Five Minutes With....Stuart Montgomery

Hi Stuart. Can you tell us a little bit more about the incredible history behind the Thomas Montgomery brand?

TM was established in 1975 initially as a training centre for apprentice upholsterers. From those humble beginnings, TM saw a gap in the market for quality office seating and went on to develop a range of products which proved pivotal in shaping the business to where it is today. The Thomas Montgomery brand has become synonymous with quality.

What are Thomas Montgomery’s mission and values?

Our mission is to develop and produce a unique range of quality seating and upholstered products, that are made in Ireland. We ensure that we provide a quality product, demonstrated by our 5-year warranty, that is both ergonomically and responsibly made to ensure that employee well-being is a top priority and will withstand the test of time.

How have you seen your products and brand evolve over the years?

There is no doubt that over the last few years, there has been significant change in the commercial interiors market. Office interiors are becoming increasingly relaxed and informal - the office is now a destination space for workers to come and collaborate and meet with colleagues.

Businesses are changing how their office spaces are used and better reflect their ethos and brand values. We have therefore witnessed a change in the type of products we produce to meet these changes. Our bespoke service, TM Makes, also allows us to create customised solutions for spaces that represent what these businesses are all about.

What does a typical day look like for you?

No two days are the same but generally, I start my day with a walk around the factory floor to see what’s going on, greet the production team and sense check the weekly operations. That’s followed by meetings with the various team leaders on matters such as production, purchasing, and NPD.

As a small business, there is always lots going on, so I am involved in all aspects of the business, especially now that we have become part of the Bisley family, working with great people across a variety of specialities.

How do you work to boost company collaboration and culture?

We hold weekly meetings with all the team on various aspects of operations. Communication is key, so we always aim to keep everyone involved in what’s going on.

What are your thoughts on the current industry landscape?

The furniture industry, here in Ireland especially, is an exciting place to be. There is a lot going on with some impressive companies doing great things internationally. The industry is small so keeping in touch with one another is vital to understanding the challenges and opportunities.

We have established close links with ATU Letterfrack, which is a furniture design and technology college on the very west coast of Ireland. Every year, an intern comes to us to hone their skills but also to bring a fresh approach and enthusiasm to how we do things which is always a good thing. We have also recently become an accredited upholstery training centre and are now developing an apprentice programme for upholsterers which will allow this skilled tradition to continue with our future craftspeople.

What is your favourite Thomas Montgomery product, and why?

Our newest collection Allua, particularly featuring the wooden leg finish. I think it has a really clean looking aesthetic, combined with the solid wood base frame which utilises our skills in upholstery and wood production. It’s super comfortable too!