When Garth Thiessen stepped into ownership of Supreme Overhead Doors nearly five years ago, he wasn’t just buying a business – he was embracing a legacy. The Winkler-based company, established in 1989, had built a reputation for quality service and strong customer relationships. With support from his father, a seasoned entrepreneur, Thiessen saw an opportunity to continue that tradition while bringing fresh energy and ideas to the table.
“It was time for a change in my career,” Thiessen says. “I got the opportunity to go into business with a company that already had a reputation for quality and service.”
Building relationships, one door at a time
Operating in a tight-knit community like the Pembina Valley, Thiessen quickly discovered that customer service isn’t just a business strategy – it’s a way of life. “A majority of my customers are return customers,” he explains. “The soul of the business is local companies. We get to know our customers and help them work through problems to keep things running smoothly.”
That commitment to service extends to emergency calls as well – Thiessen and his experienced team aim to respond within 24 hours. They have seen and fixed almost everything that has to do with overhead doors – from broken springs and typical hardware issues, to one case where tornado winds had blown the entire door off its mounts and landed on top of a combine.
“If a company has a door down that they need, we're on our way,” he says. “We stock springs and other parts, so we can usually fix issues quickly.”
Expanding services to meet community needs
Under Thiessen’s leadership, Supreme Overhead Doors has expanded its offerings beyond traditional overhead doors. The company now installs fire doors, high-speed doors, and motorized screened-in decks. They’ve also ventured into chain link fencing – a move inspired by the hiring of an employee with five years of fencing experience.
“It seemed like a natural fit,” Thiessen says. “We had noticed a need for this service in the community. We were seeing companies coming in from outside of our area, and knew customers had to pay for that extra travel. With us, the travel is minimal because we’re local. So we made the investment, got the equipment, and our buying power with LiftMaster helps us with gate operators. It’s a natural evolution of the contacts and experience we have.”
Embracing technology for better service
As a LiftMaster dealer, Supreme Overhead Doors stays at the forefront of technological advancements in the industry. “LiftMaster revamped their commercial line recently,” Thiessen notes. “Customers are excited about the new features, like internet access to door openers and even cameras on residential operators. It’s amazing what you can do now.”
These innovations not only enhance security but also offer convenience, allowing customers to monitor and control their doors remotely.
Looking ahead: continuous improvement
Reflecting on the past five years, Thiessen acknowledges the challenges, including navigating supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he remains optimistic about the future. “In the next five years, I just see us doing everything better,” he says. “We want to keep growing and improving in every aspect of the business.”
At the heart of that growth is a deep appreciation for the community. “We're nothing without our customers,” Thiessen emphasizes. “Their trust and ability to lean on us in situations is what keeps us going. Working with customers is what I love, and I want to keep doing things better for them.”
Give Supreme Overhead Doors a call 204-325-1936. Learn more at www.supremeoverheaddoors.ca.
