The Big Picture: US manufacturing firm, Big Ass Fans still thriving

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When we were thinking about what sort of business we’d like to showcase in the US for the Big Picture, we agreed that people might like to see a US company that is actually thriving rather than struggling.

Big Ass Fans jumps out not just because of its name. But yes, it’s a cool company that sells big fans so visually, and its management and workers have a really interesting story which runs counter to much of the current thinking in Trump's White House.

Big Ass Fans had a swaggering startup perhaps rightfully in 1999. Now it has morphed from a company that selling fans to cool farm animals into producing fans which the company says most are bought by 70% of Fortune Global 500 companies with an increase of 30 percent per year.

Photo from the bigassfans.com

The company rejects the current political view in Washington that US manufacturing is in trouble.

“We have no idea why folks on the coasts say that manufacturing is in decline. we actually see no skills gap and we had some of the best workers that you can find right here in Lexington Kentucky," Jon Bostock, the Chief Operating Officer of Big Ass Fans told CGTN.

Bostock, who left a senior position at General Electric (GE) to work at Big Ass also pointed out the company was proofing that the current thinking in Washington about imposing on tariffs and protecting the US companies are essentially wrong and counterproductive.

Photo from YouTube

“You know the reality is that we are a Lexington based company, but we are a global company. We sell to over 150 countries as the global supply chain is important to us as well as the ability to sell overseas. Trade is a critical part of our business and what we want ultimately is free trade."

"We think that free trade helps drive the global economy. When we think of either bringing components in, what we want to see is the true cost of those components, not tariffs, falsely put in place due to any government restriction, or government program. We also want the ability to sell products into other markets free of tariffs that would cause unfair advantage."

Reporter (L) interviews Ray Hawkins (R), the Production Supervisor of Big Ass Fans. /CGTN Photo

What surprised us most in the filming at Big Ass Fans was the level of enthusiasm and positivity from the workforce.

People like Ray Hawkins who is a Production Supervisor are paid well. According to the company, wages here are 50 percent higher than the average level in the US, also with bonuses. Over six percent of the company’s earnings are paid out in bonuses every year.

Ray said the practice was beneficial.

“The bonus is actually great as it makes you feel appreciated by the end of the year and also helps out some people's families, putting those extra Christmas presents or getting a different kind of home or buying a car or whatever."

Photo from the bigassfans.com

Although the company has done well under its current business model, it knows that it needs to keep changing to go forward. They are even thinking of expanding its manufacturing in Asia.

For employees like Ray Hawkins, today's success doesn’t necessarily mean a secure future but work for a company focusing on quality and global markets.

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