OLD-FASHIONED dealings agreed to with a hearty handshake, first-rate customer service, and competitive prices have been the keys to the success of Rural Steel Supplies (RSS), says business owner and operator Cec Fox.
Within six months of retiring as chief executive of Metalcorp Steel, 10 years ago, Cec, then 60 years old, was climbing the walls with boredom, so he decided to use his 45 years of experience in the steel industry to establish RSS.
“The aim then and now, is to supply a product to the rural sector while sharing my knowledge of the industry to assist farmers and graziers in receiving the supplies they need to help reduce their on-farm costs,” Cec said.
Now 70, Cec operates the business with his wife Debbie, from the family home at Morooka in Brisbane, while his son, Ben, works from an offi ce in Salisbury, Brisbane. The family also owns a warehouse facility in a transport yard in Rocklea.
“Operating under this low-cost strategy enables us to pass on these savings to our customers,” he said.
He said RSS has established a supply chain that caters for all rural steel needs, including the organisation of a transport network that are able to cart the businesses’ aluminium, stainless steel and other steel products, anywhere.
“We aim to make dealing with RSS as easy as possible.” “We’ve supplied substantial quantities of steel as far south as Orange, New South Wales, up to Katherine, Northern Territory.” Cec said Ben joined the business five years ago when the demand for RSS products was becoming too high for him to handle alone.
“He got into the steel industry at 18, and he’s now 40, so he has brought an additional 22 years of knowledge to the table.
“Ben was so enthusiastic about learning more about the rural sector, that he produced a 100-page easy reference booklet that includes steel specifi cations, sizes and dimensions, that a farmer can have on his desk and refer to for any jobs that come up on-property.”
He said he has always been a firm believer in giving back to the communities that support RSS.
“Wherever RSS make profi ts from, we put money back into the community to show our support for the rural sector, we would spend in excess of $30,000 annually on sponsoring the Alpha Race Club, the Pittsworth, Stanthorpe, and Toogoolawah Show Society’s and many more rural clubs and groups.”
Cec said he loves doing what he’s doing.
“I’m proud that RSS can supply material at extremely competitive prices, I’m proud that we’ve established a business for the Fox family, and that Ben will eventually take it over, and I’m so thankful to the rural sector for their massive support.”
Visit www.ruralsteelsupplies.com. au for further information.
