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Epiosde 106 -- John Smith from Smith's BBQs
Manage episode 453343205 series 3367321
Welcome to this special episode of @AuManufacturing Conversations, which is part of our annual Australia’s 50 Most Innovative Manufacturers campaign.
It's been made possible through the support of Australia Wide Engineering Recruitment, TXM Lean Solutions, the Industry Capability Network, Bonfiglioli Australia, the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre and the SmartCrete CRC.
In this episode we speak to John Smith, owner of Smith's BBQs, about the company's investments in automation, what he thinks it would take to go global, what exactly makeas a good BBQ, and more
Episode guide
1:22 – career story, beginning as a TV and video repair then designing and making stoves sold by Bosch and others.
5:27 – what makes a good BBQ?
6:58 – Some areas where Smith’s has chosen to innovate, responding to perceived shortcomings among competitors’ BBQs.
8:45 – How the company has fared under difficult economic conditions.
10:10 – Production technology investments.
11:28 – A fibre laser welder has been “magic in a box” for the company.
13:08 – Funding is a constraint when it comes to growing the business.
14:31 – Solid potential in the US and Europe, but it would need investment in stock, staff and machinery. An equity partner is one possible solution.
16:02 – What makes a company innovative?
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