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In April 2017, Julia Gash sold her company BIDBI to her management team and the new owners Daya Ram Singh and Marc Hoj Larsen have been managing the day to day running for some time now.
The company was founded in 2007 with a vision to create an ecological and ethically driven company that provided a sustainable and affordable alternative to plastic bags. The company grew rapidly over the following years making bags for an enviable portfolio of customers from around the world.
Mr Singh, who has worked at BIDBI for four years, joined as an international operations manager and progressed to general manager designate, has extensive experience within the textiles industry. He grew up watching his uncle’s textile factory in Birmingham become the biggest garment supplier to the UK’s high street, which inspired him to stay within the rag trade before going on to study a BA in Clothing and Textiles at Nottingham Trent University.
He said: “I never thought that in joining BIDBI I would end up owning it after four years. I love the cut and thrust of operational management and working within an ethical business is important for me. BIDBI is thriving due to the continued demand for sustainable solutions and quality craftsmanship.”
Mr Larsen’s focus is in the financial management of BIDBI. Originally from Denmark, he moved to the UK in 2005 to study; firstly, a BSc in Economics and international relations, then an MSc in Finance Accounting and Management. Marc joined BIDBI in early 2016 as finance manager, having previously worked for many blue-chip companies in the region.
He said: “BIDBI is at a very interesting part within its development and I am very happy to be steering the growth forward over the coming years. BIDBI’s strength is its employees, all of whom are committed to the eco-ethical principles that Julia established 10 years ago. Over the past 10 years the company has a history of giving young people skilled employment and most have stayed and helped develop it into the success that it is today.”
Remaining in Sheffield and bringing more jobs and economic investment into the area is a key part of the two men’s strategy. They plan to expand BIDBI by increasing the Sheffield based eco-print facility and attracting new business through being able to print a wider range of textile products. They are also looking to expand BIDBI’s offering to include more specialised printing in the near future. With the continuation of local, grass-roots values and global ambition will drive the business from strength to strength.
The staff at BIDBI are enthusiastic about the upcoming changes as Richard Robinson, BIDBI’s longest serving employee of nine years, said: “We are all really excited about the future. I have high hopes for what Daya and Marc want to achieve, it’s really nice seeing a company that I have worked in for so long have a promising future.”
