Bud Poxleitner founded Bud’s Saw Service in 1970. While living in the area of St. Maries, Idaho in the early 1960′s, Bud worked at Charlies Saw Shop for several years, gaining experience and know-how that at the time, he didn’t realize would become very valuable knowledge in the future. From Charlie’s, Bud worked as a log saw man where the money was better, but the dangers for injury could change a mans life. He was hit by a snag which paralyzed Bud and left him with decision to make – and that led Bud to Cottonwood, Idaho.
In Cottonwood, right on Main Street, Bud’s brother Errol worked in a service station and then began hauling logs. By 1970, the service station had closed up but indeed, the demise of one business opened the doors for another enterprise to move into the location, and Bud’s Saw Service was born. Bud’s experience at the saw shop in St. Maries would now take him on a new journey as a chain saw dealer for Stihl, Husqvarna, and after that first year, Scorpion Snowmobiles was added to Bud’s Saw Service product line. Of course, repair and maintenance services, and sales of “Pre-owned” chain saws, lawn mowers and ATV’s was a healthy part of Bud’s repetoire of services.
In 1981, Scorpion Snowmobiles was bought out by Arctic Cat and in 1985, Bud added Polaris ATV’s to his product line. Bud Poxleitner worked hard to service his customers and soon had built the business to become what is an important anchor of commerce in the heart of the Cottonwood Idaho marketplace.
Bud’s injury was a hardship and the fact that he started, owned and operated a business demonstrated the true grit and courage of a man who would not give up. But the daily grind was taking its toll on Bud and he was in need of a lighter load. In 1989, Bud’s brother Errol Poxleitner took over the business which was generating a nice annual income, and Bud could still be seen in the back of the mechanics shop fixing a weed wacker or a chain saw, but with less of a strain on his physical abilities.
Errol worked the business hard and on January 2, 1996 he hired Todd Stenzel to join the Bud’s Saw Service team. Todd’s role as salesman of the Polaris and Arctic Cat was favored by many and as word of mouth grew as to the customer service satisfaction and knowledgeable support that Bud’s Saw Service represented to snowmobile and ATV fans across the west, business doubled, tripled and quadrupled over the years.
Today, Bud’s Saw Service is under new management by John and Koleen Law, and Todd Stenzel is there still, helping customers to determine the right machine, the addition of accessories, and as a liason between the manufacturers and the vision of Buds Saw Service, serving its role in the community and helping customers from Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon and even as far as Alaska to enjoy the pleasures and productive uses of their machines and equipment.
Bud’s Saw Service operates today as one part of the life blood of Cottonwood Idaho — a symbol of the sheer determination of one man, Bud Poxleitner, to persevere through the physical and mental hardships of a debilitating injury to create and sustain a treasured landmark as well as the source of sheer enjoyment by so many people who are valued customers of Bud’s.
Thank you Bud!