A Glimpse Inside Hayes & Finch 2024

We thought it was time to give you an update on what's been happening around our site in Liverpool, we'll be adding more throughout the month of September so keep checking back!

If you have any projects or ideas that we can help with, don't hesitate to contact us, we'd love to provide our expertise!

 

The Showroom - New Additions!

Starting in our showroom where, as you can see, we've had quite a few additions - So if you're around or planning a visit to the area, come in to see some friendly faces, have a rummage and, most importantly, find a bargain!

Find us at
Hanson Road, Aintree, Liverpool L9 7BP

 

The Woodmill - 50 Years of Combined Skillset!

This week, we are featuring our furniture department which is run by Ben, Jeff and Dave. With a combined skillset of over 50 years’ experience, the guys certainly know their oak from their mahogany. Ben has been with the company for over 20 years and as a fully qualified cabinet maker, Ben has the skill and experience to manufacture the very highest of quality furniture. Ben is currently manufacturing a solid oak Holy Oil stores and working on the finishing touches, and recently manufactured 2 garden benches in solid teak for one of our customers.

 

Jeff is our newest member of the team but brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge. Jeff is currently finishing a Presidential side chair in solid oak. The detailed gothic arches and carved crosses add the required touches to transform this piece of furniture, and will stand out in the Church once delivered.

 

Dave, our French polisher is our longest serving employee in the wood department, having worked for the company for 25 years. Over the years, Dave has renovated over 1,000 pews and polished and lacquered over 20,000 Church chairs.

 

Our wood department have been manufacturing quality furniture for over 60 years in our factory in Aintree and whether you are looking to have furniture restored or looking to invest in a quality piece of furniture, Hayes & Finch is just a phone call away.

 

The Candlefloor - The Heart of the Factory!

At this time of the year, the factory in Liverpool is in full swing, manufacturing Advent candles. This year is no different and Jean who has worked for the company for over 50 years is making sure all Advent candles are dipped in a vibrant pink and purple wax. Please make sure you have your Advent candles on order so your Church can look its best with the Advent wreath front and centre in the Church.

Over at the extruded candle machine, Kevin continues to manufacture white candles in readiness for Jean to hand dip the Advent colours. Kevin joined the company just 4 years ago and has already mastered the art of candle making and is keen to learn from the team as he moves around the candle floor gaining more knowledge.

Our hand dipped candles is an old tradition that continues to be as popular today as it was when the kit was installed some 70 years ago. Gary, our candle floor production team leader keeps everyone in check and as an employee for over 25 years, Gary knows how to manufacture the very best burning candle.

Our 2 hour votive light machine produces over 50,000 candles per day, in red, blue and white metal cups. Kaitlin, our machine operator is Gary’s daughter and recently joined the team in Liverpool to fulfil her work experience and through her hard work and determination has become a full time member of the team and works alongside her dad.

Our Votive candle machine produces 25,000 candles per day and as a continuous drawing machine, is very interesting to watch. Please enquire about our factory tours, which usually happen in the summer months.

The candlefloor is home to a mixture of old and more modern machinery, as well as long serving staff and those who have joined the Hayes & Finch family more recently, but all give 100% to create the best candles for our customers. Remember to order your candles for Christmas early to avoid disappointment, it's only 10 weeks to Advent Sunday!

 

The Wick Room - Machinery still going Strong!

In our wick department we manufacture over 4,000 different wicks, using the finest cotton. With over 40 machines in this department alone, we are able to manufacture wick for our own candle manufacture and also supply wick to other candle manufacturers around the world. Carol, who has worked in Hayes & Finch for 40 years, has a wealth of experience and talent, keeping our array of machines running to keep up with the production demand.

 

Some of our machines are over 80 years old, including the ones we use to produce wick required for our Advent candles. Carol provides the wick to Gary, who then manufactures the candles with Kevin, they pass the finished candles to Jean, who then over dips them ready for our despatch team to deliver them across the UK and Ireland. Carol makes sure production continues in our wick room and that the machines are looked after!

 

Carol is always happy to provide detailed information when you visit the wick room while taking part in our factory tour. If you’d like to see or hear more, contact us to enquire about our tours, which we’re hoping to restart soon!

 

The Candle Laboratory - The Expert in Candle Making!

After our wick is used in candles we produce, it then moves on to our very own candle laboratory, run by Derek, who has been a Candle Technician at Hayes & Finch for over 30 years.

 

Derek works hard in the laboratory testing all the candles that we manufacture, including paschal candles, votive lights and scented candles.

This is to ensure the correct combination of wick, wax and scent has been used to give the best burn.

As well as testing our range of Church candles and scented candles, Derek is able to offer a testing service to our commercial customers who are looking to create their own candle products, where he ensures the regulations are met and guides in choosing the right wick for the required specifications. To find out more about this service, contact us!

 

More Coming Soon!

 

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