A competitive skater growing up, Ty Kelly traveled from event to event in a travel trailer. Today, he is the owner, along with his wife Jodie, of Beaver Coach Sales in Bend. Last year Beaver Coach Sales was named one of North America's top five Blue Ribbon RV dealerships.
“We've been in the top 50 for six or seven years and that was a big deal,” he says. “Being in the top five is the most coveted spot and it’s been a goal of ours for years.”
This designation is not only based on the number of units sold, but also on how a company treats its employees, its overall culture and mission, service training, and philanthropy. Beaver Coach Sales scores high on every single category.
Employees are highly valued and recognized for their hard work and customer service. In fact, they’ve had multiple family members and friends become part of the team after employees shared their enthusiasm for the atmosphere. The team also includes a handful of customers who later became employees due to their experiences at the dealership.
When it comes to service, there’s a highly qualified and certified service manager on board who can train and certify others. And, if a customer needs maintenance or repair, they are a one-stop shop.
“Our employees really care about what they do,” says Ty. “For example, it’ll be a Friday night, and I'm trying to lock up when I see the three techs, the walk-through coordinator, and the sales guy still working because one of our customers wants to hit the road, but they had an inverter problem. Our guys will volunteer to stay to make that happen.”
The company’s most significant focus is always on its customers. “Our mission is clear - to provide opportunities for adventure and enrich the lives of others,” says Ryan Kelly, Ty’s son and general sales manager who grew up to love the RV lifestyle as much as his parents.
“Our goal isn't necessarily to sell the greatest number of RVs, but to sell the best RVs and create the best experience for customers. Oregon, all of the United States, are so beautiful, and there are so many incredible places to travel to and explore. We want to provide the best vehicle for people to get out there, play, and have fun.”
So, what are the biggest advantages of traveling by RV? “For the most part, people love having their own beds, their own bathrooms and their own refrigerators with all of their stuff,” says Ty. “Another advantage is that you can take your time seeing places around the country. What I love the most is that, no matter where you are, and whether you're in a luxury RV park, a Walmart parking lot, or a rest area along the highway, when you wake up in the morning, you have to look out the window to remember where you are. It’s an adventure.”
Many of their customers are on their fifth and sixth RVs, but for someone who isn’t sure the RV lifestyle is for them, or who doesn’t have a place to park one, there are plenty of rental options. “We have people that rent multiple times a year, every year, and then all of a sudden they decide they want to buy one,” says Ryan. Employees are also encouraged to rent them and enjoy being out on the road.
Ty and his wife still love to travel all over the country, and sometimes they meet up with their customers. “We try to do at least one trip a year and sometimes we do multiple trips to RV shows, or what we call rallies.”
Philanthropy is another huge focus of the dealership and its entire team. “Almost every one of our philanthropies comes from employees telling us about something they’re passionate about. These usually revolve around kids, and sometimes pets.”
Being the title sponsor of the Boys and Girls Club annual banquet is one way they give back, along with being one of the top sponsors for Ghost Tree Invitational, an annual golf tournament that benefits local charity organizations. “We have foursomes that play in the golf tournament and it’s a lot of fun,” says Ty. “We're also very involved with FFA [Future Farmers of America]. It's cool to give to organizations that you know are making a direct impact on the next generation of young leaders.”
Stop into Beaver Coach Sales and learn how to join the RV lifestyle. Let home be where you park it!
BeaverCoachSales.com
Beaver Coach Sales
62955 Boyd Acres Rd, Bend, OR 97701
Phone: 541.322.2184; 855.395.5385
· Sales – New and Pre-owned: Beaver Coach, Newmar, Tiffin Motorhomes, Entegra Coach, Thor Motorcoach, Riverstone, Coachmen, Berkshire.
· Rentals – Wide inventory of RVs of all sizes for rent
· Parts and Service
“Our mission is clear - to provide opportunities for adventure and enrich the lives of others.”
— Ryan Kelly, Beaver Coach Sales General Sales Manager