Evelyn and Foo Lim at the Isla Navidad Resort in Manzanillo, Mexico for the 2005 JWC Rep Incentive Trip
January marks the beginning of a new decade, full of fresh new ideas, goals and hope. Along with that, the well deserved, yet bittersweet task of announcing the retirement of Foo and Evelyn Lim of JACEP Pacific, JWCE’s long-time representative in Hawaii.
For three decades, Foo represented the Muffin Monster throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Foo and his wife, Evelyn, started their family business over thirty years ago in Honolulu and even though he is retiring from the wastewater industry, Lim did spill the beans that he isn’t slowing down yet. He’ll be spending more time helping his sons with their fabricating business – his other passion!
We had a chance to talk to Mr. Lim about his experiences…
MM: What was the first Monster you ever sold?
LIM: It was back in the late 1970s and it was a Muffin Monster model 30000-1206, work order 1662. I sold it to the City for the Sand Island WWTP. They liked that grinder so much they bought a bunch of grinders after that. We also sponsored their baseball team, which they called the “Muffin Monsters.” Their team was very good, and won several championships.
MM: Were you familiar with wastewater treatment when you started selling Muffin Monsters?
LIM: Sort of - I was formulating a chlorine dioxide to sell for odor control and audited graduate courses at the Univ. of Hawaii. Many of my classmates ended up working in the City Environmental Services Dept. and now hold managerial positions there. Our professor (the late Dr. Nathan Burbank) and I became good friends. We first met on April 1st, so every year we met for lunch on that date, which he called April Foo’s Day. His wisdom and friendship was a great influence in my early Muffin Monster days.
MM: What was your largest order?
LIM: Other than the large “Monster Separation System” fine screen orders, the largest grinder bid was one for twenty grinders at the Honouliuli WWTP about 8 years ago. They had specified JWC Muffin Monsters, but a competitor came in (non-spec) and won the bid. The plant supervisor told purchasing, “I want Muffin Monsters. If you send me those ‘other’ units I won’t accept them and I’ll put them at your front door!”
Later, we sold them Muffin Monster grinders as part of a new order and no ‘non-spec’ grinders were left on anyone’s front door! Everyone was happy!
MM: What is your fondest JWC memory?
LIM: I was pleased when I received the 25 year membership award from the Hawaii Water Environment Assoc. and they introduced me as “Mr. Muffin Monster.” I was amused when I won a JWCE Sales Incentive Award – a trip to Hawaii!
MM: What was your hardest sale?
LIM: Kailua WWTP was the hardest project all around. As usual, Muffin Monsters were the only grinder specified, but competitors bid so low. At Kailua, the contractor slipped in competitors. These units broke down within months and we ended up replacing all of them with Muffin Monsters. So it turned out to be a good comparison site for us – which is also right next to a school, so their odor-control demands were very high.
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After thirty years of hard work and dedication the JWCE family wishes Foo and Evelyn and their family the very best. We thank you for your outstanding service to the Muffin Monster brand and your dedication to helping customers on the Hawaiian Islands.
JWC Environmental Central Senior Sales Manager Chris Kushner (pictured right) is leaving the company, effective January 21st. Kushner, who joined JWCE in 2002, is leaving to serve as a representative for a firm closer to his home in Northern Ohio.
