workspace solutions

A BRIEF HISTORY

After attending the local Art School in Grimsby I was introduced to the world of three dimensional design whilst attending the Regional College of Arts and Crafts in Hull where I obtained the NDD certification in Exhibition Design.

After four years in London working in both exhibitions and interiors I moved to Cape Town in 19 69 to join a design group associated with an architectural practise. I was part of Design Research Group until 1978 working on Interior projects including hotels, office interiors and the Conservatorium of Music in Stellenbosch.

In 1978 I left DRG to start my own interior design company and at the same time was employed on a consultancy basis with Brown and Neethling an office furniture manufacturer specialising in timber office products. In 1983 they asked me to join them on a full time basis to focus at that stage on a new banking hall image for Trust Bank and develop products suitable for the commercial market. In 1986 I was appointed Design Director of Brown and Neethling.

Brown and Neethling sold out to the KH Group who eventually became part of SA Breweries who in 1998 shed itself of their interests in office furniture. Following the normal retrenchment process of the whole group I started my own company once again to continue designing office furniture that had been my main focus since 1978. The market at that time was not receptive to paying for design work, so I began to supply certain metal components of the range that I had designed and was marketing to improve the financial viability, this action led by chance rather than design to the beginning of WORKSPACE SOLUTIONS as a manufacturer. 

In 2000 WORKSPACE SOLUTIONS started manufacturing legs and components for the office furniture industry. The first factory, a 100sq.m unit was situated in Stikland in the Western Cape. I was able to purchase that unit in 2003 and in 2004 the adjacent unit. In 2007 we moved to our present factory as the business was slowly and consistently growing. My business is based on the lessons I have learnt in the intervening years in the industry, that of supplying a quality product, trusted on time delivery and at a competitive price. The overriding driving force within WORKSPACE is the continuing commitment to product development which is my love and passion. We have grown substantially in the last twelve years and with that our name and reputation in the office furniture industry. We are a company that employs local labour and suppliers. I do not approve with the mass importation of products that may improve the balance sheet but destroys rather than builds the local economy.

Although this is my seventieth year the creative side of my brain continues to function, possibly better than ever, partly due to being continually able to accept new ideas and now share responsibilities.  Simon, my eldest son, joined the company in September and has taken over as Business Manager allowing me to continue to focus on product research and the project development.

This BLOG is my attempt to share design thoughts with anyone interested in seeing how a design process works in the local economy and marketplace.