<< HOME Do you have any big projects on at the moment? "We do have a couple of large jobs an at the moment: the ongoing engraving and cutting for Megatoy Play Systems as well as work for McDonald's, Hungry Jack's, various councils, schools and more 3D work. It is a very busy period for us." Are you looking at any new equipment purchases? "We're always open to offers, but we really need more space. That's actually the next project, to look for larger premises. We recently upgraded the Lathe. Currently we're running three Matcam routers (USA Multicam) two 2400mm x 1200mm bed, and one 2000mm x 4800mm." What's the secret of your success? "We treat every customer the same, regardless of the job. Customer satisfaction and short turn-around times are paramount. I would also say our equipment, without modernising and staying up to date, we wouldn't be able to take on the jobs and offer the services we do." It is the hope and dream of every business to get past those first hard years, build a reputation, a loyal client base, and eventually be in a position where the future looks bright. JRT Industries is one such business. Family owned and operated, they turned adversity into opportunity, surviving the lean years where the only work they received was engraving trophies. Now they have a thriving enterprise with clients the likes of McDonalds, exporting as far a field as the U.S. and Canada. We spoke to Jim Tapscott, the man who has dedicated the past twenty two years of his life to his business and the industry. So how did you get started in the Industry? "JRT really started in November 1982. I was suffering from chronic arthritis and on my Doctor's advice, my wife Val and I moved from South Australia to Bundaberg, Queensland. We bought a very small engraving business and most of the work consisted of simple engraving jobs. Without doubt, those early years were the hardest because we were very limited in terms of what work we could do." What was the turning point? "The turning point came when we purchased our first computerised engraving machine, a Hermes 810. They're outdated by today's standards, but at the time it really opened up doors for us. We could take on more jobs, and a wider variety of work. If we hadn't upgraded and embraced new technology, we would have stayed stagnant and been passed by." So where did you go from there? "After our first upgrade, a lot more business started coming our way, so it was only natural we would look to add new machinery to our inventory. By 2000, our customer base had expanded with a fair amount of industrial work (mimic panels, copper head gaskets, larger signage, and some stainless steel) and our largest worktable was 650mm x 500mm - not nearly big enough to cope. So we purchased a 2400mm x 1200mm overhead router, and with my son Rick started JRT Industries in 2000. Before JRT, Rick was a trade qualified mechanical engineer, with ten years of service to local harvester manufacturing firm Austoft, with some time in research and development." "By 2004, the work coming in for JRT was taking up all my time. Val was almost single handedly running the trophy and engraving shop. We decided to sell the engraving business, so we placed a notice in the front window and within a few months the business sold. With the sale of Crystalgem Trophies, we purchased our third overhead router. We did this because I had been keen to get into 3D work, and the first two machines were already working ten & eleven hour days and most weekends." "Our new company Braille-OZ Ply Ltd has just been formed to cater for the new automatic braille bead insertion attachment that will fit engraving machines and overhead routers. We were asked to produce braille signs by a customer, but the idea of spending so much time placing the beads by hand was out of the question. I decided we needed some type of device to save time, so we developed our attachment and are proud to say it is the only one of its kind in Australia. Since making the insertion device, friends in the industry have convinced me to market the device because of the time and cost savings it achieves." So how many staff do you have working for you? "There are a total of four staff at JRT, and I'm happy to say they are all family: wife Val, our son Rick, and his wifeTerri. That's the great thing about modern equipment, you can just set and forget - the machinery doesn't need a smoko, come in with a hangover or take sickies." Is there one job you are particularly proud of? "We got a call from a man in Texas (U.S.) of all places. He needed 2D moulds and had been looking at our website. Also, the tactile and additional signage we did for the new Brisbane Courthouse would be up there." Do you ever encounter certain difficulties? "Sometimes we have to say NO to customers." It doesn't sound like you get a lot of free time, What do you do for fun? "We like to spend time with Rick and his family, and enjoy our restored 1966 Mustang hardtop. Rick is a former Australian champion speedway driver, and multple Queensland and NSW title holder. He continues his love of cars by building the odd high performance race engine. His engines have won and placed regularly at the Australian Championships, as well as all the State Championships in recent years. He also has Mustangs as a passion, owning a 1964 hardtop and a 1966 convertible for his wife Terri. Are there any issues you want to talk about in particular? "We have been producing a lot of signage involving braille, and with the success of our braille insertion device the work will only increase. But what concerns me is the lack of clear guidelines and regulations that govern the manufacturing of this product. There is no set regulation in place, instead guidelines are drafted by certain self-interested members, some of whom have vested interests in creating a biased system. Given the nature of the product and the end user, there needs to be clear guidelines established for all to follow, not just a few." There's no doubt Jim loves what he does, his passion for his work, family and the future of JRT is clearly evident. He and Val have turned adversity into success, building a family and a business on the way. I only had two more questions for him. Do you have any regrets? "I guess I wished I had stayed at school longer, it's not until you're a little older and wiser that you realise the value of an education. I wish we had modernised a bit sooner, but it has all worked out for the best. I really wish I could work for another twenty years, I'm sixty now but there is so much more I want to do with the business." What does the future hold for JRT? "Who knows? The sky is the limit." TROPHY & ENGRAVING NEWS AUSTRALASIA DECEMBER 06