S & K Toy Trucks

*The below article on the Winross Company came about after receiving two phone calls from the new owner of Winross, Dave Lowe. Mr. Lowe has released all the below information so that the collector community will know what is going on with Winross, both now and in the coming future. Our special thanks go out to Mr. Lowe for being so gracious to grant such an interview.

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It is my special privilege to write this article for the "new" Winross Company. And, I do mean, "new". Mr. Dave Lowe, the new owner of The Winross Company has come in with business on his mind. This is no half-hearted adventure here. No. Dave Lowe is a man who knows what he is doing and plans on doing it in a big way. When you talk to Dave about Winross and what his plans are, it is contagious. After having two phone conversations with him now, the Winross bug has jumped on me once again. And, it hasn't bitten me in quiet some time. But, after talking to Dave, and hearing what his short term and long term goals are, I just cannot stop thinking about Winross trucks. And, I believe that after reading the following interview with Mr. Lowe, you will too.

SP: Dave, thanks so much for calling and granting me this interview.

DL: No problem at all Steve. Glad to do it. I am just excited about what is happening here at Winross.

SP: Could you give collectors some sort of idea on when the "new" Winross Company will be up and running?

DL: Well, we are shooting for a initial test date of March 1. Then, after running some tests on equipment and other things, we are looking at a projected start up of the plant for full operations some time mid-March.

SP: That is great! I know that all of the collectors out there will be thrilled to know that you are that close to being up and running.

DL: Yes, we know that the Winross collectors are excited just like we are. And, trust me, once we get everything back going into full operation, they can look forward to some exciting new things coming from Winross.

SP: I'll get back to that in just a minute, but first, let me ask you a few questions about the operations of Winross.

DL: Okay, ask away.

SP: When you took over the company, how many employees were left that were still working there?

DL: Only two.

SP: Wow! Only two? That is definitely a bare minimum! Well, since you have came in, how many have you hired?

DL: We are up to 24 employees now. And, all of them are former employees who couldn't wait to come back on board with us. We have hired the Head ToolMaker back, as well as all of the graphics people and even the former plant managers.

SP: That's fantastic. Let me ask you this then. Did they all get excited when they knew you had bought the company and couldn't wait to get back to their jobs?

DL: Oh yes! Each and every one of them has been thrilled. There is definitely company loyalty here. These people are proud of the product they produce and take great satisfaction in seeing these trucks roll out of the doors as a finished product.

SP: How so? What exactly do you mean by that?

DL: Well, you've got to remember that in some plants, all the workers get to see as a finished product is a part. Then, that part ships out to other places to be put on the finished vehicle. But, with Winross, these workers get to see the entire project from the start to finish. And, when they see the completed project roll out the door, there is great pride in that. As well as, the knowledge that it is made here in America.

SP: And that plays a big part in job satisfaction, doesn't it?

DL: Oh yes! Made in America still means something to factory workers. Made in America is something that everyone can take great pride in. With so many die-cast manufacturers going overseas to produce their products now, just knowing that these Winross trucks are made here in America, gives great job staisfaction.

SP: And, that also makes for a better work environment doesn't it?

DL: Yes. When everyone has pride in what they are doing, the entire plant benefits.

SP: Okay, now let's move on to some other areas that the collectors are wanting to know about. First, how many of your former customers stayed on with you?

DL: That is the great news. Over 80% of the former customers stayed loyal to Winross. Many of them were just waiting to see if the company would become operational again.

SP: Wow! That's some loyalty!

DL: Yes it is, and it means a lot to us too. You wouldn't believe the numbers of former customers who have called me up and told me, Dave, we've just been sitting here waiting all these months waiting on Winross to make our trucks again.

SP: That is fantastic news Dave. Well, with that many phone calls coming in, how far in advance are you booked up with orders now?

DL: Already, we are booked up for the first six months of operations.

SP: That is some accomplishment. With that much already being scheduled, can you give collectors an idea of how many actual orders have come in?

DL: Sure, I don't mind letting them know that. Already, we have taken 125 orders.

SP: Now that is some great news for collectors! I know that all be will get excited about hearing that. Just the thoughts of having one hundred and twenty five new Winross trucks coming down the pike will make everyone wait with anticipation.

DL: Well, we want the collectors to know that we are concerned about them and we will work with them in any way possible. They will have to understand though that during this initial process of getting started up, there will have to be some give and take.

SP: Dave, I know exactly what you mean. I know that many collectors do not understand the intricate details and complications there are in producing trucks for companies. It is real easy for a collector to sit at his or her computer or in his or her home and think to them selves, "Why doesn't this manufacturer make this kind of truck, or that kind of truck?" But, if they ever really knew what it cost to do new toolings for new molds, they wouldn't be so quick to make demands on die-cast manufacturers.

DL: True, but we also want to listen to what they have to say and be in tune with not only the promotional side of the business but the collector side as well.

SP: That's great, but let's face it, you have to have enough orders for a particular tractor before you can go into spending the money for new tooling, right?

DL: Yes, but this is where Winross has the advantage on others. We have our own toolmaker right here in house and the possibilities are unlimited. We can do things here in house and cut the cost down considerably.

SP: Speaking of new tooling, how do you think that Winross will be able to keep up in the ever changing die-cast truck world with so many different castings coming out of other manufacturers?

DL: Now, this is where it gets exciting. I have ideas for the future that are limitless. Look for all sorts of new projects to possibly be coming in the future. Even though we will always remain dedicated to producing as our number one priority, the 1/64^th scale tractor-trailer trucks, also look for the possibility of other scales coming from Winross also.

SP: Other scales? Now that is some exciting news!

DL: Yes, other scales and possibly other types of wheeled vehicles. I have always been a wheeled vehicle lover. As a matter of fact, I am in the process of restoring a car right now in my spare time. I love all sorts of vehicles. And, with that same type of love for them, I am even considering launching Winross into other types of vehicles. If it has wheels, the possibilities are endless with me having my own designers and toolmakers in-house. Nothing is definite yet, but the possibilities are definitely out there right now.

SP: That is some of the most exciting news I have heard in a long time in the die-cast world Dave. You definitely are going to be on the cutting edge that's for sure! Now, let me ask you some other things. What all has had to be done since you came in and assumed leadership of the company?

DL: Well, not only have I had to hire workers, but also we are streamlining the entire operation. We are installing all state of the art computer and graphic systems, remodeling the offices and warehouse, rearranging a lot of things, basically I am looking for ways to make the entire operation more efficient. And, believe me, there are dozens of ideas floating in my head right now.

SP: Ideas? What sort of ideas? What do you feel that you can share right now?

DL: Well, of course I don't want to share everything, because I do not want to give away what we are up to, but I will tell you a few things. For instance, we are getting ready to switch our paint procedure over to powder coating.

SP: Now, that is great news for sure. But let me ask you this, do you plan on keeping the same style of Winross trucks that has always existed? You know, without windows, mirrors, etc?

DL: Yes. Yes, we are. We will never leave the trademark of Winross trucks behind. That is the promotional side of it. That is what freight companies and others like and want, and that is what made Winross famous and so distinguishable from other trucks. But, I am also going to launch into other types of Winross trucks. I have plans on possibly producing two distinct lines of trucks from this plant. The standard promotional trucks (no windows, no mirrors) and also producing a full line of upscale trucks for the collector market with windows, mirrors and other items that the standard line does not have. That's what collectors want, and that's what I hope to be able to give them. It will be called something like "The Elite Series" or something like that.

SP: Now Dave that says something, and says it in a big way, to the collectors. The very thought that you are willing to consider doing such a thing just because it's what collectors likes to see (windows and mirrors) is a major breakthrough in manufacturer/collector relations. Ideas like this will take the "new" Winross Company to new heights. In this vein of thinking, what types of trucks are you looking to produce in the future?

DL: Well, I will not reveal what types of actual new tractors and that sort of thing, because I don't want to give my advantage away. But I will let you know this, we will probably not be producing any fictional trucks any longer. I am a true professional in the sense that I only want to produce actual real rigs that are out there on our highways. I only believe in realistic trucks. There will be no fictional series coming out any longer and more than likely no historical series either. I want the trucks that come out of this plant to be as realistic as they possibly can be. Thus, there will be no made up names or logos on my trucks.

SP: That is a great attitude Dave and a great outlook. With that kind of thinking the Winross Company will excite collectors all over. And, oh yes, there is just one more thing that I wanted to ask you. Can you give collectors some sort of feeling of what companies you have lined up for the near future to have trucks produced for them?

DL: Well, I don't want to actually release names yet, but I will tell you this, it is going to be exciting! I have all sorts of "major" companies already lined up. I think the collectors are going to be thrilled when they see what is getting ready to come out. Some big names are with us already, and even more are calling daily wanting to come on board. It is truly an exciting time for Patti and myself. We are just happy to be here and cannot wait to see what the future holds for the Winross Company.

SP: Dave, I just want you to know how much I appreciate you taking the time to call and talk to me like this. This has been our second conversation since you took over and you have bent over backwards to work with us and the collectors.

DL: Steve, I have enjoyed it and will work with you and S & K Toy Trucks and your web site in any way possible in the future. I will be calling you periodically just to let you know what is going on up here in New York. I visit your web site and message board frequently. Well, as much as I can now with all of this going on. But, just as soon as I get all of my new office computers in and set up, I will be visiting the message board more and more to keep touch with the collectors. I will work with you in every way possible. You have a great thing going there with the web site and the message board. You are providing a great service to 1/64^th truck collectors and Winross wants to be involved as much as we can.

SP: Thanks Dave. All the collectors out here wish you and Patti the best!