"I sent a letter to them asking for a job when I was about 12.
"They couldn't employ me," Barclay said.
Bridgestone in Dannevirke was where Heath Barclay got his start in the company. Photo Leanne Warr
But they kept the letter and employed him working in the forecourt of the service station when he was 15.
"It kind of progressed, working in the weekends in the tyre bay with Rex, who was just a wonderful guy and someone who I still think about often today."
He said Rex would be "super proud" of his achievement.
Barclay went away to do hospitality management for a while, but came back to Dannevirke to take up what was meant to be a temporary role as manager of the tyre shop.
"What was supposed to be a three-month job over summer turned into a year or two."
He said that was when someone from Firestone took notice, suggesting he joined the management cadet programme.
From there, he learned every aspect of the business he could, from the tyre factory in Christchurch to the mine in Waihi.
He went on to manage a store in Auckland, then a call centre, before moving into sales and marketing.
He moved to Australia in 2013, becoming sales director in 2017.
Barclay was passionate about his work.
"I couldn't think about working in any other industry than the one I'm in. I just love it."
He was grateful for his time at Westlows, and for being given the opportunities he had.
"I think I'm just really lucky that someone came past who saw that drive and ambition as well as the ability and took a punt."
He still considers himself just "one of the team".
"We're a team of 2000 so I'm just one of them that is particularly passionate about the customers and the product. I really believe in Bridgestone's vision for the future.
"They're taking a leadership position on the environment around sustainability.
"I think that it's important that that's driven by corporations like ourselves to truly change what's happening in the world."
Barclay was also keen to encourage young people into apprenticeships, using his own experience to help motivate them.
"There's so much opportunity that people need to be made aware of."
He had hoped to return to New Zealand over the Christmas holidays to spend time with family and friends in Napier but his plans have had to be put on hold.
