The story of Stitch Wise and the innovation of PPE products
The company initially started out in a small office with 2 ladies manufacturing crafts at Anglo Gold Ashanti's West Wits operation near Carletonville. Eventually Natalie Killassy identified rainwear as a viable product to be manufactured after successfully developing sewing skills. Soon a handful of men undergoing training became a roomful - and a roomful became a commercial proposition. A social project became an entrepreneurial undertaking as orders grew and the demand for a variety of products increased. Eventually 40 paraplegics were involved in this manufacturing operation. Still today at least 50% of all employees at Stitch WIse are differently abled.
A concern for debilitating mining injuries led to research resulting in the development of backfill-bags that are able to withstand enormous pressures and necessary leakage and are used to fill the chasms left by underground blasting.
Stitch Wise soon started producing other protective equipment and today is internationally recognized as a producer of backfill products for the mining industry, and for its broad range of protective-wear products and uniforms, its many registered patents and other innovative ranges such as knee guards, arm guards, rock grippa safety nets and a modular backfill system.
The company is headed by Natalie Killassy and employs almost 200 people at its three factories. The majority of production employees are paraplegic men and the majority of management staff are women. An active, ongoing training programme ranges from basic sewing techniques and on-floor manufacturing skills to adult literacy, computer skills and management training.
Recognition that their staff is not disabled, but differently-abled, is paramount to Stitch Wise’s philosophy, and great pride is taken in the company’s empowerment programmes, training, social upliftment and contribution to the development of South Africa’s economy.
Stitch Wise and Natalie Killassy have been widely recognized for their beliefs and efforts. Natalie has received numerous nominations and prestigious awards, with the latest being a nomination for the Schwab Foundation Award. This international award recognizes and encourages creative and effective social entrepreneurship, worldwide. As Natalie says, “Our business is our vision at work!”
Shortly after the company was started, Gold Fields became aware of their work and recognized the value that Stitch Wise could bring to its programme for disabled employees, and an association was formed between the two orginisations. This has developed into the Paragon Factory, on Kloof Gold Mine’s property, which employs 23 paraplegics and 13 able-bodied employees. Underground safety equipment, such as safety nets and kneed guards, is produced at this factory and continues to grow as a highly successful partnership.
Tsebo, in Orkney, is the latest development. Stitch Wise is continuously training and developing skills while utilizing 20 paraplegics from Anglo Gold Ashanti and 15 abled bodies from the community to manufacture personal protectve clothing viz. overalls, (boiler suits), 2 piece conti suits, dust coats and corporate uniforms for the private sector.
Sincere thanks to those who believe in our vision:
- AngloGold Ashanti Limited
- Endeavor (www.endeavor.co.za)
- Gold Fields (www.goldfields.co.za)
- Hartmut Ilgner
- Mark Grave
- Schwab Foundation (www.schwabfound.org)