Fresh Beginnings at Atlas Graham
Atlas Graham is embarking on a journey of
transformation to sustain and grow competencies for an even more successful
future.
Since 1941, Atlas Graham has held a
leadership position in the Canadian professional cleaning industry. Over one
year ago, James Graham took the helm of the company representing the third
generation of family ownership.
Atlas Graham is a leading Canadian
manufacturer and distributor of manual cleaning solutions. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Man.,
the company serves the building maintenance, healthcare, food processing, food
service and retail segments of the Canadian market.
Atlas Graham bases its success on its
commitment to quality, service and integrity. It claims to offer the very best
products faster than the competition when and where customers need them. The
company also prides itself on treating every individual with honesty and
respect.
Atlas Graham’s continued success depends on
its ability to maintain its competitive advantage in the markets that it
serves. The company achieves this through a process of continuous improvement
in all of its business practices and continued communications with all
stakeholders including employees, customers and vendor partners.
“Our distributors are the best in the
industry,” says Jim Graham, President and CEO of Atlas Graham. “Each of them is
focussed on the implementation of key internal initiatives that will provide a
foundation for success in the years ahead.”
“We do indeed live in interesting times, and
those companies with the strongest and most positive alliances will succeed,”
he continued. “They understand that optimum success is reliant on open
communication and the continuous improvement of each member of their supply
chain.”
As a customer and sales-driven
organization, the internal changes taking place at Atlas Graham today include
facility expansion and renovation, warehouse management, lean manufacturing,
advances in IT, sales and marketing effectiveness, product development, market
research, and human resource development.
“Atlas Graham was 65 years strong in 2006
and while it was a significant event to the Graham family and our employees,
James Graham asked us to use our reputation, experience and expertise to look
forward, not back,” said Kathleen Rodrigue, Vice President, Sales and
Marketing. “As a result, the company’s
new marketing strategy, ‘Cleaning in Motion’, represents the need for
continuous change within the global sanitary supply industry and at Atlas
Graham.”
Atlas Graham utilizes advanced business
systems and technology necessary to support supply chain management and
logistical integration. This includes EDI and ERP systems.
With 75 employees and a national sales
force that covers both the industrial and retail market segments, the company
recently completed a $2 million expansion of its warehouse facilities. “There’s
never a dull moment (at Atlas Graham) and we don’t expect one any time soon,”
said Kevin McCaw, Chief Operating Officer. “Our first initiative was to add a
38,000 sq. foot distribution centre to our existing facility so we could become
more cost-effective in our operations.”
The expansion brings the company’s total warehouse capacity to 108,000
sq. feet.
Moreover, recognizing that people are its
greatest asset, McCaw said that the company added skilled and educated staff in
key areas of every department.
“These two changes alone are helping us to
run consecutive elements of our strategic implementation plan with the least
possible disruption to our day-to-day business,” he said.
As Atlas Graham surpasses its 65th
year of operation, the company extends a big thank you to its employees,
customers and suppliers for their support and confidence.
“We are very proud of our history and our
sterling reputation which was made possible by many who helped us along the
way,” McCaw said. “Here’s to a bright and successful future for all members of
the Canadian sanitation supply industry.”
For more information, contact Atlas Graham
Industries at (204) 775-4451, Fax: (204) 775-6148, e-mail:
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or visit the company’s
web site at www.ag.ca.
