Houseboating Adventures - Issue 19 - (Page 37) of wakeboarding with your line of wakeboards and wakeboard accessories? AK: We are only in our 2nd year of wakeboard and ski production,. We compete with 2 highly regarding brand names, Airhead and World Industries. Our boards provide excellent performance at entry level price points. HBA: What is your most successful product line in the company? AK: Airhead towables, ropes, pumps and accessories. HBA: Are your product’s design driven or consumer driven? AK: Both. We listen carefully to consumer input and learn a lot. Our retail dealers are lucky to have more interaction with consumers than we do. We meet with them at trade shows and learn a lot. Our products are constantly being improved. HBA: Service really plays an important role for you, how do you insure the right care for your customers when you have so many different products? AK: I have a fantastic staff that allows me to concentrate on product development and industry trends. HBA: Does your personal boating experiences and knowledge give you any advantage in deciding the next new product to be made? AK: Of course the time I spend and have spent on the water contributes a lot to my perspective. Being a father also is extremely important, since family fun is my business. We produce lots of prototypes of new products that never go to market. Our product testers are very opinionated! HBA: What is the most unusual new item you have heard requested by your customers? AK: A flying tube! HBA: What has surprised you the most about the marine industry? AK: How small it is. I came from the consumer electronics industry. I never did a market study of the marine industry before I dove into it. Perhaps I would have stuck to marine electronics if I had! Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a blast. HBA: What is the biggest challenge boating will face in the next decade? AK: High energy prices, drought, higher manufacturing costs and the dollar. HAB: What particular advantage do you think your company possess’ over its competitors? AK: We have a culture within Kwik Tek that constantly amazes me. My co-workers are the best in the business. We have an exemplary group of factories that we work with overseas. I have had a business relationship with many of them for over 20 years. We are close friends and the level of trust is beyond reproach. HBA: What is your company’s mission statement? AK: Kwik Tek develops and manufactures high quality, safe products at a fair price. Customers and vendors are treated as partners, with honesty and integrity. Kwik Tek sales shall growth every year, in order to provide for shareholders, and employees, so that they and their families may enjoy a prosperous life. END> )6B@" A05("%C&5AB9&@
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