50 Years of Sigma 3 Kitchens

09 Jan 2025

50 years ago, a young carpenter called Brian Lakin had an idea: to build high-quality kitchens for discerning homeowners who want timeless design. That day, he created Sigma 3 Kitchens in a barn on his uncle’s farm. Today, we hit 50 years old and there are a lot more of us to celebrate.

Brian Lakin organising a kitchen delivery in 1976.

Indeed, spanning two factories, six showrooms, 140+ retail partners and 250 employees, the company has grown hugely since 1975. Yet, we’ve never lost our roots – the craftsmanship, family focus and the personal connection with those whose lives Sigma 3 has touched along the way.

Take, for example, Mrs Lilly. While fitting a kitchen for her neighbour in 2020, we learned that she still owned a kitchen we delivered in 1979 – after 42 years! (Now 46!) What’s more, it was one of only three ranges that existed when she placed her order (hence the name Sigma 3).

Mrs Lilly in her 46-year-old Sigma 3 kitchen.

Sigma 3: A 50-Year Rollercoaster

Of course, no decades-old company’s history is all Lillies and roses. Just like any flourishing garden, Sigma 3 has required tonnes of hard work and nurturing to bear fruit, plus a fair bit of husbandry from Brian, who’s raised four successful children alongside the Sigma 3 story.

Becoming a Family Business

After humble origins, growing demand led Brian to hire staff and, together, the expanding team formalised processes, added quality controls and even changed premises – several times. We interviewed a few long-standing staff members to hear their experiences from those early days.

The original Sigma 3 Kitchens Swansea and Cardiff branches.

Major expansion started in the 80s, during which came showrooms, a head office and the birth of Richard Lakin – our current CEO. In 87, Brian spearheaded the development on his Llantrisant-based factory, from which Sigma 3’s craftspeople still produce our kitchens today.

"I joined the company in 1987 in Culverhouse cross, where the head office was based at the time. The company was very small in comparison to today and work life was busy, but the atmosphere was relaxed. It was a very happy environment and still feels like an extension of my family. Processes were very manual in the 80s – often done by hand. We had one computer and there was no IT department. Now we all have two screens!"

The Sigma 3 Kitchens Fire

Growth became normal in the 70s and 80s. It’s said, though, that you must experience dark days to appreciate bright ones. And, it appeared, fate had that lesson in store for the Sigma 3 family on Friday the 27th of January 1995. That night, the factory became a fireball that made national news.

"I heard about the fire late on the Friday night from a friend who worked for Gilfach Goch fire station. I was shocked and didn’t believe it until I drove past. It was only then that I realised how big the fire was after seeing it firsthand."

The factory fire in 1995.

"The day of the fire, we had organised a night out and, for the first time in a long while, all our paperwork was up to date. I remember being woken up by my boss at the time to tell me that the factory was on fire. I turned up at the site and couldn’t take in what was happening. It felt so personal, as if it was my home that had been destroyed."

It was an electrical fault. One small issue, but it caused an inferno that tore through the heart of Sigma 3’s operations and burned for 10 whole days. In the end, it left the staff to pick through total destruction. Thankfully, those present found a phoenix, not in the ashes, but in themselves.

The Second Rise of Sigma 3

A business is only as strong its customers’ trust. Thankfully, as Brian notes, Sigma 3’s customers believed in the team. Despite the office suffering terrible smoke damage and the factory being reduced to cinders with no stock, not a single customer pulled their orders. In fact, new arrivals placed deposits even after learning about the disaster. Everyone was rooting for us to recover.

"The staff at that time were amazing. No one knew what was going to happen, but everyone turned up and did whatever was necessary to help. This was done without question. Factory boys took it in turns to man the site 24/7. It was all hands on deck and, at the time, we didn’t even know if we were going to get paid."

"Eventually, factory and office staff secured the area and cleaned offices to allow us to start re-ordering. Even our competitors helped us serve customers. The combined effort enabled everyone to keep their jobs. And, within a short period of time, we had premises across the road so production could start again."

The Sigma 3 Kitchens Llantrisant factory interior and exterior.

And start again we did. Only 10 days after the fire, the Sigma 3 team delivered a kitchen item. Then, in just six months, we’d constructed a brand-new factory on Ground Zero of the original site, defining the spot not as a barren scar but as a spot primed for re-growth, better than ever.

The Age of Virality

Growth restarted in in the late 90s and continued throughout the 00s. Yes, 2007 brought with it challenging market conditions, but the business forged ahead and ended up stronger, not least due to the adoption of new technology. Indeed, it was during this time that everything digitised.

"We’ve always been quick to adopt new technology here at Sigma 3 Kitchens, both in our manufacturing plants and in our head office. The updates have always seemed gradual. Every now and then, though, you look back and realise everything’s changed."

Similarly to other businesses, at Sigma 3, we embraced the internet in the 00s and ramped up our social media presence in the 10s. The pandemic, however, was rocket fuel for innovation in all areas, from marketing to meetings, and accelerated our path to the modern day.

The Sigma 3 Kitchens Bridgend factory before and after.

While the disease went viral, so did our social media efforts, enabling us to weather the storm of lockdowns, support jobs, fund the development of a new facility and reach another generation of homeowners. All the while, the industry’s changed but, in many ways, our customers stayed the same; we still build high-quality kitchens for discerning homeowners who want timeless design.

Sigma 3 Kitchens at 50

Today, Sigma 3 is stronger than ever, both in terms of the company’s prospects and the bonds that connect the team. As Debby explains, “Sigma 3 is an extension of my family.  I have probably spent as much time here as I have at home.  The people I work with now, and those from the past, are what has made this more than just a job. They’re the main reason I keep clocking in.”

Sigma 3 Kitchens team members and relatives at our family fun day.

So, 50 years ago, the Sigma 3 team was born in a barn and, true to form, we continue to leave the doors open – for opportunities, for staff, and for you. Need a new kitchen with timeless design? Find your local branch and pop in for a warm tea or coffee. Or, if you’d prefer, become a Sigma 3 Insider to stay a part of our family online. We welcome everyone. So, keep in touch!