a dire need for a local outdoor adventure shop specializing in hiking, light-weight camping, paddling, climbing, travel and winter adventure sports.

The Outfitters Adventure Gear & Apparel has more gear and gadgets within its four walls than St. John’s Newfoundland has hills.  In case you didn’t know … St. John’s has a lot of hills.  Whether outfitting for the local pub-crawl or a trek along the East Coast Trail, you are sure to find what you are looking for within St. John’s finest outdoor adventure shop.

Sheepleg is the beginning of a dream by one guy, Jerry Dempsey, wanting to make a living comfortable enough to enjoy the things he loved like  food, family, outdoors and oh yeah…time to do it.  Jerry has spent a great deal of his life making other people successful and has made a pretty good way of it himself.  So he is using all that he has learned while  starting his own on-line company.  He can still make a living and help people but on his own terms. I am simply saying … Jerry is doing it his way by donating a portion of every sale to a charity and their suppliers also give back through corporate donations, employee volunteers & many other methods.

Sheepleg suppliers are and will be chosen, not strictly on which one will make Jerry the most amount of money or not necessarily by the products popularity on the chat sites.  Jerry is choosing the majority of his suppliers by their vision and their dedication to making the outdoors a great place to be and preserving the outdoors as best we can.

More than six decades ago, Lowe’s began as a small neighborhood independent hardware store in United States. The philosophy was simple: to deliver superior customer service.  That first store was a place where customers always felt welcomed, and always found the help they needed.  Since then, they have grown into one of the world’s largest home improvement retailers.  This incredible success story begins its newest chapter now with the expansion of Lowe’s here in Canada.  At their new Canadian stores, you’ll find thousands of products but not Trail Blazer.  You can find Trail  Blazer’s Canadian made products on-line at http://www.lowes.ca

Back at the office, I welcomed Christie Lamothe who joined the Trail Blazer team when I was on vacation.  Christie is taking over administration and Justin Caldwell will spend more time focusing on customer service.  In all the excitement, I forgot to take a picture of Christie in action this week.  Next week, I will provide more details & a Christie’s photo.

All The Best, Shawn Levangie

A Word From Justin…

This week I had the pleasure of taking Mark Goobie (Assistant Manager) of Kent Building Supplies in Bayer’s Lake out for lunch.  We discussed ways to grow our product line with his store and make his store an example and apply it to other Kent Stores.  Mark has 40 years of experience and I was very happy to “pick his brain” another great thing about Mark is that he is also a passionate Montreal Canadian Fan!! I am enjoying my new role with Trail Blazer doing Customer Service and Sales and look forward to what the future can hold.

By Justin Caldwell

This week, I had the pleasure to enjoy five days on an eastern Caribbean cruise with the family; including my wonderful wife Dawna and my “krazy” kids (my boy Travis, my princess Natalie & my angel Victoria).  We started in Miami Florida and enjoyed both wings at Hooters & shrimp at Bubba Gump’s in the downtown “bayside/waterfront” area.  We then boarded the ship for a wonderful day at sea before experiencing river tubing in Jamaica.  The third day, we enjoyed swimming with sting rays in the Grand Cayman’s and the relaxation of Rum Point Beach.  The final day, we experienced everything the ship had to offer … from golf to on stage musicals.

My highlights of the cruise included; watching my wife, Dawna, enjoy the river tubing … she is not usually very comfortable in water but did very well.  I enjoyed the late-night comedy shows with my boy, Travis, very much … his laughter was contagious to all and seeing the pure joy on Victoria’s face when she came back from her “12-14” social club.

My list of highlights would definitely not be complete without mentioning … my time spent playing bingo with Natalie was excellent!!! Plus, Monday March 11^th, when we were in Jamaica, was an extra special day as we celebrated, my princess, Natalie’s sweet sixteenth birthday.  That’s right, she turned 16 in Jamaica … but she has been sweet “most times” since she was born in, yes Canada. The river tubing was a great experience that the whole family enjoyed, but it was great when our guide “Shine Head” tipped Natalie’s tube and she fell into the river and after she jumped back on to her tube, he did a great job singing happy birthday to Natalie … Jamaican Style!!!

When we got back on the ship, we relaxed on the deck with a bucket of beer (for me). Dawna had a type of fruit drink in a funny glass & the kids had all-you-can-eat ice cream. Then we got ready for Natalie’s birthday dinner in the dinning room when we were surprised by our servers who sang happy birthday to Natalie … Cruise Ship Style!!!

We received an order from Wilderness Supply Company, a Canadian outdoor gear store. They have the best and largest selection of boats in Manitoba and North-Western Ontario, at their Winnipeg and Thunder Bay stores.  Central Canada is a haven for camping, hiking and paddling.  They offer fantastic opportunities around Winnipeg and Thunder Bay for outdoor enthusiasts.  Their knowledgeable staffs are experts, with camping, hiking, paddling and travel experience to provide Trail Blazer’s Xtreme Saws & Hatchets, Trail Blazer’s Original Take-Down Buck Saw, Trail Blazer’s award winning Sawvivor Saw & provide advice for your next adventure.

Make sure you stop by Wilderness Supply Company in either the Winnipeg Manitoba or Thunder Bay Ontario stores plus you can shop online to find Trail Blazer’s Nova Scotia and New Brunswick made products.  I’m proud to say our products are now available in over 20,000 retail locations and through many on-line retailers in over 40 countries.

The Canadian Association of Family Enterprise named Archway Insurance the 2013 Nova Scotia Family Enterprise of the Year at its award luncheon held on March 7th; at the Brightwood Golf and Country Club in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.  The award, sponsored by BMO Harris Private Banking, recognizes significant achievements made within a Nova Scotia family enterprise and their appreciated involvement in our community. The Archway story was profiled along with the other two award finalists, Fairway Insurance Services and Trail Blazer Products Limited.  All have successfully transferred their family enterprises to the 2nd generation.

I would like to congratulate both Archway and Fairway Insurance for their successful accomplishments.  As I enjoyed the lunch and enjoyed celebrating with the Trail Blazer family … I was pleased to see the growth of insurance companies fueled by Nova Scotia’s business growth.  I am proud of Trail Blazer and all Nova Scotia’s family businesses.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

I received a request to become a dealer, for our products, from Jerry Dempsey, “The Shepherd” with Sheepleg in Kentucky, USA.  I sent him Trail Blazer’s product catalogue and dealer pricing which included our prepaid shipping program, showing that Trail Blazer is based in Canada, but does not charge their US customers any duties or taxes.  Jerry currently carries the 15″ Sawvivor™ Saw from Liberty Mountain in Utah and is now looking to expand his selection with more good sellers from Trail Blazer products.  Like our new Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovels, the original Take-Down™ Buck Saws, Telescopic 5-Pulley Tree Pruners, Geared Wavy Hedge Shears, Ratchet Anvil Loppers, Bypass Loppers, Xtend-A™ Garden Tools & Xtreme™ Hatchets.

I was curious where the name “Sheepleg” came from and visited their website to learn more … When Jerry was a young boy, coming in from the cold, he had snot running out of his nose.  His grandmother would help him and when pulling the tissue away the snot would finally brake loose.  She would then say to Jerry “looks like we got a sheepleg.”

Tuesday, Trail Blazer products shut down early because I invited the entire team to meet me at the Beazley Bowling lanes for a very special announcement that I needed everyone present for.  We all enjoyed two strings of bowling before I explained why we were there and the very special announcement.  The entire Trail Blazer team was invited there to be in an environment where everyone was laughing and having a well deserved good time with each other, when I told them … “Thank You”

I appreciate the hard work & dedication the Trail Blazer team demonstrates on a daily bases … but there not bowlers!!!

Justin Caldwell, discussed putting together a 20 person dragon boat team, that would race on Lake Bannock & raise money for KidSport™ which provides support to children with financial barriers preventing them from playing organized sport.  Don Paquet also suggested that a group fishing trip would be a great team building activity … I agree.

Wednesday, I enjoyed Herb Crusted Chicken for lunch with my fellow chamber members.  During lunch we received an appreciated FREE ALTernative stay to discover an ALTernative hospitality … By spending the night “on them” at the ALT Hotel of our choice.  With three hotels located first in Montreal’s Brossard Quartier, second in Quebec City and recently the third was opened near Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.  A fourth will be opening near Halifax’s Stanfield International Airport in May.  At my table, I had conversations and the pleasure of meeting with Cecil Freeman & Cheryl Jenkins with Keller Williams Realty, Derrick Andres with Avondale Construction & Sean Farmer with Cox & Palmer.

The Distinguished Speakers Series features informative & thought-provoking topics by business, government & institutional speakers on regional economic development. Federal & provincial ministers, executives of corporations & influential thinkers keep members up-to-date on topical events & issues affecting the business community.

Friday, I joined Enactus Canada,  a community of student, academic & business leaders who enable entrepreneurial action.  I served as a judge at the 2013 Atlantic Canada Regional Exposition. As business people, were committed to using our expertise, time & resources to help young leaders understand the promise of business.  I enjoyed the presentations, from the Atlantic University students, with hopes to move on to the National Exposition & competition in Toronto, ON, May 6-8th.  The champions were chosen by a panel of industry leaders serving as judges.

The 2013 Atlantic Canada Regional Champions in the Student Entrepreneur Competition:

• Daniel Saulnier, Université de Moncton student & owner of Memories2Go
• Michael Craig, Acadia student & owner of Roxbur Ski & Snowboard Club

Back at the Office, Betty Millard and Kenton McNutt continue to redesign the boxes used in shipping.  The proposed changes will lower the amount of cardboard used and the space required to ship Trail Blazer products.  Not only is this project great for the environment, after conservative number calculations in the shipping box purchase cost and shipping rates via courier box & pallet size, it has been determined that this project will save Trail Blazer a minimum of $45,000 per year and the saving will grow even more as revenue increases.  Keep up the great work!!! Its projects like this that allows business to grow capital for growth within its operation.

Brent Jensen and Don Paquet continue to sort through slow moving inventory and palletized some assortments for Justin Caldwell to liquidate.  When Justin sells these pallets, he is reducing space requirements for warehousing & creating additional cash flow, which potentially could save Trail Blazer $5,000 per year in warehouse expenses.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

The Canadian Association of Family Enterprise and National Corporate Platinum Sponsor, BMO Harris Private Banking announced the three finalists for the 2013 Family Enterprise of the Year Achievement Awards for Nova Scotia this week.  Archway Insurance, Able Electric Ltd. / Trail Blazer Products Limited, and Fairway Insurance Services Ltd.  Both the Able Electric and Trail Blazer teams are very proud of this recognition and I would like to take this opportunity to wish both Archway and Fairway the best of luck.  Canadian Association of Family Enterprise NS Family Enterprise of the Year Chair, Greg Leslie says, “These three families are great examples of successful family enterprises. They are defying the statistics that reveal that only a little more than 30 percent of family businesses survive into the second generation, even though 80 percent would like to keep the business in the family.”

This award is given annually by CAFE to recognize, celebrate and promote achievements of Canadian family businesses and the considerable contribution they make to both their local communities and our national economy. CAFE Chapters hold their individual awards programs with winners going on to participate in the national competition.

The finalists will be featured during a luncheon at the Brightwood country club on March 7.  The national finalists will be featured at a gala dinner in Toronto on June 8.  The national winner for 2012, Emily Tregunno of the Halifax Seed Company says, “The recognition from the Canadian business family community is both an honor and a privilege. Being recognized with the CAFE Family Enterprise of the Year Achievement Award has made a positive impression on the Halifax Seed Company family and team.   It has been a very valuable process, looking at our achievements, successes and challenges both as a family business and as a family.”

Recipients must be a “family-owned business” rather than “individually-owned business”.  A family-owned business is defined as a business organization that has one of the following characteristics.  Has been owned and operated by different generations of a family where the potential exists for ownership to be passed on to a younger generation.

Able Electric was started by my father, Curtis Levangie, in 1973 and he started Trail Blazer Saw in 1987.  Curtis hired the second generation in sales, me, in 1995 and I became owner of Trail Blazer Products in 2007.  The third generation, my son & daughters, Travis, Natalie & Victoria have been seen working on the plant floor and participating in various store demos and trade shows.  My wife Dawna also lends a hand on many occasions.  That was not the case this Friday because we were all together supporting Travis, has he had his wisdom teeth removed.  He is doing great, still looks funny, and we expect a speedy recovery … no holding a Levangie down.

My eldest daughter and princess, Natalie, had her wisdom teeth removed four years ago at the early age of 12 (she was funny looking then as well);  she is turning sweat 16 next month in Jamaica.  My youngest child and angel, Victoria is now 13 and the only one in the family that still has all her “wisdom” … now I see why teenagers know everything.

Back at the office, Trail Blazer Products is looking for a new administrator to provide both clerical and administrative support.  That’ll play a vital part in the administration & smooth-running of our business.  The administrators will be involved with the coordination and implementation of office procedures and frequently have responsibility for specific projects and tasks.  The administrative work will involve written & oral communication, word processing & typing, requires relevant skills such as IT support, organizational skills, and the ability to multi-task and work well under pressure, often juggling several tasks for several different people at once.

This will allow Justin Caldwell, who is presently handling both administration and customer service duties & tasks, to spend more of his time doing what he wants and loves.  That is making all our customers happy.  The administrator will also give valuable assistance to the other departments including Monica Furlotte in supplier development.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

This week I traveled to Saint John, New Brunswick where I set up Trail Blazer’s Xtend-A™ Pole displays at both Benjamin Moore, House of Excellence locations on McAllister Drive and Plaza Avenue.  That is when I learned from Bernie Regenbogen, the manager of both locations, about the great work that Sara Case, appearing in this photo at the McAllister Store, is doing on their website & face-book page.  Sara’s work has been noticed and appreciated by the head office, for House of Excellence, in Prince Edward Island when they made the wise move to chose her to manage their entire website and social media requirements … Great job!!! Sara Case.

I am very pleased that Bernie & Sara are supporting Trail Blazer’s Nova Scotia made Xtend-A™ Poles in their Saint John locations and thank them for providing the contact information for their head office.  I will prepare a presentation for Trail Blazer’s Nova Scotia made Xtend-A™ Poles to be considered for their Prince Edward Island locations.

I was speaking with Tim Slagle, Vice President of Sales for The Evans Group, regarding Trail Blazer’s product line, when he shared the contact information for their person in Western Canada, along with the lines he represents.  David Hill from Bragg Creek, Alberta sells Boyt Harness, Eberlestock, Knives of Alaska, OF Mossberg, Pro Shot Cleaning Supplies, Tanglefree Decoys, Trijicon Optics and TUFF Products in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  David took a quick look at Trail Blazer’s product catalog and found it a very impressive story.  He is interested in representing Trail Blazer in Western Canada.

David Hill’s retail account base is mostly gun retailers in the Western provinces and the Yukon territory.  He also services Wholesale Sports and has worked with our valued dealer, Mountain Equipment Co-Op.  I will speak to Tim Slagle next week about the Evans Group representing Trail Blazer in the outdoor markets in Western Canada & Quebec.

Glenn’s Ammo & Outdoor Gear, Trail Blazer’s Atlantic Canadian distributor for the Outdoor Market acquired, this week, about getting a deal on Trail Blazer’s camouflage Xtend-A™ Saws.  Glenn feels that they would make a great promotion, to offer his retailers across the maritimes and especially in Newfoundland were he has a large amount of outdoor stores in a great outdoor market.  We think that it will open the doors for even more sales of Trail Blazer outdoor products.  I will ask Betty Millard, our shipping coordinator,  to pack these up & I will personally drop them off in Elmsdale, NS with a supply of catalogs & thank Glenn for his appreciated support.

Trail Blazer’s Xtend-A™ Saw features a 10” blade and finger molded handle grip to excel in all conditions.  We added a threaded socket to the handle that will accommodate any universal threaded extension pole (Like the broom handle in your closet) for out of reach areas.  This is a compact saw that easily fit into your pack and reaches those tough jobs..

While I was in New Brunswick, I had the opportunity to visit our valued partner, Martin Savoie with BBI Plastics & Marine, located in Bouctouche.  We spent most of the day inspecting Trail Blazer’s molds and discussing what was required to get the red color on the pin-locking collets, used on Mark’s Choice Telescopic Loppers & Shears, plus the additions required to our mold, to ensure the consistency in Trail Blazer’s new, made in New Brunswick, Xtend-A™ Garden Tools.  We also discussed changes to our Xtreme™ Bow Saws and the possibility of moving some Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovel production to New Brunswick for the next season.

Martin has already successfully produced Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Hatchets which have already gained an increase in popularity in Quebec thanks to our sales rep, Donald Turcotte.  With David Hill’s new support in Western Canada and Glenn’s Ammo support through out Atlantic Canada, I can see a lot more hatchets being made in New Brunswick.

Bluteau DeVenney conducts workshops for the members of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and Wayne Woodard, Vice President, Consulting Services, connected with Tanya Bellefontaine at the Chamber.  Wayne is interested in assisting Trail Blazer Products with our strategic growth plans and Tanya let him know that we spoke last week about making that happen in April, 2013.  Part of the service available to the Halifax Chamber members, is assisting companies with the government funding proposals for in-house training on many topics … such as strategic planning.  Bluteau DeVenney has worked with Tanya in the past and they’ll now link with her directly to provide her with whatever information she needs to assist getting Trail Blazer this service.

I believe Tanya Bellefontaine and the Chamber team is well prepared to assist in Trail Blazer’s funding proposal and to do the necessary digging on all suitable funding options for Trail Blazer to prepare their strategic plans for growth.  I am very pleased we became a member of the Chamber and believe the services they offer truly help companies.

We received great news and much appreciated Congratulations this week.  Trail Blazer Products Limited has been chosen as one of the finalists, that the Canadian Association of Family Enterprises, in Nova Scotia, will profile at their upcoming March 7 luncheon.  CAFE Nova Scotia & BMO Harris Private Banking will recognize Nova Scotia family enterprises for their accomplishments and contributions at this awards luncheon. They will profile the finalists and award one with the 2013 Family Enterprise of the Year title.  All CAFE Chapter winners will move on to CAFE Canada’s national competition, which will take place at the CAFE Symposium to be held in Toronto on June 8.

We are very pleased with the support we have receive from CAFE Nova Scotia and we are very proud to be chosen as one of their Family Enterprise of the Year Finalist.  CAFE has helped us succeed by connecting us with other families in business through out Nova Scotia, who share experiences and resources for success & why we have become a finalist.

Back at the office, The Trail Blazer management team is looking for ways of improving their daily meeting agenda. They wish to ensure that they remain focus, daily, on what is required to achieve on-time delivery for our customers and to always be working on projects, every day, that will ensure the continues improvements required in our financial objectives … Well done!!! Team!  Their increases in Trail Blazer’s bottom line results in large celebrations for the entire company, from a surprise pizza party to an off site celebration.  As we move into our busiest quarter, I feel the next surprise get together is well deserved and coming up very soon.

Brent Jensen, Donald Paquet & Monica Furlotte finished the week with a conference call with Sears USA.  They discussed the scheduled changes to our suppliers and how we are moving more of Craftsman’s Bow Saw’s production to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for the next season.  They determined they will be set up & be in full production by May 1^st.

All the best, Shawn Levangie

I received an update from Kabir Bedi, the Lawn & Garden Buying Specialist with Amazon in the United States.  This last year was another exceptional year for Amazon, as they seek to achieve their vision to be the earth’s most customer-centric company!  As a result of their efforts and support from vendors like Trail Blazer, they’re achieving this vision.  They continue to rank #1 in customer service and the most trusted brand in the US.  They’re constantly looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact.  Online shopping is inherently environmentally friendly and the efficiencies result in a greener shopping experience.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the mutual partnership that helps both Amazon and Trail Blazer to achieve a shared vision for growth and  provide the best customer experience possible.  In 2013, the Trail Blazer team looks forward to continue working towards Amazon & Trail Blazer’s shared vision.

I received an e-mail this week, from Alyssa Salsburey, the Replenishment Buyer with Lehman’s in Dalton Ohio.  Alyssa has worked with Trail Blazer products previous to Kaleigh Morris becoming our replenishment buyer.  Kaleigh has now moved on to work at another company closer to her home.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish Kaleigh all the best at her new company and I hope we cross paths again in the near future.  I also look forward to working with Alyssa again, who is now taking Trail Blazer’s account back and has taken advantage of Trail Blazer’s  fall booking discounts by placing a purchase order scheduled for delivery in June.

At Lehman’s in Dalton Ohio, being old-fashioned is always in fashion. That’s why their massive, 32,000-square-foot retail store contains four pre-Civil War era buildings, including a Buggy Barn cinema, where you can relax on Amish-made hickory church pews while learning about organic gardening, oil lamp restoration or wood stove maintenance.

Bernie Regenbogen informed me this week about the changes in Saint John New Brunswick.  The stores that we have been supplying Trail Blazer’s Xtend-A™ Poles to have both been sold to House of Excellence from Prince Edward Island … not a supplier of our Poles.  The store previously known as Paint Supplies & Decorating is now known as House of Excellence – McAllister and the store previously known as Colour Centre is now known as House of Excellence – Plaza.  They join the stores in Charlottetown & Stratford Prince Edward Island under the same banner.  Bernie tells me that House of Excellence’s Manager is Jack Webster.

I am very pleased that Bernie will continue managing the two stores in Saint John and continued supporting Trail Blazer by ordering some Xtend-A™ Poles for their Plaza location.  I will deliver the poles to him next week to discuss the best way to offer Trail Blazer’s Nova Scotia made Xtend-A™ Poles to the Prince Edward Island locations.

We received a purchase order from Todd Davis with Sales & Purchasing at Mercer’s Marine in Newfoundland.  Mercer’s distributes Trail Blazer products across Newfoundland and with there most recent purchase order we received this week, they’ll now be offering a new product called the Bed liner rake.  The Bed Liner Rake is an item Trail Blazer previously offered and Todd will help us by selling some of the remaining 1,700 units we still have in stock.  Todd will be adding the Bed Liner Rake to their product catalogue this year.  They’ll be sold on a first come first serve bases and they’ll go fast, because Todd will be able to sell a lot of rakes …

Donald Turcotte in Quebec sent purchase orders after introducing Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Hatchets made in New Brunswick.  Orders for MD Sports in Rawdon, J.A. St-Pierre et fils in Cabano, Rheal Pitre in new-richmond, Magasin J.O. Hubert in Maniwaki, Propac des 7 rivières in Port-Cartier, Propac Matane in Matane and Ferlac in Dolbeau.

Donald is with Unique Agency and announced a big transition.  Unique Agency is now part of the Evans Group from the United States.  This is a great opportunity for Trail Blazer to be managed in many more territories with fewer agencies.  It won’t change anything for Quebec and Atlantic Canada.  In 1990, founding partner Mike Evans began this sales agency with years of intensive experience in the shooting sports business.  During the years since its inception, the agency has expanded to cover a 50 state territory for some of the shooting, hunting, outdoor and law enforcement industry’s most successful manufacturers … Is Trail Blazer next?

Also this week, we shipped to Trail Blazer’s newest distributor, Pyrene Bushcraft, located in the heart of Ariège in southwestern France.  We began working with Grant Thornton & the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.  Monica Furlotte, in supplier development, had a successful week. Curtis Levangie, president of Able Electric, made a big announcement.

I’m excited to announce Trail Blazer’s newest distributor, Pyrene Bushcraft located in the heart of Ariège in southwestern France.  Ariège is a vast playground of mountains, forests, lakes and rivers to practice and test outdoor equipment.  Franck Mourareau decided to settle in Ariège and work in the middle of the outdoors.  Over the years he learned to appreciate the mountain life and nature activities like hiking, canoeing, backcountry skiing and fishing.  After ten years of experience in selling mountain equipment, Frank decided to create Pyrene Bushcraft to offer specific outdoor equipment to meet your survival, bush craft & hiking needs.

I am very proud when I see the popularity grow for Trail Blazer’s Take-Down™ Buck Saw and Sawvivor™ Saw in countries around the globe.  This week alone, we experienced our products being shipped to Canada, France, Germany and the United States.  We also receive request for pricing from distributors in Canada, Norway & the United States.

Back at the office, we continue improving the financial and delivery performance of our business.  We compare our performance to industry benchmarks regularly and continue implementing corrective action in all areas where we have unfavorable gaps.  We heavily involve our management team and our supply chain in constantly improving our operating model.  Most recently, I’ve been talking to Duane Saulnier with Grant Thornton about what we need to arrange for a discussion with Dale Thibodeau, our BDC consultant, and begin preparing monthly balance sheet projections, with a goal of reducing inventory & improve cash flow.

Trail Blazer continues improvements as Justin, Monica & myself met with Barbi and Tanya from the Halifax Chamber of Commerce this week.  We discussed how they could assist us with in house training.  We discovered that they will complement our efforts in strengthening our team and assist planning Trail Blazer’s growth & strategic plans.

Monica Furlotte, in supplier development, assisted the customer service department this week while Justin Caldwell was taking a well deserved personal day.  Monica was previously in our customer service department and showed her experience when she successfully answered the phone … to help Kevin Heiszler with ATG Stores.  She assisted Kevin in filling out their 2013 Annual Program Form. The result from her answers was huge!!! Trail Blazer products are now being added to the Lowes Canada product list, and this will be a great opportunity to grow our sales for 2013 once Trail Blazer products become live on the new lowes.ca.

Monica also made great progress in her own department with a new supplier for the material used in Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Bow Saw frames, our next big project.  She successfully connected Geoff from Russel Metals with Don Paquet.  Don is one of Trail Blazer’s production coordinators and has taken an interest in product development.

Over the past two months, I’ve been meeting with my dad, Curtis Levangie, to discuss how I may be of benefit to his company, Able Electric Ltd.  This week, Curtis announced me as the Vice President of Able Electric and that I’ll begin implementing a new management system to report to his advisory board … quarterly.  Starting with a weekly manager’s meeting to begin determining customer’s needs and how we can make them successful.  To determine the required tools needed to achieve the determined objectives.  Growth opportunities will be addressed after objectives are managed for three consecutive months.

I would like to take this time to thank both my parents, Curtis and Joan, for this exciting new position with Able Electric Ltd.  I would also like to thank the entire Trail Blazer team.  If it wasn’t for their continued success and dedication, I would not be able to take advantage of this great new opportunity and still be able to grow Trail Blazer products.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

We received e-mails and phone calls from a large number of Trail Blazer’s dealers & distributors asking us if the same delivery problems that occured in 2012 are going to happen again this year.  Some of them were looking for updates on their spring orders for Trail Blazer’s collapsible saws.  They were concerned because they were told that Trail Blazer’s Sawvivor™ Saw is out of stock and were asking us to ship what ever we had available in stock.  A lot of our dealers are preparing for the upcoming spring consumer shows and some were contacting us direct for pricing on Trail Blazer’s Take-Down™ Buck Saw because their local distributors are out of stock.

What everybody was really asking was … What is the realistic delivery date for a purchase order placed today for Trail Blazer’s Sawvivor™ Saw and Trail Blazer’s Take-Down™ Buck Saw? I understand their concerns because Last year’s delivery performance was unacceptable and some of our dealers received their orders four to five months late.

Well the answer is … We have made all the necessary internal improvements to improve delivery performance with changes in our financial situation and supplier delivery issues, making Trail Blazer profitable each month since Feb 2012.  Trail Blazer set up new suppliers for both the aluminum & plastics part in Halifax Nova Scotia & Bouctouche New Brunswick (Locally Made).  The last step is our aluminum parts which require new tooling with the new suppliers. Trail Blazer’s Sawvivor™ Saw will be delivering the end of February for spring season while Trail Blazer’s Take-Down™ Buck Saw will start delivering in May 2013.

The delay in delivering Trail Blazer’s Take-Down™ Buck Saw is the new tooling we require for three different dies required to produce the aluminum H-frame design, making it not available for spring 2013.  I recommend Trail Blazer’s Sawvivor™ Saw for your spring needs and the Take-Down™ Buck Saw will be available again summer 2013.

The next product on Trail Blazer’s list for new tooling is Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Bow Saws.  They are becoming more popular across Canada with the addition of a new model were we are offering it with a wood & bone blade.  The volume requirements is also increasing fast with the addition of the Craftsman model we produce for Sears and their retail partners in the United States.  There is an issue with availability of our metal frames for Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Bow Saws and we’ll have a limited supply in March for spring & summer 2013. We’re changing our supplier now and the tooling will be started as soon as the new supplier provides us with metal samples.

It will be hard to purchase the Craftsman Bow Saws & the Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Bow Saws in the first half of 2013 but I’m proud that we’ll soon be manufacturing the product in Nova Scotia  using a rubber grip made in New Brunswick and of course the Swedish blades. While controlling inventory, meeting demands and achieving on time delivery.

This week, I visited Tom Adams at Jym Line glassware to tour their operations and discuss offering custom logos on Trail Blazer products. Jym Line glassware utilizes 4 semi automatic glassware-decorating machines and a glassware decorating lehr.  While I was there, Tom demonstrated how they will be able to provide custom logos on Trail Blazer’s founding products … the Take-Down™ Buck Saw and the Xtend-A™ Saw.  Trail Blazer will be offering custom logos on their products for dealers (include your store logo on each item), suppliers (great promotional item) and non-profit organizations for their fund raising efforts, starting summer 2013.

Did you know a lehr is a glass firing tunnel that is used to permanently fire frit base glass inks into glass and ceramics? You can learn what “frit” is on Trail Blazer’s facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/takedownbucksaw).  Jym Line can also provide Trail Blazer with customized gifts for our dealers and suppliers, including wine from Jost Vineyards.

Jost Vineyards is situated on over 100 acres by the beautiful North Shores of Nova Scotia.  The Jost family pioneered the industry, supporting the majority of today’s independent vineyard operations.  Their legacy of wine making dates back 400 years to Germany where Jost’s continue to produce great wines today, another great family business story.  Their estate bottled whites, reds and specialties are lovingly crafted in the cellars and the vineyards have benefited from the natural nutrition of the shells of lobsters caught within view of the vineyards.  Talk about an Atlantic story!!! Little wonder the wines compliment seafood so very well.

Back at the office, as the third quarter numbers come in, the Trail Blazer team increases their efforts to increase profits in the fourth quarter while they briefly celebrate their successes.  They deserve a huge congratulations and celebration for the success & improvements they experienced from their hard work in 2012 … just not a long one.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere Thank you to the entire Trail Blazer team … Betty, Brent, Don, Justin, Monica & everyone on the production floor.  Thanks to you, it is now more comfortable working on a profitable business after a tough few years we all experienced between 2008 & 2011.  The Trail Blazer team still needs to put a stronger focus on decreasing our expenses to increase our profit margins in 2013.  This will allow us to pay all over due payables as fast as possible and start a reliable cash flow to support the investment into growth through new products & markets.  Then we can say once again … Let the Trail Blazing begin!!!

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the support our Dalhousie Co-op student, Kenton McNutt, is providing our logistic department by showing how to reduce delivery expenses.  As well as the great ideas he is sharing to improve business & supplier development, promotion and customer retention.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

I was very pleased to learn that Home Hardware Stores has selected the Mark’s Choice Telescopic Ratchet Bypass Loppers and the Mark’s Choice Telescopic Geared Hedge Shears, both made in Nova Scotia by Trail Blazer, for their upcoming June National Hardware Flyer.  The Trail Blazer team now has eight weeks to build and ship three thousand units to Home Hardware’s three warehouses on March 19^th.   They must also have extra Loppers and Shears ready for any repeat orders that may occur anytime between May 20^th and June 22nd. The June National Hardware Flyer start June 5^th and end June 15th.

All Trail Blazer products are available through your local Home Hardware store, even the non warehouse items which they can have quickly shipped directly to their store.  For example, we received a drop ship order for Trail Blazer’s Xtend-A™ Blade this week, that shipped the same day to a Home Hardware store located in Saint-Ambroise Quebec.

I sent Todd Davis our most recent price list & product catalogue.  Todd is with Mercer’s Marine & Outdoor, our valued distributor in Newfoundland.  Mercer’s is a father & son who work together to form a strong management team.  Business operations are definitely a family affair with Philip’s wife Roberta, son Scott & grandson Nick involved in the daily operations of the business.  The Mercer family shares a passion for boating and is proud of their history as Newfoundlanders & entrepreneurs.  Evolving since 1981, the Mercer’s Marine product catalogue is one of the largest sources of Marine, Outdoor Equipment & Trail Blazer in Atlantic Canada.

Mercer’s Marine & Outdoor is a fourth generation, family owned business that had its humble beginnings in 1957, opening as a General Store by Ralph and Ruby Mercer of Clarenville Newfoundland.  In 1965 their son Philip joined and followed by their grandson Scott in 1987.  Now their great grandson Nick makes them four generations strong.

I was visited by Tom Adams from Jym Line glassware this week.   They’re Atlantic Canada’s only professional glassware decorator founded by Tom’s parents, Jim and Lynda Adams, in 1969 … the same year I was born.  Jym Line glassware has grown from a modest 1000 square foot operation to a 12,000 square foot facility with an average production staff of nine.  Jym Line glassware utilizes 4 semi automatic glassware-decorating machines and a glassware decorating lehr.  I will be visiting their operations next week to discuss the possibility of offering custom logos on Trail Blazer products & to ask Tom … What’s a lehr?

Last week, I had the great pleasure of attending the 2013 Halifax Business Awards Finalists lunch reception held at the CUT steakhouse and I was extremely proud to be included with such great company.  The Halifax Business Awards was launched in 2000 and is called Chamber’s most glamorous event of the season … I agree fully.

The World Trade & Convention Centre was an exciting place to be this week as the Halifax Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of the 2013 Halifax Business Awards.  The Awards recognize businesses & business people who exemplify the best that our city has to offer:  innovators who take chances, push the boundaries, and stretch the limits for success.  The Chamber’s annual event featured Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in six different categories including New Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, International Business of the Year, Innovative Business of the Year, Business of the Year & Business Person of the Year.

The Halifax Chamber of Commerce put on a great event!!! I had a tremendous night and enjoyed my evening immensely, accompanied by my parents and my most beautiful wife Dawna.  I was very proud when they called my name and I walked up on stage to accept the Silver for Business Person of the Year … I’d like to thank the Chamber for everything.

Back at the office, everyone is feeling the tight cash flow this time of the year when we have received & spent our spring receivables.  All material has been ordered & some delivered as we anxiously begin production for the upcoming 2013 spring deliveries.  This will generate the much needed receivables to clean up our over due payables.  The Trail Blazer management team should be congratulated for the great improvements made this year.  Improvements that will allow us to meet our financial objectives in 2013 & I believe this year they will continue, cleaning up all over due payables and put Trail Blazer back into growth mode.

Monica Furlotte in supplier development continues to make important changes necessary to improve Trail Blazer’s inventory management and delivery performance.  On time delivery starts with the suppliers and is critically important to maintain the required cash flow to pay those same suppliers on time.  A successful supply chain will fuel our growth.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie

Buyers with Le Baron Outdoor Products in Montreal Quebec, Ottawa, Markham and Mississauga Ontario, placed their first order for Trail Blazer’s top outdoor products, which will be offered in their stores and catalogue this coming spring season. they ordered Trail Blazer’s Take-Down™ Buck Saw, Sawvivor™ Saw and Xtreme™ Hatchets.  Their mail order is shipping worldwide!  Their mail-order does not ship to addresses on the Island of Montreal, Mississauga, Markham or Ottawa.  You’re welcome to visit their stores and receive personal assistance.  Their staff will be happy to help you find the right products, like Trail Blazer products.

The 2013 spring production of Trail Blazer’s Take-Down™ Buck Saws began this week and the Sawvivor™ Saws are scheduled to begin in March, as we wait for equipment repairs to be completed.  I am excited to say that Trail Blazer’s Hatchets are now ready for spring delivery after being produced in Bouctouche New Brunswick for the first time.

This week I started preparations for the Home Hardware 2013 Spring Market being held in St. Jacobs Ontario on April 14, 15 & 16.  They have reserved exhibit space for Trail Blazer’s product line pending the return of our completed application and merchandise list by the deadline of January 25.  This Market will highlight fall, winter and Christmas merchandise, Trail Blazer’s listing will include all items presently in Home Hardware’s Distribution Centers with a special focus on the Mark’s Choice Fall Pruning equipment and Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovels.  Popular all year round are Home’s Premier Professional Extension Poles.

The 2013 Spring Market will be Home Hardware’s 100th Market.  To help celebrate this  significant occasion Trail Blazer will be offering a very hot deal on a fall & winter product that will only be available to Home Hardware Dealers attending the Market.  A special committee will be choosing the best 100 deals for this significant occasion.

Jenny Ditner, the Retail Education and Communication Services Coordinator with Home Hardware Stores Limited, in St Jacobs Ontario, sent out the Gold, Silver & Bronze sponsorship packages, that are available for Home Hardware’s Pre-Market Conference. Held Saturday, the day before the trade show begins. Trail Blazer is one of the past sponsors and product knowledge presenter for this Conference.  I look forward to participating in the opportunity to sponsor this spring’s Pre-Market Conference for Home Hardware’s 100th Market.  Since this Market is a milestone for Home Hardware, I certainly expect increased participation at the Market.

Both the Home Hardware Premier Professional Extension Poles and Trail Blazer’s Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovels, Made in Dartmouth Nova Scotia, are available in this week’s Home Hardware National Flyer, providing you with great savings … up to 35% off.  The savings are available until January 26^th … at your local Home Hardware Store.

This week, I had the pleasure of attending the 2013 Halifax Business Awards Finalists lunch reception, held at the CUT steakhouse … and I was extremely proud to be in attendance.  I am very excited for the big gala event next week, Thursday, January 24th in the Grant Ballroom at the World Trade and Convention Centre.  The Halifax Business Awards, launched in 2000 & is the Chamber’s most glamorous event of the season.  The Halifax Business Awards recognize risk takers and the success of our thriving business community.  This award winning gala event is held annually and boasts spectacular night of entertainment, prestige & celebration.

Back at the office, The team continues to address ways of achieving on time delivery, reducing delivery expenses and managing the warranty & customer service department.  I will be meeting with various members of the team next week to discuss proposed changes to their job descriptions in order to improve the previous mentioned performances.

All the Best, Shawn Levangie