24
ACT
NOVEMBER2014
INTERVIEW
has always been to create a long-term
business relationshipwithour customers.
We achieve this by giving the customer
a competitive deal andmaking the
transaction as easy as possible for them
and the vendor. In addition, we continue
to stay in touchwithour customer and
the equipment vendor long after the deal
has closed. Therefore, our customers
have come tobelieve inour knowledge
of financing and the crane industry as a
whole. As a result, wehave become their
business partner rather than just their
finance source. Our customers continue
to call us not only for questions regarding
their transactions, but also in regards
toother things that pertain to their
business.
WHAT SHOULD A COMPANY LOOK FOR
WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCING CRANES?
Everyone’s needs areunique. They
shouldnot just assess their financing
needs justwhen things are goingwell
but consider the “what ifs” of the future.
Rate is an important part of every
evaluationbut structure and conditions
shouldbe evaluated in equal terms
aswell.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR LEISURE
TIME?
No. 1 is spending timewithmy five-
year-old grandsonBrock and three-
year-old granddaughterGia. I enjoy golf,
the outdoors, reading and/orwatching
Americanhistory.
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WHAT DISTINGUISHES HARRY FRY &
ASSOCIATES IN THEMARKETPLACE?
We are a consistent and constant source
of financing/leasingoptions for the crane
and lift industry. Basically, customers
knowwhere to findus, andwe donot
disappear from themarketwhen things
are bad and reappearwhen things are
good.
Wehave stayed the course through the
worst of times andbelieve our experience
allows us tohave a clear understanding
of our customers.HFA is a familyowned
business, and therefore, we can relate
tomanyof our customers, and can
appreciatewhat it takes to run your own
company. Additionally, wehave owned
equipment in the past and can appreciate,
to a small degree, what our customers
may experience.
Also, it’s about our service.Our goal
WHAT IS IT THAT YOU LIKE ABOUTWHAT
YOUDO?
The old saying is dowhat you love and
themoneywill follow. Inour casewe love
whatwedobyhelping companies reach
their goals.We enjoy the customerswe
havemet over our 20 years andmany, if
not all, we consider friends.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN
THIS BUSINESS?
Like everyone else, the biggest challenge
is riding the economic roller coasters.
WHAT IS YOURBUSINESS PHILOSOPHY?
I have believed twophilosophiesmy
entire business career. Treat everyone as
youwouldwant tobe treated, andwhen
adeal is complete (funded), everybody
involved shouldwalk awaywith a smile
of contentment.
THERE AREMANY OPTIONS FOR
EQUIPMENT FINANCINGBUT YOUHAVE
SPECIALIZED IN THE CRANE SECTOR.WHY
IS THIS?
When I started the company therewere
opportunities inother industries, and
therewas briefly a thought to combine
industries. But after analyzing the crane
industry, realizing the long-term value
of the crane asset and seeing long-term
financingwas not beingoffered, I realized
the crane financemarketwas theperfect
industry choice forme. Besides I am a kid
at heart, and I’ve always likedwatching
craneswork since Iwas young.
The Harry Fry & Associates team includes Cheryl Fry, vice president; Harry Fry, president; and
Tonya Fry, assistant vice president.
Harry Fry & Associates provided financing
for the J.F. Lomma Terex CC 2800-1 that
lifted the Space Shuttle Discovery on top of a
Boeing 747 Shuttle Aircraft Carrier. Fry said
the first crane his company ever financed
was a 1995 Krupp KMK4100 for Donna
Stevenson of Stevenson Crane & Rigging,
based in Chicago.
