Bear Iron Works Weekly Operations Summary – July 21, 2025

Products Discussed:Concrete Washout Tubs, Bedding Boxes, Grizzly Rock Screens, Skidsteer Snow Pusher

Safety Updates

  • Forklift & Scissor Lift Recertification: A company-wide OSHA-compliant recertification is scheduled to ensure all team members are current and qualified.

Product Quality & Warranty

  • No current warranty claims or product quality issues were reported this week.

Production & Inventory

  • Concrete Washout Tubs: One standard 1-cubic-yard concrete washout tub remains in inventory. Sales have slowed, prompting new listings on Craigslist and KSL to boost visibility.
  • Bedding Boxes: High inquiry volume for bedding boxes continues, particularly for the 3-yard model. One unit sold during the meeting and is now prioritized in welding.
  • Grizzly Rock Screens: Custom grizzly screen for a gypsum plant has been quoted. Awaiting confirmation.
  • CNC Plasma Table: Voltage feedback remains within tolerances—no critical issues detected.
  • Manlift Equipment: Hybrid manlift batteries are failing. Replacements are being ordered to restore operational efficiency.
  • Snow Equipment: Skidsteer snow pusher (Snow Pusher) drawings reviewed; align well with existing Bear Iron Works specifications.

Sales Performance & Strategy

  • Organic Sales Attribution: One confirmed sale traced to organic Google search traffic.
  • Shopify Analytics: Strong web traffic observed, with ~$2.5M in abandoned checkouts over the last 12 months. Conversion remains a top priority.
  • Discount Strategy: A temporary 10% discount on in-stock items is approved to drive end-of-month conversions.
  • Sales Follow-Up: Team will contact high-interest leads from the past two weeks to push toward close.
  • Revenue Goals: Approximately $100,000 in additional sales is needed to meet this month’s breakeven target.
  • European Distribution: A potential international distributor has re-engaged, expressing interest in Cub-series products and smaller SKUs.

Ongoing & Upcoming Projects

  • Roll-Off Concrete Washout Pans: Product received; design and engineering phase begins this week. This new line will serve growing demand in Eastern U.S. markets.
  • Steel Tables from Scrap: Demand noted. Production feasibility using scrap or new material is being assessed.
  • Triple S Steel Credit Application: Still under internal review.
  • Willow Creek Collaboration: Possible overflow structural steel work opportunity with a new Grand Junction facility. Bear Iron Works is positioned to offer support.

Marketing & Ecommerce Considerations

  • Shopify Upgrade: Under evaluation to enable customized checkout experiences, increased trust signals, and potentially higher conversion rates.
  • Tariff-Inspired Promotion: Team discussed launching a “Trump’s Tariff Sale” as a humorous promotion to counter hesitation linked to tariff uncertainty.

Closing Remarks

While sales inquiries and quoting remain strong, the primary challenge is conversion. Strategic follow-up, promotional pricing, and continued product development—particularly around high-demand items like bedding boxesconcrete washout pans, and snow pushers—will be key to closing the month on target.

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