What’s going on at Leader?

[Bruce L]

I read in the last issue of Maple News where Brad Gillilan has been replaced as President at Leader,wasn’t there very long,thought it should have gone to his Father,Bruce instead.

[maplwrks]

Bruce retired.

[ToadHill]

I liked Brad. Wonder why he left and why they're bringing in someone without maple experience?

[ToadHill]

Still no news?

[pls009]

I thought it was odd that they didn't have an advertisement in the last Maple News - they have always had a one page advertisement in the past.

[maple flats]

Maybe the new one was a bean counter, all numbers and no realization how valuable advertising is to a company's bottom line.

[DrTimPerkins]

Met the new Leader Evaporator Co. President (Jeff Smith) at the NYS Maple Conference. Seems like a nice friendly person. He is a financial guy, not from the maple industry, but seems to be a real quick learner.

That said, I liked Brad (and Bruce) and got along well with him and wish him the best in whatever he's up to now. Can't say why the change happened -- such things happen in business from time-to-time. Apparently the board of directors thought a change was necessary for some reason.

[Mark-NH]

Just another sign of the times for our Maple Industry. Board of Directors removes the local guy who has industry knowledge and a relationship to the company in favor of an outside accountant. This guy will last a couple years at most, will cut services, support and payroll to make the quarterly reports look better. Then walk away with a nice parachute, not concerned with what he left behind. And the question is, are we all better off for the advancement and changes in the Maple Industry? Equipment prices are way up, Production is way up. It is way easier now to produce syrup than it ever was but to what gain? Bulk prices are down and will not recover in the foreseeable future. The little and medium guys will get squeezed out over time because they can't keep up and the big guys and commercial producers will be the only ones able to sustain.

The kick in the pants in all this is that it was inevitable. It was too good to be true that you could still do something agriculturally and make a little money. No different than dairy, beef, cash crops it just lasted longer than most.

[DrTimPerkins]

Just another sign of the times for our Maple Industry. Board of Directors removes the local guy who has industry knowledge and a relationship to the company in favor of an outside accountant. This guy will last a couple years at most, will cut services, support and payroll to make the quarterly reports look better.

Seems rather speculative and harsh given that we really have no idea why this course was taken. The Leader Evaporator Co. Board of Directors are all maple industry people themselves, and for reasons unknown must have felt this move was necessary. The history of the company is certainly not characterized by hasty and rash actions.

[johnallin]

[QUOTE=DrTimPerkins;375974]Seems rather speculative and harsh given that we really have no idea why this course was taken. The Leader Evaporator Co. Board of Directors are all maple industry people themselves, and for reasons unknown must have felt this move was necessary. The history of the company is certainly not characterized by hasty and rash actions.[/QUOT

Well said.