As Stephen prepares for his retirement, we take a look back at some of the times during his 46 years as MD here at Sampling International.
Starting in April 1978, Stephen set out to create a pattern book manufacturing company which is still thriving years later. With just two people initially, the company grew from strength to strength and now employs over 80 staff, many of whom have been at SI for many years.
For sure, as with running all businesses, Stephen has faced some challenges, not least the latest trial, Covid 19. After an initial period of uncertainty, Stephen together with his senior team, conceived a strategy which ensured the survival and sustainability of the business which is still very strong today.
In 2006 Stephen was presented with The Queens Award for Enterprise. Stephen had the wonderful experience of meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace and receiving the award from the Queen was a day he will never forget and a fabulous achievement for all the team.
There have been many changes through the 4-plus decades of the business especially with regard to technology; from taking orders on landline telephones (even remembers buying their first fax machine) or via the post to the increasing immediacy of PC’s, mobiles and the internet. Travel is another area of major change. Road traffic in the 70’s and 80’s was much lighter than it is today, so it made seeing customers much easier and faster. Before the days of satnav, Stephen could drive to London with his A-Z (and still no mobile phone), see 5 customers and be back in the same day. Today that is simply not possible even on the train.
Throughout all the challenges and highlights and everything in between running a business, Stephen has always maintained that building strong relationships and good communication should be at the heart of SI. Firstly, nurturing good working relationships with his staff, many of whom have stayed loyal to him for many years and whom Stephen now considers as friends. At the same time forging strong relationships with customers and suppliers alike. Stephen has always taken pride in giving good communication and reliable service levels and thinks that this is what has set SI aside from its competitors; for customers to trust SI to be competitive, give a good lead time and deliver a good product are among Stephen’s mantras and he has made sure that SI has always put service first.
So as the sun rises on his final day at SI, Stephen hangs up his tools and looks forward to spending more time with his family, grandchildren and the golf course.
