Hot Springs Lumber and Feed here to stay

Hot Springs Lumber and Feed is here to stay after previous owners had decided it was time to say goodbye and enjoy the finer side of life.

New owners Paul “Digger” Heidegger and son Trever Heidegger looked at purchasing the already long-standing local company as a way to continue to serve their community in a positive manner.

“This was an already successful and established business in the valley, and we saw an opportunity to keep a good business going in the community,” said Paul Heidegger.

“We didn’t want to see an important local business disappear, “ echoed Trever.

The father-and-son team say they have big plans to continue to grow the business, and are taking all suggestions from the already established customer base into consideration.

“Customer service is a HUGE important asset of the business to us. We don’t want to change what already works, just build off and build upwards to what customers need,” said Paul.

“The previous owners did such a great job building the business that we want to continue with that same drive and enthusiasm,” said Trever.

BOTH MEN said that they are looking to extend the products offered, including having more irrigation products available to save local farmers from the drive into Missoula or Ronan to purchase the odd bits and pieces that they need on short notice.

“We aren’t getting rid of a lot of what we already carry, just extending and trying to accommodate what customers here in the valley need to get their jobs completed,” said Paul.

Paul, who comes from an extensive marketing background in sales and real estate, said that he and his son are confident they can accommodate whatever their customer base requires.

“We’ve spoken to a lot of people here in the community, and since we still have the family ranch which isn’t going anywhere we have a unique opportunity to really provide a good service in the lumber, steel, feed and irrigation areas for our customers,” he explained.

Not only are they looking at the already big-ticket items that they can provide, they are also ensuring that they have other items that are commonly used for ranchers and those that live in the valley, including basic veterinary products, hats and even looking to include consignment stock for saddles, ATVs and trailers in the future.