Classification Talk: Don Gordon
Posted by Markus Baumann
Don's Classification Talk offered the club an excellent picture of the history, business, goals and accomplishments of Atlas Block.
Atlas Block was incorporated in 1949 by three Torontonians and was moved to Victoria Harbour in 1964. Don joined the company in 1978 as a salesperson.
- Earlier trucks had a capacity of 12,000 lbs (6 tons), but now the boom trucks have capacities as high as 90,000 lbs (45 tons) and cost $260,000. Atlas has a fleet of 18 boom trucks.
- In 1985, the Orillia plant was purchased and in the first year they drove sales from $300,000 to $1,000,000.
- In 1990, the Brockville plant was acquired with Atlas having a 50% stake and two employees sharing the other 50%.
- Landscaping products were introduced in 1990 and these products have been very successful for Atlas. Atlas has a 15% market share and is the 3rd largest producer. Atlas has approximately 80% of the institutional market and has 100 landscape product dealers in Ontario and 150 in the U.S.
- It's obvious that Atlas Block is an excellent corporate citizen and it was impressive to learn that the company donates $150-$250,000 annually.