CAPITAL COOPERATION
BY JOE NOLAN I 20
t’s natural to think that business is synonymous with competition and that defined borders between, manufacturers, distributors, their clients and one another are necessary for the orderly winning and losing of market share. In most cases, these rules apply. But, occasionally, companies might benefit by extending themselves beyond preconceived limits to cooperate in a manner that
results in the bettering of both parties. Manchester Sling is currently moving forward with such a plan, turning the page on the next chapter of the company’s storied history.
Manchester Sling was founded in 1954. Te company started out with a narrow focus on wire rope sling and assembly fabrication. Over almost six decades, Manchester has evolved into a full service supplier, distributing lifting slings, rigging hardware and steel wire ropes to clients in the crane and rigging, oil and gas, stevedoring, marine and general construction industries. “Manchester is an established, old name in the industry,” Says the company’s President and CEO Trey Meador. “I purchased the company in 1999. We’ve steered it from 1999 to 2013, we’re growing and diversifying.” Meador graduated from Texas Tech in 1991 when he was offered a job as an outside salesman by Kelly Wire Rope.
“I knew nothing about the industry,” says Meador. “I worked
at Kelly with Ted Sullivan for 8 years. I have the utmost respect for Ted. I learned invaluable lessons from him. He’s one of two real mentors in my life, in the business world.” In 1998 Meador reached out to Larry Fisher who was the owner of Manchester Sling to see what he had planned for the future of his company. “I have entrepreneurial blood in me from my family and I was looking to find that next level of growth,” says Meador. “I wanted to buy a solid company with a good foundation that I could grow. Larry’s children did not have plans to take over the business, he needed an exit strategy. Nine months later, January 16th of 1999, I bought the company. Larry stayed on for two-and-a-half
JULY-AUGUST 2013
WIRE ROPE EXCHANGE
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