HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 11014C
ffshore
s Champion's offshore
development expert, Dave
Campbell will spend as much
as six months of the year travelling
the globe.
Responsible for development of
markets in South Africa, Thailand,
China, New Zealand, Australia,
Turkey and Argentina, Campbell
said the company has to pay more
attention to these areas.
"The Japanese were doing well in
these areas but now that the Yen is
high, it allows us to redevelop these
FF gg " by
are= and F.Se %e,f FF�Sek GFSa4 IiL F( .u,
explained. "When there was a
change in the international rates, the
Japanese took control of the market
and North America, especially the
United States, was losing its
manufacturing base to foreign
countries. Now that there is a spread '
between the American dollar and the
Yen, we can merchandise in these
countries."
An investor and entrepreneur,
Campbell was hired by Champion in
1982 to get its Columbia, South
Carolina operation on .. thea rails.
sf there
redeveloped a new, young
and now we are redevelopmg.Xhe
markets there."
As the company's offshore
developer, Campbell may now spend
six months travelling, three or four
GSS/Wednesday, Nov 5, 1986
evelop
months in-Goderich and precious
little time at his Unionville home.
An investor with close ties to the
construction and manufacturing
sectors, Campbell is excited about
the prospects for Chaixpion's
offshore manufacturing facilities.
"We've established manufacturing
facilities in Thailand and South
Africa and although they are in the
embryo stages, they are in
production and moving ahead," he
said. "In Jwo or three years they
could be profitable but you have to
sow seeds in these countries to reap
any benefits.
"These offshote developments
make quite a difference to the
Goderich operation because we ship
much of the componentry to these
countries. We may not send whole
machines, they may make their own
frames and so on, but we'll
manufacture the components they
can't make."
Striving to be the world's second
largest manufacturer of road
graders, Champion relies on the
expertise of people like Campbell, to
build a solid reputation in the export
market.
"I will help establish young staff
' in areas we can delineate as
profitable. I have had
entrepreneurial experiences, I have
e
Export markt
t is crucial
an understanding of business
method, tactics and can handle
people," he said.
"You also have to understand the
market you're in and since 80 per
cent of our product is used by
government bodies, you have to deal
with agencies and governments. You
also have to go to the users and find
out the problems."
Campbell brings practical, outside
experience to manufacturing;
experience that has been readily
applicable to the grader industry.
The United States has the most
puitiR ial for growth in the industry
but Champion ion also faces its stiffest
b
competition in North America from
people like Caterpillar and John
Deere. But Campbell believes
Champion is making the right moves
to compete.
"Standardization has helped and
has resulted in better production,
less inventory and less errors which
all reflects in the cost of the
machine," he said. "Manufacturing
Resource Planning (MRP) will help
solve many problems as well."
"We are progressive and we are a
growth company but since 1982,
everyone has gone through real
change. Robotics has been
introduced to manufacturing and
quality is demanded in every detail.
We're still trying to develop the
quality the customer in North
America expects but it's an
evolution."
Now that North American
manufacturers enjoy a more
competitive position in .the world
marketplace, thanks to the spread
between the Yen and dollar,
Campbell says North Americans
have to evaluate the way they work
and do business.
"The North American work force
should maximize the utilization of
skills and learn that we have to
apply ourselves diligently to be
6uccessiui." i
Success is within Champion's
grasp and Campbell believes that
the company's management and
employees are willing to make the
sacrifice that's required to
launch the company into the
international market as a major
player. "I think Champion people
are interested in doing what it
takes," he said.
"We're big in Goderich and
Canada for that matter, but the
competition is humungous," he said.
"But we can change quickly and we
can react. There is good
cdmmunication and a good
relationship between ownership and
the workforce."
years of experience,
and our reputation for
outstanding quality and
workmanship speaks for
itself.
"Congratulations Champion
On A Century of Excellence"
BUSINESS AIR SERVICES AND SKYeI���(����2���a�06.9��NG
28
Goderich, Ontario