Ron’s HeliProz South
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Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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I just returned from a three day trip to Billings, Montana. There I met with Chris Nelson and all the people at HeliProz. Chris has agreed to help me start a new company. We have an agreement in principle, but there is a lot of paperwork yet to be done. I will have partial ownership of the company, something I never had at Rick's.
If you are inclined to call Heliproz to get more details, please refrain until Thursday or Friday. The first part of the week is extremely busy for them, just like it was for us.
The previous owner did NOT sell the business, she just locked us out. The reason she did this is beyond my imagination. I have made her a fair offer for the building and contents. If she accepts, we will be back in business as soon as all the paperwork is done. If she doesn't, we will locate another building and restock it with new inventory. This might take a little while longer.
A lot of you might wonder why I picked HeliProz when I had dozens of offers from you all to back a new company. Believe me, I thought long and hard on this and I appreciate each and every offer. Chris and I made contact on the evening of October 13th, shortly after he learned the news of Rick's closing. We agreed that, together, both companies would be better and he didn't mess around. He said we would do it, and we did.
I had talked to Chris at IRCHA and I instantly liked him. He is a good guy and a man of his word. After meeting his crew this weekend, I am very impressed with all of them. They really are a great group of people and they are all excited too.
The second I tried to turn that key on Saturday afternoon, I knew what had happened and that Rick's was gone. I also knew that I wanted to keep doing what I had been doing. I knew I wanted to build a company that could carry on if something happened to me. My deal with Chris accomplishes that. I wanted to keep my crew intact, this does that too. My crew is my biggest asset and the thought of them being out of work and hurting for money was something I just couldn't stand. Now we'll all get back to work with better benefits and a more secure future. It is a chance to start over, and we all wish for that at times. I am very excited.
What will change?
The biggest change you'll notice is that phone system will change completely. If we get the same building, the answering machine will be burnt in a ceremony befitting a king. I've never liked that system and it will give me great pleasure to light the match. Our phones will either be answered or you will get chance to hold for the next available person. Everyone who answers the phone will be in the same building and able to check stock or help you immediately.
We will probably change the online store quite a bit. I was always looking for ways to make it better and after looking at the software HeliProz is using, I'm sure we can adapt it to fit our needs.
We will have many items, that up until now, we didn't have. Model Avionics, Logictech and Maverick, just to name a few. We will have many combined resources that will make us a better company.
We will no longer be associated with the lumber business. I am doing what I can to help the lumber people find work, including doing what I can to find someone to buy that business.
What won't change?
Our commitment to our customers. Chris likes the way we do business and he wants us to keep that up. It's what we agreed on first. We will have to stand on our own two feet and make this work. I ask you to support us in this new adventure.
I know you will have lots of questions, so feel free to send me an email. Just put Helicopter in the subject and send it to ron at ronlund.com. If you have a suggestion for a company name, I will look at it. Right now we're thinking HeliProz South, but that's not final.
Thanks a million for your support,
Ron Lund and the crew in Corpus Christi. |
