july2017

164 165 AMERICAN SURPLUS & MANUFACTURING / ICE CASTLE FISH HOUSES The customizable aspect of what is essential- ly a motorhome continues to wow consumers and competition, alike. Designs are available to accommodate every fishing lifestyle through an amazing menu of options. A large bay win- dow in the rear? Satellite TV? The basic Ice Fish shack can be converted into a luxury Ice Fish House home, and all models have main- tenance-free aluminum siding. Even better, the road-licensed Ice Fish House features deluxe double-pulley suspension with retractable wheels, so it can be used year-round; as a hunt- ing shack in the fall, or a trailer for hauling snowmobiles, four wheelers, motorcycles and other toys in the winter, spring and summer months. Ice Castle products have sold as far west as Wyoming, and as far east as New York. “Some of the units are basically RV trailers,” says Drexler. “Our customers are typically outdoorsmen–we attract hunters, fishermen and women–but we’re also getting people who will just buy our product for a camper.We do a lot of work with handicapped people; a lot of veterans who aren’t as mobile. Unlike a regular camper, our chassis goes right to the ground.You can be down and set up in an Ice Castle in five minutes, com- pared to a normal RVwhere it’s necessary to use levelling jacks.You don’t have to do that with ours, it just sits on the ground or the ice.” The company has grown from 8-12 employ- ees at its inception, to 160 employees during peak demand. Presently, about 130 people are on the payroll.With success comes the need for expansion, and Ice Castle is always on the grow. A 12,000-square-foot addition is in progress; one of numerous additions incorporated into the facility over the last five years to keep up with the growing demand. One of the reasons for the ever-increasing sales is attention paid to improving the product in practical and innova- tive ways, such as incorporating urethane insu- lation, which many other camper outfits do not. The Ice Castle Arctic Package features urethane insulation under the floor, in the ceiling and walls to improve the comfort level and lower the heating cost. Drexler says his company actually fared well