Today we’d like to introduce you to Markar Agakanian.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a Director of Operations and Sales at a family-operated Logistics/Manufacturing company called Quetico LLC. Quetico LLC is a 27 years old company who started out inside the garage of one of the principles. At the time, my father (Nick Agakanian) and his partner (Tom Fenchel) started out as a Third Party Logistics company supplying small retailers with branded product. They began by shipping, handling, and financing their inventory all themselves.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have faced a lot of obstacles and challenges along the way anywhere from freight not being delivered in time, incorrect truckloads being shipped out, extremely tight turn around scheduled, influx of containers, product damages when shipping, labor shortages, order cancellations, and much more. But our biggest issue we have had since the inception of our company is not enough space in our warehouse. We currently occupy 600,000 sq ft of space in Chino, CA and we are at the absolute maximum we could store/work product in here which is why we are currently moving and building a 720,000 sq ft warehouse in Goodyear AZ. I would be remised if I did not mention the current pandemic we are going through which has had a huge effect on our business through retailers not being open, slow sales which translate to more storage in our warehouse, labor force depletion, social distancing within the warehouse, maximum capacity issues, sanitation protocols, etc. But in any case just like everyone going through these times, we are doing our absolute best and taking above and beyond precautions in order to have a safe and healthy work environment.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our company started out with supplying small retailers with branded products and doing handling/working for them as well. But we then had an opportunity to service one of the largest retailers in the US. We began to sell Costco, which at that time 27 years ago had merged with Price Club and ultimately ended up acquiring Price Club. Through that merger we were able to grow with Costco since they now had more locations and began increasingly supplying them with branded products in large quantities of footwear, apparel, accessories, and hard goods. After developing a very trusting and successful relationship over the years, we were able to earn their business to become one of their handling depots. We receive, verify product authenticity, quality control, count, and pack then product before sending it to Costco depots who dispatch it to stores directly. After years of servicing Costco to the fullest our reputation and experience began to make way around the apparel industry where we started taking on more clients anywhere from a small size company all the way up to companies like TJ Max, Marshalls, Winners, Burlington, Nordstrom, Target, PVH, Fillerina, Lost Surfboards, and more.
With our experience in apparel and fabrics Quetico then began a manufacturing division. We obtained licenses to produce/manufacturer OR sell branded apparel such as Quicksilver, Roxy, DC, Rock & Republic Jeans, PVH (Ck & Tommy Hilfiger). Along with those Quetico is now also currently going on our 18th year of maintaining our Levi’s Strauss & Co. jean manufacturing/handling license.
I like to say what sets us apart is that we are a One Stop Shop for any and all sized companies who are in the fashion, shipping, and retail distribution industry because there is some sort of value added service we can offer them from our menu of services. Something that also sets us apart is that we like to pride ourselves on being problem-solvers for our clients. Any issue, problem, headaches, or work that needs to be done, Quetico is always up to the challenge and will do it with flying colors! Now, how we got to the point where we are now always leads back to what my father and his partner prided themselves on when first starting out which is customer service, efficiency, integrity, and humbleness!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
While at work, I like to listen to either NPR to catch up on daily news or I like to listen to some LoFi Beat music to concentrate and get down to work. When I’m not at work, my favorite podcasts I listen to are the Bill Simmons Podcast, The Basement Yard, Planet Money, Armchair Expert, and Business Wars. A book I’m currently reading is Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman which talks about how to increase the efficiency on your business and how to “get a grip” before you lost it.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Queticollc.com
