INDUSTRY 411

INDUSTRY 411 Advanced Control Systems Corporation

Advanced Control Systems Corporati on (ACS) was established in 1978 in Toronto, Ontario. The company started to produce snowmobile components for its own racing teams (Weatherill Brother Racing). The fi rst products that ACS produced were carbide runners for snowmobile skis. The carbides runners that ACS produced were so eff ecti ve and of such high quality, that other racing teams started requesti ng that ACS produce components for them as well. Aft er other snowmobile race teams ordered products and ACS was able to supply them, ACS took the next step which was to produce other snowmobile components, accessories and tools that helped the race teams be more effi cient and competiti ve in their races. When ACS met this goal and were sati sfi ed with the testi ng of all of their products on various race tracks, they brought their parts to the general consumer through various distributors and dealers. Today, ACS snowmobile products are sold Canada-wide, and are exported to many diff erent countries. They are also proud to produce private label parts for companies such as Canadian Tire and Yamaha that are part of their distributi on family.

Currently, ACS operates on a two-acre property, housing a 20,000 sq. ft . facility that produces their products with the aid of twenty full-ti me, dedicated employees. ACS has come a long way from their incepti on in 1978, when they had only one product, to now off ering over twenty diff erent types of products with thousands of diff erent part numbers. As the snow is falling across the North American Snowbelt, we were lucky enough to catch up with Advanced Control Systems’ Plant & Engineering Manager Masooma Morad, at their headquarters in Ontario, Canada.

ACS headquarters is located north of Toronto, ON, in a 20,000 square foot facility, employing twenty full time employees. ACS’ newest product is their flexible Ice Scratcher, which can be color coordinated with your snowmobile. All ACS products are made at the facility in Ontario, Canada, and all of their raw materials are sourced locally.

What is the best-selling/most popular product that ACS offers? ACS’s current best-selling products are our Ice Scratchers and Clutch Pullers. Both products are produced by using state of the art CNC machines, and the Ice Scratchers are also individually assembled by our skilled staff . Our Ice Scratchers are constructed of stainless steel and aluminum, and are the only ones on the market that are available in diff erent colours.

What makes your products better or different from other similar products in the industry?

We proudly make our products here in Ontario, Canada, and our raw materials are sourced locally. The components that go into our products are manufactured using our own state of the art CNCs, Benders and Welders. However, each and every one of the products we make is carefully assembled by our skilled staff . Our Carbides are placed individually into their host bars, our ICE Scratchers are assembled one by one, and our Spring Pullers are TiG welded one at a ti me by our skilled welders. Everything is done in-house, allowing us to control every aspect of the process and each stage of the manufacturing process.

When riders buy your product, they want to be sure that it works properly. How do you test your products? We have several recreati onal riders on staff , as well as family members who are given samples and asked to provide conti nuous feedback. We use Yamaha proving grounds and testi ng laboratories to test some of our products such as Ice Scratchers and Carbide Runners. Additi onally, this year we joined forces with the Canadian Snowcross Racing Associati on (CSRA) and will be sponsoring some younger, up and coming riders. We can’t think of a bett er way of a “hands-on testi ng fi eld” than with CSRA racers at their events.

What’s the best way to purchase ACS products? We sell our products through established Distributors who in turn sell to Power Sports dealerships. Also, end users can purchase our products through authorized online dealers such as Canadian Tire, and CBMG Powersports. Do you offer and type of warranty or guarantee? ACS takes pride in our name and products. All our items are warranti ed against any manufacturing defect. Normal wear, misuse, abuse or modifi cati ons, as with most products, are not covered.

What ACS product are you most excited about? Our Stainless-Steel wire rope Flexible Ice Scratcher is what we are most excited about. This product is our baby and we have tested it all across Canadian soil. It’s been designed and manufactured by ACS.

Tell us something about the company that you wish more people knew. That we are HERE! We are a local brand, and WE are Canadians. Our growth over the years has been strictly through word of mouth. We have never uti lized massive adverti sing venues like our US competi tors. We’re hoping for a grass roots and a ground swell of support from Canadian riders.

What is something you are sure to find inside ACS headquarters lunchroom? Fridge? In the Freezer there always seems to be ice cream because we celebrate employee’s birthdays with ice cream cakes.

Where is your office’s favourite place to ride? Primarily in cott age country like the Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton Highlands and the Parry Sound area, which are all within a few hours drive from our facility.

What’s next for the company? Next is to parti cipate in more in the events, social media, snowmobile racing, magazines and TV.

In ten words or less tell us why someone should do business with ACS? Established in 1978; Reputable; Quality; Best Value; and PROUDLY MADE IN CANADA!

In the 1970s, ACS developed their first product, which were carbides for their own race team, with Mike Weatherill behind the bars. After their proven success on the track, it didn’t take long before other teams approached them to also use their carbides. Ulisses De Oliveira is the president of ACS and oversees the complete operation. Advanced Control Systems Corp.’s Plant & Engineering Manager, Masooma Morad, designed and is responsible for their new Ice Scratchers.