My New Favorite

I recently toured the Little Giant Ladder Systems' plant where my tour guide was Hal Wing, an energetic 70 year old and the epitome of entrepreneur. The plant was very clean and organized and employees all seemed very happy. As we wondered through the factory Hal greeted many of the employees by name and with a wave from a distance or a handshake. He would ask them how they were and then proceed on with the tour. Everyone in the plant seemed to admire him as mentor.
It was amazing to hear his story of trying to sell his first ladder. He spent nearly 300 days a year on the road and finally got his big break when he put on his lederhosen, climbed on top of one of his ladders and started yodeling in the middle of a trade show. He sold 3 ladders and now produces nearly 900 ladders a day.
Wing has no formal education and is a testament to the fact that it doesn't take an engineer to come up with an innovative design. Wing had hired an engineer to come up the manufacturing process for creating a certain feature in a new design, but after no solution was reach and the funds were dried up, Wing fired the engineer. Wing told the engineer on the spot that the solution was easy and he quickly implemented the process. That same feature is still part of their best selling ladder.
For those who don't know, the Little Giant ladder systems are considered some of the most versatile and safest ladders on the market. If you are considering running out and buying one, don't run out too quick. Because, at $300 and up for a single ladder it is a bit of an investment, but one I don't think any do-it-yourselfer would never regret. I look forward to hanging a Little Giant ladder in my garage some day.

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