Ontario Pipe Supply focuses on the future
BY Brielle Kennington
Argus Observer
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 10:57 AM PDT
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| Though it is a dying art, Jason Sherman, owner of Ontario Pipe Supply still produces concrete pipes for irrigation. Sherman explained that very few businesses still make the pipes but he and his five employees are all trained in the craft. |
Ontario — Ontario Pipe Supply owner Jason Sherman offers residents traditional irrigation options along with new sprinkler systems.
Although Sherman has owned the Ontario business a little over a year, Ontario Pipe Supply has been installing and servicing irrigation pipes for almost 80 years.
Sherman purchased the business from Dale and Cheryl Cruson after working for them for 10 years.
“It’s a good opportunity, and it was pretty easy to step into it. It is a growing business, and it can be a growing business.” Helping his business grow is a priority for Sherman, and he said he hopes to accomplish that goal by providing customers with more options, such as the irripod flexible irrigation system.
He saw the irripod, along with other systems he added to the business line, at the Irrigation Association in San Diego.
Sherman said the irripod disperses five gallons of water a minute per sprinkler. He also said the irripod system is low to the ground which produces a reduced evaporation rate.
He said his favorite part about the irripod model is the ability to move it while it is running with a four wheeler. The irripod features a two-piece wide base pod design, which prevents the sprinkler from rolling over and enhances maintenance options. If the pod does happen to roll, there is a bar on the top to prevent damage to the sprinkler head. He said the bar is also designed to stop livestock from stepping on the sprinkler head and damaging it. Sherman said another benefit to the irripod is an option to have one to 10 pods. Sherman said the irripod would be ideal for people with smaller acreages, such as pasture or gardens, because the sprinkler is not designed for corn or crops more than 2 feet tall.
“We’re the only one in the area selling this product. They’re the latest and the greatest traveler sprinklers,” he said.
Ontario Pipe Supply has added another sprinkler designed for gardens, sports turf, nurseries and horse arenas. Called the Automatic Traveling Sprinkler, Sherman said the main feature of the system is its ability to automatically wind up while still maintaining high pressure.
The sprinkler comes in seven different sizes to fit any a variety of watering needs.
“As of last Thursday, I have a way to sell these,” he said.
While Sherman said he is excited about the new products he can offer, his employees at the business also are inspired about the future.
“It’s a new challenge basically and I think it will do well for this area,” Ontario Pipe Supply office manager Dell Barker said.
For the customers seeking larger irrigation systems Ontario Pipe Supply has added the Pierce Circle Master. Sherman said Ontario Pipe Supply is the only business in the area selling the Pierce brand.
“With these three products we are a 100 percent complete company. We won’t have to turn anybody away,” Sherman said.
Ontario Pipe Supply is branching out a little with its product line, but Sherman said, the firm is still committed to its old line up.
He said the business will still offer the same past services such as welding or fabricating irrigation structures along with PVC, concrete and pivot lines. Of course, high quality customer service is also a top priority for Sherman. He said it is the past customers who are the bread and butter, and he doesn’t want Ontario Pipe Supply to outgrow what it has been.
“We’ve got experience. We know the farmers, we’ve known the people so long, people can trust us,” he said.
Ontario Pipe Supply still offers concrete pipes which, according to Sherman, are not common in the irrigation industry. Sherman said he is willing to make the pipes as long as customers are still purchasing them. All five of his employees are trained to run the machine that makes the concrete pipes, which are then baked in a large kiln.
“It’s a dying trade, but we still offer it.”
