HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 84I
i
("CHAMPION
busy at the time that the company
had to wait six months for an engine.
'We were so excited when it came.
We were all wondering if the damn
thing would work," MacDonald
remembered with a laugh. "Well, it
did and it graded. There were only
minor problems."
That model, designed by Jack, was
called D 462 because it featured a
diesel engine,'was built in 1946 and
was the second model made.
viarshaii Sully was dubious about
manufaciu►urg the complex maul
because the market was limited and
90 percent of the machines in use
were bought by municipalities.
Relying on the domestic market,
MacDonald ifsaid the the comaemployees
nysold four
a big partyp
or five graders in a month.
But George Hees, Conservative
External Affairs Minister in the
Johan Diefenbaker government,
visited Goderich and was,
MacDonald recalls, striving to get
Canadian companies to export
manufactured goods and open new
markets.
"John Sully was interested in the
concept and it led to the sale of 1,000
graders to Argentina," he said. "It
was also the time, about 1956, that
we decided to build only road
graders. John called it `vertical
integration' and we began to
weddings, banquets,
and
Christmas parties.
Holmesville
482-9228 or 524-4133
after hours
GSSIWednesday. Nov 5. 1986
concentrate just on graders and
manufacture more parts ourselves."
To be a player in the export
market and to participate in
government -funded export
or needed 80
programs, the company
percent content in the produt.That
one decision, to build one product,
engineering department. Today he
still works as a consultant and "also
a critic." His ability to design, he
suggests, is just an inherent talent.
"1 think it's just something you're
born with. I was always able to draw
and get my ideas down on paper,"
he said. "I've worked with
Grader Jack
loved to �ravv
graders
was one of the most influential
made.
decisions the company
"The export business hinged on
vertical integration and it kept us
going. The New Zealand and
Australian markets grew and
eventually we got into Europe and
South Africa," he said. "We widened
our market and soon began making
four graders a day." Champion
Jack has been designing
graders since 1945, a job he says has
been a co-operative effort with the
bilk flirwers, wedding
supplies, hall and car
decoration rentals.
engineering and acquired a great
knowledge about the trade and
product."
When the company became a
player in the export market, Jack
was involved in the intricate design
of the transmission, final drive and
powertrain. Later he was involved in
the design of the 700 series.
Still worried about what the
company will do in the future keeps
Jack involved in the design process.
While he retired in 1978 after a
Grader Jack
33 -year career, he still heads off to
engineering with his ideas as a
consultant.
While Jack is proud of the growth
and accomplishments of Champion
Road Machinery, he fondly recalls
the pioneering years with Marshall
Sully.
"J.A. was like a father to us. He
treated everyone like family, knew
their names and families and was
always there to help," he
remembered. "He was a military
man and he knew how to develop
enthusiasm and convey enthusiasm.
Ile had •, great .i! iv,. Bruce carried
on that tradition. His father taught.
him about people with Bruce anmarketig d d
the companygrew
he grew with the company."
What MacDonald may remember
most about Marshall Sully was
ability to project and visualize the
future for the company. ".-Ie was
just years ahead of himself and had
ideas and concepts that were
unheard of."
MacDonald admits the company
has changed since the post-war
years and while the ef amained, he is
atmosphere may
confident in its ability.
"The company is well known and
respected," he offered. "There -
really is no limit to what it can do.
The Power
in Huron Coun
Next to Champion of course.
Like Champion Road Machinery we too
specialize in power equipment, however, on a
much smaller scale...
Holmesville
482-5700 or 482-3062
c
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We are your authorized Briggs & Stratton, Tecumseh
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Extending a Very Happy
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86 King St., Clinton ROY VODDEN 482-9600