About us… ahh “me”.
Weston Works is the newest, oldest company around. Let’s be honest, I mean really honest.
Do you have any idea how many companies say “we” when there is only one of them? Well, I am working out of my garage. The “we” might come soon, or it refers to the other people that contract for me.
Gidday, I’m Richard, the inventor and founder of Panoz. A little bit about me. I studied Mechanical Engineering after being the best metal worker, sewist, (Textiles and Designs) and drafter (Technical Drawing) in High School.
After several different employments, as fate would have it, I took over a bankrupt Aquarium business with a partner that was a fish breeder. Long story short, it was only a matter of months when circumstances lead me to becoming a sole trader.
I then became the largest aquarium retailer in the Southern Hemisphere. I tend to be a little humble and don’t like to put stamps on myself but if you are still reading this it means you are interested. Thirty years of building some of the best aquariums in NSW requires a major skill set. You need to be a Carpenter, Glazier, Plumber, Designer (3D Graphics), Artist, Metal Worker, Electrician, Stone Mason, Chemist, Aquatic Vet, Biologist and above all, you need to be able to communicate and work well with people.
I heard a saying that really encapsulates my fate: “I finally made it to the top of the ladder, only to realise the ladder I put up was leaning on the wrong building”. Don’t get me wrong, I had a wonderful career in the aquarium industry, and it fulfilled my desire to learn different things and have variety in my occupation, but my true love, passion, always was and still is 4wding, overlanding, travelling and being one with nature.
So, in a leap of faith, I am now an entrepreneur in the 4wd industry.
I’m a believer of making and buying things that last and not to swap or redesign something for the sake of fashion.
If it an’t broke, don’t fix it.
As for professionalism, let me know what it means to you, and we can go from there.
My promise
To make every product as functional and practical as possible, products that are designed to last and are not disposable. No planned obsolescence.
I intend to reinvest in my ideas and production, but I promise to share any obscene profits with charities.
I promise to use Australian products and labour as much as possible and I will disclose any foreign products used and justify their involvement.
To be transparent in all business transactions and be respectful and encouraging of all other industries sharing the love of 4wding and the great outdoors.
I’m not here to boast or prove that I’m better than anyone else. I won’t cut in on anyone else’s lunch and I don’t want anyone to cut in on mine.
Why me and what am I good at?
I have been off roading for over thirty years. I’ve driven to all the extremities of Australia and have competed in some of Australia’s toughest 4WD Competitions with several podium finishes and two of my builds have won 1st place. One in 4WD Action Australia and one in the National 4x4 Show NSW.
What Drives me?
“Wouldn’t it be good…”
“How about…?”
“What if…?”
These seem to be the consistent questions I ask myself every time I’m playing with a new idea or concept.
I never want numbers ($$$), to get in the way of my passion. There will be people that will though, because their passion is profit. Please don’t support these companies that copy for profit. Remember that the original product is typically better than any copy and it’s often the case when the poor man pays twice.
