Leonard Automatics, like all companies, had to navigate through the recession of 2008. We had an obligation to you, our customers, as well as our employees to survive economic downturn and to keep the company strong and viable. To accomplish this goal, you have to step back sometimes, and do something that too few of us actually ever do; work on the company instead of in the company.
We find ourselves pulled each day into working in our companies; we have daily obligations to our employees, management meetings, customer communications, troubleshooting issues that arise, putting out those daily fires. We have to work with government agencies, insurance companies, the banks, and of course our partner vendors. Our daily calendars are full of activities that are working within the business. And each of these activities are vital to keeping our business functioning.
In difficult economic times we need to step back some, elevate our game, and work on the business instead of in it. This is the time to look at the total company, understand our strategic position, that special “thing” we do better than our competition, and focus on how to grow the company. In order to do this, we need to view our company differently than we do from our normal daily activities. What can we do to not only survive, but also to excel, grow, and strengthen the company? How do we plow through the bad times and make it into the smoother waters that we all know are ahead?
The fact that we knew smoother waters were ahead was an important concept. It was the fact that there were opportunities out there that we needed to focus on to succeed. It was during this last recession that Leonard Automatics saw opportunity instead of only darkness. Leonard invested during this dark time. We updated our capabilities in manufacturing and engineering, and built a new factory. We took advantage of the opportunity to change our position and open up possibilities.
We are excited by what we were able to accomplish during the dark times. We have been able to make significant improvements in our construction methods for our existing equipment. We have improved our efficiency, and more importantly, remained strong for you, our Leonard family.
In 2010 we unveiled the first steam-less tunnel finisher and installing it at the West Michigan Shared Hospital Laundry. Our new patent pending design can significantly reduce your water and energy consumption without impacting tunnel performance or finished garment quality. We have always searched for ways to make your operation more efficient and dependable while keeping your costs down. And in this world with ever increasing energy and water costs, who would not like to reduce those costs?
Stretching from our traditional tunnel finisher foundation, we have ventured into other facets of the laundry business. We have been able to engineer and produce this equipment because of our investments during the last economic down-turn.
Our investments made during uncertain times provided a valuable springboard for new development and new growth. We have found more ways to provide our customers with services and products to help improve efficiency and productivity.