Arctic Directory: Totem Equipment and Supply is the No. 1 source for construction heaters in Alaska

Full service equipment dealership since 1961 provides products for all phases of construction

Q. What is the official name of your company?

A.Totem Equipment and Supply Inc.

Q. Is your firm a subsidiary or affiliate of other companies? If so, please name those firms and their relationship to your company.

A.No

Q. What do you most want people to know about your company?

A. We are problem solvers and have probably seen every situation that can arise in the Arctic. Totem has been in business as a locally owned equipment company since 1961. We have been through the 64 earth quake, the development of the Prudhoe oil fields and pipeline, the Native Claims Settlement and the oil spill.

Q. Where is your company located?

A. We have 3 branches, two in Anchorage and one in Wasilla. We also have dealers in North Dakota, Edmonton Canada and Pennsylvania

Q. What year was the company founded and by whom?

A. 1961 by Cliff and Allie Huston

Q. What is your company’s primary business activity?

A. Sales, Rentals, Service and Parts for some of the top lines in the Construction and Oil Field Equipment Industry. Also manufacture of the Totem line of self contained Heaters and Steamers

Q. Are there important projects the company is currently a part of or has done recently?

A. We have been actively setting up dealers through-out North America for our heater line.

Q. How many employees does your company have?

A. 25

Q. Describe the equipment your company uses and are there any new equipment purchases planned?

A. Our Manufacturing dept uses Press Brakes, Shears, Iron Workers, plasma cutters, and state of the art welding equipment. Our Sales and Rental departments; we are continuously upgrading our fleet to offer the newest technologies available

Q. Is your company expanding any of its operations or locations?

A. We are currently talking to other firms about dealerships throughout North America

A. We have some new products on the horizon.

Q. What is your company’s main strength or its edge over the competition?

A. Stability, knowledge and versatility.

Q. What new markets, clients or projects did your company attract in the last year?

A. We have entered the Bakken region in North Dakota and the Oil Sands in Canada

Q. What is the most challenging work/contract the company has undertaken? 

A. Most of our orders consist of some sort of deadline. We will only turn-out a first-rate product and our customers know that. Quality take time and redundancy but our seasons are short so it is always a challenge to deliver on time and under budget.

Q. What are the biggest obstacles to completing work your company undertakes?

A. Suppliers are not always as motivated as you would wish so you need to plan and forecast well ahead of demand.

Q. What do you see as your company’s biggest challenge in the next five years?

A. Keeping up with demand as an internal issue and dealing with the governments’ deficit issues externally. The money they spend has to come from somewhere and they are more and more looking to tax and regulate small business.

Q. Does your company have an anniversary or other landmark event coming up?

A. 52 years in March 2013

Q. What is the average length of time employee’s work for the company?

A. We have great longevity at Totem with several 20 plus year employees

Q. What is your company’s safety record? What steps does the company take to ensure a safe work environment?

A. Excellent culture of safety with rule #1 being Safety First. Even just from a business standpoint accidents are expensive and disruptive. It is much cheaper to be preventative than to be reactive.

Q. Has your company been involved in any community projects or charity events?

A. We are active with Konker Cancer and the Awaic Shelter along with kids sports of many types.

Q. What is the address of your company’s website?

A. www.toteminc.com