Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Organic mattress producers Abaca have been awarded a prestigious Green Dragon environmental award. The award was handed to Abaca MD Rhiannon Rowley by Jake Griffiths of the Wales Green Business Centre. He said: “The Green Dragon award is quickly gaining currency with businesses in Wales as a benchmark for environmental management systems. “The testing for the award is rigorous and it is an ideal standard for businesses with significant environmental credentials, such as Abaca. “We take a whole host of environmental management factors into account and firms also get rewarded for their work within the community and their charitable work. “In the case of Abaca, everyone at the business has worked very hard to achieve the award. “We hope the plaque and the certificate now gets pride of place in the business as it is a great example for others to follow.” Abaca MD Rhiannon Rowley said she was delighted to receive the Green Dragon Level 3 standard. She said: “As a business we care very ...

Campaigning MP Zac Goldsmith was the guest of honour at the opening of the new Abaca showroom in Richmond, London. The former editor of The Ecologist magazine and MP for the Richmond constituency cut the tape on the new showroom at 12C Eton Street, Richmond. It was, the MP admitted, something of a first – “I’ve never been asked to open an organic mattress shop before,” he smiled, before adding, “This is not any old mattress shop!” Mr Goldsmith praised Abaca MD Rhiannon Rowley for the quality of her firm’s products and for taking the bold step of expanding with a London showroom. Mr Goldsmith said: “I genuinely believe there will come a time when people will look at the junk that gets put into mainstream mattresses nowadays and wonder how it was ever possible, how it was ever sanctioned by the regulator, for such things to be produced. “Thankfully, the story is very different with the mattresses produced by Abaca. There is a great provenance in the product and you can tell this is ...

The team at Abaca, the organic mattress and bed experts, has chalked up another first. The West Wales business has just completed its first export delivery to Qatar in the Middle East. “Our quality mattresses are already popular in the export market, but this is the first time we have secured business from what is the richest country in the world,” said Abaca MD Rhiannon Rowley. “The order was for two of our super king Raglan mattresses and an upholstered base. “There was a special request for one of the bespoke Raglan mattresses as it is ‘extra-extra’ deep, measuring 30cm deep. “They are luxurious mattresses and a bespoke order for the customer. “Client confidentiality means we cannot say who the buyer is, but our reputation in producing quality bespoke products to match the client’s specific needs obviously counted for a lot. “We had to hand-tuft the buttons on the mattress as our regular needle wasn't long enough! But the end result is great. The mattresses look fantastic a...

It’s the biggest celebration of all things organic – and they are supporting it at Abaca, the West Wales organic mattress business. This is ‘Organic September’ - a campaign masterminded by the Soil Association. “What’s ‘organic’ got to do with mattresses? I hear you ask” said Abaca owner Rhiannon Rowley. “You say the word ‘organic’ and an image of muddy vegetables pops into the mind for many people. “But ‘organic’ is about much, much more. “The work of the Soil Association promotes many different facets of the word ‘organic’. “Here at Abaca, we are proud to fly the flag for the Soil Association and the association’s badge is a proud part of all of our products. “We have pioneered the use of organic textiles. Each of our mattresses is expertly crafted with pure organic lambswool, cotton and other natural products – a hallmark which sets us apart from the crowd. “All of our products are unique, naturally healthy, free of chemicals and crammed with goodness. Thanks to the natur...

They are ‘wild about sleep’ at Abaca, the West Wales organic mattress business. They are also ‘wild’ about bringing energy and passion to the workplace. And now they are getting some expert and innovative help from a team led by the BBC Wales 'Business Doctor'. Dr Paul Thomas and his team, which includes Welsh Rugby Union mental toughness coach Andy McCann, are helping the Abaca journey along the road to further business success. The move is just one of a number of interesting developments following the Welsh Government-sponsored Spotlight West Wales business conference, held earlier this year at the Halliwell Centre at the University of Wales Trinity St David. “Dr Paul Thomas, from the elite leadership and performance firm DNA Definitive, was one of the keynote speakers,” Abaca owner Rhiannon Rowley said. “He was, quite simply, inspirational. There was a definite ‘Wow’ factor about what he had to say. “Paul and Andy from DNA Definitive have so much to say on empowerment i...

West Wales businesswoman Rhiannon Rowley has been appointed a patron of HRH The Prince of Wales’s Prime Cymru initiative. Ms Rowley, 59, owner of the Abaca organic mattress business in Tycroes, Ammanford, is delighted to be joining the team behind the Prince’s project to boost mature enterprise in Wales. Prime Cymru is a registered charity and is the only organisation in Wales dedicated to providing practical support for people aged 50 and over who want to become and remain economically active. “It’s a great privilege to be joining the Prime Cymru team as a patron,” said Ms Rowley. “I’ve been watching the development of the project and I know the charity is meeting a great need in Wales. “The Prince has been hugely supportive of our work at Abaca. He’s visited us here at our base in Tycroes and during conversations I have had with him he has always been full of encouragement and praise for what we are trying to do as a business. “His knowledge and passion about everything from woo...