Sybron, a leading UK supplier of cleaning, hygiene and catering products to some of the largest names in hospitality, has taken significant steps to safeguard the long-term future of the business with the completion of a management buyout.
The new, five-strong management team has collectively 70 years’ experience in the business and includes executive director, Kathryn Henwood; operations director, Bradley Henwood; business development director, Chris Henwood; sales & marketing director, George Mason; purchasing director, Mark Newson. The team all took leadership roles over two years ago, bringing fresh skills to evolve and drive the business forward. The company – based in Harlow, Essex – continues to retain its strong culture and values, building on the solid foundations laid over the past 22 years by its previous leadership.
“The new team is proud to take the baton from Trevor Henwood and Stephen Henwood as they step into retirement,” says George Mason. “We are deeply committed to preserving and expanding upon the legacy they’ve built. The strong foundations of Sybron remain intact and we are focused on ensuring the long-term success of the business. From a customer perspective, everything they love about Sybron will remain the same – it’s very much business as usual.”
Sustainability, innovation and Sybron’s exceptional team are at the core of the company’s growth strategy moving forward. In the past two years, Sybron has made significant strides, launching new Sybron-branded product lines, including SyBio, a range of biotechnology-based cleaning products and SySoft, which offers a selection of paper and tissue products, such as bamboo toilet rolls.
“At Sybron, sustainability isn’t just a short-term focus; it’s a long-term commitment,” says Bradley Henwood. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of sustainability, as we strive to achieve net zero with our consultants, Planet Mark. This month, we took another step towards our environmental goals by introducing our first electric van into the fleet and switching our energy to renewable sources. As part of our commitment, we’re also helping customers and stakeholders reach their own sustainability objectives.
“Sybron is known for providing a personal, high-quality service – whether it’s the same driver delivering to the same customers each week, picking up the phone when our customers need us or creating long-term, respectful partnerships. Our customers value the relationships we have built and we are proud to be an integral part of their businesses.
“We will continue to invest in our people who are at the heart of everything we do. We have a fantastic team and we are dedicated to helping our staff progress and reach their personal goals, promoting a more inclusive environment and building a strong sense of equality within the business. We are passionate about ensuring that as Sybron grows, every team member feels they are evolving alongside the business.”
While leadership changes can sometimes be challenging, the new team at Sybron is ensuring a smooth transition. In addition to empowering the internal team, Sybron is collaborating with external consultants, who have extensive industry experience, to support the ongoing success of the business.
“Despite the current challenges in hospitality and beyond, we’re excited about what lies ahead,” says George. “Our core values of service, sustainability, innovation and an unwavering focus on people will continue to drive our business forward. Our customers can rest assured that everything they value about Sybron will remain unchanged as we move toward the future. The MBO ensures that Sybron is well-positioned to thrive in the years ahead, while maintaining the values that have made us who we are today.”