Ecklund

Gary Ecklund, as many business owners can confirm, innovated and developed his company based on personal experience.

In the early 80's, Ecklund was working at his family ranch in Saskatchewan. One of the more mundane requirements of his job was to watch, open and close the farm gate. His frustration with this "time wasting" job resulted in the biggest single improvement in drive through gates since first invented in 1924.

The gate - retailed at $237 - is designed such that there is a pressure release mechanism which allows the gate to "pop" open faster than a vehicle can bump into it. An electrically conductive rubber bumper sleeve offers a cushioning effect while maintaining a completely electrified gate. Ecklund's gate is adjustable in length, making it adaptable to many different gate sizes. Two patented processes include Ecklund's release mechanism, and the locking mechanism which ensures the gate is locked into place snugly once a vehicle passes through.

After three years of use at the Ecklund Ranch, Gary Ecklund felt that he had a product to bring to market. He first presented the drive through gate at the Canada Farm Progress Show in 1986. After this first show, Ecklund personally demonstrated his innovation through much travelling and cold calls. These initial gates are still in use 13 years later.

Ecklund's strategy has been to target, through price and promotion, to the top 3% of the market (that portion of the market willing to spend more on equipment). As a result, the Ecklund Drive-Thru gate has achieved a quality image.

To date, Ecklund has sold over 10,000 gates, achieving over $2 million in sales. His product has been exported to countries including: Japan, Chile, Sweden, Australia, Chile, and the US.

Ecklund Drive Thru Gates is Gary Ecklund's central business, but by no means his only innovation. Ecklund submitted two other ideas to the Innovation Centre for evaluation, but has put these product concepts on the "back burner" while he concentrates on his company. Ecklund's goal is to build capital and maintain a living on his investments while he explores other exciting business opportunities.

What business will Gary Ecklund add to Canada's fine achievements next?

Gary Ecklund may be reached at: (306)-696-3272