by Glenn Taylor
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Oct 24/97) - Three former employees of Inuvialuit Sporting Goods Ltd. have taken over where that company left off.

ISGL was closed down by the Inuvialuit Development Corporation earlier this year, after the corporation decided in September of last year to dump the money-losing venture. ISGL has not turned a cent of profit since IDC bought RDR Sports in 1989 and transformed it into ISGL.

Last year, the corporation offered to sell the company name for $1 to its employees, and to negotiate a selling price of its $750,000 in merchandise. Last month, negotiations were completed, and Westwind Recreation launched its new venture.

"IDC wanted out, and they offered us the store," said Hans Lennie, one of the new owners of Westwind Recreation. "With government funding and our own money, here we are today."

Lennie the sales manager is joined by former co-workers James Day on mechanical and Edgar Maring, the parts manager.

Lennie learned a lot about the business in his eight years with ISGL. One thing he learned is what sells, and what doesn't.

The new managers have dumped much of the old inventory offered by ISGL, including clothing and footware, and most sporting goods. "Based on past sales, that stuff just wasn't moving," said Lennie. "But snowmobiles were a big seller for us, so that's where we decided to put our focus."

The company is selling Yamaha and Polaris snowmobiles, and recently trucked in 40 new Yamaha machines for the brisk selling season ahead.

ISGL sold close to 200 machines in 1996, its best year ever. Last year wasn't as successful, in part, says Lennie, because ISGL focused on higher margins and fewer sales. That strategy didn't work, and Westwind has abandoned it.

The new business will also carry hunting equipment, such as ammunition, knives, chain saws, axes and fishing nets. "We plan to cater to the hunter and trapper," said Lennie. "That's what we're here for."

The company was officially formed Sept. 6, when the negotiations with IDC for the inventory were completed.