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Natalie Killassy. (Supplied)
Cape Town - In 1997, Natalie Killassy began a sewing company for paraplegics who had previously worked at the Western Deep Levels gold mine in Gauteng.
Initially the project focused on manufacturing protective clothing for the mining and other hazardous industries.
However, Killassy quickly identified the need to produce innovative, leading edge, fall-of-ground safety harnesses (to protect eg workers on scaffoldings). So she developed a line of patented backfill and modular gully bags to prevent or soften accidents from high or dangerous structures.
Killassy takes mining safety very seriously and employs an integrated workforce of able-bodied and disabled people.
From an early age, Killassy understood disability and saw an opportunity to develop - and transfer - a skill that could be applied beyond mineworker accidents, and keep her staff employed.
Today, Stitch Wise supplies over 12 000 patented backfill bags a year to the mining industry and produces cutting edge rainwear, knee and arm guards – all with the same core of paraplegic staff.
Stitch Wise sets the industry standard in geo textiles, has captured 50% of the backfill market in South Africa and is protecting today’s mineworkers from the very accidents that crippled the company's employees.
The firm employs 128 workers – 80% black, 40% paraplegics – and uses a majority of male paraplegic sewers.
Stitch Wise has benefited from a programme offered by Endeavor, a non-profit organisation that identifies and assists high-growth entrepreneurs in emerging markets around the world.
Endeavor's help to Stitch Wise included strategic introductions to new mining customers, and paired the company with a Deloitte management consulting team for mapping out future growth plans.
- Fin24
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Initially the project focused on manufacturing protective clothing for the mining and other hazardous industries.
However, Killassy quickly identified the need to produce innovative, leading edge, fall-of-ground safety harnesses (to protect eg workers on scaffoldings). So she developed a line of patented backfill and modular gully bags to prevent or soften accidents from high or dangerous structures.
Killassy takes mining safety very seriously and employs an integrated workforce of able-bodied and disabled people.
From an early age, Killassy understood disability and saw an opportunity to develop - and transfer - a skill that could be applied beyond mineworker accidents, and keep her staff employed.
Today, Stitch Wise supplies over 12 000 patented backfill bags a year to the mining industry and produces cutting edge rainwear, knee and arm guards – all with the same core of paraplegic staff.
Stitch Wise sets the industry standard in geo textiles, has captured 50% of the backfill market in South Africa and is protecting today’s mineworkers from the very accidents that crippled the company's employees.
The firm employs 128 workers – 80% black, 40% paraplegics – and uses a majority of male paraplegic sewers.
Stitch Wise has benefited from a programme offered by Endeavor, a non-profit organisation that identifies and assists high-growth entrepreneurs in emerging markets around the world.
Endeavor's help to Stitch Wise included strategic introductions to new mining customers, and paired the company with a Deloitte management consulting team for mapping out future growth plans.
- Fin24
* Add your voice to our Women's Wealth Issue and help empower others this Women's Month.
Write a guest post
Share your coping tips
Ask the experts
