Bow Tie
Nothing can ruin an orchardist's year more than serious frost damage, so keeping wind machines working is critical.
Fortunately for growers in the Okanagan, Bow-Tie Tech Corp offers a 24-hour call-out service.
For the public at large, Bow-tie is better known for tires and auto or truck repairs.
But for farmers, the company is a critical part of the infrastructure for the fruit-growing industry.
"We're basically the warranty department for Orchard Rite wind machines," says owner Tony Demelo. "And it is incredibly busy. We are the only ones authorized by Orchard Rite to do repairs on these machines, so we are unique in the valley."
The wind machines are sold by Web Metal Fabricators in Osoyoos. Head of sales Rob Webster says having an authorized repair facility locally is a life saver.
"If any wind machine shuts down for any reason, at the wrong time, there is the potential for some major crop loss," Webster says. "So the service they provide is absolutely essential to our industry."
Demelo also has farming in his blood, and takes his customer's issues seriously.
He was raised on a farm and grew up fixing farm equipment for his family.
"It started because I was maintaining everything for our own farm, fixing sprayers and equipment, and then I was fixing them for our neighbours as well," Demelo says. "I was kind of famous for building my own cars as well, and as time went on, my hobby turned into a business."
Demelo says he's most excited about a new innovation being brought out this year by Orchard Rite called ORSAT. The satellite GPS technology allows growers or even Bow-tie to remotely monitor the status of each wind machine.
"If an orchardist was away for the week, and a machine ran out of fuel or broke down, we'd get a message and be able to get out there to fix the problem right away," Demelo says. "It's very impressive technology."
Bow-tie has a 14,000 square foot shop in Osoyoos, BC which deals with all types of equipment repair. As winter turns to spring, however, Demelo says making sure the fan blades keep turning is what keeps him awake at night.
