0909_Sig:Layout 1 8/18/09 5:30 PM Page 29
Donway Corporation Uses the Downturn to Revise Business
by Janie Franz
Many contractors today are facing the rippling effects of the time because it weeds out the weaker, less stable businesses.
current economic downturn, through the rising costs of doing If you have a good company and you are strong like we are,
business as well as the disappearance of projects. When retail you will come back stronger than before.”
businesses suffer, so do contractors as they see these compa- The problem he sees with boom times is that you are so busy
nies postpone projects or go out of business entirely. But you do not have time to look at what your company is doing
Donovan Sullivan, founder and and how it is doing it. “You should
president of Donway Corpora- look at your business critically all
tion in Scottsdale, Arizona, the time,” he says, “but unfortu-
sees this as an opportunity. nately when the good times are
For over twenty-five years, rolling, you are too busy to do
Sullivan has seen the cycles in that. When times are dark, you do
the economy as it boomed and not have a choice. To survive, you
slowed. “There have been a lot have to cut out all of the fat.”
of things that have caused this And that is just what Sullivan has
over the years,” Sullivan says. done. “Last year, I went through
“In fact, as far back as the late every item in my company, even
80s and 90s, it has been build- little things. For example, we have
ing and building. But, I have three phone lines. Why do we need
been through it. You always three? One is to call in and one is
want good times, but I think for roll-over. You eliminate that
the bad times let you reflect on your business and your prac- one phone line. It is a couple of hundred dollars a year, but
tices.” coupled with 10 or 20 other items, it adds up,” he says. “I
He also sees these cycles, especially the slow times, as a way think it is kind of good. It makes you have a critical eye on
to strengthen good businesses. “I find that this is a pretty good your business. You see a lot of things you do not need that
Please Turn To Page 30
MODEL 1600
3 YARD VACUUM PARKING LOT SWEEPER
The Model 1600 is a three cubic yard recirculating vacuum
“Your First Choice In
sweeper designed to sweep trash such as cans, glass bottles,
High-Performance Sweepers!”
food containers, baby diapers, rocks, sand, and broken glass.
IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THIS SWEEPER ARE:
• Low cost of operation, rapid trash pick-up with few moving parts.
• Low noise, water cooled aux. engine
• Stainless steel hopper for a long life and
corrosion resistance.
• High speed curb blower to clean curb
lines without leaving truck.
• Easy driving and operation,
maneuverable, and easy to get in
and out of truck.
HIGH DUMP
CALL TODAY FOR
A FREE TEST SWEEP
NEW
1600
MILE
100,000
800-345-1246
W
ARRANTY
200
9
MASCO SWEEPERS • 1220 COLEMAN AVE., SANTA CLARA, CA 95050
(800) 345-1246 • (408) 275-1246 • FAX (408) 297-3431 • Web Page:
www.mascosweepers.com
For More Information On This Advertiser Please Mark on Advertiser Index
1-800-210-5923 [29] A.P.E. SEPTEMBER 2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44