Last week, Papé came and spoke to us about starting a career in the industrial and agricultural equipment industry. Think of them like a car dealership but for capital equipment.
At the talk, we heard from a recruiter and sales coordinator and gained insights about life at the company and how to break into the field. Locally founded in Eugene and established as a multi-billion dollar company, it is a great place for Ducks to set up their nest. However, what’s even more important is the company’s family-centric culture.
Culture match is a key consideration for finding job satisfaction post-graduation and Papé’s family-centered culture might be that ideal fit, as they have been owned and operated by the same family for four generations.
But how does that inform everyday life and make them a successful business?
Firstly, it means there is a strong focus on their people. New hires have extensive training opportunities to gain narrow industry expertise. Employees will find this worthwhile as many managers are promoted internally.
Secondly, it means their acquisition and retention strategy is highly effective. Despite charging high prices for their market, they maintain high sales. This is because their salespeople are trained in the art of relationship-based selling, an approach based on strong customer service and building genuine rapport. And in the construction industry, this is paramount. The initial sale marks only the beginning of a long-standing relationship with many more purchases ahead.
Lastly, at Papé there is frequent collaboration across business functions. Servicing numerous industries at every point in the supply chain requires sophisticated teamwork. It also means there’s always variety and opportunities to move laterally.
If you are a student looking to continue learning after graduation or grow within a company, look into Papé!
