Continuing on our quest to get to know the companies we work with better, this month our Q+A focuses on Tony Attard OBE of Panaz Group. Having utilised Panaz’s fabrics on many of our projects over the years, we have really appreciated their expanding product range which now includes contract wallcoverings as well as fabrics.
How would you sum up your company in three words?
Ambitious, collaborative, innovative.
How long has the company been established and how long have you been working for them?
30 years, I am the founder
What is your role at the company?
CEO
What is the best part of the job?
Working with really great people globally
Do you have a best-selling product?
We have many!
Where have you been most proud of seeing your brand in-situ?
It’s always wonderful seeing our designs in a global location when you least expect it
What has the most influence over your product design?
Our customers!
Do you have a favourite new product this year?
Yes, I cannot wait to launch two collaborations with Patternistas and David Fox.
How do you promote your brand to make sure it stays in the mind of your buyers/consumers?
Each market sector has its own individual set of criteria for fabric. In Hospitality our message is clear and constant – flame retardancy to national and international standards underpins all our developments. If it’s Panaz, you can specify with confidence. To keep our product in the frame, we have a simple but effective strategy:
- a dedicated salesforce that understands our brand and the real benefits it brings in terms of design, performance and compliance
- frequent product launches, bringing something gorgeous, new and usable to designers on a regular basis. If we make your job easier, our job is done.
- a reputation honed over 30 years of great design, great service and competitive pricing
- a passion for fabrics and appreciation for our industry that is contagious
Are there brands in the industry that you admire, what makes them great?
I have always admired Heals. They have always been at the forefront of design regardless of commercial reality.
The design calendar seems to grow every year. Do you have a favourite interiors/design exhibition?
I Saloni in Milan – very inspiring and a great location.
How much travel is involved with your job, do you have a favourite country to visit? Why do you enjoy it?
As we sell in over 50 countries I travel globally extensively. My favourite location is Hong Kong.
How do you see your company evolving over the next few years? Do you have any plans you can share with us?
We are still growing substantially in world markets; however we expect to grow most in Europe and the USA.
We’ve noticed the support you’ve shown for charitable / community causes, how do you choose which ones get your support and do you have any activities coming up that we should let our readers know about?
I was president of the furniture makers charity twice before handing over the baton to Lord Kirkham. So we tend to support this charity because it involves our industry. We also support a sewing room in Liverpool that helps the disadvantaged.
Tell us about your collaboration with The Patternistas, we loved attending their workshop a few months ago at the BCFA Open.
Our latest collaboration with Suzanne and Chris has been great fun. They are so creative and have a great ability with pattern, and are so enthusiastic and inclusive. We hope to work with them for many years to come.
Many thanks for taking the time to answer our questions Tony! It’s been great learning more about Panaz.
For more information on Panaz Group please visit their website www.panaz.com
