Over a million trees, from zero to 50 employees, logo change and new website! A lot has happened in the last few years. On our birthday today, we look back on important milestones and personal highlights.
"Every new product is a milestone and always a reason to celebrate," NIKIN founder Robin beams at me when I ask him about highlights. In fact, we now have new products on a regular basis. We are proud of them, because a lot of work and trial and error goes into the sustainable designs. But what was it like five years ago? What was considered a milestone back then?
[ product-handles list="treebottle-glass-allover-pines, treesocks-standard-single, folded-polylana-r-ripped1, unisex, treeglasses-round"]
NIKIN's first warehouse and the founding of the GmbH
It all started in 2017 with Nicholas and Robin, who founded NIKIN. The first major milestone was the first small warehouse in Seengen. The first full-time employees were hired in 2018. In general, 2018 was full to the brim with milestones: NIKIN was professionalized by founding a limited liability company at the beginning of the year. We also changed the NIKIN logo. Furthermore, tree planting partner One Tree Planted was visited in Canada for the first time in the same year. "A personal highlight for me," says Robin. "The first time we saw someone we didn't know on the street wearing NIKIN was also a special moment," adds Nicholas.
NIKIN founders Nicholas (left) and Robin (right).
Always like more sustainability
The product team sees another milestone in 2018 in the change of the TreeCap producer: "Most of these producers come from China. After a long search, we found someone in Europe!" NIKIN also launched Green Friday in the same year. The counterpart to Black Friday was very well received and is now an integral part of the annual calendar. "We deliberately decided against discount battles and in favor of sustainability," explains the sales team. Find out more about Green Friday in the video:
Appreciation for the team and from the scene
Team events were very popular at NIKIN in 2019 - and still are today. Although perhaps not a classic milestone, we all agree that they are among the big highlights. Founder Nicholas agrees: "Our team events always give me a sense of pride." Another milestone in NIKIN's third year is the nomination for the Swiss Economics Award.
The millionth tree and off to the home office
In 2020, the time has finally come. NIKIN sells its millionth product and plants its millionth tree! A milestone for the whole team. Head of Marketing Luca is already ready to crack the 1.5 million mark and says: "Maybe we'll even make it this year." The year 2020 was of course particularly marked by coronavirus. NIKIN also had to go into home office from one day to the next. However, HR Manager Swen sees a positive highlight in the rather negative situation back then: "It worked really well for us. The team spirit was also great."
Masks thanks to the community
We owe another milestone to our community. In 2020, they made us aware of their desire for NIKIN masks. At first, we didn't want to offer any because we don't want to profit from a crisis. After clarifications and the many customer requests, we decided to offer community masks at cost price this year after all. Nevertheless, we planted one tree per product.
A look into the future
In addition to the masks, the new website is also a major milestone in the current year. There was also a fun highlight in spring: "I thought our April 1st joke was great. It was a really good day at work," smiles Patrick from Purchasing. You can find the videohere:
And what does the future hold? Founder Nicholas is looking forward to further milestones: "We will plant even more trees and grow as a team and a company. Sustainability will also continue to be a priority." Thanks to innovations and new fabrics, this is an area in which the company can continue to develop, adds Robin. And what else? "We can't reveal everything yet. But one thing is clear: it's going to be another great five years."
