Visited Elphinstone weighing systems and logging trailers. Nick and I had the privilege to get a personalized tour from the President, Graeme Elphinstone.  Graeme was on the GSE team to Montana about a year ago and I originally met in at our manufacturing plant.  After arriving in Tasmania I was not scheduled to have a vocational visit with Graeme.  After meeting him again at Rotary District Conference in Hobart we made it a point to find time to take an impromptu trip to Triabunna to see his manufacturing plant.  It was an absolute delight to see a light manufacturing firm that confronts similar everyday challenges.  The slow economy and political climate in Tasmania has reduced the lumber industry to a halt causing trailer sales to be negatively affected.  Graeme showed us some of the new innovative trailer products they are developing and strategy to bring them to the marketplace.  I was also able to chat on how he deals with competitors that often copy ideas.  Interestingly Graeme welcomes competitors and will often share designs with them as they try to copy ideas.  His philosophy is if they are copying me “they might as well do it bloody right”.  A past competitor was copying his design and producing at lower costs.  Graeme knowing there is no way the competitor could produce and still make a profit educated the competitor by inviting him to his plant to prove that point.  After Graeme educated the competitor the competitor raised his prices; Elphinstone was able to compete in price once again.  At the end of the day Graeme knows he can make trailers better than any other outfit and can support the parts business that goes with it.  Without getting too long winded I hope this gives you an idea on how great this visit was for me. 

Thank again Graeme!