periro - Senior Economist Hawley Employee Review

Nice, good people, good facility

Really small and really busy

The bicycle industry is usually a laid back and easy going industry. This company is a 30 year old institution that was a respected , and vital part of the fabric of the bicycle Industry in the US. The owner and founder, Steve Hawley, brought to the table an honest, trustworthy business sense that he and his family worked hard to develop over those 30 years. It was a place where your word was your bond and a handshake was as good as a written contract. A true southern gentleman with everyone's best interest at heart.

Ahhh, where to start. I guess with the acquisition by a Canadian entity that didn't listen, moved forward like a bull in a china shop, and tried to do everything like they had in Canada. First they dismantled the commission structure making it almost impossible to pay all our personal bills, yet alone make any money. Then they started spending like no tomorrow. Through multiple acquisitions and failed projects the day to day operations suffered greatly. Inventory issues where much needed product was never available. Cash flow problems where suppliers weren't being paid on time and the eventual result was the loss of key manufacturers that made the company competitive. After a while it almost became a joke to try to sell product that our customers knew we didn't have. Employees have been leaving like " rats jumping a sinking ship" Tough to see such a wonderful family institution get dismantled like this.