About Low Range Off Road: Celebrating 5 years this Month
It seems like my family has been involved with off road motor sports in one way or another for as long as I can remember. We’ve always had dirt bikes or fourwheelers for riding in all the great areas we have here near our home in northern Utah. Sure, we spent a lot of time visiting the beautiful red rock areas in Southern Utah, but never really did any ‘slickrock’ other than hiking and boating around the Lake Powell area.
We have a close family friend who took a trip to Moab, did a couple of trails in a Jeep, and could not stop talking about how much fun this ‘new’ form of offroading was. “Give us a break” I told Don, “it can’t be that much fun”! Eventually he talked my Dad into buying something to join him in his new found passion. In an effort to not spend a lot of money he settled on looking for a Samurai for sale in the local paper. What he found was a completely stock Sammy that an older gentleman had put together out of 3 different colored Samurais. Before the man got to enjoy his finished creation he sadly passed away and his family decided to sell it off. One look at this cute little John Deer Yellow conception a deal was struck and we took it home.
One trip to Moab, a couple of beautiful trails later, and we were all hooked. Turns out Don was right all along, it was that much fun! The problem was that 'Tweety' was bone stock and needed some upgrades if it was going to do some of the many more difficult trails in the Moab area. 'Tweety' is what we called the Samurai because when he bought it, it had Tweety floor mats, spare tire cover, mudflaps, key chain, and even a Tweety shaped air freshener hanging from the rear view mirror. A few months went by and a aftermarket Samurai outlet was found on the Internet. It was a local business that was only 25 miles away. Little did I know then, that I would get a job there and ended up working there for over a year. I had been turning wrenches for a living before that and wanted to try something new. Although I am grateful for the education that experience gave me in order to be accustomed with what was available for the aftermarket off road enthusiasts, I wanted to be on my own.
This was a hobby that appealed to me because it was something that involved the whole family and I loved trying new things and seeing new places off road. I too enjoy building a rig on my own, I think its half the fun! I knew I could help people just like you who enjoy testing, building, and showing off your unique rig. After consulting with my wife Maria, (convincing here that quiting my full time job was a good idea) I knew a small customer focused parts outlet could be feasible on our own so we risked it right in our own home. For the first year or so she kept her full time job in order to support us while the business could get off its feet. We had a few months where money got real tight but we managed to get through it. Eventually she was able to join me at home taking care of our accounts and I would be lost without her. She is my life!
At first I thought that the Samurai and Toyota market might not support my new found business venture, so I started looking into supplying Jeep parts. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see there are thousands of after market jeep parts and places to buy them. Could I make it without trying to supply parts for the most popular rig that I don't have a devotion or passion to? Well, a few months into my new business adventure I determined that the Jeep market was not for me and I could specialize in Suzuki and Toyota fully.
As you probably know, my name is Sean and I am the oldest of three brothers who all call Low Range our home. All of us born right here in Provo, Utah. Chris, my younger brother, keeps our website up to date and designs many or our in house products. He has owned several Toyota's, and was interested in them in High School. After several successful mechanic competitions, Chris took advantage of a scholarship at a Weber State University in Ogden, Utah for the Toyota ‘T-10' Program. He passed that at the top of his class and from there he decided to join with me and enjoys doing much of the research for the lines we carry. Now our youngest brother Brycen works with us and takes care of your Toyota Leveling Kit line. He too is beginning to build his own off road rig and is a big asset to Low Range.
We have many new additions to Low Range "Family" over the past 3 years:
-James was our first employee, helping us in packing. He was with us for about 6 months before he moved on and we are thankful for his help during his time with us.
-Mark started the day James left and hit the ground running starting in November of 2009. He is basically family and has become our Shipping Manager. He is a huge part of what Low Range is today.
-Dan started in March of 2010, he comes from northern California and has been a Samurai enthusiast for many years and is a large part of our sales team at the front counter. Its never a dull day with Dan around.
-On April 29th, we welcomed the future "Boss" of Low Range Off-Road into the world. Gavin was 6 pound, 12 ounces and believe it or not, he is the cutest little boy in the whole wide world! He is more of a hindrance when he comes to work than a help but give him a few years and he will think he knows everything.
-Nick started in May 2010, he came to us from the local Toyota dealership and works in our shop building tcases, trannys and just about anything else we throw at him. He has 2 of his own built Toyota's and has had Samurais in the past.
-Lee joined us in January of 2011 and has been a great help in shipping. He has 2 of his own built Toyota's so he knows his way around a rig. As we have continued to grow he has become our full time Inventory manager.
-In June of 2011, Colton who is now known as "Coco" stared as a packer. We soon saw that he would be better placed in our office and he is now a marketing assistant and helping with our website. He has owned several Suzuki's and Toyota's and comes from a wheelin family. He is also big into the local RC rock crawling competition crowd.
-In September 2011 because of rapid growth we added Chris, better known as "Kringle" and Mike. They have both fit into the team like they were meant to be here and have not looked back since. We are glad to have them both. Both have there own Toyota's continue to build them.
-Tyler joined us in October of 2011 to help us with Tech and Sales calls. He has built to many rigs to count and has worked for several local dealers and Checker, now O'Rielly's Auto Parts. He has quickly become very valuable to Low Range.
-Steve, my dad, was recently laid off from his 35 year position as a concrete pipe salesman because of the economy. He joined the Low Range team in November of 2011 after a couple other short term jobs and some time on Unemployment. He has filled another much needed place in sales at the front counter and we hope to keep him around till he is to old to pick up a phone or make the coffee.
-In December of 2011, with again the need for more help in the shipping department, we added on Chelsea (yes a girl) to the team, it will take her some time to catch on but she comes from a packing and shipping business so she already knows here way around a pallet jack.
-Another behind the scenes indirect employee of Low Range since mid 2008 is our friend at Rootform, Andrew has basically taken our once meager website to what it is today. He has been on the spot with all we ask of him even on nights, weekends, and holidays!
We think we have a great team and would not be where we are without our great family of employees and thank them whole hearted.
A few years have gone by since the business started and successfully ran out of one of my 10'x10' spare bedrooms, a 30'x30' garage as the warehouse and the kitchen counter as the shipping table. As of November 2011 we are now in our fourth location with over 9200 square feet under the roof with a large show room, 5 offices, 2 break rooms, 4 bathrooms, warehouse and shop. Not to mention another 4000 sf of fenced in outside space to store current projects and used parts. It far exceeds anything I thought that we would ever need or grow into. Without the help of Maria and Chris I know the business wouldn't be where it is today, for that I thank them so much. We have all spent countless hours devoted to making your experience with us as beneficial and helpful as possible. I would like to think our customer service is what has kept us so successful. I hope you look to us as your first source for parts and advice in making your off roader better.
As I continue to see our business grow, I never take for granted that I get to enjoy being involved in a business that most people are doing for the sheer fun of this great pastime. Thanks for making it a great ride!
Sean Conk
Owner
Low Range Off-Road
*Updated December 2011
