INSIDE THE INDUSTRY » ALBERTA
Riding the trails to success
These motorsport enthusiasts take creative thinking to a new level
by KIRSTEN ARMLEDER
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MIXING WORK AND PLAY: When Randall (Top) and Don Bowman aren't in the shop designing products or promoting them at shows, they spend time finding new ideas in the backcountry.
—photos courtesy Randall Bowman |
When two brothers with innovative minds, an entrepreneurial spirit and a solid passion for motorsports put their heads together, the entire industry is affected.
Born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta, Randall and Don Bowman—better known as the makers of Superclamp—spent most of their youth riding snowmobiles, motorbikes, street bikes and PWCs.
“It wasn’t unusual for us to have a couple of each,” said Randall.
Two years after taking his first motorbike ride on a Kawasaki KDX 175, Randall started competing in motocross for Kawasaki Canada. He raced for four years in the early ’80s but after breaking an ankle when he was 22, Randall got into jet-skiing—and of course, modifying the equipment.
At that time, Don was enjoying a career in cross-country snowmobile racing. He raced Kawasaki Invader 440 snowmobiles so, naturally, that was how Randall got into sleds.
“That was basically the first snowmobile I ever rode,” said Randall.
A turning point
Whenever Randall and Don went for a ride—it didn’t matter if it was on a dirt bike or snowmobile—they always came up with ways to make it better. That’s how their company, Bowdriks Industries, got started.
It was in 1990 that Randall and Don stumbled across their first invention—the traction rail for snowmobiles—which was an immediate hit.
“We invented this product for our own sleds so we wouldn’t fall off but everyone that saw our sleds starting asking where they could get some for theirs—and that’s where traction on the running boards got started,” said Randall. "Later, we improved the product and called them Sno-Slipes and Sno-Grips."
After that, the ideas kept pouring out and Bowdriks Industries took off. Some of the products they have created for snowmobiles, motorcycles and ATVs are Superclamp II, Superclamp Rear and the latest innovation, Super-Glides. Not only do Randall and Don design these products, but they build most of the machinery that manufactures them.
A full-time passion
Today, the brothers spend most of their time running the business and trying out new inventions. Randall, who lives in Calgary, takes care of sales and promotions while Don looks after production and oversees the research and development facility in Lethbridge. Although they still like to ride motorbikes, snowmobiles and ATVs, Randall said the testing process never stops.
“Our job is not nine to five,” said Randall. “It is 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s our life.”
All of their hard work and ingenuity has certainly paid off since Randall and Don have earned the respect of manufacturers and well-known figures in the industry; however, Randall feels they are just two brothers who have the same concerns, hassles and passion for motorsports as anyone.
“We enjoy the fact that we are able to use our ideas that we work really hard on to make life simpler or better,” said Randall. “That’s the gratification we get—being able to build something that people recognize and love using.”
For more information about their products, go to www.superclamp.net.
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