News
DIEPPE FIRM A LEADER IN PRODUCING AMBULANCES
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT
By Nick Moore
Over the years, Terry Malley has experienced the highs and lows of running his own family business in Dieppe.
The president and CEO of Malley Industries Inc. said the '90s were in particular challenging times for his company, which manufactures speciality vehicles.
Competition that was much larger and sometimes ruthless was coupled with a 'devastating' 1996 fire. It all painted a less than desirable picture for his company's future.
'It almost spelled the end of us,' he said.
More than a decade later, Malley and his company are in much better standing. In fact, both are currently riding high on a wave of success.
Last week, Atlantic Business Magazine named Malley one of Atlantic Canada's top 50 CEO's - an honour he was 'thrilled' with receiving.
'We're not in the business for awards, but when you get the pat on the back it's really nice.'
Just as encouraging is Malley's work ethic; he still loves getting up to go to the office every day for a career entering its 29th year.
Malley said the business has been a family ambition since the start, tracing its beginnings back to his father's ambition and a family trip to Expo '67 in Montreal.
'As you can imagine, accommodations were at a preminum and we were forced to stay in less than desirable hotels. So my father was determined he would never again be without suitable accommodations.'
Malley's father went right to work, building himself the suitable accommodations he so desired.
It was in the family's basement where Malley's father put together a truck camper the family would use for several year's after.
The camper was eventually sold but the father kept coming up with revised designs to construct new campers again and again, selling each one.
'My father was an entrepreneur; although he held down a full time job during the day he always had some kind of business venture going on the side (on) his days off and weekends.'
It was while Malley was at university the family decided to turn the part-time venture into a full-time empire: Malley Industries Inc. was officially born in l979.
In the mid '80s, the company found its niche in manufacturing ambulances and it soon became its signature product.
'If you see an ambulance in Atlantic Canada, chances are it was built by our company, said Malley.
In 1998, 95 per cent of his company's production was ambulances.
Today, the number stands at around 35 per cent as Malley Industries Inc. has branched out to produce other kinds of specialty vehicles including modes of transportation for the disabled, elaborate police cruisers, and mobile laboratories just to name a few.
'In all we produce about 600 vehicles a year,' said Malley with international exports leaving Dieppe for the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and even the Middle East.
While Malley said company growth is important, so to is the relationship that exists between him and his 60 some employees.
'No one at our company has ever been fired for making a mistake,' said Malley.
He's developed a simple philosophy for good employee morale and production: 'if you mess up - fess up, and dress up.'
'Really what that means is if you make a mistake, admit it and then make it right whether it be with a customer, supplier, or co-worker.'
'Are we perfect? No. We just try to be better every time.'
QUICK FACTS
- Yesterday, Malley Industries Inc. president and CEO Terry Malley was a guest speaker at a Moncton West & Riverview Rotary Club luncheon. He gave 12 of his tips on how to create a business of 'excellence':
- Have a realistic plan: You may be able to fool yourself, but chances are you won't fool your banker.'
- Know your business intimately: 'Define your business priories, identify what needs to be improved to meet those priorities, and identify how those improvements will happen.'
- As your business grows, don't try to do everything yourself: 'Hire the best people you can afford who will bring their unique skills to their respected fields.'
- Create a culture of teamwork: 'You got to make sure your employees understand the value of your team and how each person's function is critical to the success of the business'.
- Don't get hung up on creating hierearchy in your organization: 'Don't allow yourself to get caught up in that kind of drama.'
- Make sure your company is customer driven: You always have to give more than you promise.'
- Don't be dependant on a single product, customer, or supplier: Diversification is a key to survival during downturns.'
- Be diligent in keeping up with technology, regulations, and specifications in your industry: Be there first and you'll be seen as the leader and it will give you that competitive advantage.'
- Make quality the focus of everything you do: 'Ensure everyone in your organization is totally committed to quality, excellence, and continuing improvement.'
- Take risks: 'But taking a risk doesn't mean getting reckless.'
- Be a good corporate citizen: 'What you put into your community you will reap 10 times over.'
- Have fun: 'If you're not having fun in your business, its time to find a new line of work.'
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