80 Years of Michael John Flooring: Simon Manley, Managing Director
In the first of a series of conversations with the people behind Michael John Flooring, we speak with Managing Director Simon Manley about four decades with the company, the changes he has seen, and what the 80th anniversary means to him.
What was your very first day like?
1985 - and Michael John didn't have the correct change to pay me my first day's wages, so he asked if he could owe me some until the following week. I later learned that was to make sure I'd come back! 😊
How did you end up here - was it planned?
I called in five times asking about Saturday work. Each time he told me to call back next week. On the fifth visit I told him he must know by now whether he needed help - which he liked, and offered me the job.
What was the business like when you first joined?
Totally unrecognisable. Like an old-fashioned corner shop — very cluttered, but everything had a place.
What part of the job do you still enjoy most?
The order. Nothing beats a client - large or small - giving you their trust, and that feeling of not wanting to let them down. We must deliver first-class service, every time.
What's changed most in flooring since you started?
Everything was patterned when we started. Now it's much plainer designs, and there's a huge variety of styles and finishes across both soft and hard floors.
What keeps people here for so long?
We work as a team and the success feels like a real team effort. Staff feel that success. And everyone wants to play for the best team.
Is there a moment or customer you've never forgotten?
Unprofessional to disclose - but there are lots! 😄 What are your abiding memories of Michael John Molloy? Razor sharp. Integrity. Loyalty to his staff. A true gentleman who insisted on us being the best at what we do.
What are you most proud of when you look back?
Being part of the growth and success that makes Michael John Flooring the best in the Midlands - possibly the country - for service, longevity and overall customer experience. What does the 80th anniversary mean to you? Real achievement. Loyalty to our clients. And proof that we deliver the first-class service we say we do.