West Sussex Based Manufacturer Marks Milestone Birthday.
June 2019 marks a significant milestone in our history as we celebrate 25 years in business. In this modern business environment, we feel that quarter of a century is something worth celebrating. It certainly feels like a major achievement and it is set to be a monumental year in the evolution of our company.
When Ted Palmer, Trevor Nightingale, John Dudley and Mike Vigar left IBM and started Thesis Technology Products, they, like many other entrepreneurs starting a business, could never have imagined where it would be 25 years later.
The group began work on a couple of projects but, as is often the way, fate intervened. Mike Vigar fractured his leg and soon found himself confronted by the age-old problem – how to shower and keep his cast dry at the same time. He called upon his colleagues to put their technical minds together - which they did - and came up with the very first LimbO Waterproof Protector. This early LimbO prototype worked so well that the group realised there was a gap in the market and directed all their energy into the new project.
Today, we have sold over 2 million LimbO products around the world and we now manufacture an increasingly diverse range of products including contrast and compression therapy solutions and stylists capes.
Whilst the business has grown and we have had to expand our premises several times, we have not moved far from our original ‘manufacturing facility’ (John’s home, a garage and then a portacabin in Ted’s garden!). Home is now a factory and offices in Bosham, near Chichester, West Sussex, from where over 45 staff support a global client base.
Deciding how to mark 25 years in business has been an interesting topic for discussion. Yes, there is a company party and we will be joined by our representatives from the US and other significant business partners, but we felt a party was a given. We therefore wanted to find a way to truly mark this milestone in our history and we arrived back at some of our founding principles: Investment and innovation. 2019 will therefore not only allow us to reflect on 25 years delivered but also set the scene for what we hope will be the next 25.
Here’s a summary of our plans for the year:
International Trade Delegations – We will be joining the DIT on trade missions to further expand our market reach, with trips already booked as far afield as Japan
A New LimbO – We will begin work on a makeover for our faithful founding product including new features, international packaging, better environmental credentials and an updated identity
Formalising our corporate identity – Making sure our product branding is clear and recognisable and underpinned by the values of Thesis as the company behind them
New websites – Starting with LimbO we will be developing sites for the future with better user experience, a focus on non desktop devices and a style which reflects us as the leader in our various markets
Investment in our team and premises – More training, workplace improvements, expansion and a focus on staff wellbeing
New product – The formal launch of a new product line following significant investment in design and testing
So, as you can see, we are not resting on our laurels and not simply settling for a cake and candles – that’s just not the Thesis way. We’re extremely proud of what we have achieved in two-and-a-half decades and the fact that we still retain the values and feel of the original family business.
Happy Birthday us and here’s to an exciting future.
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