Henry joined DK Holdings as a young lad, following in the footsteps of his father, Colin, who has been part of the team for decades.
Over the years, Henry has honed his skills across the Resin and Metal Bond departments, mastering the craft of manufacturing bespoke Diamond Tooling for industries including Stone and Optical Glass.
His pride in precision, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous improvement make him a valued member of the DK family. We caught up with Henry to learn more about his role, what motivates him, and how he unwinds outside of work.
Hello Henry, thank you for taking the time to have a chat with us about your time at DK Holdings. Tell us a bit more about what you do in the Resin department.
“I started working at DK Holdings at 16 and initially took care of the powder room, mixing different bonds and assembling Diamond Tools for Stone customers. Over the years, I was involved in various aspects of the manufacture of Metal Bond and Resin Bond Tooling and am now mainly focused on the machining work of the range.
The experience I gained over the years allows me to get involved in all stages of the production process which is helpful when it comes to some of the bespoke tooling we manufacture. I am also able to help other team members and pass some of my knowledge on. It is all coming full circle!“
The team manufactures standard tooling across sectors and as you mentioned also very bespoke tooling solutions for the Optical Glass industry. Tell us about a recent tool that the team manufactured and why it was special.
“We have a longstanding customer in the US for whom we manufacture bespoke Metal Bond Tooling solutions. I am very much involved from the start of their manufacturing journey, creating the moulds or making the bodies.
It is satisfying to see the finished product, especially with some of these having a wall thickness of under 2 mm, which in the world of diamond tools is very specialised to produce.“
You work with your dad, Colin, who’s been with Team DK for many decades. What is the best advice he’s given you?
“Always take pride in your work“. That’s what my dad has been telling me from Day 1.
I’ve learnt a lot from him since joining and he very much embodies what Team DK stands for, manufacturing Precision Diamond Tools to the highest standards.
The question I always ask myself when assembling a tool or even putting those finishing touches on is, “If I were the customer, would I pay for this?”.“
What is next for you?
“I never like to stand still or rest on my laurels. I continuously try to improve, either myself or my work to do the best for the team and our partners.
I recently attended a Leadership & Management course alongside some of my colleagues which was insightful and will enable me to continue my journey at Team DK and lead my team members in the best way possible.“
What do you enjoy doing in your free time away from Precision Diamond Tooling?
“My fiancée and I recently welcomed a (not so little anymore) Staffordshire Bull Terrier to the family and Enzo certainly keeps us busy!
I’m a keen cook and a perfect Sunday afternoon for me is to have something delicious cooking in the smoker whilst watching any form of motorsport (if you ask my fiancée Ellie, she might disagree with that part though!).“