HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-09-24, Page 9Wednesday, September 24, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 9
Troy Patterson/Kincardine News
Montgomery Ford Sales Ltd. in Lucknow and Kincardine came under new ownership on Sept. 2,
2014. L -R: New general manager Craig Beck is seen with Jean and Ian Montgomery, who will be
stepping aside at the end of September.
Troy Patterson/Kincardine News
Montgomery Ford Sales Ltd. has a number of employees with decades of experience. L -R: Lynn
Finlayson (20 years), Ron Cook (16 years) and Gord Kemp (27 years).
Montgomery Ford confident legacy will be maintained under new owners
Troy Patterson
Kincardine News
The torch has been passed
from Montgomery Ford Sales
Ltd. in Lucknow and Kincar-
dine, but the company has
committed to maintain the
family name, service and busi-
ness atmosphere that saw it
weather 66 years strong.
The Penn Group of compa-
nies took over ownership of the
car dealerships Sept. 2 and
plans to honour the reputation
fostered by the business over
the years.
Ian Montgomery, who will
be stepping aside at the end of
September, said he's confident
general manager Craig Beck
will honour both the company
name and work environment
the Montgomery's have fos-
tered since his father started
the Lucknow dealership in the
fall of 1948.
"We had Craig come in and
he was with us a month before
we made the final decision,"
Ian said. "(Penn) do bring a
vast knowledge of the auto
industry with them. We didn't
just want to hand it over to
anyone:'
With some staff members
serving over 20 years with
Montgomery Ford, Ian said he
wanted to ensure the new
owners would "treat staff in the
family-oriented way and con-
tinue with the kind of service
we've provided over the years:'
With the passing of his
nephew Greg Montgomery in
February, the family decided it
was time to move on from the
business and ensure both the
name and the reputation were
well taken care of.
Ian has been with the family
company for 40 years, which
was formerly managed by his
brother James until his passing
in 1993. The business was
founded by his father Gordon
in 1948, which over the years
included a farm equipment
sales element unti11972. James
was handed the reigns in 1982
when the brothers bought the
business, with Ian then taking
on the role of dealer principal
in Lucknow and heading the
sales department. The family
also operated Montgomery
Bus Lines for a time.
Ian said some of his most
memorable moments were
expanding the businesses,
opening the Kincardine deal-
ership in 1982 and expanding
the operation in Lucknow at
the site of the old furniture fac-
tory in 1986. Kincardine's deal-
ership received a complete
renovation in 2012.
"The staff we have are good
people and the customers we
had are loyal," he said. "Our
customers would buy regu-
larly. We call them by their first
name and many have become
more than just customers, but
friends of ours and the staff'
Ian said both communities
have notable differences in
their customers and commu-
nities. He said it was always
important to the family that
customers were greeted appro-
priately and treated with
respect.
He and his wife Jean have
had the opportunity to watch
their staff members' children
grow up and their communi-
ties grow over time. Ian said
Valerie Gillies/Lucknow Sentine
Long-time employees at
Montgomery Ford Sales Ltd.
In Lucknow include from left:
Dale Hayes (29 years), Scott
Rodger (23 years), Allan
Snowden (27 years).
he's enjoyed his involvement
in coaching sports teams,
chambers of commerce, his
lime on the Wmgham Hospital
Board and other community
involvement.
"If you don't put time into
the community, you don't get it
back," said Ian. "A salesperson
sells the first car. Service sells
everything after that:'
Ian said the Ford product is
now more superior than it ever
was, noting that advances in
computers and Hybrid tech-
nology have changed the busi-
ness over the years.
"The product has gotten
superior to what it ever was,"
said Ian, noting the safety fea-
tures have made significant
changes that save lives and
prevent injuries.
His favourite Ford is a 1965
Mustang Convertible, which
he's had about four over the
years. Jean said Ian hopes to
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focus a bit on woodworking
after he takes a break from the
business, as well as develop
some trails on their property
outside of Lucknow.
The business employs close
to 40 people between Lucknow
and Kincardine. Ian said it was
important that the new owners
took on the existing staff with
the changeover, as well as the
name.
"It's time for someone with
more energy to take over," said
Ian. "This group has the energy
and the advances in technol-
ogy to move the company
forward:'
The Penn Group is the
owner of Fox Chrysler in Owen
Sound, Midland Honda and
Midland Chrysler, as well as
Powerband Exchange, an
online auction and appraisal
website.
Beck said he's a "huge advo-
cate" of businesses supporting
community initiatives, sports
and activities and plans to con-
tinue Montgomery Ford's con-
nections in both Kincardine
and Huron -Kinloss.
"I'm excited for the opportu-
nity and also thankful," Beck
said. "The staff have welcomed
me and I'm looking forward to
working with everyone in the
community:'
The company plans to
expand various business ele-
ments, as well as focus on
remaining both quality and
service-oriented.
For more information visit
www.montgomeryfordsales.
com
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