Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-09-10, Page 22Life achievement in auto industry" Kristine Jean QMI Agency For the past 65 years, the automotive industry has played a big part in Harold McLaugh- lin's life. And although officially retired, the 91 -year-old Mitchell resident still shows up for work at the family-owned and oper- ated McLaughlin's Chrysler Jeep - just over the bridge in Mitchell - everyday. "This is just the thing I do - I've done that all my life, get up and go to work," said McLaugh- lin. "Or it seems like all my life." Starting out in the industry at the age of 26, McLaughlin has pumped gas, worked in sales and ran a dealership. "It's all been about sales pretty much. I started in the business as a service station attendant in Listowel in 19497 he said in his office cubicle. "I looked after the customers as they pulled in for gasoline and service:' He worked his way through the ranks in the auto industry, becoming a sales and leasing representative and later co - owning a part of Listowel Chrysler, prior to his move to Mitchell 31 years ago. His love of automobiles has always been the driving force behind his lengthy career. "That was my thing - that's what I intended to spend my life doing, was in the automobile business," he said, noting the Mitchell dealership was shut down and vacant when he and his family moved here. It was a decision he was glad he made. "The town has been good to us, and the community, too," he said. "I talk to people about cars a lot, and I maybe sell the odd one to customers that I have dealt with over the years." McLaughlin said he thought about becoming an auto dealer from an early age, when he was in high school. Prior to becom- ing a dealer, he spent many years and many long hours working in the industry in sales, ensuring his customers bought the car they were looking for. Things today have not changed. "The basics are the same today," he said. "You have to be interested in the customer and their wants and needs." 4.141 41140 1;1* 411}1.11,141014 11.41„41 gr#1.1 lib, Oil # A.7 11,1 • ML pur OWTI Mt, 1.1.1fle.r."0,ti...mr ihil 'Aim. l':1;iikm,karecir &Lyn') LAO 64 KingikanSI,Ciangtrill-15:14.1g23 AW439553 MEMORIAL SUNDAY St. Patrick's Cemetery, DUBLIN Sunday, Sept. 21st MASS: 9:00 a.m. followed by procession to cemetery. Rev. Brian McColl, Celebrant The Chrysler Jeep dealership in Mitchell was the first one McLaughlin owned and oper- ated himself, and has now passed onto his son David. Over the years, the local business has expanded to include a larger parking lot for vehicles, and a service and parts centre. But that's not all that's changed. With 65 years in the automo- tive business, Harold McLaugh- lin has seen plenty of progress and change when it comes the industry. "Probably by 1956 there were a few cars with air conditioning. There had been air conditioning Ilia • • • • The Brodhagen Community Centre proudly presents... • • • before that, probably as far back as 1949 but just in a select few," he said, noting one of the biggest advancements:' The computer has changed almost everything - the computer has changed the way business is done, that's the biggest change," he said. In addition, automobiles have changed with the times but there are some that are more popular than others, he noted. "I think the most important vehicle that's ever been intro- duced is the mini -van," he said. "It serves a bigger part of the market because almost every- body is interested. For some, MO • 1 • • Ry • Guest Tribute to: Johnny Cash & Roy Orbison , :$25pp Satuday, September 13,2014 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) Raising funds for Emergency Generator Jim 519-345-2248 l• • • Gloria 519-345-2654 • • • • Diana 519-347-4127 g • • .• SEAFORTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY...,.. LEMDANIELS SEARNEFFE FAIL FAIR SE PT 13T" SEAFORTH AGRIPLEX 140 DUKE STRUT 19+ 9i— 1Ati $.15 AriitrAttel *20 AT THE CPCM11. MalkoughlIn mormi _ ° Wednesday, September 10, 2014 • Huron Expositor 23 not all the way through their life but at some point in your life, particularly once they start a family they are definitely interested." Although McLaughlin does not have to be at work every day, it's something that he enjoys. In fact, he's never had a daywhere he has not wanted to go to work - the thought has not even crossed his mind. "I've never thought that in my lifetime, about the workthat I did - whether it was in the automo- bile business or prior to that," he said. "Once I got into it (the auto business) I never thought that this was enough for me:' Happy .40th Anniversary Clayton & Dawn Riley September 14, 2014 Love & Best Wishes from your family and friends. Come A Celeln-ate Terry Ward's 90th Birthday! Come & Go Saturday, September 13, 2014 1 PM - 4 PM 42289 Bridge Road, Seaforth (Bryan & Sharlene McClure's) More Info: 519-527-0768 519-345-2188 and 519-345-2581 Best Wishes Only Kristine Jean Mitchell Advocate Harold McLaughlin has been in the automotive industry for 65 years. Although now 91, and officially retired, the former owner of McLaughlin's Chrysler Jeep in Mitchell still shows up for work every day. He holds a photo of this early days in the industry, taken in Listowel in 1951. (WitC.01 PC* 010 Wishing A Happy 65," Birthday 6 C) to 11: James Brown n On Sept. 14," c 064111kfi ° u t il air 0 it. LOVE FROM ALL YOUR FAMILY -)). • O• gg 4046 41040 40k Please join us in celebrating Lois Moore's SOth Sirthday! c4.4. Saturday September 20, 2014 3:30 - 5:30 Open House Egmondville United Church 26 Kippen Road No gifts please.