HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 120so
24C
PIONGSS/Wednesday, Nov 5, 1986
Ch pion must stay
close to the market
Rob Jerry was only 21 years
old when he began selling
road graders for Champion in
1972. Since then, he has travelled the
world, been a part of overseas trade
missions, co-ordinated the export '
market and now assumes an
administrative role within the
marketing division.
During his early years as a sales
Ilr that n
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manager and three regional sales
managers were responsible for
covering Canada and the export
market while Kip White handled
service. Today, Sales and Service
involves 30 employees in several
countries, to sell and service a
global market.
"Salesmen used to make their own
presentations but the program we
have now is light years ahead," he
said. "I never really had a region, I
just went where there was no
regional dealer."
Champion sells and services its
product through a network of
independent distributors, who offer
graders acs one of their product lines.
Sales and service
involves over 30
people today
They offer both product and service
support.
3« -fry jA ;low responsible for the
office operation and providing
support for salespeople.
• "I moved into it two or three years
ago and it's more an administrative
role. Sales co-ordination was an
excellent training ground for me in
that I got exposure to production,
finance, customer service and had
an opportunity to see every facet of
the operation. Co-ordination
basically involves forecasting,
shipping and guiding the deal from
quote to shipment."
Forecasting has become critical
for the company since the success of
the Manufacturing Resource
Planning (MRP) ultimately hinges
on accurate forecasts.
Sales
"Forec'asting begins with us and
for the system to work we have to be
close to the market," Jerry
explained. "We have to keep in
touch with the market and maintain
a forecast that's fairly accurate. The
system has some flexibility and will
give us better inventory control."
With the system in place, and
drawing on years of experience in
sales, Jerry is confident that
Champion will continue to increase'
its share of the offshore market.
"We enjoy a large majority of the
Canadian market and right now
there's more challenge in the export
rrtarket," he said. "If we can prove
we have quality, service and price,
we can compete anywhere.
Standardization has put us in a good
position and if we continue to
improve the quality and hold the
price we can compete with anyone."
Champion has always been a front
runner in Canadian exports and is
now making inroads in offshore
manufacturing. The company is a
bonafide international operation and
Jerry suggests Champion will
continue to open new markets.
Employee relations
station and fitness is another matter
that employee relations will be
investigating in the future.
Dealing with the social aspects of
the workplace requires something
different of today's human resources
function and its personnel.
Compromise, mutual respect and the
ability to listen to employees are
part of the services that make
employee relations a vital part of
Champion.
With an annual payroll exceeding
$20 million, Champion has always
been recognized as an employer that
offers attractive wages and benefits.
And Johnston says that 33 per cent
of salary, over $4 an hour, is paid to
employees in benefits. "People just
don't realize the costs associated
with benefits."
The role of the employee relations
department has changed to suit the
needs of employees over the years
and Johnston says the department,
as a service, will continue to adjust
and tailor its offerings to suit the
people of Champion.
Congratulations on your 100th Anniversary
from:
ALLCOLOUR!
Canada's fastest growing paint company
Champion Road Machinery rely on Allcolour
for topquality finishes on their graders.
411L01011P
Allcolour Paint & Chemicals Limited,
1257 Speers: Road.
Oakville, Ontario, Canada L6L 2X5
TELEPHONE Oakville: (416) 827-4173
Toronto: (416) 962-3385
Congratulations
on your 100th
Anniversary
from Air -Way Manufacturing
We appreciate the opportunity
to offer our sincere testimony
in regards to the re-
lationship that has transpired
in our serving Champion
over the past 12 years.
During this time period
we have found Champion
to be a progressive,
open minded, and concerned
producer of a product that is known
worldwide for its. function.
Quite recently Champion, because of its constant search for improve-
ment, adapted Air -Way's product that eliminates hydraulic leaks, the
"Flare -O" hydraulic fitting. Champion was very independent in their
actions to research and augment the use of this product. We at Air -
Way feel that Champion's ears and eyes are on the future and will con-
tinue to be world leaders in the production of road graders.
We at Air -Way thank you at Champion for keeping an open and pro-
gressive mind in your search for excellence.
air -Way ✓ianuiacturng Co.
o'ydzauL'ic 9iftings.
and o4cEssotLEs
Olivet, Michigan 49076
Phone: (616) 749-2161