Author: Darren Imms, Joint Manager – HAYLEY DEXIS | Seals
Well, what can I say? As HAYLEY DEXIS celebrates 50 years, I realise I have been here for 40 of them. As someone who has been part of the journey from the early years, it’s incredible to reflect on how far we’ve come. When I first joined in 1985, there were only 16 of us, all in one office, primarily focused on bearings and seals. It was a different world back then – no computers, just handwritten records and a card index for stock. Plus, I chuckle at the thought that I was also in a band back then. You’ll have to buy me a drink to get the band name out of me, though (and yes, I did sing).
The Customer is King
What has made HAYLEY DEXIS successful? That’s an easy one that I don’t have to think too hard about, because it’s the unwavering focus on our customers. From the very beginning, the management instilled in us a philosophy of going above and beyond. We were taught to ensure every customer felt like a king or queen when they called, never to let them hang up without pulling out all the stops in an attempt to resolve their issues or satisfy their requests. I remember driving down to places like Southend or Port Talbot on a Friday to personally deliver products, because that’s what it took to service our customers.
This dedication to customer service, coupled with a culture of autonomy that encouraged us to be entrepreneurs, allowed us to grow. We’ve evolved from a small company to one with around 1300 people, but those core values have remained.
A Change in Conversation
Today, customer conversations have changed to include broader traceability and ethics around the origin of products, whether they contain harmful substances, and how they can comply with regulations such as REACH and RoHS. Our customers want longevity, reliability, and efficiency from their seals, especially in safety-critical applications such as braking systems.
We deliver this by listening to that need and partnering with producers of exceptional, high-quality, traceable products. We demonstrate how we’ve helped similar industries save energy and improve efficiency. In a nutshell, we listen to our customers’ needs and offer value-added solutions that go beyond just selling a product.
Mentoring the Next Generation
I’ve been very blessed to have had the opportunity to mentor and recruit the next generation of HAYLEY DEXIS team members, and I’m proud to be part of a team that upholds the best of old values in entrepreneurial spirit while also fostering a supportive, inclusive culture where everyone is valued and respected. It is vital that us long-serving members of staff pass on our experience and knowledge to the next generation to allow them to continue the success that the company is built upon.
Looking Ahead to the Future
If you speak to anyone at HAYLEY DEXIS, we will tell you that our motto is Stock, Service, People, and that’s genuinely what we all live by; it’s not just a strapline! Our people thrive by being given the opportunity to shape their roles and support our customers. It also helps that we actually have a lot of stock, which is so important in our industry. Our customers will continue to need their products available to them, sometimes at short notice. That is something that will never change.
By continuing to stay close to our founding principles, while continuing to innovate alongside our supply partners, as well in the service offering we provide to customers, I’m sure that HAYLEY DEXIS will continue to succeed.
It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m proud to have been a part of it.
Are you looking for industrial sealing solutions? Contact your local branch to enquire today! www.hayley-group.co.uk