The Ford Barn

mike in tucson · 02-14-2020, 11:00 AM

A couple of years ago, a group of us stopped at Drake's parts outfit in Grant's Pass, OR. Mr Drake was very cordial and showed us around the place. He openly discussed the backorder problem.... for instance, he contracted to have tooling done for a particular fender. The stamping house required a lot size of 500 fenders so he ordered 500, not knowing if they would all sell or not. For that part, the 500 eventually sold but the guy that ordered #501 didnt get a fender. Since Mr. Drake had to order a second batch of 500 to fulfill that one fender order, he had to wait until the quantity got to a point where it was cost effective to order 500. Not his fault.

He obviously was a very dedicated person but economics played a large part in his operation. He also showed us new parts he was developing. One was a hood ornament for a 19xx Ford. He had three samples, all three were slightly different. How could he duplicate an ornament that would satisfy everyone? Even the mounting stud patterns were different; Ford used three suppliers and made them fit at the factory.

I will never bad mouth his business after that visit. I dont envy him.
Mike

02-14-2020, 11:00 AM	#14
mike in tucson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 177	Re: Drake Sale: A couple of years ago, a group of us stopped at Drake's parts outfit in Grant's Pass, OR. Mr Drake was very cordial and showed us around the place. He openly discussed the backorder problem.... for instance, he contracted to have tooling done for a particular fender. The stamping house required a lot size of 500 fenders so he ordered 500, not knowing if they would all sell or not. For that part, the 500 eventually sold but the guy that ordered #501 didnt get a fender. Since Mr. Drake had to order a second batch of 500 to fulfill that one fender order, he had to wait until the quantity got to a point where it was cost effective to order 500. Not his fault. He obviously was a very dedicated person but economics played a large part in his operation. He also showed us new parts he was developing. One was a hood ornament for a 19xx Ford. He had three samples, all three were slightly different. How could he duplicate an ornament that would satisfy everyone? Even the mounting stud patterns were different; Ford used three suppliers and made them fit at the factory. I will never bad mouth his business after that visit. I dont envy him. Mike