When business partners Bob Brock and Paul Sides purchased Texas Hunter Products, they already knew their target consumer group -- hunting enthusiasts. But what the entrepreneurial team was shooting for was to improve hunting products -- essentially help hunters become better at the sport. "We take direction from the hunters and listen to what they want, and we try to deliver that," says Brock, president and CEO of Texas Hunter Products. Sides, general partner in the venture, agrees. "Our focus is on the customer -- delivering, designing and manufacturing a high-end product is crucial," he says. In an effort to help their customers reduce noise, Texas Hunter designed a rubber mat that allows for quieter movement within the deer blind. And recently, the partners introduced the EZ Set Digital Timer for the wildlife feeders they stock. Brock says the timers are easy for the hunters to operate and help them to maintain accurate feeding schedules. Texas Hunter manufactures over 50 different products, Brock says. Product lines include numerous types of deer blinds -- or deer observation towers -- ranging from ground-level blinds to towers that reach 20 feet. In addition to the inventory of blinds, the company sells a line of wildlife feeders for different animals. The wildlife feeders vary in size, price and weight capacity. Some feeders sit lower to the ground for delivery to turkey and quail, while another line of feeders -- targeted for fisherman -- can even sit over water for delivery to fish. Texas Hunter carries two different types of feeders, a barrel-style feeder and a square trophy feeder. Other hunting accessories available are feeder timing kits, hunting chairs, tripods and a range of other products and equipment that help hunters improve their competitive edge in the woods. Texas Hunter's patrons run the gamut from high school students to billionaires. Brock says many of them have been frequenting Texas Hunter for years. John Calhoun Wells is one of the store's veteran customers. Wells, an avid hunter for over 45 years, has purchased nine deer feeders from Texas Hunter in the past and will be adding six more to his property, he says. "My experience is that they (Texas Hunter Products) make the best quality products in the country," he says. Texas Hunter is "customer driven," he says, adding that they are diligent about listening to their customers needs. "When you are spending money, you want a good quality product that works," says Wells. "They work hard at providing good service and will take care of you. Good cost and good quality, coupled with years of industry experience -- you are not going anywhere else." Hunters entering the showroom of the 15,000-square-foot building will see a collection of trophy deer mounts adorning the wood-paneled walls -- including a replica of the famous 'hole in the horn buck.' This prominent whitetail deer is well-known to many hunters because of a hole in one of its antlers. Brock says the partners included the world class trophies into their decor and remodeled the showroom to "resemble and have the feel of a lodge." In addition, they have set up a deer blind inside along with other hunting equipment offered, so customers can test out the inventory. The partners wanted to give hunters a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere where they could share hunting stories and tales, but also get hands-on experience with the products, Brock says. "It is all about fun and recreation," he says. "Everyone that comes in here really enjoys the experience," adds Sides. "It's not like going to the dentist," he quips. Background The owners are the latest in a short line of hunters that have been designing and producing wildlife blinds, feeders and hunting accessories for over 50 years. The history of Texas Hunter goes back to the 1930s. The company was originally named Braden Wire & Metal Products Inc. and was owned and operated by founder, Alvin Braden. Braden began to experiment with designing deer blinds and feeders, and in 1958 introduced the current deer blind model, says Brock. In addition, Brock says the company developed some of the "firsts" in the industry, such as patenting a game feeder in the early 1960s and introducing a solar panel for game feeders in the late 1970s. Braden eventually sold the business to Maurice Lloyd in the 1970s, and the name was changed to Texas Hunter Products in the 1980s. Sides, both an avid hunter and businessman, was a customer of Texas Hunter during the time Lloyd owned the business. He says Lloyd was retiring and wanted to sell the company. Sides saw an opportunity to expand his business portfolio. He is also the CEO of locally based Sides Supply Ltd., a 35-year-old wholesale appliance distributing company -- the majority stakeholder in Texas Hunter. "I was intrigued by the business (Texas Hunter) and saw the potential for growth and improvement," he recalls. "I love to hunt and love the outdoors and wildlife, just like the customers." He adds that his passion for hunting helps to give him insight to what the customers want. Teaming up To run the day-to-day operations of the business, Sides tapped Brock for the position. The two met at a tradeshow and discussed the venture. Brock formerly served as president and CEO of Sweeney Enterprises Inc. -- a competitor in the wildlife feeder industry, which is located in Boerne. Brock says he saw a lot of potential in Texas Hunter as well. He adds that teaming up with Sides seemed like the right step for him because he wanted the opportunity for ownership and "wanted to build some equity" in a business. "I was impressed with him (Sides) as a businessman and particularly with his interest in hunting because he had a lot of experience in the industry," says Brock. "His approach is from the hunting perspective and he is a very sharp business person." To that end, Sides organized a group of other investors in Texas Hunter, they include father and son, Alex and Jeff Meyer, Hayden Fry and Mike Venema. Sides says each member of the team brings something unique to Texas Hunter. "We have quality people and having good partners is fun. That is key to our business," stresses Sides. "It is not easy running a business so when we are here, we all have fun. You have to have fun too." Now under its third ownership group, the Texas Hunter partners have a positive outlook for the future of the business. Brock says the company's sales have tripled since they took over in February 2000, a factor he credits to the partners' efforts to help hunters improve their success. Since acquiring Texas Hunter, the business has added 20 new products. The partners recently designed a Web site and catalogue, and continue to market and advertise in both national and regional magazines such as Whitetail Journal, Hunting Lease Magazine and Texas Trophy Hunters. They also hire engineers to design new products and improve on existing inventory. Texas Hunter currently sells its products wholesale as well. The partners have a list of distributors in states such as Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. The group is aiming to have their hunting products available in stores such as Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops and Academy Sports & Outdoors in the near future. "Our future is bright. We want to outsource some of our products. It makes us more competitive," says Sides. "I see a surge in business for us." Heather Ray Karam © 2003 American City Business Journals Inc. |
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