Offering top-quality ergonomic office seating and accessories from many leading manufacturers, SitSmart prides itself on a personal service that allows you to find the chair to suit your needs. CEO Paul Fleming tells us how you can sit comfortably and decrease back pain both at home and work
Tell us the background of SitSmart
SitSmart was founded in Godalming, Surrey 25 years ago. It became part of TEK Group 12 years ago when I bought the company and relocated it to its newly-built Tunbridge Wells warehouse and head office facility. It was a natural extension of the existing business, TEK Seating, as health and safety in the work place was starting to develop, with employers supplying staff with appropriate seating, recognising the demand for the workforce increasingly sitting for long hours at their desks with the rise of the digital age.
What are the company’s overall goals?
The main aim of SitSmart is to provide not just the product, but also the service and assessment to ensure people are using their workstation correctly. We look to find the correct seat and accessories for each individual’s needs, taking into account body composition and previous injuries to ensure our customer has the product to prevent discomfort at work or home when seated.
Do you operate both locally and nationally?
We operate nationwide, but we’re a family firm based in Tunbridge Wells. We have a showroom and offer consultations locally, and have a good level of local business. We’re working very hard to make more local businesses and home workers aware of what SitSmart can offer. In Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding area, we’re able to offer a trial period, where, after a consultation, the customer can trial a seat that’s recommended and suited to their particular requirements before committing to purchase.
Which sectors do you tend to focus on?
We cover corporate business, as well as stylish home furniture. However, we’re now also expanding into the upgrade of school furniture. We recently undertook a large upgrade project for Weald of Kent School, and are pleased to announce that we’re currently working with Tonbridge School, refitting and redesigning the seating for their new library.
Who are some of your clients?
We cover all seating requirements, from 24-hour seating for control rooms and 999 emergency services call centres, to commercial large-volume requirements and high-end ergonomic seating. For instance, we supply Headily Court, assessing and supplying seating for injured service personnel returning from conflict with injures. Some of our larger customers are Network Rail, UK MOD, UK Government buildings, Channel 4, General Medical Council and Thames Water.
Talks us through some of the accessories you sell
SitSmart offers a range of ergonomic accessories and office storage solutions, as well as seating for the workplace. We have a range of ergonomic desktop equipment, as we consider the chair as only one part of the picture when aiming to provide an ergonomic workspace, whether in a commercial setting or home work space.
Are there many bestsellers to look out for?
From our office chair range, the 24-hour seating and high-comfort, high-ergonomic seating rages are our most popular. We cater for large corporations, as well as considerable demands from individuals with a home office. Employers can feel confident that they’re fulfilling their obligations to their employees, because we’re able to take a holistic approach to work stations within an office or home environment. Ergonomic keyboards and mice, along with height-adjustable desks, are all very popular accessories amongst our customers.
In what ways do you balance ergonomic support with fashionable style and design?
Ergonomic support doesn’t mean style and design has to be compromised. It’s important that even the most heavy-duty chair, such as our 24-hour range, is still attractive. This is important for corporate image and the working environment. Our stylish living range, which still ticks the ergonomic box, is extremely attractive and harmonises with contemporary designs and trends. With our range of balance chairs, you can make a statement while still achieving comfort and good posture.
Why is it so important for employers and employees to use the right chairs in the workplace?
Nearly 5million working days are lost each year through back pain. With a statistic like this, it can cause a huge problem for employers, as well as employees. With the growth of the computer age, it’s normal for office workers to spend lengthy periods at their desks. It’s important for their wellbeing, both inside and outside the office, that back discomfort is eliminated as much as possible.
How would you advise your customers to help reduce the risks of back pain?
It’s proven that the risk of back pain is considerably reduced by having the correct chair and ergonomic accessories for each individual. In order to achieve the most comfortable working environment, individual assessment must be carried out in order to tailor different needs and create an appropriate setup.
Finally, what are your hopes for the future of the business going forward?
To maintain growth in this sector by continuing to raise awareness of the importance of good posture and ergonomics in the workplace environment, on both a national and local level. We’re directing a lot of resources at conventional marketing strategies, as well as a full redesign of our website and review of our social media presence. We’ve also recently taken on a new business development manager.
WHO ARE SITSMART?
SitSmart is part of the TEK Group of companies, all of which specialise in seating across a very diverse customer base and requirement level, with head office facilities in Tunbridge Wells and production facilities in Leicestershire. TEK Military Seating LLP designs and manufactures seats that will protect you from the effects of an IED mine blast in a military vehicle. TEK Seating Ltd supplies work vehicle driver seats across a huge rage of industries, including construction, agricultural, commercial, material handling, bus, coach and marine.
SitSmart
14 Decimus Park, Kingstanding Way, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3GP
01892 510 202
www.sitsmart.co.uk
sales@sitsmart.co.uk
