When Eck begins working with a new customer, we like to make a trip to visit them. It’s just another way that Eck delivers on our promise to put People first. I’ve traveled to some great places and met some even better people along the way.
In August, I hopped on a train to visit a new confidential client in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Why travel by train, and not drive or fly? Lots of reasons. From our home base in Binghamton, the trip to Toronto is a little over 300 miles, or around five to six hours of drive time, not including stops, traffic, and Customs. Not a bad trip, but I’d lose all that time behind the wheel negotiating for my life with other drivers, instead of relaxing in my seat enjoying free wifi. Plus, the train ticket cost less than I would have spent on gas to get back and forth.
The train ride from Syracuse to Toronto averages about seven hours. Once on board, I settled into my seat where I had a mobile office with a great view. Trains are a smooth and efficient way for business travelers to stay engaged while hitting the road. There’s no need for an out-of-office email when the office travels with me.
The ride itself was great. We stopped in Rochester, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls, NY along the way to pick up and drop off passengers before finally arriving at the border. Fun fact: When trains cross the border between the US and Canada, passengers deboard and go through customs with their baggage. When they return to the train there is a whole new crew, and the train gets renamed the Amtrak Maple Leaf (US) or Via Rail Canada (Canada) depending on which direction you are traveling. The train’s wifi is only active on the US side, but the trip from the border to Toronto is short.
For this trip, I decided to take a page from my personal travel book and stay in an AirBnB in downtown Toronto. It cost less than the local hotels, and the location was perfect. I was right in the heart of Downtown Toronto with an outstanding view of the city below.
My visit with the client was a trip highlight. Since we understand the importance of confidentiality, however, I can only say I got to meet a fantastic team of people and see how our parts are being used in their products. It was well worth the trip to tour their facility.
With an evening to myself, I decided to see what there was to do in town. Toronto boasts the third-largest streetcar system in North America, and I took full advantage of this to tour the city. With a convenient app to help me navigate and pay, I moved about the entire city freely and easily. It was odd none of the cars had attendants to ensure people paid, but no one seemed to take advantage of this, and all held to the “honor system.”
At the Roger’s Centre, the home of the Toronto Blue Jays and host to many large events, Pink, Sheryl Crow, and The Script were performing that night. I honestly didn’t have any of these artists on my playlists but I bought a ticket since I’m such a big fan of live music. Despite being a little outside the target audience for these ladies, I had a great time.
Regardless if you’re a fan of Pink, she is a must-see performer. She was engaging, funny, and super entertaining. From her harness/acrobatic performances to her solo piano songs, she was incredible. Such a bonus for a work trip.
After the show, I walked back to my home away from home feeling great about my day in Toronto. The next morning, I boarded my train back home and left Toronto for another time. On the ride home, I reflected on my trip and why I did it.
At ECK, we prioritize People and Processes to make great Parts. When we visit clients, we develop direct relationships with the People in those organizations. Taking the train allowed me to be productive and engaged in my normal office Processes while traveling. And when we see how customers put our Parts to use at their facilities, in their products, we understand our role in their success.
If you are looking for a plastic parts supplier willing to work closely with you to make the best parts and products possible, contact us with your idea.
Sean Reardon
Sales Manager
