The Opportunity
In 1989 there was a mini-boom in commercial
construction in south-western BC. With the possibility of a major airport expansion,
and free-trade opportunities south of the border, Bruce Sharpe persuaded Woody's
directors that they were well placed to expand their manufacturing business.
Miles Faster, regularly complaining that the company's production efficiency
was being thwarted by lack of manufacturing space, made a pitch to John Carpenter
for moving to completely new and more modern facilities. John Carpenter, with
a vision of growth based on computer controlled automation, talked over the idea
with his father. Woody discussed it with his wife who in turn brought Kim Cashman
and Spencer Moneysworth into the debate.
Cashman and Moneysworth felt strongly that
they should remain where they were, since there was spare land on their property,
even though not the most convenient for plant expansion. They argued that not
only would this avoid the costs of buying and selling property, but more importantly
avoid the interruption to production while relocating their existing equipment.
Besides, the nearest potential location at an attractive price was at least fifteen
miles further out from the residential area where most of them lived. Polarization
of opinions rapidly became evident and so, in the spring of 1989, Woody called
a meeting of the directors and key personnel to resolve the issue. After a visit
to the factory floor and a prolonged and sometimes bitter argument lasting into
the early hours, it was agreed that the company would stay put on its existing
property.
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Other
Key Players
