How it all began

Our story takes on a new and even more extraordinary twist, when in 1992, production started in Bogotá, Colombia. Doubtless there was plenty of cheap labour to be found in many third world countries but such a proposition was abhorrent to Nick. Here he found a workshop employing some dozen ladies using two machines. The place was run by the Miquelina Foundation which, led by Sister Ester Castano, had been set up to help desperate women (mostly who, until then, had no alternative but to be prostitutes) learn trades and earn money. There are now more than twelve dozen women employed at the factory, making some 4000 garments every month, on 120 machines. There is a kindergarten and there are lessons in literacy and formal training. Most employees have a formal qualification. Nick is as proud of what he has been able to achieve here, as he is with his outstanding products. The factory has even gained the coveted ISO 9002 Standard. There is a less than 1 % level of returns and each one can be traced back to source. On the walls of the boardroom are the signatures of two Prime Ministers and three Queen's Awards gained in 1996, 1999 and 2004. As the Nikwax Cultural Statement makes clear, the structure of the organisation is orientated towards continuous growth, only justified if it has benign features, seeking to achieve:

• The provision of products and services which improve the quality of life of the purchasers
• The maintenance of a high level of profitability
• Individuals growth within the business, in terms of skills, confidence and ability to take responsibility
• Encouragement of innovation and creativity at all levels of the organisation
• A responsible approach to environmental issues

The application of the above principles wherever possible to those both directly and indirectly employed by Nikwax.