Meyer: Someone new—and memorable—across my radar

During my nearly 37 years reporting on the tire and rubber industry, I've come across all types of individuals and companies.

I've covered multi-billion dollar global conglomerates, as well as many of the small- and medium-sized players that in many ways are the heart of the rubber industry.

When I addressed a conference earlier this year, I told the audience that everybody has a story to tell. And sharing those stories is what I enjoy doing best.

I also said that no matter how many years I've been doing this, every year I come across at least one company or person who has never come across my radar. And their stories stay with me for years.

Earlier this year, I came across such a group of individuals when I attended NAHAD's annual convention in San Diego. They were representing Premier Industrial Hose Manufacturing Ltd., which produces the type of custom-made hoses that the big players in the business won't touch.

In talking with them, one gets the feeling the Granby, Quebec-based company is a family firm, certainly in the literal sense that the Giusti family owns and runs the business.

Perhaps more importantly, though, the business feels like a family to employees.

Marco Giusti is a second-generation family member who serves as vice president. His father, Francesco, had worked with hose firms IVG, Goodyear and Alfagomma in both Italy and Canada during his long career. During a vacation to visit relatives in Canada, Francesco went to visit an old friend who had helped found Premier.

The next thing Marco knew, his father had bought out one of the founders who was looking to retire; and the family—including Marco and his sister, Eloisa—were moving back to Canada.

Then there's Scott Harrington, technical sales and development manager. His employee number literally is No. 1. He's stayed since the beginning because every day brings something different, and the 50 or so employees really are family.

And John Jeffreys and his daughter, Katlyn Ricciardo, are the duo charged with growing Premier's sales and presence in the U.S. Jeffreys was a customer of Premier's when working at his former employer. He liked the Canadian firm's team so much and believed in the product, and he called them when he retired following a 42-year career and convinced them he could sell their product in the U.S.

Three years later, he recruited his daughter, convincing her to leave her job as a teacher and make the 180-degree career change into sales and marketing for a specialty hose firm.

They are a group and company that you root for. And theirs is a story I won't forget any time soon.