Elliott & Frantz Celebrates 50 Years in Business we’ve stayed true to their founding principles. “There is no way a company can remain successful and continue to be in business, especially for 50 years, if the customer isn’t always right. Here, the customer is always right and that will continue for the next 50 years of Elliott & Frantz.” Many Elliott & Frantz customers have been with the company since the start because of that philosophy. As Vice President of Marketing Catherine Elliott said, while the way in which technicians do their jobs has changed since the 1960s, with computers and software playing critical roles today, the way Elliott & Frantz does business hasn’t. “It’s about relationships,” she said. “People value honesty and integrity in our industry. I think it’s a traditional industry. People in this industry value friendship and honest conversations maybe more than in other industries.” “The success or failure of any business is its employees and its leadership from the upper management,” said James Elliott. “This starts from the moment someone comes in to interview for a position at Elliott & Frantz. If we see any hesitancy from a prospective employee about adhering to our business philosophy, they don’t work here; it’s as simple as that.” Honest conversations are the foundation of developing long-lasting relationships with customers, but those relationships begin with first (L-R): Bob Schaeffer, president; Jim Elliott, CEO; and Bill McLoughlin, vice president, all of Elliott & Frantz, have been leading the company for many of its 50 impressions. “You have a shot at someone and you either years in business. make the right impression or the wrong one,” said Sally Englehart, service manager. “We try The equipment dealership founded in 1962 by James “Jumbo” Elliott and Harry Frantz was predicated on a philosophy of cus- to make the right impression and hold on to customers. That’s tomer service. Fifty years later, many things about the equipment basically what customer service is: not letting them go. That’s the and the construction industry have changed, but a couple things most important part, because once they’re gone, it is so hard to get haven’t: Elliott & Frantz Inc. continues to provide quality prod- them back. This is a tough industry because competition is fierce. Each customer has different needs, so it’s about meeting those ucts and exemplary service. “It has always been about the customers,” said James M. needs and keeping them happy.” Keeping customers happy requires service with a personal Elliott, CEO of Elliott & Frantz. “My father [James “Jumbo” touch. Elliott ] and Harry Frantz started with that philosophy and
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