FOUNDING MEMBER
Five Decades of Doing Business the Right Way Q: How does a
business like Apollo Machine stand the test of time?
A: By always putting
customers first.
By Shawn Casemore That’s the question that was in the back of my mind when I interviewed Louis Villeneuve, President and CEO of Apollo Machine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. A manufacturer now in business for over 50 years, it’s clear that Villeneuve and his team must be doing something right. They’ve clearly found the secret ingredient that’s allowed them to survive and thrive at a time when many businesses are struggling to exist. During the interview, it became evident that the very values that grounded and supported Apollo Machine nearly 50 years ago remain their core values today. In brief, Apollo Machine was built on the premise that the past is honoured by striving to serve customers today and into the future, while always remembering where you came from.
The History of Apollo Machine Apollo Mills was founded by Roy Swanson over 50 years ago. Dedicated to supporting local cattle ranchers, Roy and his team manufactured products that supported his customers, always staying one step ahead of the ever-changing requirements of modern farming. Over time, the products varied, but mills always remained a focal point for the company. As Roy Swanson’s son Don took over the business, it became clear that a broad array of products created several challenges. The decision was made in early 2000 to shift the product lines to focus solely on mills. Concentrating the product focus was a decision that’s paid off for Apollo Machine.
Throughout the 2000s, the consolidation of cattle ranches has led to larger operations requiring larger equipment for handling feed demands. Apollo, as always, was ready to meet their customers new feed equipment needs by offering a larger mill, the SvenMill. One of the highest quality mills on the market, the SvenMill fills its niche in the feed mill market, but does not replace Apollo’s smaller mills. Although there was a reduced demand for their smaller products, Apollo continued to produce their EconoMill and MicroMill in order to serve their smaller customers. The decision to continue to service customers who needed smaller mills paid off when the microbrewery movement became popular around 2010. Quite suddenly there was a high demand for a small but proven mill. The EconoMill was the perfect fit. Apollo Machine’s decision to continue manufacturing the smaller mills put them in the perfect position to fulfill product demand from a whole new sector. They became a recognized brand in the microbrewery industry with a reputation that remains solidly in place today. Apollo Machine experienced healthy growth as they were able to add this entirely new customer segment. Their customer-centric business plan continues to be a key component of Apollo’s long-term success.
Challenges Apollo Machine has Faced Double swath attachment,
18
1993
Implement Success | Winter 2020-2021 | 50th Anniversary Edition
Not every moment of Apollo’s 50 years has been smooth sailing. There have been challenges to be overcome. As with all
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