Images_Digital_Edition_November_2019

IS DECORATOR PROFILE www.images-magazine.com 46 images NOVEMBER 2019 Kim Oakhill explains how Sigma Embroidery and Printing is embracing sustainability in every area of its business I n her everyday life, Kim Oakhill has always believed in doing her bit for the environment, but in May this year she decided it was time for a step-change at her company, Sigma Embroidery and Printing, as well. After building the business up over the past six years, she was keen to thread sustainability and ethical trading through every aspect of the operation. “I read an article about the production of organic cotton against standard cotton and that made me realise that, as a business, we have to take responsibility and stop having this impact on the environment and society and the [textile] workers. We knew that we had to make a change.” Kim previously worked for the NHS as a clinical scientist; however, with three young children, she wanted a more flexible career. Looking around, she came across Sigma Embroidery, a small business set up in 2000, whose current owner wanted to move away, and which offered the perfect opportunity. “I wasn’t particularly looking for embroidery,” she admits. “I just saw it and it sparked an interest so I thought I’d look at it. I thought it was something I could grow as the children grew.” Time for change We have to take responsibility and stop having this impact on the environment From the outset Kim was keen to expand into new areas, as reflected by the company’s name change to Sigma Embroidery and Printing. At that time, the business comprised a small shop, with one embroidery machine, in the village of Littleport, north of Ely. It didn’t take long, however, before trade started to grow, driven by Kim’s simple but effective new approach. “When I took over, I realised that customers needed something more. They were coming in being offered one T-shirt, one polo, one sweatshirt, but not all of the customers needed that. I started asking them what it was for, what their plans for it were, whether it was for a uniform. We would then offer the product that would be more successful for them. It was talking more about decoration and trying to suggest different ways to do the decoration for them. Some wanted more high-end products that would last longer.” Growing the business With no significant advertising, growth has been ‘organic’, coming through word of mouth, networking groups, recommendations and repeat custom. “Slow and steady won’t make you a millionaire, but you will still be here,” Kim notes. She has also diversified Sigma’s product offering; for example, including horse blankets and jackets for the equestrian community in the area. However, the mainstay of the business remains workwear, including safetywear, for construction, laboratory and care home customers. This makes up about 75% of business with the rest coming from local groups, such as sports clubs and community organisations, all based in Cambridgeshire. “On talking to those people, we found they had to buy in bulk from most suppliers,” Kim explains. “We set them up on our website where they have a dedicated page and members can order themselves. That part of the business has grown steadily. It took a while for that to take off, but there is now a larger number of groups on the website.” After moving to a larger shop in Littleport, Sigma relocated again to even bigger premises in Sedgeway Business Park in Witchford, west of Ely. It now has four embroidery machines – two Brother BS single-head machines, a ZSK single- head and a ZSK twin-head. There is also a Ricoh sublimation printer and an Oki transfer printer to deal with requests for print work. The staff has grown as well, with Kim now working alongside three other people – Jamie Cranwell, Janine Darnell and Owen Timmins – plus Charlie “the print shop pooch”. The company is also currently recruiting for an apprentice. With business growing steadily, Kim noticed there were a number of areas where Sigma was falling short in terms of its environmental credentials, so she carried out an audit. This was linked to the company making a pledge as part of [L-R] Owen Timmins, Kim Oakhill, Janine Darnell and Jamie Cranwell