ROOTS MVP OF THE MONTH
In early January, Ed Cox will mark an incredible milestone at Roots. But he’s much more than simply the company’s iron man.
December 2005

Call it staying power. Call it unswerving dedication. A deep sense of loyalty. A strong feeling of belonging. Being part of a winning team. Call it going the distance and then some. When it comes to Ed Cox and his presence at Roots, it’s all of the above and a lot more.

In a few weeks, it will be exactly 30 years since Ed began working at Roots. It speaks volumes of what Ed is all about. It’s all the more impressive in an age when employees often jump from one company to another.

Thirty years. That’s one big chunk out of a person’s life but who’s counting? Not Ed although maybe he should for it’s a huge milestone. After all, it represents 10,650 days, or 1,560 weeks, or 360 months or three decades on the job. Any way you count it, it’s an impressive feat. Most businesses don’t even last that long. It’s easy to get carried away and just focus on the 30 years Ed’s been with the company but that wouldn’t do full justice to what Ed does and the kind of person he is.

To see Ed arrive for work every morning, you’d never know that he’s been at Roots since before many current staff were born. Ed has seen it all at Roots, or pretty darn close. He joined Roots in early 1976 when it was still a small company doing everything manually such as payroll, invoicing and order processing. Since then, Ed’s contributed significantly to the development of the business. He’s held many positions in various departments, tackled assignments that have taken him to Europe and the Far East and done virtually everything at Roots short of making the products himself.

Ed began in Product Planning at the Head Office. In his early years, he dealt primarily with the leather factory and purchasing raw materials (soles, laces, buckles for bags and belts, etc.). As Roots grew, Ed took on more responsibilities, including handling inventory control, purchasing, customs and traffic-related duties at the leather factory.

Currently, Ed works as a Wholesale Product Coordinator/House Account Sales Rep in the Business-To-Business Department. As such, he creates and organizes purchase orders, follows up on orders, and makes sure that each project is done on time and according to specifications. He also works closely with sales representatives at Roots Headquarters and in the field.

“The situation at Roots reminds me in many ways of the spirit and the manner in which we did things 30 years ago,” says Ed, 55. “The direction and inspiration come directly from Don and Michael to the person doing the work. Their passion for the business is a great inspiration. Working closely with and reporting directly to them is extremely gratifying and stimulating.” 

Ed remembers vividly his initial contact with Roots back in late 1975. He was first interviewed by Roots Co-founder Don Green before returning a week later to meet with fellow Co-founder Michael Budman. Fifteen minutes into their conversation, Michael told Ed: “I don’t know whether I can work with you but I’m willing to try for six months.” Based on the initial discussion, Ed’s feelings were mutual.

Little could either of them imagined then that 30 years later they would still be working together in the same company with the same exuberance for their work as they had in the 1970s.

“It’s incredible when I think that Ed started with Roots 30 years ago and what we’ve been through together since then,” says Michael. “Ed personifies all the qualities that Don and I look for in our team-mates at Roots – extremely dependable with a terrific work ethic and very difficult to rattle. What’s great about Ed is how he responds to any challenge or difficulty. Ed’s role as the unofficial fourth Kowalewski brother is one of the main reasons that the Roots leather factory and wholesale department are working so well together. Don and I have really enjoyed working with Ed since 1976 and we’re looking forward to many more years working together.”

Ed exemplifies what it means to be a true team player, exuding a positive attitude and well-reasoned approach to whatever task he takes on at Roots. He’s a vital, venerable member of the staff and his 30 years at the company adds a great sense of continuity and heritage to Roots.

“I love working at Roots because of the close-knit family and team atmosphere,” says Ed, who was born in Barrie, raised in Georgian Bay, and now lives in Nobleton about 40 minutes north of Toronto. “Don and Michael really make me feel like part of the group. I appreciate their open door policy. I can walk into their offices and get greeted like a friend rather than an employee. The Roots environment is so unique. That’s why I enjoy working for Roots and look forward to each new workday.”

Ed has every reason to look forward to January 2. That’s the date of his 30th anniversary at Roots. He will be celebrating the historic occasion but so should everybody at Roots – surely having such a class act as Ed on the team is cause for celebration. Long may he continue to shine at Roots.  - R.S.

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