Our Story
2013
Research and Design
The idea was sparked and the finger throttle started to come to life. First in the mind of Andrew, where the design started to take shape. Next on his manual milling machine where he made a block to mount a thumb throttle on the front of the handle bars. After proving this could indeed work, a 3D printed prototype was used to try many different variations of what we now know today as “the finger throttle”.
2014
Humble Beginnings
It was in a small workshop behind the Munster’s family home in Whistler, British Columbia where the business started. A shabby shed from the outside but a beautiful wood trimmed metal shop from the inside, many projects had taken place here over the years but the space was now evolving into the Munster shop.
2015
Building a Market
Bringing a new product to market, especially one as altering as a finger throttle, was not easy in an industry of die hards stuck in their ways. It did not happen over night
but slowly snowmobile enthusiasts started seeing the control benefits of riding with a finger throttle.
2016
Growing Network
Building relationships throughout the industry with riders, clubs, and dealerships was crucial in establishing Munster as a reputable business with proven products. As the companies awareness grew, so did the product line with Andrews designs coming to life as fast as they could be produced.
2017
Establishing the Brand
The brand was based not only around the quality products but also the mastermind behind these designs. The fact that Munster was a growing name in the industry both on and off the snow helped elevate the brand to the top of the charts. Munster was producing their own quality videos which captivated snowmobilers worldwide by showcasing local talent from the Sea to Sky.
2018
Relocating the Facility
It was apparent the next step in growth for the business was to bring the production of the products in house. This meant purchasing a CNC machine which had a footprint larger than the back yard shop. A new facility was the only option. With the new equipment on order, it was a rush to find a space suitable. The business looked at every possibility from leasing, buying, to building, and eventually found its new home in an industrial warehouse located in the neighbouring town of Squamish.
2019
Bringing Products In-house
Setting up shop again was no small task, the construction of the new space was happening around the clock and piece by piece was becoming the masterpiece it is today. The delivery of the new CNC machine happened almost immediately and began pumping out parts in the middle of the chaos.
2020
Scaling and Manufacturing
With manufacturing parts in house it brought many new aspects to design and production, the Munster team grew to fill the necessary rolls involved. These processes began to become more refined and the shop became a well oiled machine.
2021
Acquiring More Equipment
With demand still outweighing the production capability, a second CNC machine was ordered and on its way. The last piece of outsourcing was the coating process called anodizing which was proving to become a huge holdup in production. It was decided to bring anodizing in house, and although it was a major undertaking it was achieved and added to the facility.
2022
Refining Systems
With the structure in place the main focus turned to refining systems and keeping the wheel turning, with so many moving parts there were lots of things to attend too. These systems were put in place and designed to improve efficiency while never failing, after all our motto here at Munster is “if something is worth doing, its worth doing well".
2023
Growing our Team
With the addition of new team members, the business flourished, driving growth and innovation while surpassing targets, all attributed to their diverse skills and perspectives.
