Gason goes against the trend

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a number of businesses scale back or close their doors, but the opposite is happening at Ararat manufacturer Gason.

Gason manufacture large scale agricultural equipment, wood burning heaters and industrial components.

Based in Ararat, Gason have over 100 employees and will celebrate 75 years of operations in 2021.

Marketing Manager Craig Lennie said Gason has ridden many economic and climatic downturns, yet remains a fourth generation Australian owned and operated family business active in the local community.

“This current COVID19 situation has meant that we have had to adapt our business practices in accordance with Government advice and regulations. To that end, we have introduced shift work, operated from three separate locations, offered a number of staff the ability to work from home and, of course, religiously practiced social distancing and sanitisation,” he said.

“Our work practices have also changed with a much greater focus on preparation, communication and technology. It has of course been challenging, yet we are so fortunate that we continue to be operational and staff have secure employment,” Mr Lennie said.

Gason are also going against the nation wide trend by employing additional staff to cope with the work load.

“It is pleasing that we have managed to retain all staff members in full employment and even managed to employ a number of additional staff to fulfill critical roles. Surprisingly, we have never been busier and current forecasting demonstrate an increase in sales revenue of approx 25%,” Mr Lennie said.

“I put it down to many Australians moving away from purchasing imported goods, instead placing their trust in quality, competitive, Australian made products,” he said.

Gason has been an important part of Ararat since 1946, earning a wide reputation for quality manufacturing guided by the family’s belief that if you build it well, it will last.

In February 1946, Frank Gason founded a small, family owned and operated motor trimming business in Ararat.

Then, in 1958, the company was invited to build a cabin for a Minneapolis Moline GTA (Twin City) tractor. This cabin became the first of tens of thousands that were produced over the following 40 years, carrying the Gason name, onto farms in every corner of Australia.

Through the decades the company diversified to design and manufacture other agricultural machinery unique to Australia, such as cultivation equipment and air seeders.

A fourth generation of the Gason family are now working in the business.