JT Peelle: Treat Your Customers Like Family
Show notes:
Podcast: Elevator Careers Podcast
Episode: Interview with JT Peelle, President and CEO of Peelle Company
Guest: JT Peelle
Summary: Matt Allred interviews JT Peelle about his career path at Peelle Company, a 5th generation family business that manufactures elevator doors. JT discusses how he got involved in the business, the importance of customer service, and advice for those starting careers in the elevator industry.
Notes:
– JT started at Peelle driving trucks and has held various roles including sales, accounting, and installation management
– JT’s father was hands-off as a leader, allowing JT to find his own path and take the company in new directions
– Customer service and treating customers like family is core to Peelle’s success
– Peelle has focused on elevator doors since 1905 and still does installations, especially in NYC
– Mentors like JT’s father and a longtime employee have been invaluable for sharing industry knowledge
0:00:00 – 0:00:31 Introduction
0:00:31 – 0:01:26 Overview of Peelle Company and JT Peelle’s role
0:01:26 – 0:02:31 JT discusses starting his career at Peelle in various roles
0:02:31 – 0:03:24 JT talks about aspirations to join the family business
0:03:24 – 0:04:23 JT acknowledges challenges of working for a family business
0:04:23 – 0:05:14 JT’s father took a hands-off approach as leader
0:05:14 – 0:06:53 Importance of letting the next generation lead in new directions
0:06:53 – 0:08:10 JT’s moment of realizing he wanted to lead Peelle
0:08:10 – 0:09:28 JT’s college studies of anthropology and economics
0:09:28 – 0:10:39 Early history of Peelle Company focusing on elevator doors
0:10:39 – 0:12:53 Peelle’s expansion and refocusing on elevator doors
0:12:53 – 0:14:19 Peelle’s Canadian manufacturing facility history
0:14:19 – 0:16:16 Peelle’s continued elevator door installations
0:16:16 – 0:18:08 Importance of customer service exemplified
0:18:08 – 0:20:32 Advice for careers in the elevator industry
0:20:32 – 0:24:52 Final thoughts on mentoring future generations