Meet the Team – Matthew Byers, Sales & Purchasing Manager

What do you love most about your job at ABS as Sales & Purchasing Manager?

What I love most about my job as Sales & Purchasing Manager is everything, the customers, the vendors, the ability to make buying a battery easy.

What do you think is the most important skill that a successful professional needs to have?

Sense of humour and to treat others, as you would like to be treated.

What challenges have you faced in your career?

There are always new challenges, be it suppliers discontinuing a popular battery to transportation issues. These can usually be sorted out. There is one ongoing challenge that I have been fighting for 12 years and counting. Parkinson’s disease. I appreciate the support I have received from two generations of Schiedel’s.

What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?

One of of the most important lessons I’ve learned is listen, then speak. Easier said than done.

Tell us about a professional success story that you’re proud of.

Every time I see a smile or hear a thanks when I help a customer get the battery they need. For me its not about the dollars, from a $1 coin cell to a $100K installation, I get the same satisfaction that I helped someone.

What would your perfect weekend look like?

A perfect weekend for me would be is get up at 5:30am, go for a hike, build something, eat pizza, go to bed at 23:59pm, repeat…

What’s your favorite type of food or cuisine?

I like Italian food, pasta, sauces, cheese, meat pounded by a hammer, what`s not to love. The absolute best is Pizza! I could eat if for all 3 meals in a day and have many times.

Describe an interesting hobby or pastime that you have.

I would like to spend all my time building stuff. Sheds, beds, cabinets, doors, tables, anything from wood. A lot of my materials I have used are repurposed from work or donated by friends.

If you could pick any superpower, what would it be and why?

Time travel. Are you kidding me, time is the only thing we can`t fabricate, imagine the power of foresight also being 20/20.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

Nowhere, I don`t fly, get sore sitting in a car and trains solve some issues, but I would rather invest the money in the stock market and enjoy the time at home. I have an awesome home and I always find something to do. I can browse the internet if I want to see far away places.