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By: Robert Janis
Being Good Listeners
Helps Make PRM Products Successful
It often happens that successful businesses
start off in a home’s garage. That was the case
with PRM Products of Central Point, Oregon. Dan
Phillips and his wife Deborah started it as a
part-time venture in 1982 while they were
involved in the construction trade. Dan had some
off-road experience and had raced in some SCORE
events.
About that time ATVs offered for racing had
vulnerable undersides, and there was no product
available to protect them. Phillips, who was
known for his suspension fabrications on early
ATCs, was asked by racers to come up with a
product that would provide that protection. As a
result, he and his wife began making protective
plates and accessories for 250R three-wheelers.
From the very beginning of the business, Dan and
Deborah Phillips considered input from customers
as essential in product development. In fact, it
was input from racers that was imperative in the
development and ultimate sale of the protective
plates. Also, racers continue to provide input
to help produce products that “Work as well as
they look!”
He also enhanced his aluminum welding skills
constructing three-wheelers and quads that have
run in the Baja 1000, San Felipe events as well
as other SCORE races. And he did some racing
himself.
Soon the Phillips gave up their day job; and in
1988, after just six years of doing business,
they moved out of the garage to more traditional
facilities.
The company now has seven employees and makes
racks, bumpers, side bars, grab bars, z-plates,
and edge bumpers for ATVs made by:
Yamaha
Honda
Suzuki
Kawasaki
Polaris
Artic Cat
Bombardier/ATK
KTM ATVs
Deborah noted that everyone associated with PRM
rides ATVs “all the time.” “So when we think
there is a need for a product we want, we make
it,” she said. “And what we come up with is
usually what our customers want, too.” She also
volunteered that communication with customers
gives them ideas.
The company has its own research and development
department where new products are constructed.
Then they are given to racers for testing.
“Racers put our products through extreme
testing,” said Deborah. “They race with our
products along rocky terrain, in forests and
more. They are always hitting something with a
lot of force so they can test the durability and
reliability of products. When the racers are
finished racing, they return the products back
to us; and we study them and learn how to
proceed.”
PRM sells its products through the internet,
directly to retail customers, and through
dealers. The company has dealers throughout the
U.S. as well as in other countries including
Canada, Costa Rica, and South Africa.
They also
have a website (www.prm-atv.com) where
one can find out more about the company,
research the products they offer, buy
products, and get other information.
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