Author: Rob Windmill, Key Account Manager, HAYLEY DEXIS Hereford Branch
Reflecting on HAYLEY DEXIS turning 50 for me takes me back to 1993 in the King’s Lynn branch, where the primary offering was bearings, sprockets, chains, and seals – a bit of a departure from what we offer customers today. And if you asked me, “How will HAYLEY DEXIS make it through another 50 years?” I would answer simply, “Through listening and changing as we always have done”.
You see, as a Key Account Manager at the Hereford branch today, I truly feel it’s the people that make HAYLEY DEXIS – we’ve all been the glue that holds everything together by working closely with customers and listening to their challenges and requirements. It’s then the guidance and belief of the leadership team to take those ideas and realise them. One of those core ideas is delivering value for customers, saving them money.
Providing Tailored Services To Add Value
Fast forward to today, and you’ll find a whole range of 360-degree services that support the customers. From condition-based monitoring to energy-saving audits and innovations, I’m proud to say HAYLEY DEXIS now provides it all.
In Hereford, we have two large industries that we support (among others): foundries and agriculture. They are both uniquely challenging industries with very tight margins – and they absolutely cannot afford periods of unplanned downtime or loss of profit.
So, when we walk into a business for the first time, we don’t ask what they need, but how we can help them save money, improve the reliability of their machinery, and ensure they are running profitably.
Recently, we introduced a product called Expel, from Original AVG, which has a single, yet significant, job. It removes excess moisture. In this case, the customer then successfully trialled turning off their dryers, which saved a substantial amount in electricity cost and reduced their carbon footprint. The same also happened with an airline, where we eliminated leaks – again significantly saving energy.
Spare Parts
For agriculture, the seasonal nature of harvest puts a lot of strain on two areas: the people bringing in the harvest and the machines tasked with harvesting. And for a foundry, the pressure is always on for people and machines. So when they need parts, it’s pretty urgent. Having us so close, as HAYLEY DEXIS has healthy stockholdings held locally at branches, means we’re here for them all.
In fact, it takes me back to a story of listening and helping a customer in my early days working in the team. A customer needed a person on site to help manage their stock, which I did for a few years for them. It’s always been the case that if we can help, we will.
Today’s challenges of stock are perhaps even bigger than they were back in the day. When it comes to the supply chain, our customers can have a pretty hard time when they source products themselves and can little afford the time it takes to sort out issues. Years ago, several manufacturers held excess product, making it easier to source them quickly. Now, that isn’t seen as a good business, and many items are made to order. The challenge is then compounded by goods imported, whether that is a barrier concerned with cost or logistical issues. So, having a partner that can source and procure stock is very valuable, beyond the actual inconvenience of a machine breaking down.
Ultimately, my journey with HAYLEY DEXIS has been about building relationships, listening carefully, and being proactive in offering solutions. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, I am excited about the future and remain committed to the idea that our success hinges on the strength of our connections with customers.
Interested? You can find your local HAYLEY DEXIS branch here