Creating a culture where team members aren't just a number
DESCRIPTION
At Southland Trailers, we live by our mission: Empowering people to do it better. This commitment is woven into our core values and people-first approach, driving us to continuously improve our culture and elevate our team.
In this presentation, we'll spotlight four key elements that shape our strategy:
Language - The way we communicate matters. We use terms like "Team Member" instead of "Employee" and "Coach" instead of "Supervisor" to reflect our commitment to a collaborative and respectful environment.
Coaching Over Managing - Our leaders inspire. We invest in our team members as individuals, not mere numbers. We provide coaches with "tools" in their "toolbelt". These tools allow coaches to guide and support their teams to optimize their skills.
Team Member Experience - Our team members get more than just a paycheque. While we are a living wage employer, we understand that its not always about the money. We enhance our team member expreience with many different perks that motive beyond the paycheque.
Training from Within - True empowerment comes from within. Our rigorous in-house training programs equip every team member and leader to maximize their potential and improve our teams, products, and processes.
Join us as we dive into how these principles drive our success and foster an environment where everyone can thrive.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Southland Trailers, founded in 1980 by Monty and Shelly Sailer and now led by their sons—Jason, Ryan, and Scott—has expanded from about 70 team members in 2012 to over 500 today. The shift from calling them "employees" to "team members" highlights our evolving company culture. We focus on hard work, open communication, positivity, risk-taking, respect, and continuous improvement. Our success comes from valuing our people, ensuring exceptional service, and driving innovation in trailer manufacturing.
PRESENTER
Ryan Sailer, General Manager, Southland Trailer Corp.
Ryan, born and raised in Lethbridge, Alberta, immersed himself in the family business, Southland Trailers, after completing his accounting degree at the University of Lethbridge. In 2015, he and his brothers embarked on a Lean Journey, with Ryan earning his Black Belt in Lean in 2016. Now, as General Manager, he leads the company’s ongoing lean transformation, driving success and innovation through his commitment to continuous improvement.
Scott Sailer, Director of Operations, Southland Trailer Corp.
Scott, an involved member of his hometown of Lethbridge, Alberta, started in the family business, Southland Trailers, as a kid. He learned the ins-and outs of the trailer manufacturing world, eventually becoming the Director of Operations. Since 2015, he and his brothers have led a Lean transformation, with Scott driving a culture-first approach. Today, he’s a key advocate for innovation and team growth, steering us forward on our Lean journey.
