HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 69There wasp a hardy band of about
54 employees earning an average of
46 cents an hour when A.V.M. Sully
took over the manufacturing
concern. Just out of the personnel
department of the air force, he had
purchased a farm in London on
Fanshawe Lake Road when he heard
about the manufacturing facility that
was for sale in Goderich.
The life of A.V.M. Sully is an
intriguing story of an enterprising
young man who helped pioneer the
West. A self-reliant youth, (his
father died when he was six months
old) A.V.M. Sully homesteaded
Western uanada at the age t,f 17 and
later joined forces with his brother.
in the insurance business.
An excellent amateur athlete,
Bruce Sully says his father was "a
great sprinter" though not world
class and also a ball player who
could have played at the professional
level.
Involved with London Life in the
insurance business for many years
in Calagary and Winnipeg, AV.M.
Sully worked in personnel in the
" Royal Canadian Air Force. But, at
the conclusion of the war, he seized
an opportunity in Goderich.
"I think he always wanted to be in
manufacturing," his son and
Champion president, Bruce Sully,
recalls. "He heard about a business
GSS/Wednesday Nov 5, 1986
V i
in Goderich that was manufacturing
everything in a factory that was
25,000 square feet and it was
anything but thriving. But he bought
the damn thing. John had left school
and was in the air force and I had
left school and was in the air force
and dad said,`I bought the business
for you boys...if you want it."
Both John and Bruce became
involved with the company from the
start and given major responsibility
by their father, they grew and
flourished in tough times.
"Dad was a great leader and
teacher and he gave us a lot of
responsibility," Bruce remembered.
"He inspired people to do things and
gave them a free reign. He was a
great believer in letting people go
and do the job and he didn't
interfere unless he could see they
were going down the tubes. Then he
could be forceful."
He was a forceful man when the
situation dictated, but employees
will tell you that A.V.M. Sully was a
leader who could inspire employees
and teach them. He made them feel
like they were an integral part of a
vibrant and forceful company and
that their efforts were directly
related to its success.
He was also a man of vision. He
took a small manufacturer of road -
building equipment and established
the foundation for its success. He
saw Champion as a major
international manufacturer of road
graders and boldly went about
turning that far-fetched dream into
Even past 70 years of age, he was
thinking about the company 20 years
down the road. He was always ,
looking ahead.
"He had lots of vision and drive,"
Bruce Sully said. "And he also had a
great philosophy. He said it doesn't
matter what happens, it's always for
the best."
Employees of the Dominion Road
Machinery Company remember
A.V.M. Sully as a man who held the
interests of his employees at heart.
He was a people person, and a
leader and he left the company, his
family and the employees a rich
legacy of honesty, integrity and
excellence.
BATF ELD
LIONS & LIONESS
Working Together For
"THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY"
Officers 1986
Lioness
Lions
President - John Siertsema
First Vice - Allan Hughes
Sec. Vice - Lloyd Huffman
Secretary - Eric Earl
Treasurer Gordon Graham
President - Marg Lince
First Vice - Judy Huntley
Sec. Vice - Ruth George
Secretary - Janet Smith
Treasurer - Kathleen Siertsema
ry
f,Ixtj:,Y'
and Best Wishes Champion
Kehl Automotive would like to thank
Champion for supporting local business
and we hope to continue to help
fulfill your automotive needs.
itr, atm . Asl.
UPPl.
FRSE
Specializing in • Auto Body Supplies • Auto Parts 8
• Heavy Duty Truck Parts 8 Equipment
MITCHELL
155 Huron Rd. W.
348-8485
218 Huron Rd. 'Foil Free
524-2141 1-800-265-8594
ASSOC IATX
Equipment
STRATFORD
Huron S. W.
271-1210
Congratulations
Champion
on your NOth Aithversary
from VG National Trust
VG National Trust is proud to be Your Neighbourhood Financial Centre and
to have the pleasure of serving the people of Huron County.
Like Champion, we offer over 100 years of experience, since our roots go as far
back as 1844. Although we are the 3rd largest Trust Company in Canada, each
of our branches is very much a part of the community. Our staff is knowledgable
and friendly, eager to serve you with a variety of financial services.
NATIONAL TRUST
A Division of National Victoria and Grey Trustco
You canbankonus:
In Goderich:
National Trust 100 .Kingston St.,
Offices Near You: 519-524-7381
In Exeter:
425 Main St,,
519-235-0530