NATDA Magazine Nov/Dec Nov2018Mag_FINAL | Page 26

B ear Track Trailers’ CEO, Gary Suckow, got his start years ago as an aluminum welder for a marine company. Throughout his 15-year career with the company, he worked his way up to Vice President of Operations. His desire to produce something of his own led to the creation of Voyager Industries in Brandon, Minnesota in 1997. He’s extremely proud to stand behind his stable of products, but prouder still of the engaging relationships his company has forged with dealerships to support their growth and success. We asked Suckow about the company’s experience at the 2018 NATDA Trade Show, what drives his company, the pitfalls he’s faced and his outlook on the future. spot. The dealer breakout sessions were very informative, and we’d encourage everyone to check them out. While Voyager Industries has been a staple in the aluminum manufacturing industry since its inception, the company took a step into the trailer industry’s limelight in 2015 with the purchase of Evansville, Minnesota’s Bear Track Trailers. The acquisition has led to four new trailer families being added to the Bear Track Trailers lineup; the latest addition was a re-engineered line of HD Utility Trailers. NATDA: How was the 2018 NATDA Trade Show for Bear Track Trailers? What were some positives that you were able to take away? SUCKOW: NATDA is providing dealers with great resources to help them run their business. It’s an evolving industry and staying on top of the trends and issues is critical. As a manufacturer, we can create a better environment by keeping dealers informed and producing a quality product. Dealers typically are limited on staff and time and anything we can do to make their job easier will go a long way. For Suckow, there’s a pride in keeping the company’s roots in small-town America. 26 SUCKOW: The 2018 Trade Show was good. It’s an excellent opportunity for our team to catch up with existing dealers and touch base with prospects. Overall, most had an optimistic outlook for the future, which is great to hear. It’s good for dealers to have manufacturers, educational opportunities and industry experts in one NATDA: Do you feel that NATDA is providing something that will help dealers in the industry? How can manufacturers, such as yourself, create a better overall environment for dealers? NATDA Magazine www.natda.org