Q & A to fix what they have instead of buying a new vehicle . A lot depends on the weather too . Franks : We are looking for small growth , not double digits . Stens is such a strong brand and continues to grow year over year . We ’ ve added some powersports parts for OPE dealers that carry side by sides . The breadth of what dealers can buy from us is wider than it ’ s ever been . We have OEM replacement axles coming out in early June .
What is your growth opportunity ?
Roessler : Being a manufacturer , we ’ re able to adapt and change . We can see trends and opportunities . And because our distribution system is top notch , with distribution points in several states , we have a strong ability to serve dealers . Plus , Rotary has next-day delivery for 80 percent of the U . S . Franks : Getting into other areas is definitely a growth opportunity , and we have Ag parts too under the Stens brand . Diversity makes a difference . We have our “ Tiger ” LED lights for Ag use and OPE use on tractors and zero-turn radius mowers . Arrowhead has acquired several brands through 2022 , including Bihr , a European powersports distributor . We probably won ’ t be doing other acquisitions in 2023 . We had a CEO change recently . And we have new internal goals , and a new warehouse facility in Nashville [ Tenn .]. We ’ re excited about our opportunities and looking forward to growing through efficiency and customer service .
What is one thing you want dealers to know ?
Roessler : We ’ re looking closely at how we , as an industry , communicate with tech schools and high schools to provide training and skills . We have an aging labor market , and increased need . And a changing need with battery-powered products . We are currently working on how we can help students in tech schools look more closely at service positions in OPE . We employ a lot of high school students in the summer here in Georgia . Warehouse positions , or internships , through Georgia Southern U , and that raises awareness of the profession . Franks : One of the messages we ’ ve been sharing this spring is about the importance of smaller and single-location OPE dealers . We work with a lot of them , and they ’ re important , no matter their size or revenue . Sometimes it seems the multi-location businesses get all the attention . We ’ re doing more online , and we chose to not print a catalog this year . We heard from a lot of dealers who just don ’ t need a catalog in their hands . We have a variety of ways to communicate with and serve all dealers . OPEB www . OPEBusiness . com May 2023 OPE Business 25