Garment specialist, Screenworks, has launched a new business unit focused on delivering customised textiles and promotional clothing, along with its design services, in response to client demand for more individualisation.
Foilco has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade for 2019. The Warrington foil stamping specialist received its award from the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Warren J Smith. The Lord-Lieutenant visited the company’s plant, where it employs 36 people.
Sheaffer has announced that all Sheaffer writing instruments purchased after 1 September, 2019 will be guaranteed with a lifetime warranty for mechanical failure.
B-Loony has sold more than 10 million of its eco-friendly, plastic-free balloon stick. The Buckinghamshire-based printed promotional balloon company launched the invention in January and has seen global uptake. B-loony, whose clients include McDonald’s, Costa Coffee and the Hollywood Bowl, developed the new cardboard BalloonGrip balloon holder ahead of the ban on plastic balloon sticks in the Single-Use Plastics Directive due to come into force in 2021.
Hay Hampers celebrated 35 years in business and supported Macmillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning by launching a brand new hamper. Sales of each Chari-Tea hamper will result in a £5 donation to the cancer charity.
The PenWarehouse and digital printing company, Snap Products, have launched the Mood Collection, a contemporary lifestyle selection of retail standard premium drinkware, notebooks and writing instruments for the promotional sector.
Fluid Branding had a successful day at the races when it visited Newmarket for its annual East of England Merchandise Show. Although the weather tried to put a dampener on things, a steady stream of visitors poured through the doors all day, visiting more than 50 supplier stands, overflowing with merchandise.
PF Concept’s Superheroes concept has added new styles for the Fall/Winter season. Superheroes, which was launched in April 2019 gives customers rapid decoration and delivery from a range of stock clothing items.
It won’t be long before the first mince pies appear on shop shelves – a clear sign that declares the Christmas countdown has truly begun. When it comes to the promotional merchandise industry, time really is of the essence for all festive matters.
After a career in promotional merchandise spanning more than three decades, Haydn Willetts has lost none of his love of the sector. The regional director, UK & Ireland, for midocean, one of Europe’s main wholesalers and decorators of merchandise, says he feels fortunate to enjoy his job and relishes the challenges an evolving market presents to both suppliers and distributors alike.
With Merchandise World 2020 looming in February, it’s time for the industry to show what’s best in merchandise with the sector’s top product awards. The BPMA is pleased to announce the rebranding of the Merchandise World Promotional Product awards. These will now be known as the BPMA Product Awards at Merchandise World.
It may have been a new venue, but the latest Merchandise World continued its record of delivering the best experience for exhibitors and visitors.
Geiger BTC has announced it is acquiring London-based distributor Shout Promotional Merchandise as part of a continued expansion strategy to support clients in the UK and across Europe. Shout Promotional Merchandise has been in business since 2003 as a promotional merchandise distributor.
The US trade association for promotional products, the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) is alerting members to a bill that cuts US government spending on promotional products.
Christmas brings distinct challenges to cashflow. Don’t get caught out, says Mike Collins Whisper it but the ‘C is on the Yes indeed, Christmas is coming and no matter how much we may not like it or be looking forward to it, you must be prepared for it. Regular readers will know that we at Direct Route like to keep BPMA members informed and educated as to handy hints and tips to ensure their credit management is as up to date, and as robust and successful as it can be.
The UK seems to have avoided a no-deal Brexit, for now at least, but for businesses, the uncertainty does not go away. A Brexit Summit organised at breakneck speed by the BPMA sought to throw some clarity on how companies could get ready for a no-deal Brexit.
The Ignite group made its annual pilgrimage to Warwick Racecourse on October 3rd for the eleventh time. Although the outing was not blessed with the wonderful weather enjoyed in previous years, at least it stayed dry. Ignite’s outstanding attendance record continued with more than 100 suppliers and members making the trip.
Products made of the natural material may not be all they seem and should be tested accordingly.
Recently, I was asked if we could supply ‘vegan leather’ and was sent a link to a website by the distributor. We discovered that vegan leather is actually made of water-resistant polyurethane and not leather, and is therefore made from petrochemicals, with associated environmental questions. If a distributor makes a claim for a product that isn’t correct and the end-user finds out, there could be huge ramifications, including legal ones.
With Brexit creating uncertainty and confusion about import-export changes, our members contact us regularly to seek confirmation and clarity and it was clear that training and development on Brexit readiness was required.
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