Business of the Month: Wink, Inc.
—Courtesy photo Wink, Inc. crewmembers, from left, owner Alan Winkelseth, Manager Wade Winkelseth, Shawn Nelson, and Bob Branson.
BONNERS FERRY — The March Business of the month is Wink, Inc., owned by Alan and Cathi Winkelseth.
Wink, Inc. has been really busy meeting the needs of Boundary County this March, due to mudslides, a train derailment, and heavy snows.
“Being available night and day for disaster clean-up has been challenging, but worth it,” says co-owner Cathi Winkelseth. “We do our best to offer our resources and services to help our small town in any way possible. Working together with other companies in times of disaster shows everyone’s dedication to Bonners Ferry.”
The Winkelseths were both born and raised in Boundary County, and see their business as a family legacy.
“We have lived here our whole lives,” says Cathi Winkelseth. “This is home. When we had the opportunity to pursue our dreams in the gravel business, we couldn’t pass it up.”
Wink, Inc. has been a corporation since 1995. The company offers services in road building, excavation and development of lands used for residential and commercial projects.
The Winkelseths believe in diversification of services and goods to stay competitive. Winkelseth tells us, “In the past, we have done work of various types; we have always adapted our work so that we could survive. Being more diverse in projects, and supplying our own aggregate, has enabled us to be more competitive when bidding on jobs. We will be offering more aggregate sources in the future to help broaden our base, and we will offer our services to more counties in the surrounding areas.”
Wink, Inc. employees are experienced in road building, hauling, excavation and utilities. The company has a background in doing work for the Federal Government, and the company and its personnel is trained and certified for working with the U.S. Forest Service to fight forest fires. The business has a public work license and has had a number of contracts with the City of Bonners Ferry.
The Winkelseths say they are very grateful to the customers who have helped the continue growing as a company.
“Opening a business in a small town is never easy, especially when you have larger competitors,” says Winkelseth. “It’s beneficial that we are a locally-owned and operated business. People say they are thankful for a local gravel company that offers affordable prices.”
The Winkelseths plan to be in business for years to come, as their son, Wade, in now manager.
“Wade is very dedicated to Wink, Inc., and making sure our legacy lives on,” says Winkelseth.
Wink, Inc. can be contacted by telephone at 208-267-5804.