Stratton couple invents portable SpeedShield

Ken Johnston
Editor

It is fast, easy to set up and shields its contents from the weather extremely well!
Rick Pollard, 42, of Stratton, along with his wife Rhonda, 42, have taken a problem that frustrated him and come up with a solution that they are optimistic many people are going to want to buy.
SpeedShield came to life when Rick became frustrated trying to cover his logging equipment with big tarpaulins. “I have had this in my head for about ten years but it was about two years ago when I started messing around with coat hangers,” explained Rick.
Then one day he went to Stratton equipment and picked up some steel to make a larger version. “My wife was not sure what I was up to. I got a piece of wood, drilled a bunch of holes in it and put the steel into place.” That was where Rhonda came in. “I asked her if she could design and sew a cover for the frame. Having done lots of sewing for the kids, it did not take her long to design a cover from material used to cover (wood) chip trailers.”
The frame he had built collapses to a very small and portable size featuring hinged under frame cross pieces that sit on the ground. Snowmobiles or ATVs. Then sit on those cross rails to keep the SpeedShield from blowing away. The cover pops up and over the intended sheltered item with great ease and then locks into the side rails of the base. “It worked perfect the first time,” exclaimed Rick.
They tried several types of materials before settling on tough polyurethane Ultra Violet tested material. The top of the standard SpeedShield is comprised of the UV resistant material to keep the sun at bay and the sides are a darker colour to provide heat to keep the vehicle warm.
While he has been actively promoting one that would be perfect for small recreational vehicles, he unveiled a bigger model last week that can be used to cover larger vehicles or even as an ice fishing shelter.
To keep the SpeedShield from blowing away in the wind during set ups, Rhonda invented a vented system on the sides that allows the wind to pass through and can then be closed.
Rick says the potential for the product is limitless and has filed a patent on it, which will be pending for about two years. “I plan to make these big enough for skidders and other big equipment.” He also mentioned the potential for a clear model to be used as a portable greenhouse, making them in other colours, even camouflage and for other recreational vehicles like boats.
Rick and Rhonda have both quit their full time jobs to make the SpeedShield in the former Pinewood Hall. They hope that once the product takes off that they will be able to hire more staff and hope to keep making them in this area.
It takes the pair of them about four hours to make one SpeedShield; two hours for the metal/frame work and two hours of sewing.
The frames are all rust free and lightweight aluminum. The cover is double stitched for durability. It is also flexible and slippery material to prevent snow from sticking and building up weight on the exterior.
The product has attracted a great deal of media attention with several newspapers as well as CTV visiting their factory in the past few weeks.
Rick has also approached big box stores like Canadian Tire and Walmart who so far have been very interested in the product. “I have also talked to Arctic Cat and Polaris who also were very interested in it.”
The small ones will likely sell around the $300 mark and the newly released larger one for about $400.
They have sold quite a few to friends and have established dealerships in Atikokan, Thunder Bay, Saskatchewan and even as far away as British Columbia.
Both these Rainy River High School graduates are very excited about the future and see the product as a must have for many, many different needs!
For more info on SpeedShield visit their website at www.speedshield.ca or call them at 807-483-1444.