The CreaseStream LLP Blog
The story behind the manufacturing of our 60,000th Tri-Creaser, who made it and who might get it
20 January 2012
We are soon to sell our 60,000th Tri-Creaser, and I thought that it would be good to let you know something about the story behind the manufacturing of this amazing device, simply because I truly think there are lessons to be learnt by all who may read it. Someone recently said to me that people buy from people, and I believe this is true. Certainly, the people who have helped me to get to this stage have had a massive influence on me and the way we run our business. Unfortunately there is a different side to my story, and I think you will agree, people can also break you, shatter your dreams and dictate what happens, if you let them, remember that last part of the sentence “if you let them.” I hope that the examples I give of the two companies that first set out to manufacture my Tri-Creaser product will teach you a thing about how ethical business should and shouldn’t be implemented, and more importantly I hope you can learn how to bypass the negative stuff.
When I first looked for an engineering company to manufacture my Tri-Creaser product in 1999 I had no money, I had to sell before I could buy. I found a local engineering company, situated opposite the printing firm I was working for, and placed my order for my very first proto-types. At first they obliged because I had borrowed money and paid by cash, the proto-types worked a dream and I knew I was onto something really, really special. So after four or five visits to tweak the design I was ready to order my first batch of 20 devices, and then something happened that changed things. The near retired engineer who was assigned to help me with my project started to jeer as I came in; he got the other workers to join in. You see, the simple fact was that he didn’t like the hassle and disruption to his routine, so he let me know through such chanting that I wasn’t thought of as a serious prospective customer. But I persevered and tried to paint my vision. I told him and the owner of the company that this was only the start, I tried to explain that I would be placing orders for hundreds, and the potential was for thousands, and if they could hang in there with me then they could be part of the journey, I was basically telling them that they would be my trusted manufacturer, potentially for the duration of my business life.
This is where I realised I had found the sector of business that I call the tut, tut brigade, those that scratch their heads and tell you that almost everything you suggest is impossible. You may imagine what I experienced in that work shop, it went something like this: “Tut, tut, we don’t think what you are trying to achieve can be done, our guys are busy working for our biggest clients, you are getting in the way?”
Ok, some of you reading this may think that these engineers had a point, I may have been wasting their time with an ambitious idea that had more chance of failing than succeeding, and I wasn’t even in a suit, why on earth would they take a chance on me? Well, in my book, everyone should have a chance, and be treated with some kind of respect, after all, who knows what could happen in the future, many ideas do work, and those that stand behind you have a big chance of being part of the journey. The bottom line here is that I was forced to go to another engineering company (I found one after 8 attempts) and they are about to manufacture our 60,000th Tri-Creaser
Just imagine what may have been possible if the first company would have listened, think of the thousands of products they could have made for Tech-ni-Fold. All they needed to do was listen and trust, even if the odds to them seemed to be slim. Yes, they had to be good at what they did, they had to produce high quality work, but providing they also matched with my expectations we would have prospered together, this is how I like business to be conducted.
So let me tell you of a similar story that happened in parallel with the first, and how the outcome was totally different. For those of you that know our creasing products, you will be familiar with the rubber creasing ribs we use to crease the stock, they are equally as important as the metal work that the engineers produce for us. When I produced my first proto-type I needed a rubber manufacturer to supply some samples, a friend of a friend told me of a company that could possibly help. I drove over and described to the owner, John McNorton, exactly what I was looking for, and shared my vision with him. Within 2 weeks I also began to frustrate his business partner. I found out many years later that his business partner had recommended that they turn me away because I was disrupting their schedule, all for a few samples. Fortunately I had already convinced his better half, John, one of the nicest, most helpful people I had ever met, to stick with me. We hit it off straight away, and even though he has since admitted that he wasn’t convinced about my idea at first, he still helped me, probably because even if he had doubts he knew that I didn’t. John didn’t want to be the one to quash my dreams, and he also knew that there was a chance that things might work out, even if it was a long shot. I am proud to tell you the name of this person because he is a dear friend of mine and all of us at Tech-ni-Fold, and always will be. John McNorton is the kind gentleman who set me on my way and true to my word we are still use his company now, and have since ordered hundreds of thousands of parts, we are their number 2 customer. John is long retired but because he conducted business in what I would call an ethical and correct manner, it all worked out for both our companies. It is quite ironic that his rather sceptical business partner inherited the business from us for a while, until he sold out to another firm. I still see John, he is always welcome to visit anytime he likes. We often look back at those early days and I never fail to say thank you for what he did in having patience and some belief in me and the vision I was trying to fulfill. It fills me with joy and hope to think that before I had placed a decent order, John had gone out of his way to help me find the correct type of rubber, heated to the right temperature so it wouldn’t burn during my trials, he educated me about the materials I needed and mixed up a special compound, especially for my purposes, what a great human being.
Back to that engineering company, many other companies followed a similar path, some tut, tutting along the way, although to be fair, others were more professional but couldn’t produce the quality I demanded. I found the 8th company in 2001 and they have supplied us ever since, and are about to produce the 60,000th Tri-Creaser, I will most likely let you know who get’s it. So the 8th engineering company got the contract and if you consider all the other parts we produce, they have made tens upon tens of thousands of parts for Tech-ni-Fold, and they also have expanded and grown with us, every single step of the way.
Thank you for reading my blog, I hope it was interesting
Graham Harris
Back to blogJoin the discussion - add your comments
Quite an achievement, Graham. Kudos to you and your whole team. I hope I get to sell this "special" unit. Keep up the good work! Regards...
Posted by Kobus Koorts on 20/01/2012
I'm enlighten that you stuck to your dream and made it come true. Many times, many people give up and move on. I give you a high five for your achievement(s) over the years. Way to go Graham ! JD
Posted by JD on 20/01/2012
I think the tricreaser quick set was the best for many type of paper thickeness and it puts a true crease int paper and its also quicker
Posted by matthew dorr on 20/01/2012
Thank you Graham! It is very impressive to read what you have achieved with TnF and how you made it.
Posted by Bastian Ruprecht on 20/01/2012
I too have encountered the tut tut brigade but have a very different name for them, I will not say what it is as it may offend. I have found it equally frustrating trying to source a manufacturer untill today when I got a call from a company which I feel treated my needs with respect and a professional attitude which was refreshing as I feel other manufacturers were more corporate minded and were'nt willing to take time out and have a proper chat about my design. companies nowadays refer customers to sales@.com and seem not to divulge in a regular one on one conversation its's all emails and weeks can go by without any feedback which can be demoralising. you just have to keep trying and not give up and eventually you will find someone who is like mided and appreciates that small fish can soon become big fish if given the chance. believe me Graham I drove for 2 hours to talk with a company director and immediately knew he wasnt going to help me just by his demeanor and how he greeted me and I left within 5 minutes (a tut tutter) I was livid ! At absolute boiling point at this mans arrogant dismissive behaviour after travelling for 2 Hours I did lose it slightly and gave him a piece of my mind, I'm not bragging but it was a good feeling seeing the wind being taken from his sails,he's probably used to treating his employyes like this and getting away with it but now when faced with these types of negative situations turn my negative energy into positive determination. Best Regards Craig
Posted by Craig Collins on 20/01/2012
Every time I sell a device, I always feel the confidence that a great man is behind me producing the best product ever.
Posted by Caste on 21/01/2012
Thank you. Good Lesson.
Posted by Chris Eleftheriou on 24/01/2012
With all these silly websites, such a great page keeps my itnerent hope alive.
Posted by Kenelm on 28/01/2012
Simple story but non-simple experience, you let me remember two Chinese sayings, "The beginnings of all things are difficult", and "Where there is a will there is a way", so your sucess let me know that sticking to dream is the victory.
Posted by Andy Kong on 29/01/2012