Rickey Bailey, Vice President, Crane Division
“I’m an eternal optimist,” said Arapidis. “But I keep reality in play. I think the industry will change in the next 40 years and we have to adapt to those changes, so we can continue to thrive as an industry leader. It is a wonderful dream, to be at this level for 40 more years and pass on the torch for yet another 40 years. That would be an amazing thing.” He added that continued success will only come if the company holds on to a basic understanding of its role in the industry. “I remember long ago meeting a customer on the West Coast,” he said, “It stays in my memory. He told me that manufacturers, dealers and customers are like a three-legged stool. Every leg has to survive for the stool to stay upright. It is not about gouging anyone or making or losing money. It is about everyone
Members of Digby Construction speak with Kirby-Smith Machinery’s Jerrod Ellison (center).
13
being happy at the end of the day.” Cole put it succinctly, “I think the best people will keep Kirby-Smith in business. We bring expertise to the table and expertise is what everyone is looking for.” The company founder also alluded to people, rather than machines, as the deciding factor on the future success of the company. “We see so many foreign entities showing up with brands that, frankly, we’ve never heard of,” Kirby said. “There will continue to be lots of sales competition. Success will be all about service.” Weller said he and others in management are looking ahead at the same time they are remembering how the company came to be. “I hope the company reaches 40 more years,” said the COO. “We work on that kind of succession planning. Ed Kirby is a tremendous entrepreneur, and we want to protect his legacy.”
