Grand Forks Meeting recreational needs Staying on top of changing trends is the key by KIRSTEN ARMLEDER
CHANGE IS GOOD: Ryan Tomilin, manager of B&F Sales and Service Ltd., knows that adapting to industry advancements and new trends usually brings benefits. —Photo by Ryan Tomilin
The health of the powersports industry depends on a variety of factors, including weather and the condition of the local economy. Moreover, to ensure the viability of a business, individual snowmobile, ATV and dirt bike dealers have to constantly stay on top of changing trends.
Ryan Tomilin, manager of B&F Sales and Service Ltd. in Grand Forks, knows the importance of recognizing customer demands; his business also faces challenges when it comes to dealing with competition from imported products.
“A lot of this stuff is not very safe,” said Tomilin. “I’ve looked at some of the kids’ ATVs and minibikes, and my kid’s life is worth a lot more than that; it’s very poor-quality stuff.”
These products are available for bargain prices at many department stores; however, Tomilin said their parts-supply and service is terrible, but it’s cheap and that’s what people are looking at.
In this fast-track industry, another major issue affecting business is advancing technology.
“You have your new technology coming out basically every six months and it’s hard to keep up,” said Tomilin. “You have to be sending somebody to school several times a year just to keep up on the updates.”
He added that while change in technology seems to happen at a fast pace, usually that change is for the betterment of the industry.
Key Grand Forks contacts
Merit Mining Corp 550-580 HORNBY ST Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 694-2344 WEBSITE: www.meritminingcorp.com
Live in Nature. Play in Nature. Kootenay Lake Village is a one-of-a-kind waterfront development being created on 450 acres of beautiful forestland with almost three kilometres of shoreline on the spectacular and expansive Kootenay Lake. One-hundred-year-old forests still cover much of this outstanding property, which receives long hours of sunshine. Experience the breathtaking views of the lake and alpine peaks of the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges year round. Adjoining Kootenay Lake Village are fifty kilometers of undeveloped, pristine waterfront real estate and an abundance of secluded beaches.
Kootenay Lake Development Corp. (kootenay Lake Village) Po Box 1053 Nelson, BC PHONE: (250) 505-5558
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