Power Pac acquires Erv’s Sales and Service

Witts build on Tomahawk family’s dealership legacy

 For the City Times

MARSHFIELD – Power Pac, Inc., a powersports and equipment dealership in Marshfield, has acquired Erv’s Sales and Service in Tomahawk.

Josh and Mandy Witt said they “look forward to continuing the legacy that was built by Alan Van Strydonk, Nancy Swan and their family over the last 50 years.”

“Nancy and Alan, with their families and team, have built an extremely successful and respected business that we look forward to building upon,” says Josh Witt, co-owner of Power Pac, Inc. “We are grateful they have given us the opportunity to carry on the dream they’ve built and will do everything in our power to maintain the level of service people expect from Erv’s.”

Erv’s Sales and Service was established in 1969 by Alan and Nancy’s parents, Erv & Jean Van Strydonk, and originally sold mostly Polaris snowmobiles. After a building move and overcoming a fire, they moved to and acquired Tomahawk Trailer & Boat, allowing them to add marine and trailer products to their lineup. Alan and Nancy took over ownership of the dealership in 1992 and purchased what is now the current building and expanded from there.

“We pride ourselves on taking care of the customer before, during and after the sale,” says Swan. “The reason our service is great is because we believe in taking care of our team. Our service department has over 150 years of combined experience and you don’t have that kind of longevity if your team doesn’t believe in your values and business direction. We think Mandy and Josh will carry on those values and direction.”

The acquisition of Erv’s allows Power Pac to add to a large lineup of brands and expand into the marine side of the business.

“A second location was always in the plan and Erv’s has a lengthy list of positive attributes including an exceptional team,” says Mandy Witt, co-owner of Power Pac, Inc. “They have direct access to trails, bodies of water and tourism, a recognized lineup of marine products and an established service and storage business. It checked all of the boxes we had in our growth plan. It just came around a little sooner than expected. But when opportunity knocks, you answer and show up to meet the challenge.”

The Witt’s say the vision for Erv’s is “mostly business as usual.”

“As the old saying goes, if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it,” says Josh. “As with any business, we plan to grow and innovate as we go but we want to stay true to the original values of this place. It should be easy given we believe in the same level of service that Alan and Nancy do.”

And the original owners won’t be strangers. To help ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for customers and the team, both Alan and Nancy have agreed to consult through the summer and potentially beyond.

“It was a difficult decision to sell knowing we have so many loyal and long-standing customers,” says Swan. “But we feel at ease knowing Josh and Mandy will carry on the same business reputation we have provided. We want our customers to know how much we appreciate their business and friendship over the years. It means the world to us.”