65% of Americans cook out on the 4th of July,
and Kingsford Charcoal has an 80% market share.
Here’s the story of how Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and E.G. Kingsford turned Model T leftovers into your grilling goldmine:
and Kingsford Charcoal has an 80% market share.
Here’s the story of how Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and E.G. Kingsford turned Model T leftovers into your grilling goldmine:
Flashback to 1919.
Henry Ford needed wood parts for the Model T.
Because of the volume of parts needed (1 million Model T’s were sold in 1919), he decided to produce his own supply.
Henry Ford needed wood parts for the Model T.
Because of the volume of parts needed (1 million Model T’s were sold in 1919), he decided to produce his own supply.
He partnered with his relative Edward G. Kingsford, who was previously a real estate agent, to source the wood.
While building the car parts, lots of wood waste was created:
• stumps
• sawdust
• branches
While building the car parts, lots of wood waste was created:
• stumps
• sawdust
• branches
Ford suggested the scraps be processed into charcoal.
Thomas Edison designed the factory to create the “charcoal briquettes” and Kingsford ran it.
Thomas Edison designed the factory to create the “charcoal briquettes” and Kingsford ran it.
Ford created “Picnic Kits” with charcoal and portable grills at Ford dealerships to juice sales.
While originally named Ford Charcoal, it was later renamed Kingsford Charcoal to honor Kingsford’s impact.
While originally named Ford Charcoal, it was later renamed Kingsford Charcoal to honor Kingsford’s impact.
Today, Kingsford Charcoal is owned by The Clorox Company and has 7 plants where they manufacture charcoal.
They turn more than 1 million tons of wood scraps to charcoal briquettes every year.
The lessons we can learn:
They turn more than 1 million tons of wood scraps to charcoal briquettes every year.
The lessons we can learn:
1) Opportunities are hidden everywhere
Most would have looked to dispose of the scraps traditionally, but Ford saw an opportunity.
When presented with a problem, ask: what opportunity does this provide?
Most would have looked to dispose of the scraps traditionally, but Ford saw an opportunity.
When presented with a problem, ask: what opportunity does this provide?
2) Delegate, delegate, delegate
Ford could have tried to run both Ford Motor Company and Ford Charcoal, but he knew he needed to have focus.
Choosing E.G. Kingsford to run the charcoal company allowed him to continue to build Ford Motor Company.
Ford could have tried to run both Ford Motor Company and Ford Charcoal, but he knew he needed to have focus.
Choosing E.G. Kingsford to run the charcoal company allowed him to continue to build Ford Motor Company.
3) Partner with the right people
Henry Ford partnered with Kingsford and Edison in this venture for their:
• hard work
• expertise
• trust
Even before they worked on charcoal, Henry Ford would consult Kingsfor about Ford Motor Company.
Henry Ford partnered with Kingsford and Edison in this venture for their:
• hard work
• expertise
• trust
Even before they worked on charcoal, Henry Ford would consult Kingsfor about Ford Motor Company.
Who knew we could learn so much from charcoal?
As you light up the grill this 4th of July, you’ll have a dad fact to tell to your family.
Enjoy the 4th and remember to keep turning waste into gold.
As you light up the grill this 4th of July, you’ll have a dad fact to tell to your family.
Enjoy the 4th and remember to keep turning waste into gold.
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Thursday I talk about the dangers of a business like this.
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Thursday I talk about the dangers of a business like this.
Subscribe now so you don't miss it:
join.kurtishanni.com
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