This week, I received a purchase order from Hyams Garden Center in Charleston, South Carolina while we received positive words about Red Pine Outdoor Equipment from Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville, Ontario and I answered questions for Northwest Outlet in Superior, Wisconsin. I also seek financing to support growth with Sears USA.
On October 18thCarol Thomas with Hyams Garden Center in Charleston, South Carolina, let us know that she ordered Trail Blazer’s Xtend-A™ Shrub Rake through Wetsel, one of the Gro Group (Lawn & Garden) distributors that we no longer distribute through. Carol asked what distributors carry our line now or can she order direct from us … I told her she could order direct from us. Trail Blazer’s products are no longer offered through lawn & garden distributors and I would love to ship Trail Blazer products to Hyams Garden Center. To receive direct orders we require a $500 order and cover shipping cost on orders over $1,000 to one location.
I’m pleased Hyams Garden Center ordered Trail Blazer’s 6″/15cm Floral Hand Trimmers withSoft Rubber Grip, Trail Blazer’s Telescopic 5-Pulley Tree Pruner with 6-12Ft / 183-366cm reach, Trail Blazer’s Xtend-A™ Shrub Rake (the product that made her search us out on October 18th) & Trail Blazer’s Xtreme™ Folding Saw, offering an 8″/20cm blade.
Their mission is providing exceptional service, quality, variety and education in a continuously improving workplace. Since 1981, Hyams Garden Center has been serving gardeners, in Charleston, with a superb selection of trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, tropical, vines and garden accents. Their staff is committed to providing quality service and a wonderful shopping experience in a clean, organized and insightful space. You may want to visit them at 870 Folly Road and see their exceptional selection of plants and garden accessories. Visit Hyams Garden Center on the web (http://hyamsgardencenter.com). Learn some more gardening tips on their blog (http://hyamsgarden.wordpress.com). Keep in touch through facebook … I will (https://www.facebook.com/hyamsgardenctr).
On the other hand, in the outdoor retailer market, our distributors are doing very well. Chase with Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville, Ontario carries Trail Blazer products. He orders them from Red Pine Outdoor Equipment because they warehouse our products in Ontario. They provide quicker shipping & lower minimums then ordering direct from us.
Still some of the larger retailers like Greg Pinther withNorthwest Outlet in Superior, Wisconsin, feel that purchasing through wholesalers has been moderately successful although they would like to increase their profit margins by purchasing direct. Greg also asked us what percentage of our Sawvivor™ sales was 15” vs. 18” (same question comparing the Take-Down™ Buck Saws) and what percentage of our Collapsible sales was Sawvivor™ Saw vs. the Take-Down™ Buck Saw. He is currently carrying the 18” Sawvivor™ Saw and trying to determine the potential for carrying the other saws.
Learn my answers for Greg on our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/takedownbucksaw).
Back at the office, I am working very hard with the folks at Export Development Canada, Maple Trade Finance and Toronto Dominion Bank to help us finance a great growthopportunity we presently have with sears USA. They are very interested in their Craftsman Bow Saws being manufactured by Trail Blazer in Dartmouth NS Canada.
Monica Furlotte in supplier development & inventory management has removed the plastic blisters from Trail Blazer’s Take-Down™ Buck Saws & Sawvivor™ Saws to reduced packaging waste and provided a much better option for our environment. She getting Trail Blazer’s packing cards produced at Anchor Industries Society, who is providing some individualized vocational and recreational day options to many adults with intellectual challenges. They are a not for profit social enterprise located in The Sackville Business Park in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Anchor Industries Society have been serving the Halifax Regional Municipality for over 30 years, offering meaningful employment opportunities and day support options tailored to the skills and affinities expressed by their clients.
I wouldlike to express my sincere thank you to Monica Furlotte for providing a much better packaging solution for the environment and meaningful employment for adults with intellectual challenges. I would also like to encourage others to learn more about Anchor Industries Society … I am very sure they can provide help with your business.
At home with the family, I join Dawna (my wife) & Victoria (my angel) to watch our son / brother, Travis compete with his high school football team in game one of the playoffs. It was a very exciting game where Dartmouth’s Prince Andrew Panthers (my son’s team) and Fall River’s Lockview Dragons exchange the lead; by no more than four points the whole game. There was one point in the 3rd quarter, where one of Travis’s teammates injured his knee, trying to prevent Lockview’s touch down. Travis stayed by his side the whole time they waited for the ambulance (Caring Lad!!). Near the end of 4th quarter, Lockview almost took the lead once again and with a heroin approach, Travis makes the tackle putting them into overtime (That’s My Boy!!!) where Prince Andrew Panthers received the victory … Next stop Truro.
I was very pleased (and could not have been any prouder) to see Travis celebrating with such great emotion, following such a tremendous game, with his teammates including his close friend Tyler Horne who was not only celebrating a great playoff win, but also celebrating is 18th birthday … Now that is a great birthday present … Tyler!!!
All the Best, Shawn Levangie