|
Drainage Connection: where information
pertinent to the industry can be found.
Send your news to editor Ralph Pearce.
* * *
Welcome to the world of 'Change'
Nothing in the universe is constant, even in the world of drainage contracting.
Take Peter Darbishire’s retirement, for example: If that’s not a clear illustration that all things must change, then I’m at a loss for words. And ask anyone around this office; usually, keeping me silent is pretty hard to do.
By the way, I’m Ralph Pearce, Peter Darbishire’s successor as the editor of Drainage Contractor.
And yes, it’s a daunting task to step in to his shoes and out of his shadow.
Peter’s announcement last November that he was stepping down came as a bit of a surprise. Even now, I’m still a little overwhelmed by the day-to-day workings of his title. And those are made a little more challenging given Peter’s extraordinary standing within the world of drainage contracting and the reputation of Drainage Contractor.
However, as a quote that I have tacked to my bulletin board reminds me every day, “If you don’t try, the only thing you guarantee is never succeeding.”
My challenge now is not only accepting the duties as editor, but to earn your trust and confidence in doing so. To meet that challenge, I’ll employ the same attitude I brought as a novice to the agri-food industry nearly 15 years ago; open my ears, shut my mouth and learn from the best sources of professional insight and information this industry has to offer: All of you.
The best part of being relatively new to the industry? Again, it comes from my experience in agriculture; no preconceived biases or notions. And as anyone in the agri-food industry will assure you, I’m a quick study.
One thing I won’t have to learn is the value of a good product, like Drainage Contractor. Just because I’m the new editor does not mean there will be alterations to this magazine. Change merely for the sake of change is both foolish and shortsighted. I may have my own management style, but the format and tone of Drainage Contractor, not to mention the quality of information you have come to expect, will not change.
Looking to the future, however, we will be complementing the magazine’s scope with an updated website, including more opportunities to inform and promote the drainage contracting industry.
A final word to you, the reader: Peter Darbishire always had an open door policy, with me, with other writers, with the amazing staff here at the office, and with the readers, too. Here then is another aspect that isn’t about to change. I welcome your comments about what we are doing - with the magazine, with the website, with any facet that affects your perspective of what we do and what we offer to the industry.
In some aspects of life, you welcome change. But not when it comes to something that informs and enlightens, that has value to its readers and is therefore welcome.
I want all of these things to continue with Drainage Contractor, and I welcome your input towards maintaining it that way.
Ralph Pearce
Some people see things that are, and ask ‘Why?’;
Some people dream of things that never were and ask ‘Why not?’
Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.
George Carlin
* * *
January
2007: Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. acquires
Manure Manager magazine
Annex Publishing
& Printing Inc. is pleased to announce the acquisition of
Manure Manager magazine from Vancouver based Manure Manager
Partnership.
Manure Manager magazine reaches the decision-makers in
intensive livestock operations in the US and Canada... the owners
and managers who deal with manure issues and make critical decisions
on handling, storage and application of this critical agricultural
resource. The magazine is published six times a year and is received
by more than 15,000 readers.
“This publication is an excellent fit with our growing farm
and agricultural business group,” says Mike Fredericks, President
and CEO of Annex. “We see many synergies with our existing
publications.” Annex's agricultural publications include
Top Crop Manager, Canadian Poultry, Fruit & Vegetable
Magazine, Greenhouse Canada and Drainage Contractor.
As a result of the acquisition, Annex now publishes 26 national
and international trade and special interest magazines, prints
over 91 North American publications in its Simcoe, Ontario based
printing plant and operates a national distribution centre for
technical books and videos. Annex is also a partner in Nanaimo,
British Columbia based Point One Media which publishes business
journals, produces digital publications and directories, and provides
a suite of web-based business tools.
Manure Manager will be published from Annex’s Exeter,
Ontario based office, which is responsible for five other titles
in the Annex family. For further information contact: Peter Darbishire,
Group Publisher, Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. (519) 235-2400
Subscription inquiries: email Amy Penninga
at: apenninga@annexweb.com
Pleased provide complete mailing information,
telephone and fax numbers.
* * *
Publisher
retires
Peter Phillips,
the publisher of Drainage Contractor magazine, has retired
after more than 30 years in publishing. He began his career in
Toronto, Ontario, in advertising sales representing various agricultural
magazines from 1969 to 1971, prior to joining Agri-book Publishing
Company of Hensall, Ontario, in 1977 as publisher.
He then purchased the publishing business of that company with
Peter Darbishire in 1981. They expanded and developed the business,
establishing Top Crop Manager, the country's leading agricultural
publication in Canada, and Drainage Contractor, as AIS
Communications, an independent publishing house. Together they
formed their publications group which was then purchased by Annex
Printing & Publishing in 2004.
Darbishire has assumed the role of publisher and editor.
Congratulations Peter Phillips!
* * *
Web site: www.annexweb.com
|
