Jaycos under construction .
Before setting up shop as an RV manufacturer , Gerry Ryan was an accountant . “ But office work and accountancy wasn ’ t my go ,” Ryan said over lunch . “ I was looking for a fill-in job and a mate of mine said , ‘ Hey , if you ’ re looking for a part-time job , there ’ s a company called Sunwagon Camper Trailers in Oakleigh , so I walked in , started on the production line fixing aluminium side walls , and two months later they made me a foreman . Four months later , they made me production manager at the age of 22 ’.”
His work with Sunwagon introduced him to various facets of running an RV manufacturing company . Eventually , Ryan borrowed some money in order to make a go of it himself .
“ We started out with campers , got into pop-tops , caravans , park cabins and motorhomes .”
FAMOUSLY FRUGAL
Though success found Ryan , through no shortage of hard work on his part , he remains famously involved with the business he founded . There ’ s a story within the industry about how he still wanders the floor of his factories , glancing in bins looking for unnecessary waste .
“ The staff will say , ‘ Hey Gerry , here ’ s a couple of dollars for lunch money ’,” he said , chuckling over the image of his own frugality . “ But if we keep careful watch on waste , turn lights off when they ’ re not needed or whatever , we will be more efficient and I can better give staff job security and reward them for their efforts . The key to success is people – surround yourself with people who share your vision and passion .”
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