We're turning things around by thanking our suppliers

It's not often that a distributor holds an event to thank suppliers - it's usually the clients who get all the honours! We decided to turn things on their head and host a real thank you to our valued suppliers, and the results were heartwarming. How is this for a review: “With similar events, it's always someone trying to push a product. This was nice. Just to talk to the next guy, who might be the 'opposition'. It's not always about business.”

It's not often that a distributor holds an event to thank suppliers - it's usually the clients who get all the honours! We decided to turn things on their head and host a real thank you to our valued suppliers, and the results were heartwarming. How is this for a review:

“With similar events, it's always someone trying to push a product. This was nice. Just to talk to the next guy, who might be the 'opposition'. It's not always about business.”

Indeed it is not! We invited all our suppliers to a fun morning of coffee and doughnuts, just to meet, swap stories and mingle - no product pushing, no “We're better than the next guy.” And people appreciated it. We're all human, all appreciate thanks, and really, our suppliers are what make us - their great products inspire us to give the best possible service to our clients. When you know you are receiving the best, you want to give the best!

Here are some more great comments from suppliers, large and small:

“Awesome idea, because suppliers are often overlooked. There are often customer days. It's nice to mix with the reps and other suppliers. We are very grateful to be invited.” Arno Leach of HellermannTyton.

“It's greatly appreciated … to be able to chat to the 'opposition' and socialise with the distributor. It's not often that one gets a chance to do that. Great people. Look at today: nothing to do with the clients; it's just for the suppliers. Nobody does that. Proof that it's about the people.” Bevan Barkhuizen of Major Tech.

It's always heartwarming to get this sort of response. Our suppliers cover everything we need, from enclosures, switch gear and sensing solutions, to industrial-scale cables and connectors, to connectivity networking and safety portfolios - everything that translates to excellence for our clients.

Some have been supplying Haslop & Mason for as little as three years and others for 15 or even 30 years, in the case of Major Tech. Bevan Barkhuizen of Major Tech added, “We've been together since the beginning … and the relationship is getting stronger year by year.” That's good to know!

We asked what our suppliers saw as highlights of their partnership with Haslop & Mason. Perhaps we were fishing for compliments; the responses were certainly overwhelmingly positive:

“H & M is a very professional company, whose reps are dedicated to service, always willing to go the extra mile. It's a good relationship when you can go to their clients and help with a solution. They work well with everybody and they are very good at pushing your products.” So said Sharon Webb, of Electro Mechanica.

Arno Leach of HellermannTyton said, “Open-mindedness. Willingness always to try something. New products, new avenues to look at, new business opportunities. Always willing to listen. Never shying away from a challenge.”

Ashley Derbyshire of Balluff South Africa recognised the whole package of working with us, from keeping up with their product development to ensuring that our customers understand and can work with them: “The development, to see them grow with our product portfolio, and the way they handle the situation, and the interaction with customers … just working with them, and securing some projects with key customers. It is exciting to explore and to take a design or a concept into actual, practical supply, and being able to help the customer.”

Johan Ackerman of Cable Dan just “got” the kind of company we are: “Haslop & Mason take customer service very seriously. That's why I try to deliver on time. I know how crucial it is for them to make their customers happy. It's all about customer service for them, and they are doing a top-notch job.”

Clearly, something in this recipe between the suppliers and Haslop & Mason as an authorised distributor is working.

Sharon Webb saw it as the friendliness: “I think it's the people. The guys are very friendly; they are always willing to look at an alternative. Kevin has a great team.”

Wow! Our suppliers just confirm what we know; when you work with the best, employ the best and give of your best, consistently, year after year, people notice, and the whole business ecosystem just elevates, benefitting everyone concerned.

Here's to many more years of working with you, our valued suppliers!