Employee Stories: Elfyn Robers, Area Manager Leave a comment

Welcome to Our Employee Stories Series!

This series is our way of celebrating our amazing team, sharing their unique journeys, and offering a glimpse into the culture that drives everything we do.

Today, we’re featuring Elfyn Roberts, our Area Manager covering North and Mid Wales. Since joining Hydraquip in 2015, Elfyn has brought with him 34 years of experience in the hydraulics industry. He shares insights into his role, recent team accomplishments, and how his journey began with a delivery driver job that set the course for a long and successful career.

Keep reading to find out what Elfyn shared with us.

Q: How did you first get into the industry? Was there a person or moment that inspired you?

“I originally qualified as an electrician, but quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit for me. I applied for a job as a delivery driver with a local Hydraulics company. The owner, was a tough but fair boss, and many of the values I hold today were shaped by what I learned from him. I started working there as a delivery driver, and after about a year, I began picking up bits of business while out delivering to customers across North Wales. The owner saw the potential in that and offered me a van sales role, which meant I was both delivering and selling as I went. Over time, that developed into a full-time sales role on the road, and things progressed from there.”

 Q: What are your primary duties and areas of focus in your current position?

“I work across our Llandudno and Wrexham branches, focusing on sales development, hydraulic systems support, and both branch and mobile operations. My role covers all aspects of hydraulic sales and service management, from developing new business to supporting engineers on site. I frequently join our mobile hydraulic engineers to assist with system assessments and provide accurate quotes for hydraulic components, system repairs, and custom projects. Whether I am on the road, in the branch, or working directly with customers, I stay involved in every part of the operation in North Wales to ensure we deliver reliable and efficient solutions for the hydraulics industry.”

Q: What is your vision for your department or area?

“My vision is to continue being the leading supplier of Fluid Power and Engineering products, and the go-to provider for on site solutions in the mobile hydraulics industry. Beyond that, it’s also about expanding our reach. My role covers North and parts of Mid Wales, I’m currently working on opportunities into the rural areas. At Hydraquip, we are also looking at expanding into new territories to broaden our customer base and on site mobile hose solutions to a wider audience.”

Q: How do you keep communication strong across your areas?

“I always prefer to speak with someone directly rather than sending an email. I’m in regular contact with all the branches and engineering teams, often checking in with them daily to stay aligned on priorities, projects and customer needs. Everyone has my personal phone number, and I’m available 24 hours a day to support the team, whether it’s solving an issue or responding to urgent requests. I’ve known the team at the Llandudno branch for many years, and I’ve even worked alongside most of them in the past, which has enabled me to build strong working relationships with the team, which helps things to run smoothly and reinforces the collaborative culture we have built.”

Q: Is there a recent win or accomplishment within your team or area that stands out to you?

“We recently took on a challenging but rewarding contract to service airport sweepers in North Wales and the Northwest. I worked alongside a  long-standing engineer who has been with us since the beginning of Hydraquip’s journey in North Wales. We secured the project based on our knowledge, which made it especially rewarding. It involved servicing and overhauling airport sweepers for multiple regional airports. What started as a small request grew into a much larger project. We provided detailed reports, quoted for the extra work, and were trusted to manage the full job. The scale of the project and the trust placed in us made it a real win for the team.”

Q: What’s your proudest moment working at Hydraquip?

“Recently, the Llandudno branch marked 10 years of service. The branch is home to a dedicated team of 8, including 4 skilled hydraulic engineers and 4 experienced hydraulic trade counter staff, with over 100 years of combined hydraulic manufacturing and supply experience. At the beginning of 2024, the branch expanded into the neighbouring unit, doubling its size. This growth made it possible to introduce on site hydraulic cylinder repairs, further enhancing our service capabilities. It’s been great to see how much the branch has developed and to be there for its 10th anniversary.”

Q: What’s something on your bucket list right now?

“One thing on my bucket list is to visit all 50 states in the USA. I’ve already been to 16, including two trips this year, and I’m heading back again in September. When I was younger, I never travelled and did not get on a plane for the first time until I was 46. Since then, I have really caught the travel bug. My daughter bought me a poster that shows all 50 states in the United States, and it got me thinking that I would love to visit every single one before I retire, so that’s now my goal. Last April, I drove Route 66, which took me through seven or eight states, and I am heading to Florida again in a few weeks. I have travelled with family and friends, but I also really enjoy solo travelling. I started watching a YouTuber who does solo travel, and that made me realise that going solo is not as difficult as I thought, and I’ve had an amazing experience so far.”

Q: Do you have a favourite quote or motto you live by?

“Do what you can today because you never know what’s around the corner!”

Q: If you could instantly master a new skill or hobby, what would it be?

“I have owned several drones over the years, but I often get bored and end up getting rid of them and buying new ones. Still, I’m really interested in improving my skills with drones and photography. I like watching drone videos online and would love to master flying drones and taking photos better.”

It’s been great hearing about Elfyn’s journey, vision, and passions both inside and outside of Hydraquip.

Keep an eye out for more incredible stories from our team coming soon.