Our Story

From Garage to Growth: The Journey of Simplify Trims & Clothing

January 2020, nestled in the corner of a quiet suburban neighborhood, a small 150 SQM garage came alive with the hum of machines and the scent of fresh ink.

It was here that Faizel Fruin, took a leap of faith and launched Simplify Trims—a printing business that began with nothing more than a dream, a couple of machines, and three determined staff members.

The idea had sparked with my sister Ayesha Omarjee at a 2019 October festival, fueled by a love for design and a knack for entrepreneurship. The vision was clear: “to provide high-quality printing and custom clothing to local businesses and individuals ON BUDGET AND ALWAYS ON TIME” and the local market was buzzing with potential.

I hired my friend, Sahil Narain, who was a self-taught graphic designer, genius and an apprentice printer. We transformed the garage into a makeshift studio. The walls were adorned with our first few projects: each piece was a testament to our creativity and hard work.

The early days were challenging. We juggled machinery breakdowns, late nights, and balancing customer expectations but every successful print run brought a wave of satisfaction that overshadowed the struggles. Through word-of-mouth, our reputation began to build, and we found ourselves inundated with requests.
By March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic hit South Africa and this changed our landscape as many of our larger scale competitor printers had to temporarily shut down due to lock down but we quickly adapted as essential workers and introduced branded face masks and stayed open. This led to a surge in sales. Recognizing the growing demand, we hired more staff and bought more machines. We expanded our offerings by adding flexographic, lithographic and vinyl printing machines, increasing our team to 5 by the end of 2021.

By March 2023, with our momentum firmly established, we transitioned from our garage to a proper 2400 sqm factory in Isithebe. The space was a game changer. It allowed us to invest in larger printing equipment, and venture into a new sector, Seamless clothing manufacturing, and accommodate our growing team of staff members.
Our commitment to quality and a customer-centric approach continues to drive our growth. Our projects involve designing, printing, and manufacturing thousands of apparel pieces, requiring every ounce of our skill and teamwork. Pulling it off successfully not only solidified our reputation but also opened countless doors for collaboration.

Fast forward to 2024, Simplify has blossomed into a thriving business with a team of 75 talented individuals. We specialize not only in printing and clothing manufacturing but also offer comprehensive branding solutions for businesses of all sizes. Our office now buzzes with the energy of collaboration—
graphic designers, production staff, marketing experts, and customer service representatives working together under one roof.

Standing in our vast facility, I sometimes find it hard to believe how far we’ve come. From that tiny garage filled with sweat and determination to a bustling printing and clothing manufacturing empire, every milestone has been shaped by our unwavering passion. As I looked around, I felt a great sense of pride. Each member of the team has played a pivotal role in our journey, and together, we are carving a place in the industry.