Gary Mottershead on Building a Global Business Through Handshake Deals and Trust
Episode 21
In this episode, we sit down with Gary Mottershead, an entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the industrial products sector. Gary is the founder of GCP Industrial, an international business that operates across Canada, the United States, and China. He shares his journey from working at DuPont to walking away from a corporate career to build his own business from scratch. Along the way, Gary faced immense challenges, including an eight-year struggle to launch a tire recycling business while dealing with shutdowns, government regulations, and financial uncertainty. Despite these hurdles, he never gave up, bootstrapping his way to success.
Gary also discusses the importance of building strong, trusting relationships in business. He reflects on how he forged 27-year-long partnerships with suppliers in China, based entirely on handshakes rather than contracts. This trust-based approach has helped him and his partners thrive across three countries and multiple generations. Gary emphasizes the need for mutual benefit in any business relationship, as well as the importance of long-term thinking, which has shaped his company’s strategy for decades.
We explore the personal side of entrepreneurship as Gary shares how he transitioned from being the star player in his business to taking on a coaching role. He explains the mindset shift required to step back, build a team, and trust them to lead while he focuses on mentoring and long-term strategy. For Gary, this move was essential to ensuring the sustainability of his business as it grows and evolves for the next generation.
Finally, we dive into the complexities of the global supply chain and how Gary’s company has adapted by leveraging AI to predict challenges and make better decisions. He explains the critical role that data, process clarity, and external factors like weather and geopolitical events play in making sure products arrive on time. Gary’s forward-thinking approach and commitment to innovation have allowed him to remain competitive in an increasingly complex global economy.
For listeners, this episode offers valuable insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, and the importance of building trust in business relationships. Whether you're starting your own business or managing a complex supply chain, Gary’s journey and strategies will inspire you to think long term and embrace innovation.
Website: https://www.strategiccoach.com/our-team/#/people/gary-mottershead/
https://www.gcpindustrial.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gary-mottershead-34412913
Gary's New Book: Nimble Future https://nimblefuture.com/
00:00 Celebrating journey, coaching, and Gary's new book
09:26 Mutually beneficial relationships transcend cultural differences
14:19 Frequent China visits foster strong business relationships
21:31 Supply chain delays and planning challenges persist
28:01 Product improved and industry adapted for customers
39:02 Innovate with technology and the right team
43:25 Managing data amidst industry challenges and rec...

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