About Us
I appreciate the opportunity to tell the ongoing story of our business, Gunntech Manufacturing. Our business began in 1998 when Dalen Gunn, our President/CEO, invented a tool called the Skimmer. The tool was an instant success and was sold throughout the U.S. and around the world. Dalen has worked in the floor covering industry for more than 25 years, first as an installer, then as the national installation trainer for a laminate flooring manufacturer and finally as a technical manager for a floorcovering distributor. While employed in these various positions Dalen was constantly searching for tool ideas that would make the flooring installer's job easier. After successfully developing, producing and marketing his first tool invention and ultimately receiving a patent for the tool, Dalen saw the potential for a tool company in the current market. Since then Dalen has continued to invent tools used for laminate, carpet and hardwood flooring installation.
Dalen and Mary Gunn, along with myself, currently manage Gunntech Mfg. In 2001, our business strategy changed; instead of selling to other manufacturers and wholesalers in the industry, we decided to focus on selling to distributors. To do this we wanted a catchy brand name that would identify our unique line of innovative, durable tools to the industry Bullet Tools was created. Since then we have enjoyed tremendous growth and have earned a permanent place in the flooring tool market. Our company is dedicated to helping installers and distributors become more profitable through time saving innovations.
Ben L. Toews
Vice President/CFO Bullet Tools
Dalen Gunn
President/CEO Bullet Tools
Dalen's first invention as a boy was a fishing bait that pulled in one salmon after another while the grown-ups stood on the bank empty-handed. The next year he sold a ton of them. That was the beginning of a constant stream of ideas, preceded only by that one with his little sister's toy that he'd rather not talk about. His brothers claim he invented the first three wheeler, even if it ended up on a junk heap with a bent frame. However, it kept the wheels rolling until, in 1998, after 20+ years of installation, training, and sales in the flooring industry, he patented his first flooring tool, "The Skimmer." He was hooked and Bullet Tools was born.
Although originally hailing from the midwest, gorgeous northern Idaho has been Dalen's home for the last 13 years, where he resides with his beautiful wife and business partner, Mary. He has a daughter and two sons. Elisha is a director, dance teacher, wife to son-in-law Ben, and mother of his first grandchild; Elijah is a combat veteran from Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Brian is the Regional Sales Manager at Bullet Tools.
Besides inventing tools, Dalen loves spending time with his family, traveling, hunting, auctions and fast food. He believes in God, Family, Country and Thomas A. Edison's words, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
Dalen's goal for Bullet Tools is to develop high quality, time-saving, affordable tools for the pro floor installer and have a heck of a lot of fun while doing it.
Mary Gunn
Vice President/COO Bullet Tools
When Mary's 21-year career as a home executive, home-schooling mother came to an abrupt end as her youngest son Brian, graduated, she picked up the gauntlet of starting a new flooring tool company with her inventive husband Dalen and Gonzaga business grad and Son-in-Law, Ben.
Listing somewhat to the artsy side, Mary occasionally wonders how she found herself managing a tool company. Her loves and interests are extensive and besides complete devotion to God and her family, they include reading, writing, hot springs, playing cards, long walks, theatrical projects with her children, line dancing, scrap-booking, skiing, viewing vista's, sleeping, jumping on the trampoline, playing Jacks with her adorable grandchild, music, swimming, formal picnics, gardening, decorating, archaeology, and going out to lunch. How about next Thursday 12ish?
When she's not reading, dancing, walking, or out to lunch, she keeps her day job as COO for what she believes is the finest tool company in the industry, Bullet Tools.
Mary's goals for Bullet Tools are to promote a friendly, innovative company that operates with integrity and sells just plain great tools.
Ben Toews
Vice President/CFO Bullet Tools
Ben Toews has been working with Gunntech Mfg. since its inception. While attending business school at Gonzaga University, Ben assisted in building the company from a one tool wonder into a full-line flooring tool manufacturer. Focusing on quality and innovation, Gunntech has developed a wide variety of valuable, time-saving tools that are sold around the world. Ben now manages the finances and deals with international sales for the business along with a variety of other responsibilities. Ben is grateful for the opportunity to work and grow with such a dynamic team in a company that continues to flourish.
Ben spends his spare moments with his wonderful wife Elisha, giggly daughter Christani (7 yrs. old), and his brand new baby girl Sadie. He enjoys fly-fishing, golfing, skiing, chocolate malts (extra chocolate, extra malt), Gonzaga basketball games and helping in the development of new tools.
One of the characteristics that makes Bullet Tools markedly different is where the Magnum Shear manufacturing originates. From start to finish, the design, machining and assembly all happens in the good ole' USA. Meet a couple of our Ace Employees:
Mike Erikson
Sales Team Leader
Mike joined the sales team here at Bullet Tools early in 2006. He really enjoys talking to you about our line of tools, especially the Magnum Shear. Mike feels that the Magnum Shear is the ultimate companion for getting the job done and is thrilled to be part of a company that is innovative, opening new markets and is changing its industry.
Brian Gunn
Purchasing Team Leader
Krista Brand
Marketing & Design Team Leader
Krista joined the Bullet Tools team in 2006, after majoring in Graphic Design at North Idaho College. Krista has designed our catalogs and ads for the past three years and is excited to now officially be a part of this innovative company.
Krista enjoys hiking and snowboarding in the beautiful Northwest, trekking around the globe, creating art, and sipping a good cup of tea.
Lori Meyer
Inventory & Purchasing Group Leader
Lori joined Bullet Tools in April '06 after recently relocating to Idaho. Lori has an extensive background in inventory and purchasing, obtaining most of her experience with employers like Hewlett Packard, KinderCare and Red Lion Hotels. Lori is working to streamline processes and organize inventory to best coordinate customer orders and production needs.
She enjoys knitting, relaxing on the water, and spending time with her family.
Irene Crose
Accounting Team Leader
Katie Johnson
Shipping & Order Fulfillment Team Leader
Katie came to Bullet Tools in July, 2006. Although she was hired to assist in Human Resources, we found she had a niche for just about everything! Katie eased her way into learning more about our company by assisting in the co-ordination of our trade shows and seeing what happens outside of the office doors! She also cross-trained in Shipping, and she was placed as the head of that department in March, 2007. "I just love what I do, especially driving the forklift!!!" If anyone can get it done, Katie can, and she is always ready to serve you.
In Katie's spare time, when she has it, loves to paint, ride bikes, take her two dogs swimming, and especially loves to hunt and fish. "Coeur d'Alene River. . . I caught a fish, it may have only been a small 5 inch cutthroat, but I caught one!"
Nathan Brand
Product Development Team Member
Nathan Brand has been working at Bullet Tools for four years now, and has had experience both building and assisting in the design of many of our tools. Currently, he is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Idaho.
Nathan enjoys eating, reading, blacksmithing, prototyping, and designing forge burners and actuated stilts.