DNA helping West Wales business find the source code to success

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 in the workplace and creating a happy, efficient and profitable working environment.

“We are a very passionate business here at Abaca – we care passionately about the products we make.

“We have been in the vanguard of the development of organic mattresses in the UK and we aim to continue and develop our success story.

“Dr Paul Thomas and Andy McCann will be helping us develop new ideas for improving our business over the next few months.”

Ms Rowley, 59, added: “These are exciting times for Abaca as we strive to develop our business on a number of fronts. Having a team of wonderful experts like the one from DNA Definitive is great news for the team here at Tycroes, Ammanford.”

Abaca was set up more than nine years ago as a pioneer of the use of organic textiles.

The company has established an impressive customer base which includes retailers like John Lewis.

All the materials used to make an Abaca mattress are totally natural, produced without the use of chemicals or pesticides. The wool is sourced from organic farms in Wales and licensed by the British Wool Board.

Abaca was the first organic mattress manufacturer in the UK to be certified by the Soil Association. It remains the only one to be certified in Wales.