A Conversation With: Minnow Speidel, Winter’s Recreation
Tell our readers a brief history of Winters Recreation…
Believe it or not – the story of owner/operator Matt Winters starts back when he was a teenager. Between him and his dad, they repaired snowmobiles and sold them for a profit out of his garage. A little adventurer and an American Entrepreneur at such a young age was not just another daydream. His passion for running a business was real. He likes a challenge.
So what started out by selling a couple of used snowmobiles quickly led into hundreds. Besides just sleds, he dabbled into ATV’s, vehicles and more. Back in 2000 (just after his high school graduation), Matt’s specialty was wholesale deals and that is when Centre Motor Sports, LLC was officially established. Fast forward a few years, Matt rented out a storage facility to house the entire inventory while working from his “home office”, aka – the bedroom! This only lasted so long before he soon outgrew that, relocated to a Brick N’ Mortar and hired his first employee. Years passed, connections were made and business was good.
2008-ish, Matt purchased a handful of Penske Box Trucks from Texas. To help pay for fuel back to Minnesota, he loaded them with golf carts. And I’m sure you could guess what that led to – more wholesale deals. Quickly these wholesalers turned into retailers asking for a rear seat, then lights, paint… One turned into two, quickly turned to three and so on. Demand was in the present. Matt held on tight and ran with it.
In 2017, this was one of the driving forces of Centre Motor Sports LLC rebranding itself to Winters Recreation. With a fair amount of golf cart customization under our belt, we have acquired a reputation for high-quality products and sharp looking units. This epic and mega move had not only helped shape Winters Recreation into becoming more retail-friendly but become the Midwest’s Largest “Customized” Golf Cart Supplier. Since then, we took on a few new lines such as Cherokee Grey Wolf Fish Houses, while maintaining a solid selection of customized golf carts, new Club Car Onward, used vehicles and used snowmobiles.
Currently, we have an in-town office location and an 18,000 square foot warehouse location where the majority of inventory lies. Because of such exponential growth in the past couple of years, we are more than doubling our warehouse and showroom area. Rough eta is Spring 2020. We’re very excited about this move – for our 20+ employees and customers.
What kind of services do you offer…
We are a proud Authorized Club Car, Onward Golf Cart Dealer. We are well known for our vast selection of customizations ready to drive off the lot as well as custom builds. New and used inventory allows room to cater to all budget and brand loyal customers; Yamaha, Club Car, E-Z-GO and Gas, Fuel Injected, Electric Battery Powered. With the high demand and having a good selection in stock, this allows us to have that competitive edge and be priced right.
Tailor-made orders come from all corners of the nation. Custom orders are precisely laid out before production; therefore, giving the customer comfort in knowing exactly what they are getting. One of our most popular paint schemes is our “Patriotic”. They don’t stay in inventory long and we’re always shipping nationwide.
Because we specialize in golf carts, we also stay busy with golf cart service & repair, special event rentals, delivery & financing and wholesale dealership opportunities.
Can you tell us about any special builds…
Sponsorships and they are all decked out, college campus’s with mascot themes, and a few public sporting or musical events where celebrities are taking a ride in a Winters Recreation golf cart without even knowing it!
Is there a business aspect that you feel has elevated your success…
Team of certified technicians who have not only learned by the book, but also the real, day to day triumphs that come from listening to the customers’ wants and needs. Educating our customers and helping them make the right purchase is genuine and honest. We have a great reputation that we’re proud of and have earned. Each & every employee is important, has their nitch and what they specialize in. It takes a team. Happy Employee’s = Happy Customers
Contact info…
Winters Recreation | 39204 Cty Rd 186 | Sauk Centre, MN 56378
info@wintersrec.com | www.wintersrec.com
