HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 10152VICHIIMPION
has paid dividends for both
Champion and its employees in
recent years.
Champion has been more
conscious to promote its people,
Symes said adding that "people see
we're serious about that
commitment and knowing the
opportunity for advancement is
there, means a lot to them."
The company is sincere about its
commitment to the employees and
Symes says that attitude is
generated from the top. "The
credibility and integrity of the
chairman is the most important
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and sincere, then that filters down
through. It's very important but it's
a tough image to hold in a family
company."
While the company was able to
realize substantial savings in
manufacturing costs through the
standardization of its engine and
transmissions, there was also a
concerted effort to. raise the level of
quality. Symes says the employees
realize their work is on display
around the world.
"Most employees recognize the
grader can be anywhere in the world
and it will have a Canadian flag on it
and the name Goderich," he said. "I
feel that people in Goderich give a
damn about what they do and don't
GSS/Wednesday. Nov 5. 1986
Steve Symes
just feel like a number. They
generally have .a feeling of their own
self respect and self worth. That's a
drive in this community."
Today Champion is working
diligently to meet the arduous
challenge of quality at reduced
costs. But it's a challenge that is
being met with relative success.
"The customer wanted a less
expensive product, one without the
bells and whistles," he said. "MRP
Manufacturing Resource Planning)
will help us get there. It's a lot of
work but you can't cross the bridge
without work. Attitude and
understanding will be the key to
making it work.
"We changed to the system
quickly and it's a credit to the
manufacturing guys because it took
a lot of work. We held emergency
meetings every morning with 10 to
15 players to discuss problems and
solve them. We had a group who
-knew they had a job and were
prepared to break their backs and if
it meant helping others; well they
did the extra work. Everyone has
contributed."
A business plan for the company,
MRP is dependent on every aspect
of the operation and demands a
more accurate method of
forecasting. In short, every aspect of
the operation, including
management, is more accountable.
"There's a ways to go but now
everyone is working on the same
plan."
When the MRP system is smoothly
in place and operating, it will lead to
a more effective operation. Combine
that with changes, development and
componentry innovation, and
Champion is well prepared for the
future.
"In the next five years, Champion
will solidly become the second
largest manufacturer of road
graziers in the world. We will
increase our market snare and our
profitability," Symes said. "We will
look for new business opportunities
that are separate and distinct and
we may make acquisitions of
separate companies."
The future may look promising but
Symes cautions that the company is
but a few years removed from an
almost devastating recession and
suggests the company must focus its
energies on the tasks at hand.
"We are still getting organized and
should not tout the future but
concentrate on the present," he said.
" We must march on grimly for the
moment with the realization that
hard, organized, smart work leads to
something."
Iis difficult to remember just how many decades we
have supplied our friends at Champion with con-
sumable welding supplies.
It is not difficult to remember just how great a bunch
the Champion people have been, year after year.
It's a pleasure to be in association with Champion, and
to wish them, one and all, the very best on their 100th.
WELDERS
SERVICE
(ERIE -HURON)
LTD.
R's been an
honour
to serve
such a tine company.
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(519) 451-7930
Telex: 064-5842
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