This week, I presented our Reverse D-Handle Snow Shovels to Kent Building Supplies, the Atlantic Canadian home improvement store. While in New Brunswick I visited Home Hardware & Benjamin Moore stores. I joined my Dad & met a local manufacturer to discuss partnering and making more products in Nova Scotia.
For over 30 years Kent Building Supplies have been providing service, knowledge & products to Atlantic Canadians accomplishing building and renovation goals. They currently operate 34 locations across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland Labrador & Prince Edward Island. Each store in the four Atlantic Provinces have a Kent Atlantic Community Fund which focuses to sponsor non-profit events and registered charities that support the growth, development and wellness in their local community. Kent is proud to give back to the same communities where their store’s employees and customers live, work and play.
This week I was pleased to discover Wild Oak Farm, in Texas. This farm is dedicated to raising quality miniature horses … Cool!!! I discovered them after they contacted us. They were looking for a replacement blade for the Jumbo Ratcheting Anvil Lopper. I love learning about new people and places that use Trail Blazer Products.
Back at the office, Ben Cumming & Monica Furlotte continue to help production achieve on time delivery … my Dad, Curtis Levangie, helps by coming back to product development and redesigning & improving the loppers & pruning saws. Just like the beginning, when he developed the Take-Down Buck Saw to collapse and strap on to a snowmobile or all-terrain and again when he invented the Xtend-A-Saw, originally a sporting-good item for bow hunters. Then we noticed that it fit in the lawn-and-garden category, so we expanded around that product which is still one of the best selling products we have.
Having Curtis back in product development will provide new products that are made in Nova Scotia and help achieve the sales growth we’re looking for with our present distribution channels. Like most father and son teams, I will only need to listen to his constructive criticism & guidance … and success will follow!!!
My entire family experienced great sadness this week, while we look at the important things in our lives like friends & family. Knowing that with people around us (that love us) things will always work out. At times it’s hard to see that, like now with a heavy heart we remember my daughter Natalie’s friend and classmate, Olivia Jollota, who at the tender age of 15 years old passed away earlier this week. Olivia … I will never forget the beautiful smile you shared with people every time I have seen you. Survived by her mother Dale Jollota (long time friend of both Dawna & I, ever since our cadet days) and partner Tom Adams. By her father Scott Jollota and Partner Deb Williams. By her brother Brandon, step sister Lilly (Both good friends with my other daughter, Victoria) & step brother Ethan. By her Grandparents Sharon and Lonnie Pye plus Dale and James Jollota. By her Uncle Dave, one of my best friends from high school, and aunts Vicki and Barbi.
Olivia is yet another person from the Pye family who has had a very positive affect on me and my family. My thoughts go out to the entire Pye & Jollota families at this time (especially Mr & Mrs Pye, Dave & Dale). I look forward to joining all of you, especially with my daughters Natalie & Victoria, tomorrow for the Celebration of Olivia’s life.
Back at work, we continued to eliminate gaps. Ben showed affects certain items have on margins. I’ll review his data & suggest actions to be implemented. Betty Millard continues to gather data showing effects certain boxes have on freight. I’ll gather data explaining gaps in discounts & professional fees while Monica prepares production schedules to achieve on time delivery, when she’s not taking care of customers.
My focus on sales for April & May are still temporarily on hold this week, as I started looking at our gaps in administration expenses. I’m stepping in while Monica develops a production schedule to improve our on time delivery. Next week I’ll be back on the road for 3 days presenting our Xtend-A-Poles in New Brunswick.
Looking back, April 9th, 2011
One Year Ago, Monica Furlotte was officially offered and accepted the position of Customer Service Coordinator to restructure and improve our Customer Service Department … with an initial focus on;
- Communication system keeping everyone at Trail Blazer informed about all customer’s purchase orders & extending this communication to reps.
- Participate in weekly meetings to review present inventory levels, production schedules and communicate concerns early to reduce back orders.
Today, Monica has been in the position of Customer Service Coordinator for the past full year and continues to find new ways to restructure and improve our Customer Service Department.
- Monica has successfully and will continue to keep everyone at Trail Blazer informed about all of our customer’s orders.
- She participates in daily meetings (chaired by Ben Cumming) to review inventory levels, production schedules and achieve on-time delivery.
All the Best, Shawn Levangie