Don Allan says he marvels at just how well known he became in the potato industry around the globe.
He went to many agriculture trade shows, from England to Idaho, where that Allan name was quickly associated with quality, innovative potato harvesters and other spud handling equipment.
“And the thing that kind of amazed me over the years is that (coming from) a little place like P.E.I., they actually heard of me,’’ says Allan. “It sort of gives you a boost that you’re at least known someplace.’’
Allan, 76, along with Albert Ferris and Arnold Wightman, were announced by the Junior Achievement of Prince Edward Island Thursday as the 2014 inductees into the P.E.I. Business Hall of Fame.
Not satisfied with potato harvesters built in the United States and Europe, a 23-year-old Allan designed a potato harvester with tools from the family farm and a welder from the T. Eaton catalogue.
Allan Potato Handling Equipment would go on to produce about 200 different types of equipment, including conveyers, graders, dumpers and bin pilers.
“I think what motivated me was always try to make the equipment better,’’ says Allan.
“Every year you tried to make minor improvements so the next year it was a little better than it was the year before. And you just continue to do this.’’
While achieving great success in the manufacturing business, Allan continued to expand his seed and table stock farm called Allan Produce to a 1,400-acre operation.
Allan says he remained “as involved as the day I started’’ right up until he sold Allan Produce and his manufacturing business in December.
“Success, I think, can be measured in many ways — not always in dollars and cents,’’ he says.
For Allan, putting a positive stamp on the potato industry over more than 50 years is a good way to measure his success.
Allan is making his way into the Junior Achievement P.E.I. Business Hall of Fame on the strength of being a successful innovator, manufacturer, farmer, salesman and outstanding ambassador for the province.
Ferris, who along with Allan and Wightman will be formally inducted on May 22 at a gala in Charlottetown, is clearly moved by the recognition.
“To do what I do, I do it from the heart,’’ an emotional Ferris with two handkerchiefs at the ready said in a short speech after his impressive credentials were read.
What Ferris has done that paved entry into the prestigious Business Hall of Fame is build a strong career as an entrepreneur, educator and mentor.
He began his career in 1975 as audit manager with H.R. Doane before starting his own business A.M. Ferris & Associates and later joining forces with Stan MacPherson.
His true calling, though, was teaching. He put in more than 25 years with the UPEI School of Business, earning a reputation as a very personable and caring educator.
Wightman is being inducted as a visionary business entrepreneur.
Montague’s town clerk for 20 years and later the town’s mayor, Wightman saw a business opportunity when in 1958 he purchased the Co-op property and opened a Lucky Dollar Store on Main Street. Business flourished.
In 1968, he bought the old pulp yard where he built Montague’s first mall. His business ventures grew and he was able to expand his Down East Mall operation.
He also owned and operated a furniture store, a restaurant and a laundromat.
The third expansion of the mall brought in a Shoppers Drug Mart, Radio Shack, Kentucky Fried Chicken, a hair salon, the Bank of Montreal, Trendsetters and dental offices.
Poor road condition kept Wightman from attending Thursday’s press conference.
Stepping in, Roger Wightman said the recognition “is very much appreciated’’ by his father.
Don Allan says he marvels at just how well known he became in the potato industry around the globe.
He went to many agriculture trade shows, from England to Idaho, where that Allan name was quickly associated with quality, innovative potato harvesters and other spud handling equipment.
“And the thing that kind of amazed me over the years is that (coming from) a little place like P.E.I., they actually heard of me,’’ says Allan. “It sort of gives you a boost that you’re at least known someplace.’’
Allan, 76, along with Albert Ferris and Arnold Wightman, were announced by the Junior Achievement of Prince Edward Island Thursday as the 2014 inductees into the P.E.I. Business Hall of Fame.
Not satisfied with potato harvesters built in the United States and Europe, a 23-year-old Allan designed a potato harvester with tools from the family farm and a welder from the T. Eaton catalogue.
Allan Potato Handling Equipment would go on to produce about 200 different types of equipment, including conveyers, graders, dumpers and bin pilers.
“I think what motivated me was always try to make the equipment better,’’ says Allan.
“Every year you tried to make minor improvements so the next year it was a little better than it was the year before. And you just continue to do this.’’
While achieving great success in the manufacturing business, Allan continued to expand his seed and table stock farm called Allan Produce to a 1,400-acre operation.
Allan says he remained “as involved as the day I started’’ right up until he sold Allan Produce and his manufacturing business in December.
“Success, I think, can be measured in many ways — not always in dollars and cents,’’ he says.
For Allan, putting a positive stamp on the potato industry over more than 50 years is a good way to measure his success.
Allan is making his way into the Junior Achievement P.E.I. Business Hall of Fame on the strength of being a successful innovator, manufacturer, farmer, salesman and outstanding ambassador for the province.
Ferris, who along with Allan and Wightman will be formally inducted on May 22 at a gala in Charlottetown, is clearly moved by the recognition.
“To do what I do, I do it from the heart,’’ an emotional Ferris with two handkerchiefs at the ready said in a short speech after his impressive credentials were read.
What Ferris has done that paved entry into the prestigious Business Hall of Fame is build a strong career as an entrepreneur, educator and mentor.
He began his career in 1975 as audit manager with H.R. Doane before starting his own business A.M. Ferris & Associates and later joining forces with Stan MacPherson.
His true calling, though, was teaching. He put in more than 25 years with the UPEI School of Business, earning a reputation as a very personable and caring educator.
Wightman is being inducted as a visionary business entrepreneur.
Montague’s town clerk for 20 years and later the town’s mayor, Wightman saw a business opportunity when in 1958 he purchased the Co-op property and opened a Lucky Dollar Store on Main Street. Business flourished.
In 1968, he bought the old pulp yard where he built Montague’s first mall. His business ventures grew and he was able to expand his Down East Mall operation.
He also owned and operated a furniture store, a restaurant and a laundromat.
The third expansion of the mall brought in a Shoppers Drug Mart, Radio Shack, Kentucky Fried Chicken, a hair salon, the Bank of Montreal, Trendsetters and dental offices.
Poor road condition kept Wightman from attending Thursday’s press conference.
Stepping in, Roger Wightman said the recognition “is very much appreciated’’ by his father.
