Ride In Style Podcast: Episode 43 with Craig Metcalf

Craig Metcalf: Yeah, it’s their bike enthusiast, so it of course fits uh the theme.

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah,

Craig Metcalf: So,

Jesse Stoddard: that’s great. Yeah. Uh Josh Pollson should be here in a minute. Uh do you already know Josh?

Craig Metcalf: I’ve probably met Josh um at some point

Jesse Stoddard: You

Craig Metcalf: um maybe at a SEMA or I’m sure at an

Jesse Stoddard: or me? Yeah.

Craig Metcalf: industry event or trade show.

Jesse Stoddard: Okay, great. Yeah. And just um I’m gonna before we start and we got a minute or two here. Any eBay, I just want to confirm some stuff because I I want to make sure I uh you print the the company is is Kuat, right?

Craig Metcalf: to add. Yes.

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah. Cu Kuat, right?

Craig Metcalf: Yes.

Jesse Stoddard: Okay. Yeah.

Craig Metcalf: Yep.

Jesse Stoddard: And I just want to make sure I Do you say Q like the Q sound or do you say more like

Craig Metcalf: No.

Jesse Stoddard: C?

Craig Metcalf: Coup like um phonetically you might say like K O-

00:00:59

Jesse Stoddard: Yep.

Craig Metcalf: A T. So the coup and then the at.

Jesse Stoddard: I heard it four different ways,

Craig Metcalf: Oh no,

Jesse Stoddard: so I just want to make sure.

Craig Metcalf: we we hear it 14 different ways.

Jesse Stoddard: Hey,

Josh Poulson: Hey guys.

Craig Metcalf: That’s Yeah.

Jesse Stoddard: Josh.

Craig Metcalf: Hey Josh.

Josh Poulson: Good to see you guys. Good to see you guys.

Jesse Stoddard: Uh Josh, I didn’t know if you had met Craig before or maybe somebody else from from uh

Craig Metcalf: Yep.

Josh Poulson: Um I I mean I know I know the name and some being at SEMA and stuff like that.

Jesse Stoddard: Qat.

Josh Poulson: Craig, great to meet

Craig Metcalf: Yeah. Yeah. Nice to meet if we if we haven’t met before.

Josh Poulson: you.

Craig Metcalf: Um, yes, we we did exhibit at SEMA for a couple years and whereas, as you all know, it’s Yeah, you meet a lot of folks.

Josh Poulson: Oh yeah, Neil said it’s a lot of money.

Craig Metcalf: So,

Josh Poulson: out of place.

Craig Metcalf: it it is it is it’s,

00:01:46

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah.

Josh Poulson: So

Craig Metcalf: you know, pros and cons. I mean, to have that network, you know, you you pay to have that network right there. So,

Josh Poulson: yeah, and I want to apologize up front. I’ve got a hard stop at 3:30, Jess, or Easter.

Jesse Stoddard: That’s all

Josh Poulson: We got So we got about 28 minutes, which is usually what we do anyway,

Jesse Stoddard: right.

Josh Poulson: Craig. But uh um um but I like to be upfront about that. I don’t want to race through, hey, you got to go. But um something I had already got planned, so but I wanted to squeeze this in for sure. But thank you for doing

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah, definitely.

Craig Metcalf: Yeah. No,

Jesse Stoddard: Well,

Craig Metcalf: thanks. Thanks for having me on.

Jesse Stoddard: I’ll I’ll do a I’ll do a little just a quick intro and then we just dive in and and Craig,

Josh Poulson: this.

Jesse Stoddard: we have fun.

Craig Metcalf: Sure.

Jesse Stoddard: We just asked some some questions like that are kind of like, you know, to stay on a format, but we can drift too, you know, we can talk about various things.

00:02:33

Jesse Stoddard: So, um and we might ask you a little bit about your SEMA experience,

Craig Metcalf: Sweet.

Jesse Stoddard: too. that might be fun to talk about.

Craig Metcalf: Oh,

Jesse Stoddard: But um all right,

Craig Metcalf: yeah.

Jesse Stoddard: great. So uh welcome to another episode of the Ride and Style podcast.

Craig Metcalf: Yeah.

Jesse Stoddard: Uh today I’m excited for our guest uh Craig Metaf and he is with Kuat uh which does a variety of different accessories and um I’m excited to talk especially about your truck rack accessories and things like that because I know a lot of our listeners and viewers of the podcast are interested. Craig, thanks for being here.

Craig Metcalf: Absolutely, Jesse. Josh, thanks for having me on.

Josh Poulson: Oh man.

Craig Metcalf: I appreciate you giving me the platform to talk racks and to talk all things good

Josh Poulson: H,

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah.

Josh Poulson: you know, rack racks have always been one of those things, Jesse,

Craig Metcalf: at

Josh Poulson: that you know,

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah.

Josh Poulson: they they they’ve just come so far.

00:03:22

Josh Poulson: I mean, I’m old old school. probably before uh Craig was even driving, you know, I remember doing deck racks on cars, you know, on the back of these Mercury Cougars and Thunderbirds with these chrome deck racks and then we got into the lad, you know, to the roof racks and I was always laughed, Craig, because we put these roof racks on minivans, SUVs, and by the way, it said, “Do not add more than 110 pounds.” It’s like, dude, what is this thing even worth?

Craig Metcalf: Oh,

Josh Poulson: This thing’s for show.

Craig Metcalf: you load them up.

Josh Poulson: Yeah. But now I look at what you guys are doing with the racks and I mean you’re you’re doing anything.

Craig Metcalf: Yeah,

Josh Poulson: What is your what’s your biggest, you know, what’s your bread and butter right now at

Craig Metcalf: I mean absolutely. So Ku Kuat you know at its core is um started in the

Josh Poulson: co-op?

Craig Metcalf: cycling industry and started in 2008 and that’s what Kuwat does you know best and what we have a ton of experience is manufacturing bike racks and bike racks from you know heavyduty you know be able to carry today’s like modern ebikes down to lightweight you know systems um systems that can expand.

00:04:30

Craig Metcalf: So it’s really it was through you the development um in the rack space and in specifically bike rack space that has allowed uh kuet to go off and um help you know develop other verticals like water snow and our newest vertical is

Jesse Stoddard: Cool.

Craig Metcalf: truck um and yes really excited to bring um our industrial design into all those different

Josh Poulson: That’s awesome.

Craig Metcalf: verticals,

Josh Poulson: Go ahead,

Jesse Stoddard: And you you guys are members of a variety.

Josh Poulson: Jesse.

Jesse Stoddard: I think you I think I saw somewhere you’re a member of not just SEMA but also Torah and PRO. Is that true or

Craig Metcalf: member of Torm Pro. Um, I think those are very important organizations within SEMA. um not only for a brand’s, you know, selfish standpoint and a manufacturer standpoint to be able to grow and um get in front of restylers and upfitters. Um but then also to to build a community and to to kind of show, you know, to to do what Kuet has done in the cycling world and build that community.

00:05:37

Jesse Stoddard: Cool.

Craig Metcalf: And that’s what we’re we’re doing in the um automotive space. So yeah,

Josh Poulson: It’s

Craig Metcalf: really excited. And of course they’re fun.

Josh Poulson: awesome.

Craig Metcalf: They’re fun to get out and um at larger events and just, you know, meet meet

Josh Poulson: Yeah. So, you know,

Craig Metcalf: everyone.

Josh Poulson: going back to roof racks and trucks and everything’s just changed so much and it’s constantly

Jesse Stoddard: Sir,

Josh Poulson: evolving and it’s tough to keep up. Maybe you could just, you know, talk to the listeners, maybe either shops that have come, you know, guys like myself who we’ve been around the industry, what’s new, what’s not new,

Craig Metcalf: Sure.

Josh Poulson: you know, or just customers in general. if you have, you know,

Jesse Stoddard: heat.

Josh Poulson: maybe explain what you guys offer when it comes to maybe a naked roof um for like a an SUV or a CUV versus one with just OE rails versus one, you know, with uh racks, you know, what where does your different balance

Craig Metcalf: So um kind of on that the the newest vertical from Kuwat is that truck and platform rack space and Kuat decided to enter it for a couple of reasons.

00:06:52

Craig Metcalf: Uh one industrial design is something that is a distinguisher between other manufacturers. um when you see it when you see a bike rack, you know, on the back of a vehicle from 100, 200, 300 yards away, there’s a distinct um look, fit and finish on the product that Kuwett is known for. And we really saw an opportunity within the truck and cab space. Um so within that cab space um of course what is really popular and what is awesome to make accessories for is Toyota and that Tacoma that 4Erunner uh but that platform the Toyota manufacturer was able to put direct mounts. So, from an aftermarket or from a manufacturer standpoint, uh it makes it really easy to um design brackets to replace the OE um rack and then bolt-on direct mount applications. Um so, in our cab rack system, we do have a 4Runner, third, fourth gen, Tacoma, a fifth, sixth gen 4Runner, Land Cruiser, and then the new Lexus direct mount platforms. And then if if you don’t have a Toyota, which we all don’t, uh we have universal fitments that will attach to most just factory or aftermarket uh bar systems.

00:08:19

Craig Metcalf: And then I know this industry likes to get creative.

Jesse Stoddard: Hello.

Craig Metcalf: Um this rack has so many different T channels and and so just really excited to see how uh jobbers and and customers fit this on their vehicle.

Jesse Stoddard: Cool. Very cool. Um, I question,

Craig Metcalf: Sure.

Jesse Stoddard: how did you get started in the aftermarket automotive space? How how did you even get here? Tell us a little bit about your background and and you also not just the business, but how did you end up where you’re at

Craig Metcalf: Sure. So, it it is kind of kind of ironic.

Jesse Stoddard: today?

Craig Metcalf: Um, I grew up in the automotive um I guess industry. We uh my grandpa after uh World War II came back and started an auto parts business in southwest Missouri. So familyowned and operated. Um my dad grew up in the in as a jobber. Uh and then myself and my brothers grew up in the parts store. So, you know, long summers uh spent organizing bearings and seals and uh turning rotors and drums, you know, the machine shop, uh running delivery to the local garages.

00:09:31

Craig Metcalf: Then from there, um, I wanted to get out and about and just kind of out of the Midwest and, uh, ended up going to school out west and then came back to the Midwest and fell in love with Kuwat and and at the time Kuat had, you know, was still a young brand. Um, but our our distribution and our awareness was solely in and focused on bike. And so it it wasn’t until I don’t know maybe three or four years ago that we offered and started to carve out a whole B2B sector dedicated to growing the brand through distribution and through jobbers in the automotive sector. So, I guess you could say, yeah, full circle um outdoor um cycling manufacturer turn, you know, more broad as far as racking and offerings and is now uh a part of the automotive industry. So, so yeah,

Jesse Stoddard: Great.

Craig Metcalf: neat in that sense.

Jesse Stoddard: And and what’s your role today in in the

Craig Metcalf: Sure. Um helping grow. So,

Jesse Stoddard: company?

Craig Metcalf: um I guess you could say the automotive uh sales manager, automotive manager helping grow the awareness both through B2B um helping with marketing initiatives, but just really helping establish Kuad as a as kind of a household name within that um automotive B2B jobber realm.

00:11:07

Josh Poulson: I’m looking at some of their products, Jesse.

Jesse Stoddard: Great.

Josh Poulson: And one that I mean, listen, I’ve been looking I, you know, kind, you know, familiar with the brand, everything that one thing I just love is somebody got creative and they made a rack called the dirt bag. So, I’m sure you sell a decent amount of dirt bags. I mean, they’re pretty good. But first of all, how, you know, how is that brand? You know, tell people what it is, but also or what that what it’s a cool little system. But then, who came up with that name? That’s awesome. Craig,

Craig Metcalf: Yeah,

Josh Poulson: I want a dirt bag.

Craig Metcalf: it’s a it yeah, it’s a real simple product. Um, and in the van world and in the truck space, I I think kind of before uh before Kuat was able to adapt our bed rack to the side of the truck rack. Um, and and we still have it. It’s it’s a take the front wheel off through axle kind of rack system and they’re only like 30 40 bucks but you kind of match whatever your fork is or your your front axle and then you can mount you can mount u this steel plate kind of any anywhere.

00:12:14

Craig Metcalf: Some people will do like 2x4s in the bed and just zip these little fork mounts on. Um, now with track mounts being really popular in in most midsize trucks, you can do like a T-nut kit on the back, mount these on the side or on the front kind of on the bulkhead, and then you just utilize your front fork axle, just put it back through. And so, yeah, just a a real simple um way to transport your bike. Uh,

Josh Poulson: Oh

Craig Metcalf: I’m sure the name the name came about um just kind of from the climbing industry.

Josh Poulson: yeah.

Craig Metcalf: Just, you know, real easy, you know, no whole no issues way to to get your gear out and

Josh Poulson: Yeah. No, it’s awesome.

Craig Metcalf: about.

Josh Poulson: And and is that why I mean you know playing around with those kind of products is that what made you guys get more trucks you know and trying to look toward that or what or did you just see a trend going that way or what made you kind of you know go into the truck space?

00:13:11

Craig Metcalf: I I think Kuwhat found an opportunity to put our industrial design in the way that Kuwette uses the uses aluminum and metals as far as shaping. Um and yeah, and and we we found a way to make the product pretty modular so that you don’t have to have, you know, a ton of different year, make model SKs. Um and yeah within that um within the bedrock space uh have have started to see really good success and have grown that same kind of industrial design application into the cab rack space.

Jesse Stoddard: Come

Craig Metcalf: So, it’s it’s exciting to have, you know, a a better looking,

Jesse Stoddard: on.

Craig Metcalf: better industrial designed rack that still fits with your tunnel covers, still fits with most fulls size and midsize trucks, still can carry your ladders. You know, you can still load it up with a ton of gear, but it’s unloaded. It’s going to be a better looking, better functioning bed rack.

Jesse Stoddard: So, out of bikes and kayaks and cargo and all the things that you guys do, is the truck side something that’s a focus?

00:14:23

Jesse Stoddard: Is it growing or is it a small part of business?

Craig Metcalf: It’s sure it’s Yeah,

Jesse Stoddard: I’m curious like how what with you

Craig Metcalf: it’s definitely growing.

Jesse Stoddard: guys?

Craig Metcalf: It’s new. I mean, if you think about Kubet was started in ’08, you know, and maybe not till the early 20 or 21, just hadn’t even been distributed in this realm. So, the same consumer that shops in the bike shop is not the same consumer that goes to your Linx dealer and is looking for a bike rack or a bed rack. Uh, so there’s that’s been definitely a challenge um carrying that much kind of awareness and notoriety um growing within that sector um thinking that it would just transfer over to a whole another industry. uh was was a great you know challenge and and eye openener to to say nope we you know it’s it’s almost like starting over um back in ’08. So it it’s still a work in progress. I mean we’re we’re we’re still slowly um on boarding with appropriate uh regional distributors, let alone national distributors.

00:15:38

Craig Metcalf: Um the brand is still pretty young. Um, even getting out and about in in real popular territories, it it’s just it’s not the same as the brand is in the cycling industry,

Jesse Stoddard: Awesome.

Craig Metcalf: which is great because that just means there’s that much more opportunity uh to to grow.

Josh Poulson: And where where does the name come

Craig Metcalf: The name comes from our owner uh Kush meter, which is the KU.

Josh Poulson: from?

Craig Metcalf: Then the Atkinson is the AT. So the the KU and the AT the um is

Jesse Stoddard: Uh,

Craig Metcalf: um helps your graphic design kind of aesthetic

Jesse Stoddard: yeah.

Craig Metcalf: differentiator.

Jesse Stoddard: So, it’s not like some Norwegian word I’ve never

Josh Poulson: Yeah. Well, yeah.

Craig Metcalf: It’s not that.

Josh Poulson: You can’t you can’t just throw it in chat TV and get the right answer every time.

Jesse Stoddard: heard.

Craig Metcalf: No.

Josh Poulson: Jess, you gota sometimes it’s it’s creative thinking,

Craig Metcalf: No.

Josh Poulson: you know, that gets and now and then they put the little dots above the U just to look really cool or does that mean something?

00:16:40

Craig Metcalf: No. It’s It’s definitely a graphic an aesthetic.

Jesse Stoddard: helps with pronunciation.

Josh Poulson: Yeah.

Jesse Stoddard: Helps

Craig Metcalf: It it also helps with the pronunciation.

Jesse Stoddard: with

Josh Poulson: Yeah. Well, and also I think I I think it gives it a little bit of level of a more of a premium. Um people think it’s like you said, Jesse, it’s a Norwegian or European brand where, you know, it’s got that thing.

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah.

Josh Poulson: tell us about your um you know your forest initiative because I think that’s something cool that a lot of people don’t realize about our industry is they think of us as you know whether

Craig Metcalf: Sure.

Josh Poulson: it’s race cars you know Jeep Moab bikes we’re always tearing up the environment but tell us you know you’re doing you guys are doing something that’s awesome

Craig Metcalf: The um thanks for bringing that up. Um yesterday was Earth Day. Uh so it’s it’s always great to talk about Right. Yeah. We love the outdoors. Um, and we want to protect the outdoors and we want to do everything we can to help keep those outdoors safe for, you know, generations to come.

00:17:47

Craig Metcalf: So um Kuad started an organization called the future forest or an initiative called the future forest initiative um that every rack sold Kuad helps plant a tree in and we pick a um we pick a wild a project with the national wildlife uh foundation um it’s mostly in North America but I think we’ve we’ve done projects on other continents and we go in with their help um and help a a devastated area, whether that’s been like a wildfire or maybe an invasive species or or some um area that that def that needs uh the help of companies to come back and and fix the eroded landscape, you know, sooner rather than than later.

Jesse Stoddard: That is so cool. And here I’m going to actually pull it up on my screen.

Craig Metcalf: um

Jesse Stoddard: It looks if this is guys have planted almost a million trees.

Craig Metcalf: almost a million trees.

Jesse Stoddard: That’s impressive. And and uh helping quite a bit, making a lot of progress. So that’s really cool.

Craig Metcalf: So yeah, while you’re out there supporting Kuat, you can feel good about your donation and your uh your project to help give

00:19:10

Josh Poulson: Yeah. Yeah.

Craig Metcalf: back.

Josh Poulson: And I think that’s just so like I was saying, Jesse, sometimes our our industry gets a bad rap because they think we’re throwing emissions in the

Craig Metcalf: Sure.

Josh Poulson: air or exhaust and stuff like that. Whereas really, I mean, we try to anything we do, we try to leave it better than what we found it. So, uh, and this is a this is a part of

Craig Metcalf: I would think it would Yeah. When you when you start to talk to manufacturers,

Josh Poulson: that.

Craig Metcalf: you’d be pretty amazed at the initiatives that they have that are positive in in giving back to to helping save areas that are fun to go out and play in.

Josh Poulson: Yeah.

Jesse Stoddard: It’s great.

Josh Poulson: No, that’s awesome. That’s And I even like how they broke it down to see CO2 sequestered. like they’ve they’ve done the equivalent of moving removing 25,000 cars off the road

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah,

Josh Poulson: um just by getting your rack from a premium brand.

00:20:04

Josh Poulson: So,

Jesse Stoddard: that’s great.

Josh Poulson: it’s awesome. Congrats on that.

Jesse Stoddard: Um, yeah, Craig, what’s what is one of the big challenges you’ve had in your career?

Craig Metcalf: Sure.

Jesse Stoddard: How did you get through it? We we like to celebrate the wins, but also it’s great to hear, you know, the story. So, do you have a an example of

Craig Metcalf: Um I I would say you know ongoing you know continuing to grow coup within the automotive sector is a big challenge. um making that decision I think as a company to to start putting internal efforts toward growing in that sector. Um so given that opportunity to kind of peel away and you know become immersed in in a whole new way of um manufacturers, distributors, jobbers, rep agencies, you know how the brand is marketed um how products are sold, how products are trade showed both on the consumer side or the B2B side um is vastly different from the cycling industry. So just, you know, there’s not really a playbook.

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah.

00:21:10

Craig Metcalf: Uh, and like, hey, here we go. Here’s how you, you know, help help grow and and do that. So, um, I think that’s a a challenge that is, you know,

Jesse Stoddard: Heat.

Craig Metcalf: it it it’s it’s exciting. You know, it’s new, it’s different. Um, and yeah, it’s it’s it’s ongoing. You know, every day is is is wins and and losses. And um it’s a really fun industry and um yeah,

Jesse Stoddard: And well, on that note,

Craig Metcalf: just yeah,

Jesse Stoddard: what’s what are you most excited about in terms of the business or the industry?

Craig Metcalf: I think there’s there’s so um I think a lot of the industry has yet to experience or touch and feel the brand KUAT. And so whether it’s cycling racks, whether it’s, you know, getting their hands on bed rack systems, um, or whether it’s future products that we’re creating that are cargo management, uh, systems, I think that’s really exciting just because there’s there’s there’s so much opportunity out there and, um, I know that the the growth is is coming and that we, you know, It’s just managing that um from an internal standpoint and then um just making sure that we’re set up to to continue to scale and

00:22:34

Jesse Stoddard: Great. That’s awesome.

Craig Metcalf: expand.

Jesse Stoddard: And you guys uh go ahead,

Josh Poulson: And go ahead, Jesse. Well,

Jesse Stoddard: John.

Josh Poulson: I was just going to ask about so you guys you guys have stuff even like uh your your ambassadors and the events. Is that just stuff you kind of do with within the Viking community where you’re looking for people that you know can kind of be ambassadors of the brand? Um, you know, how can our listeners, you know, uh, how can that be of benefit to them?

Craig Metcalf: Yeah. Um, traditionally, uh, we have had, um, with new verticals, it opens up, you know, more opportunities to, to grow and definitely, I would say click and into each of the ambassadors bios. I would follow along. They all tell different stories and how they use Kuwhat products, whether it is bike, water, snow, truck. Um, they’re some of the most amazing photographers, media content producers. So, uh, definitely engage and and be sure to follow along on each of those.

00:23:37

Josh Poulson: Yeah, that’s very cool. Go ahead.

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah, that’s really an interesting. Are you looking for more of those ambassadors?

Craig Metcalf: We we do have windows where we we take uh members and I’m I’m not sure if we’re actively taking on ambassadors. However, the team is always, you know, the team loves to to interact with with their end users. So, um, yeah, I would say just, you know, stay stay close to Kuat, you know, stay in contact and and you never know what can

Jesse Stoddard: I have a a possible referral that might be a good fit.

Craig Metcalf: happen.

Jesse Stoddard: The type of person that does a lot of the they travel all over. They do media. They’re kind of a influencers and they might be the type that and they love this stuff. So,

Craig Metcalf: Oh,

Jesse Stoddard: I I’m sure they’re using your product already,

Craig Metcalf: awesome.

Jesse Stoddard: but I might reach out and connect them if let them and ask them about it if that sounds good to

Craig Metcalf: Yeah,

00:24:31

Josh Poulson: Yeah. Yeah.

Jesse Stoddard: you.

Josh Poulson: I think you know the the great thing about the rack industry is it it just keeps changing.

Craig Metcalf: absolutely.

Josh Poulson: I mean and it doesn’t matter whether like you said snow, cargo, bike, you know, and then now you’re in truck. So just looking it’s got to blow your mind just driving down the streeting you’re like that car could use a direct that car could use I mean anybody that needs it you guys are touching all aspects so that’s kind of nice that you’ve uh positioned the company that

Craig Metcalf: It is there. There’s a new product that we just launched which is a kind of a rooftop cargo box. So, I’m sure you’ve seen thousands of them along the freeway. Um, picture that with our with Kuat’s Industrial Design. Um, we just showed it last week. Um, it is on the website and it’s going to be out for sale this fall.

Josh Poulson: Is that the burial?

Craig Metcalf: That’s the varial. So, one, of course, it’s a massive just category in and of itself.

00:25:23

Josh Poulson: Yeah.

Craig Metcalf: Um, and then two, it is, you know, distinctly Kuat’s shaping and design. Um, and we’re just excited to to market it and and get it um get it out this fall.

Josh Poulson: It’s nice. I I love I love the shape of it. It’s very It’s aerodynamic, but it’s still got the It’s not just round tube. You know, I call them coffins, but this one’s less coffiny.

Craig Metcalf: Well,

Josh Poulson: So,

Craig Metcalf: I I’ll have one either in East Hall and West Hall or one of the two halls. And it may or may not be wrapped uh with some wild PP.

Josh Poulson: okay.

Craig Metcalf: So, uh definitely look for that at at the show this year.

Josh Poulson: Awesome. I love it. Love

Jesse Stoddard: So, so are you in both are you guys have a a display in both halls?

Josh Poulson: it.

Jesse Stoddard: That’s a lot of work.

Craig Metcalf: We we do have product in in and around um primarily West Hall. That’s, you know, the the the truck and off-roads hall.

00:26:30

Craig Metcalf: Toyota, we were able to get a couple products in that, you know, kind of that front booth area. Um, and we have some great partners. Um, just kind of more on the the Toyota side of the East

Josh Poulson: Yeah, that’s awesome. Well, we’ll definitely look forward this year and,

Craig Metcalf: Hall.

Josh Poulson: you know, congrats to you guys on coming up with the truck stuff and then now uh the varial and everything you guys are doing and keep growing the brand and everything. Jesse always has one one final question that he loves to ask everybody.

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah, Greg. uh where can people follow you or learn more about what you’re doing?

Craig Metcalf: Sure.

Jesse Stoddard: where where you know obviously we also have a lot of folks that are installers and restylers that listen to this podcast and you know how do they get a hold of you and and how do they find out

Craig Metcalf: Um, of course, you know, for any information you can go to kuat.com.

Jesse Stoddard: more

Craig Metcalf: Um, follow along our YouTube series.

00:27:24

Craig Metcalf: Uh, so make sure you’re follow you’re subscribed to the Kuat YouTube channel, Instagram, Facebook. Um, if you want to get a hold of me, you can reach out on LinkedIn and I can help with all your wholesaling

Josh Poulson: Awesome.

Craig Metcalf: uh direction. Uh, so yeah. Um, yeah, all things

Josh Poulson: Kuat.

Craig Metcalf: Kuad.

Josh Poulson: Now remember everybody, Ku A. You don’t need to chat at Google.

Craig Metcalf: All

Josh Poulson: Just go to kuat.com.

Craig Metcalf: right.

Josh Poulson: Kuat. That’s awesome. Thanks for being part of being on the on the show, Dragon.

Craig Metcalf: Absolutely.

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah.

Craig Metcalf: Thanks for having me.

Jesse Stoddard: All right. Thank you, Josh. Thank you, guys.

Josh Poulson: Nice job,

Jesse Stoddard: Have a wonderful day.

Josh Poulson: Craig.

Craig Metcalf: deeper, but it’s neater.

Josh Poulson: And we’ll let you know when it comes out.

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah.

Josh Poulson: And then you can promote it, do whatever you want, and we’ll tag you.

Craig Metcalf: Sweet.

Jesse Stoddard: Yeah.

Josh Poulson: And Jesse, Jesse’s the marketing guru, so it’ll be awesome. Um, and they do, they just go in and, you know, make it look good, s sound good, and everything.

Craig Metcalf: Yeah.

Josh Poulson: And then,

Craig Metcalf: Well,

Josh Poulson: and if they make me look like a an AI image, it’s my wife’s like, “Ew, you are ugly.” I’m like,

Jesse Stoddard: I know.

Josh Poulson: “Man,