PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
Motif8 directors Chris Pomfret ( left ) and Sian Pomfret ( right ) with Baines Jewitt director Anne Cowley .
A PERFECT FIT
Growing firm has business ambitions all sewn up
Whether you have school-aged children , military connections , wear a uniform for work or are part of a sports team , chances are that local embroidery and print firm Motif8 has helped you look your best
W
ith bases in Thornaby and Stockton , Motif8 Embroidery & Print is one of Teesside ’ s success stories . Set up in 2003 by husband and wife Chris and Sian Pomfret , the company has gone from strength to strength .
As well as specialising in work uniforms , school uniforms and sports kits for local teams and big name brands , the company is one of the British Army ’ s largest suppliers of clothing and equipment , including zap badges , tactical recognition flashes and rank slides . When demand requires , Motif8 also supplies bespoke uniforms and clothing to both the private and public sectors .
Over the last 18 years , Motif8 has grown to be a market leader in garment decoration , including embroidery , screen printing , vinyl and sublimation . On top of this , the company produces banners , flags , mugs , mouse mats and coasters . The firm ’ s in-house team also offers a customised service , creating logos and artwork to suit individual clients .
Calling on their previous careers within the British Army , Chris and Sian bring exceptional organisational skills to the business . Thanks to their military backgrounds , they also have a level-headed , customer-focused approach and a “ can-do ” attitude . And it goes without saying , this is all underpinned by lots of hard work .
Since its inception , the company has experienced rapid growth and now employs 35 members of staff across its two sites : Motif8 in Thornaby and Rawcliffe ’ s Schoolwear in Stockton . As well as Chris and Sian , who are both directors , other roles include sales , administration , in-house accounts , designers , heat-pressers , printers and embroidery machinists . The company also runs an apprenticeship programme .
During the busy summer months , the workforce rises to 45 people , with students and pickers helping fulfil the back-to-school orders for the year ahead .
On top of customers from the Tees Valley area , Motif8 has clients across the UK , as well as those serving overseas with HM Forces . It was this trajectory of growth which prompted Chris and Sian to seek external support for their burgeoning business . That help came two years ago in the form of Baines Jewitt , one of the largest firms of chartered accountants , business advisers and tax experts in Teesside .
Chris Pomfret , Motif8 managing director , explained : “ Our previous accountant , a family friend , had been with us from the start . Despite the desire to remain loyal to our friend , due to the considerable growth of the company , we needed a much larger accountancy practice
102 | Tees Business