ABOUT
US
STITCHWISE remains the largest manufacturer and supplier of geotextile backfill bags, knee guards and various personal protective equipment in South Africa.
From humble beginnings – driven by need, the business “STITCHWISE” grew in the heart of the deepest mines in the world, Gauteng, South Africa. The “need” being the need of the flotsam from mine disasters, the disabled mine employees’ need for employment opportunities. The need to give as many people as possible a reason to get up and get going – w.o.r.k. This gives one dignity and purpose, not just a pay cheque. The need to provide the mining industry with products that enhance safety and reduce potential injury to the miners working underground. The need for industry in our country to adopt an uncompromising approach to social responsibility. This golden thread remains indestructible in our approach to every aspect of our business.
This, is STITCHWISE.
In 1996 STITCHWISE started a sewing skills project to empower disabled mine workers, by manufacturing rainwear for the local mines. This exposed us to the dangerous conditions miners were working in, and revealed a clear need for innovative protective wear, personal protective equipment and other concepts in mining support. Our search for new markets to ensure a constant work flow for the differently abled employees, led to the broadening of the product range. Innovative and unique products are designed for the specific requirements of STITCHWISE clients’. Many of our products are custom made and existing products can be altered to suit the client’s needs.
STITCHWISE seeks to run a profitable business while imbuing our staff with tangible work and life skills – “We pride ourselves on our empowerment programs, ongoing training, social upliftment and the contribution to the development of the community and our country’s economy.” The company is Level 2 B-BBEE compliant, with 51% black ownership and 34% black female ownership. Our management compliment comprises of mainly women who supervise our operations. These statistics again reveal our company’s uncompromising commitment to social upliftment.
ABOUT
US
From humble beginnings – driven by need, the business “STITCHWISE” grew in the heart of the deepest mines in the world, Gauteng, South Africa. The “need” being the need of the flotsam from mine disasters, the disabled mine employees’ need for employment opportunities. The need to give as many people as possible a reason to get up and get going – w.o.r.k. This gives one dignity and purpose, not just a pay cheque. The need to provide the mining industry with products that enhance safety and reduce potential injury to the miners working underground. The need for industry in our country to adopt an uncompromising approach to social responsibility. This golden thread remains indestructible in our approach to every aspect of our business.
This, is STITCHWISE.
In 1996 STITCHWISE started a sewing skills project to empower disabled mine workers, by manufacturing rainwear for the local mines. This exposed us to the dangerous conditions miners were working in, and revealed a clear need for innovative protective wear, personal protective equipment and other concepts in mining support. Our search for new markets to ensure a constant work flow for the differently abled employees, led to the broadening of the product range. Innovative and unique products are designed for the specific requirements of STITCHWISE clients’. Many of our products are custom made and existing products can be altered to suit the client’s needs.
STITCHWISE seeks to run a profitable business while imbuing our staff with tangible work and life skills – “We pride ourselves on our empowerment programs, ongoing training, social upliftment and the contribution to the development of the community and our country’s economy.” An employee trust holds a 51% stake in the company. The company is Level 1 B-BBEE compliant, and our staff complement comprises of 15% paraplegics, while mainly women manage and supervise the operations. These statistics again reveal our company’s uncompromising commitment to social upliftment.
SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
People and Planet are at the centre of what we have always done and will continue to do.
WE CARE is an initiative that was launched more than 10 years ago. Under this value, we commit resources to various aspects within our company and local community.
SEW StitchWise Empowering Women is engrained in our DNA. Through mentoring and training, we continuously uplift our staff with particular emphasis on women empowerment. Our management team is largely made up of women. STITCHWISE assists many organizations in our local community by donating much-needed toiletries as and when we can.
DISABILITY STITCHWISE works tirelessly to break any stigmas associated with disability and is the perfect case study to prove that companies can be viable and still maintain a strong social responsibility. We have been able to breathe new life into many individual’s lives as nearly one sixth of our work force are disabled.
EDUCATION Every year, STITCHWISE assists countless scholars around the country with their school fees. This includes primary school, high school as well as various tertiary institutions. We believe that our country grows when her people grow.
ZERO WASTE From packaging to empty thread bobbins, we recycle most of our waste. STITCHWISE aims to have zero waste and reduce our impact on the environment, after all, this is the only planet we have.