W.P. Griffin Inc.: Portrait of the Griffin brothers

The contrasting work attire clearly highlights the diverse roles played by John Griffin and his brother Peter in W.P. Griffin Inc., a large family-run potato operation in Elmsdale in western Prince Edward Island.

President and general manager of W.P. Griffin Inc., John, 48, is donning a neatly pressed dress shirt and dress pants on this particular workday.

Meanwhile Peter, 49, is ready to do battle as vice-president and operations manager of the successful 65-year-old business sporting blue jeans and a sweatshirt.

The pair has constantly pushed the operation forward, never settling for status quo. In 1988, they tore down the packaging plant to put in place a far more modern facility, including one with a potato washer, something their main retail customer Sobeys had requested.

The brothers went on to make significant changes to the operation every five or seven years, including land purchases and equipment upgrades, such as the addition of the 12000 Volm bagger and the Hagan computerized sizer.

W.P. Griffin was one of the first potato packers on P.E.I. to implement a full forward and backward lot-traceability system that enables the company to track all products from the field to the plate. And those products are diverse, including Russets, Reds, White and Yellow Fleshed potatoes. W.P. Griffin also has a specialty line including barbecue ready and microwave ready potatoes.