Kate Samphier – Case Study
Kate Samphier is a self-employed designer, living and working in the Scottish
Borders. She started her own independent design and make company in May 2000
following an extensive period of working within the Textile Industry, specifically
the design & creation of yarns for knitwear. Kate was introduced to the
Scottish Knitwear Design and Technical Centre in 2002 and started working
with the Team later that year.
Kate moved some of her more specialised production to the centre, to benefit
from working with Shima Seiki Technology that gives the fast turn around and
quality that her clients demand. The products that she designs and sells are
knitted accessories, ranging from bags, hats, scarves and baby accessories
and home wear including cushions and throws which sell in prestigious outlets
such as The Cross, Graham & Green and Nichol Farhi Home.
Apart from getting a quality service and product as a result of working with
the Scottish Knitwear Design and Technical Centre, Kate welcomes and enjoys
the fact that the Team provide her with the opportunity to be as creative
as she would otherwise be on her own hand-operated machinery. "The Team
are so accommodating to working with me that I can call in at anytime and
run ideas past them or work on new design concepts with the Technicians on
the programming system" said Kate.
Undoubtedly, the main benefit to Kate’s small specialised business is
an increase in her output enabling her to accept larger orders whilst remaining
small and flexible. Kate does not have to commit to large bulk orders, allowing
the continuation of a "personalised" service on small runs.
The skills and support that Kate receives from Scottish Knitwear Design and
Technical Centre Team also takes the pressure off her in her workshop, freeing
her time to focus on what she does best - to develop new collections and work
on consultancy projects for other clients. She quotes, "An area of my
business which has certainly been able to develop since starting with BC Consultants
Scottish Knitwear Design and Technical Centre is production using specialist
machinery and technology that my small business could not afford. I am no
longer tied to a knitting machine and can therefore focus on more ‘value-added’
work and the development of sales. What’s more I really enjoy working
with the Team – no task is too great for them and I do present them
with some challenges, believe me!"
Further information about Kate Samphier is available from kate.samphier@virgin.net.