While celebrating our 80th Birthday, we have been catching up with some of our longest serving employees to learn about their experiences and how things have changed at the company over the years. Chris Wise is our Senior Customer Service Advisor and has been with the company for 33 years.
Can you give an overview of your journey at Marshall-Tufflex?
My first role at Marshall-Tufflex was in customer services at our London branch, which was then in Walthamstow. This was back in the days before computers when everything was done manually! I then progressed on to Assistant Branch Manager.
In 1996 when a job at our Head Office in Hastings became available, I snapped up the opportunity and applied for the role, which I got. I then moved down from London to be by the sea.
Over the years I have had a few different roles including working as a PA and some years in marketing, before eventually coming back to the Customer Services department.
Tell us more about your role
As Senior Customer Service Advisor, my role is varied. I deal with customers on a daily basis, answering queries on stock and deliveries as well as helping with some inputting of orders onto our systems. We pride ourselves on the high standards we place on providing the very best service and will always go the extra mile for our customers. Personally, I get a great deal of pleasure from working with the team to consistently deliver these values.
I’ve also been responsible for training many of our new employees on the sales desk, and I like to think that I have helped some of them progress to different positions within the company.
How has Marshall-Tufflex changed during your time at the company?
Marshall-Tufflex has changed so much since I first joined, with customer services all coming together within Head Office and the branches now dealing with distribution. A notable change is how digitalisation has evolved to improve our presses and services. For example, last year, we launched our online ordering app, to enable wholesalers that have an account with Marshall-Tufflex to easily place stock orders at the touch of a button – either online or via our mobile app. Customers can view the most-up-to-date pricing, product information, scan barcodes, and create shopping lists as well as access historical ordering data and save their favourite products.
Why do you enjoy working for Marshall-Tufflex?
The company has always been keen to maintain a ‘family feel’ about it and this has led to me working with many lovely colleagues over the years. It is fantastic to observe such a significant company milestone this year, as the business marks its 80th year. The entire company came together over the Summer to recognise this achievement with a party at our office in Hastings which was a special moment for everyone.
What do you think is the company’s biggest strength?
Our culture. The past two years have been very challenging, but we have come through the other side of the pandemic stronger.
We seem to be busier than ever and I have every confidence that the company will continue to grow within the marketplace. In fact, I’m sure it will as we continue to lead the way in the use of recycled materials as we aim to increase recycled content in our production across the range.
When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?
People who know me, know I love my holidays, particularly a cruise, and I have missed them over the past two years. I always like to try to travel at least twice a year…Sometimes I’ve even been known to squeeze in three holidays!
Any final thoughts on your 33 years with Marshall-Tufflex?
Being based in Hastings, the best way to describe me is like a stick of rock – if you cut me in half, you’d see Marshall-Tufflex running through me!
