As a joint partner in Merchandise World with Sourcing City, the BPMA was out in force in Milton Keynes. The Association held an informal drinks reception on the evening prior to the show to give members a chance to network ahead of the following day’s activities.
Briman members are demonstrating greater sustainability, says Mark Alderson.
The speed at which we browse, download and upload data are about to get a whole lot quicker due to a refresh of the Wi-Fi standard. Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax to give it its technical name is just around the corner – the sixth change of the standards since it was invented, so how will it affect us?
More BPMA members have contacted the Association with queries about Brexit. New resources have been made available to aid their preparations.
This important change to employment law is looming, so what do businesses need to know?
A BPMA compliance seminar by SGS explained the importance of taking toy safety seriously.
The latest moves by business to cut the use of plastic has seen fast-food giants Burger King and McDonald’s announced they are to end the giving of free plastic toys with children’s meals. Burger King announced the decision, which could save approximately 320 tonnes of plastic waste a year, following a petition by two schoolgirls. Sisters Ella and Caitlin McEwan launched a petition on Change.org to get McDonald’s and Burger King to “think of the environment” and stop giving children the plastic toys.
On 3 July 2019, more than 300 marketers from across the brand, creative, print and production industries gathered for EPIC/2019 at Congress Centre, London. EPIC, which stands for, Everything’s Possible; Integrated Communications, is a ground-breaking initiative backed by the IPIA, The Independent Print Industries Association.
It’s been a hectic nine months both in our industry and at the BPMA. Taking on the role of Chairman, having been Vice Chairman for the past two years, has not only meant getting more involved with the team but also with engaged members and the wider-reaching trade association network both in the UK and in Europe. Juggling the voluntary role of Chair for the BPMA, my own business, and my family can be tough at times, especially with two teenage daughters.
A household name, BIC became synonymous with quality and reliability in 1950 with the launch of the BIC Cristal, the first high-quality ballpoint pen at an affordable price. BIC took its first step in the promotional sector 50 years ago in 1969, the same year Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon. In the 1970s it launched the iconic BIC Lighter and BIC Shaver, and today sells 32 million BIC products every day worldwide, 20.2 million of which are stationery products. BIC is known for pens but sees itself as selling solutions.
TheMagicTouch is offering its image transfer process to decorate and personalise trendy vacuum bottles that many consumers are using to cut down on their single-use plastic consumption. Using the latest in white-toner technology together with the established CPM transfer paper, full-color designs can be applied using a traditional mug press.
An all-female team created a special St George’s flag to support England’s Lionesses in their World Cup game against Norway.
Fluid Branding recently enhanced its efforts to be an environmentally responsible operator by achieving B Corporation status. Becoming a B Corp means that it is part of a global community using business as a force for good. Certified B Corporations are legally required to consider the impact of their business practices and decisions – not only on shareholders but on stakeholders too, like workers, suppliers, consumers, the wider community and, also the environment.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and merchandise companies are innovating with alternative products. Bagco currently has a range of recycled cotton, which is made from recycled cotton and rPET (recycled plastic bottles). All samples are sent in paper bags with minimal packaging for orders – one cardboard box and this is the box that the goods are packed in from the factories. The company also makes a donation to Plastic Oceans for every recycled bag sold.
Hardly a week goes by without another announcement about how companies, governments, and organizations are seeking to leave less of a footprint on our planet. Intercontinental Hotels recently pledged to remove the 200 million miniature plastic toiletries it uses annually, by 2021. Brewers, Carlsberg and Guinness are just two of the beer companies who are getting rid of plastic rings that hold four-packs together.
With Merchandise World taking place this month, Clive Allcott advises you to plan to get the most from the event –
As a seasoned attendee and exhibitor, it’s only fair to pass on my top tips for getting the most out of your visit. You have one day, so use it wisely.
After more than 38 years at the helm of one of the UK’s leading rewards and incentive fulfillment businesses, Ian Rosewell, CEO of Procurement International is stepping down.
The promotional product industry is booming according to the first research project of its kind investigating the European market. An analysis of expenditure on advertising over the past few years has shown that from year to year, companies in Europe are spending more money on promotional items. In 2018, €15 billion was invested in promotional products in Europe.
Tech promo specialist BabyUSB has relocated to larger premises in Slough to boost its offering of in-house branding, warehousing and express services.
Process improvement
The Leather Business has just launched a new range of recycled leather products, The Reco Collection featuring 10 of the best-selling lines manufactured in a unique way. Natural latex avoids using chemicals to stick fibers together. As well as using biodegradable poly bags, when despatching orders, the company reuses all of the packagings and avoids foam or other non-recyclable materials.
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