Q - Tell us more about the ethos behind the company.

A - Frugi's' business aims are quite unusual in some respects. Sure we want to be a successful and well-known brand, but also we want to be a ‘good' company. When we say ‘good' we mean that in every respect we aspire to be the best. We want to have the best products, the best customer service, the best staff working in the best environment, the best ethical policies, the best...everything.

This may sound like impossibility, but it's not. When we started Cut4Cloth, Frugi's parent company, it was because Lucy and I couldn't find any clothes that would fit over our son's eco-friendly cloth nappy (hence the name). Therefore, when we started the business we were determined to keep to our environmental and ethical ideals AND to create a brilliant company.

 

Q - Why did you change the company name to Frugi?

A - As time has gone on, it has become increasing obvious that our descriptive name was a little confusing. How can, we have been asked, a T-shirt or a hat be cut for cloth. Well, it's not. So, we decided that a new name was needed. That's not to say that we have completely lost our identity. The Cut4Cloth name is being kept, as a descriptive term, on Frugi items that are a bit bigger around the bum area. So, when customers see in our catalogue or website, a cut4cloth tag hanging from the product description, they'll know it's just that. Cut a bit fuller for Cloth nappies.

 

Q - What are the ideals behind the Frugi brand and how do you manage to achieve these whilst dealing with the pitfalls of cross continent trading?

A - Frugi's clothes are all made from organic cotton, by well paid adults in a beautiful modern factory. However, you don't just stumble across manufacturers that meet our high standards. It took a lot of work, but the results speak for themselves.

There are difficulties in importing and exporting, but the internet is a wonderful tool, with photos and email constantly being exchanged as well as the odd ‘web chat' taking place with manufacturers and customers alike!

The benefits of using the internet and emails  is that there is little scope for miss interpretation. We receive an order, process it, send a pro  forma, get it confirmed and send. It's all very quick and efficient really. We also use a great Freight Forwarder in the form of Davies Turner, in Plympton Devon which means that we can be confident that our orders get delivered speedily.

 

Q - How can other companies can work to eradicate bad practices

A - I think that bad practices can be eradicated very easily. If every person in every company just had the mantra of ‘If it were me, how would I like to be treated' then it would all slot into position easily. Running a company, you soon come to know who the good suppliers are and who the bad ones are. We just involve all of our staff, suppliers and customers in everything we do, sharing the buzz and excitement. We're open, honest and friendly and hope that people are the same back.

 

Q - How would you define your successes?

A - It's difficult to define the successes. Yes, the big orders, the trade awards the press coverage. They're successes of a kind. However, as members of 1% for the planet, we donate 1% of our turnover to grass roots environmental causes. So, perhaps, our biggest success is that we're successful enough able to give money away to deserving causes. 

 

Q - Where do you hope to go from here?

A - Here, at Frugi, we're always thinking, planning and getting excited about all sorts of future plans. Everyone's involved and everyone's listened to. Our plans are really to make Frugi an even better company. Making even better clothes, having even better customer service; to listen and act.

Hotline: 01326 221 930 

http://www.welovefrugi.com/