An irrepressible indigo spirit

HER WhatsApp status reads ‘Enjoying life’. Whoever coined the Scottish saying ‘Gie it laldy’ had undoubtedly just met her. When PPM suggested to Wendy McLoughlin that she be profiled in Women in Print, she laughed and agreed to be the June ‘pin-up chick’. Her laughter is more infectious than the current virus and her messages are inundated with smiley emojis. Gregarious is the perfect Wendy word. 

While working for a software development company, Wendy’s boss, recognising her irrepressible people skills, pushed her out into the world of customers to handle installation and technical support.

Shortly after, 3B2 arrived, not in a Star Wars movie but in a DTP software box. ‘That was my introduction to print and publishing,’ Wendy recalls. ‘I loved working with our first customer, Unisa, incorporating 3B2 into the annual study guide workflow.’ Not long after, her Indigo destiny arrived. AMK Technologies bought out her employer as it had been awarded the Indigo distribution and needed the 3B2 solution.

When Indigo then decided to move its agency to Kemtek Imaging Systems, no-one knew the brand’s hues, shades and moods as well as Wendy and her engineering colleague George Katsouras. If it went, Indigo insisted, so did she and George – a non-negotiable threesome. 

Remata’s Esme Bense knows full well what Indigo means to Wendy. ‘When we met 16 years ago, Wendy was gently adamant that Indigo was our future,’ Esme remembers. ‘She was absolutely determined to sell us on it and she succeeded. She has left a footprint of success and growth on Remata for which we will be eternally grateful’.

More than that, though, Esme continues, Wendy embodies the life, joy and happiness most people could only wish for. ‘Through her love for people and technology, she forms bridges no-one else can. She’s one of the biggest assets any company could have and we are so thankful this Scottish lass loves our wonderful country!’

Working with customers, growing the business and sharing creative ideas are the top three ingredients of a perfect McLoughlin day. ‘The digital world changes all the time and we can offer the most amazing solutions to brands and converters,’ Wendy remarks. 

Nobody shares ideas quite like she does, colleague Karen Stretch maintains. ‘Her passion for print is absolute and not many women in our industry could come anywhere close. She’s so giving of her knowledge, ideas and support because she wants everyone to love print as much as she does and to benefit from it. She’s such an asset to Kemtek and the industry.’

Another passion is reading – anything from business to fantasy finds a home on the bedside table. ‘We learn something new every day,’ she beams. Since completing her business management and marketing degree and now, finishing her business development certification through University of Cape Town, Wendy has read voraciously, tapping into the thinking of global business influencers. 

But variety is key so there’s also Lucinda Riley’s The Seven Sisters and Six years with Al Qaeda, the Stephen McGown story. 

Nothing is done by half measure. A born-and-bred Scot who arrived South Africa-side in 1983, she was soon playing provincial hockey. She was also running and cycling a little. By a little, we mean 12 Two Oceans half marathons, and several Argus and 94.7 cycle races. ‘I’ve also completed a couple of multiday trail running events with my sister Tracy, who is also my partner in multiday mountain bike races such as Berg & Bush,’ Wendy adds.

Husband Victor is given more to Comrades and Ironman, with Wendy egging him on from the sidelines.

The pair are as compatible as neeps and tatties. When they’re not wearing out their trainers or tyres, they love travelling, to bush, mountain or sea.

As with any responsible parents, they take their child everywhere, even when they fly. His favourite spot is Plett, where he runs on the sand and frolics in the waves. Yes, Haggis McLoughlin has simple but definite tastes, as one could expect from an adored, more-than-slightly indulged black staffie.

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