Author: Dr Gatis Klucis, Onsite Manager, HAYLEY DEXIS
Wind through the corridors that sit above the busy food production lines in this well- known bakery, and you’ll find my office through a set of HAYLEY DEXIS-branded doors. Walk through, and you’ll see multiple screens – you’d probably ask whether I’m controlling international airspace, yet I am managing vital MRO components. HAYLEY DEXIS Onsite Solutions go far beyond stock control and into the realm of added value and change management. In this article, I’ll share what a typical day looks like onsite, why customers choose Onsite Solutions, and how, in my experience, you can transition to an Onsite Solution smoothly to start making operational gains.
Becoming an Embedded Partner
My role is to act as an embedded partner within the customer’s operations, ensuring the availability of critical MRO components, and providing technical query support and procurement solutions. On a typical day, my role goes beyond traditional supply. Responsibilities include managing engineering stores, covering stock control, replenishment, and issuing parts, alongside responding to urgent breakdown requests and sourcing critical components. The role also supports engineers with technical product selection, coordinates with suppliers and internal teams, oversees procurement and order processing, drives performance and cost improvements, and
builds strong customer relationships through regular face-to-face engagement.
A strong example is a £3,000 blade used within a food production line. When the blade fails, production stops, making it a critical stock item that must always be available. As an Onsite Manager, I ensure that the replacement part is in stock and ready when needed. But this is only part of the solution.
The real value comes from asking a more important question: Why does the blade keep failing? Rather than simply replacing the part each time, I can use my experience and technical understanding to investigate the root cause and address the recurring issue. This consultative approach is a key part of effective change management.
By asking the right questions and building trusted relationships over time, I encourage open conversations that uncover opportunities for improvement. It is through understanding the ‘why’ behind a challenge that businesses can identify solutions that unlock greater efficiencies, and deliver long-term operational value. There are many examples of how asking ‘why’ can result in thousands of pounds in savings.
Why Customers Choose Onsite Solutions
Cost savings may be the initial reason for choosing a HAYLEY DEXIS Onsite Solution, but the long-term value lies in the operational efficiencies, expertise, and continuous
improvement it brings. For the bakery I work in, the decision to partner with HAYLEY DEXIS was driven by the need for greater operational efficiency and time savings. The business wanted to reduce downtime, streamline procurement, access specialist expertise, and enable internal teams to focus on core manufacturing activities.
HAYLEY DEXIS offers a 360- degree solution that provides technical expertise, a large, local stock and supplier network, and our reputation for building relationships and trust. Together we are able to work in partnership to achieve the bakeries company objectives. And the blade example represents a small efficiency gain; overall, the bakery has seen measurable benefits in cost savings, time savings, reliability, and performance. From the improved purchasing power we provide and the reduction in labour and administrative costs to the speed of parts and the reduction in downtime, which can be £10,000 per hour. From better planning and forecasting to increased operational efficiency, we continually deliver for this bakery.
A Smooth Transition Starts with Change Management
Having supported the bakery through its Onsite Solution journey, the foundation of a successful transition is effective change management. From day one, the focus was on integrating seamlessly into the customer’s operations, providing immediate
on-site support, and improving communication and responsiveness across the site. Building strong relationships early is critical to success. By gaining the trust of engineers, maintenance teams, and key stakeholders, and taking the time to understand site-specific processes and challenges, we were able to become a valued extension of the customer’s team.
The most successful Onsite Solutions are built on strong communication, collaboration, and a shared understanding of objectives. When people, processes, and expectations are aligned, organisations can adapt more effectively, solve problems faster, and unlock greater long-term value. Trust is at the heart of this process, creating the foundation for continuous improvement and lasting operational efficiencies
The onsite model delivers the most value when it operates as a true partnership, not just a supply contract. Ultimately, the success of an Onsite Solution is driven by the ability to combine operational efficiency with strong relationships — when both are aligned, it creates a sustainable, high-value partnership.
Considering moving to an Onsite Solution? You can find out more here.