Lloydminster – Let there be mud, muck, and water aplenty.
That’s the mantra of Rec-Tech Power Products in Lloydminster to pitch seasonal sales of Can-Am ATVs and side-by-sides to oil and gas companies and consumers.
“Normally spring is the busiest time of the year for us. Everyone’s thinking of getting into something, either upgrading or getting something new,” said Brody Belsheim, sales consultant.
“The 2015s are in. We even have some 2014s that we’re blowing out the door.
“We carry both the Commander which is kind of the sport-ute and we carry the full-out Maverick for the avid sports guy.”
The Can-Am Commander side-by-side is a best seller for oil and gas companies looking for a rugged and reliable vehicle to power through wet and muddy lease roads.
“Definitely, the Commander would be more of a utility vehicle. It’s got the box in the back. It’s more of a workhorse,” said Belsheim.
“They come in a 2-up and also a four seater version so there’s something for everyone out there.”
The Maverick X ds 1000R turbo with 121 horsepower could be the ultimate rocket UTV for 2015.
It’s the first factory-installed OEM turbo in a side-by-side on the market.
“If you want to go somewhere quick, it will get you there,” said Belsheim.
Rec-Tech kicked off the spring season with a product display at the Lloydminster Showcase tradeshow held in late March with a lot of interest from attendees.
“It’s nice to see the feedback we get from our customers – hearing the feedback on how they like the products that they’ve bought from us,” said Belsheim.
Rec-Tech, owned by Alan and Belinda Lorenz also sells Sea-Doos, Epic boats, Scarab boats, Kipor generators, Cub Cadet landscaping products and KTM dirt and road bikes among a growing product list.
“We have three techs that do all the servicing so we do everything in-house,” said Belsheim.
Customers are also thrilled to hear the dealership is undergoing a major expansion at its location on Highway 16 West at Range Road 20.
“Our customers deserve a nice place to see our product,” said Belsheim.
“We’re adding a huge brand new showroom, parts and service area, change rooms – everything. It’s going to be absolutely beautiful.
“We need a place to show our product inside where it’s clean and it’s warm.
“The grand opening will be a huge sale. It will be late summer or early fall probably.”
The ongoing construction includes a new cold storage room for equipment.
“We’re hoping if everything takes off and it gets to where we want to be, that will turn into our ag side for tractors and mowers and all the attachments and implements,” explained Belsheim.
Rec-Tech also sells a broad line up of ATVs and UTVs made by CFMoto for business or pleasure.
“It’s a great little company out of China that makes a really nice product at very affordable prices,” said Belsheim.
“It’s a lower price point but still a great warranty – you get a five year warranty. That’s almost unheard of in the quad industry. They’re a little sportier and a little bit of a smaller unit.”
The turn of the season from winter to spring couldn’t come soon enough for Rec-Tech following an off year for its sled business in the region.
“It was a rough winter, but I think it was more to do because of the low snow fall than anything else,” said Belsheim.
“Overall sales have been good even with the downturn. I think the guys who want their toys will always want to have fun. Everyone wants to have fun – usually make it work one way or another.”
Belsheim has been selling power equipment at Rec-Tech for just over two months since the downturn cost him his former job as operations manager at Murland Projects Energy Services.
He said he welcomes the change at Rec-Tech and has been contacting former buddies as sales leads since day one.
“I’ve made a few phone calls here and there,” he said with a laugh adding his previous experience with UTVs in the oilfield gives him a leg up to meet the needs of oilfield customers.
“You kind of know what the guys are looking for and what they need,” he said.
He says the wetter the better too for sales and service of Rec-Tech’s line of Outlander ATVs and their inventory of used off-road vehicles and equipment.
“With the lake season coming up, there are lots of quad rallies. We’ve seen a definite increase in that. Even before the snow went, there were guys in here just constantly,” said Belsheim.
That got him thinking that the lack of snow for sledding this past winter might have helped their sales of side by sides and quads that can be used year-round.
“Even if there is a lot of snow you can still use your quad or side-by-side to plow or you can put tracks on it. There’s always options,” he said.
“We sell lots with plows and cabs. You can get heaters put in them and everything.”
The arrival of spring and summery weather is also when families or couples shop for a new or used ATV to rip around trails at the lake or cabin.
“There’s a couple of models we have that are a narrow design in the side by the sides that will fit down any trail a quad will,” said Belsheim.
“For hunting, we actually have a quad that is full camo with a gun rack, so it’s ready to go up there and pull out a moose or a deer.”
In the meantime, Rec-Tech is gearing up for its Spyder motorcycle demo day to be held on site June 28.
The Spyder is a three-wheeled motorcycle manufactured by BRP or Bombardier Recreational Products. Â
“They’ve been very popular as well. We carry all the full riding gear as well as the helmets,” said Belsheim.Â
