In celebration of Heritage day, we decided to talk to one of our local suppliers about their history, manufacturing processes and being a proudly South African business.
Prêt-á-pot started off as a family business making traditional garden pots 30 years ago. Nicole Kingston, owner, went back to Port Elizabeth 17 years ago to join the business. Growing up she was surrounded by potters, which led to a keen interest in beautiful functional pieces. This then led to the start of the other side of the business which specialises in serveware and décor accents.
This side of the business has grown and they now employ a total of 48 people. Nicole is still very hands on, as she does all the new designs and finishes and trains the relevant staff. This is also a company run by women. Nicole is supported by Sarah, the factory manager and Nathley, the floor manager. She mentions that their sense of humour takes their team a long way, while their lone male is their wonderful mould maker, Lewies, who she thinks is happy to retreat to the workshop and leave the ladies to it.
They manufacture in three different ways – cast, jigger and slump. Each method gives a distinct look. These different processes allow for enormous flexibility in terms of what they can produce. Nicole also formulates their own glaze colours to make them unique and not available elsewhere. Their glazes give a high quality product with a distinctly handmade feel, once combined with different colour clays, bodies and decorating techniques.
Prêt-á-pot also recently partnered with a company that helps to source staff from the huge pool of unskilled, unemployed 18 – 28 year olds. Nicole explains that this was a very humbling experience and that they were able to offer 5 people employment after the selection process. She also says that it has been a pleasure training these new staff members who are hungry for knowledge and want to learn new skills.
You can shop gorgeous Prêt-á-pot products online and in store. Available while stocks last.
Images via Prêt-á-pot.
