by Janice Henshaw –
After visiting VRX Ventures Ltd. on Mills Road in Sidney, I have a hunch that one day soon, you may wish to add a new space to your home – a simulator room!
VRX designs and builds stunning simulators that allow you to experience what it is like to fly a jet over the Rockies, train for the Indianapolis 500, or compete in an Olympic bobsled race. Their glossy high-tech performance racing simulators provide a fully immersive experience that VRX describes as “an exciting, heart pumping system that will leave you breathless in the seat.”
Imagination knows no limits for this innovative, Sidney-based company. They promise: “If you can dream it, we can build it.” With a background in fabrication, owner and CEO Robert Stanners grew up working on racecars, hot rods and aluminum boats. “I always dreamed of owning a company that built unique products. I wasn’t sure what these products were, but I knew this was something I wanted to do.” In 1999, he founded VRX out of a small garage. The first unit he built consisted of a simple steering wheel and gas pedal connected to a computer running basic game software.
“The first five years of the business were very challenging, to say the least,” says Robert. “I was building products that were not yet ready for the market as technology just wasn’t far enough along to support clients buying an expensive racing simulator chassis.”
In 2005, VRX got its first big break when Xbox (the popular Microsoft gaming brand) and Forza Motorsports contracted Robert to build two custom simulators to showcase their new game called Forza Motorsports on the original Xbox. Professional drivers drove on a real track at Road Atlanta and then raced the same course using the game simulators. The event was featured in the magazine Popular Science and opened up new clients and opportunities for VRX.
“Many of the initial customers were racing enthusiasts, even semi-pro drivers who wanted more seat time,” says Declan Dinnadge, Sales and Marketing Manager at VRX. However, now they are selling to more casual consumers, such as gamers and technology enthusiasts.
In the last three years, VRX has seen exponential growth, ramping up sales above $2 million and selling over 50 units each year. Ten employees work at VRX, four of whom are Camosun College graduates.
“VRX is really one huge technology toy box,” says Robert. “We’re doing things now that I had envisioned 30 years ago; it’s surreal in some aspects.” Robert does not have degrees in computer science, engineering, or business, but what he does have is a dream with a very clear vision for VRX. “I combine this vision with a solid team around me and there you go: good things will happen.”
To stay ahead of the curve, VRX has to determine where to put research and development efforts. “We don’t want to invest time on the gimmicky tech,” says Robert, “but rather focus on what has real legs. At times I feel as if I’m in a high tech chess match with other tech companies.”
Keep an eye on VRX in 2017. They have some amazing new products that Robert says will “shake up the tech industry.” And if you are in need of a game changer at your next party, a VRX Simulator might just do the trick.
