How did OnlineSupply come to be?
After spending almost 15 years working in a local industrial supply store, Rob McDonald was ready for a change spurred by a strong entrepreneurial itch. His first choice was to attempt to purchase the company he was working for. This seemed to be progressing until the current owner of that store had a change of heart, wanting to maintain majority control over the company.
This put Rob in an awkward position as he had already made clear the desire to become an owner and to step back into the “same-old – same old” just did not feel right. Now, during the time leading up to this, Rob was very aware of the possibility that the deal would not work out so he mused about the idea of branching out on his own. One day, when discussing this possibility with his wife, Rob posed the idea that if he ever started his own supply company, he would call it “Skookum Tools”.
The word “Skookum” was very familiar to Rob since it is widely used on the west coast of Canada. A loose translation (from the Chinook language) of the word Skookum would be strong, tough or of very high quality. It is a word Rob heard many times from clients as they expressed their desire for the most “Skookum” {name of tool here} available. So why not just call the company Skookum Tools, indicating he would only carry the best!
The initial concept of Skookum Tools was to combine the well-proven business model of the “Tool Truck” currently servicing the automotive industry with some of the best quality tools, focusing primarily on those tools that are considered consumables. Hence the first Skookum Tools truck was stocked up with a wide range of abrasives, drill bits, cutting tools and safety supplies. Right from the beginning stages, Rob had the idea that this could be a company that grows through franchising other Skookum Tools trucks.
Within 18 months of operation Skookum tools began franchising and for the next several years grew with the addition of several franchise owners throughout BC. During the 2008-2009 recession, several brand new franchises struggled and eventually shut down. This caused Rob to re-think the business model for the future success of Skookum Tools.
The web site OnlineSupply.ca is the result of 18 months of investigating business trends and looking for a new way to bring Skookum Tools products to market. Since its launch in September of 2011, onlinesupply.ca has developed into the primary marketing engine of Skookum Tools Ltd. Initially, the focus of the site was to offer abrasives including custom made sanding belts to the market across Canada. Since then the product offering has expanded to include the entire product range and the addition of a very popular band saw blade configuration page.
As we look toward the future, the web site Online Supply is continuing to be developed with the goal of reaching out to the huge number of clients who are now looking online for their everyday shop supply needs.
Posted by
Robert McDonald
Robert McDonald is the founder and president of Skookum Tools Ltd. and the driving force behind Online Supply, a premier e-commerce destination for industrial supplies, located at www.onlinesupply.ca. With over three decades of experience in the tooling and supply industry, Robert has cultivated a deep understanding of the unique needs of manufacturers, tradespeople, and hobbyists alike.
A passionate advocate for quality craftsmanship, Robert's journey began with a commitment to delivering top-tier tools and supplies to empower his customers to achieve exceptional results. From bandsaw blades and abrasives to router bits and end mills, Robert's expertise ensures that Online Supply offers a curated selection of reliable, high-performance products.
Robert enjoys sharing insights on efficiency, innovation, and industry trends. His writing reflects his dedication to helping customers succeed, whether they’re tackling DIY projects or managing large-scale industrial operations.
