After he put the vehicle together, he had 5 orders for the same things from people who saw what he did! The biggest items are tube doors for a 4 Runner. Three years ago he opened a 3,000 SF shop in the Incubator. His niche is building bumpers, roll cages, tube doors and other custom parts – specifically for 79 – 04 Toyotas.

Adam worked his business while finishing his degree. He purchased a new bending machine so he and his part-time employee can turn out more items.

He says about 70% of the items come from his experience, the rest are special requests from customers. Other items he has built are motor and transfer case mounts that won’t tear. He builds “rock sliders” to shield the door frame area.

He works with UW-P to increase the hands-on component of the courses. The students helped him with an integrated bumper-hitch receiver rated for a 5,000 lb trailer, but tested at 27,000 lb before breaking!

Adam spoke about how he used to build to order. He collected the money up front, built the part, then shipped it. There was a 3 - 6 week turn around. Some of the more popular items like the tube doors he keeps a few in stock. He called this one customer the "luckiest guy in the world". The customer ordered one of the in stock kits about 15 minutes before FedEx showed up and it was shipped on that truck!

Thanks for the wonderful speech!

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING SPEAKERS

Phil Swift was selected. He drew the 5 of Spades and won $2. He got a better return than the Stock Market has lately! Good Luck to next week’s winner.

Howard Crofoot and Duane Borgen won from the people present. Matt Bagley and Eileen Nickels were the winners from those not present. The winners receive a Free Breakfast when they attend another June meeting.

We need a volunteer to sign up to get program speakers for the month of December. Tom Nall volunteered for July.

Amy Seeboth spoke about the Freiker (Free Biker) program. It uses Radio Frequency ID tags to go in kids’ bike helmets, etc. and a “reader” near the bike rack at the Middle School. Each time the child bikes to school and passes the reader, it logs the child in. Millennium Theater sponsored prizes. When the child got 15 logins, they would get a free Junior Popcorn & Soda. When they got to 45, they got a free movie ticket. The reader is up for a 2 year license renewal for $2100. The School District & PTO raised $1600. They need $500 and are asking us to help. Amy said there were 86 kids involved last year. The Board will discuss the request on Thursday June 10.

Gary Engelke volunteered to help Rhonda Viney so she can pass along to others. The event will be Thursday July 29. Sign up on the web site.

Phil explained that Junior Golf will be on Monday June 28. He needs 6 members who can help keep score from 8:30 - 11:30 that morning. Sign up on the web or call Phil at 348-4321 (like the way the Dow Jones has been going lately (4, 3, 2, 1).

The next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, June 10th at 7 AM at Badger Brothers.