Certified wholly women-owned business Outstanding Branding, a global distributor of promotional merchandise, are proud to support Client Experience Manager, Fred Goozee, as he cuts off his flowing locks for two cancer charities.

This January we are delighted to support our Client Experience Manager Fred Goozee as he cuts off his hair in aid of two fantastic charities. It has been almost 4 years since Fred has been to the hairdressers; but on 14th February this year he will be cutting and donating his luscious locks.

A European promotional products supplier is set to become one with a leading UK manufacturer by January 2019.

Following the PF Concept acquisition of SPS EU Ltd in December 2017, the two companies will become one operation in early 2019 under the name of PF Concept UK Ltd.

As part of the transition, PF Concept is making significant investments in the UK business to increase capacity, make it easier and faster for customers to place orders and deliver the best customer service possible.

The 15th British Promotional Merchandise Association’s Annual General Meeting was held at The London Mathematical Society, Russell Square on Wednesday 7th November 2018. Graeme Smith opened his chairman’s review by summarising industry challenges and opportunities, the successful Merchandise World shows, research, member benefits, education, events for2018and 2019 and more, including the BPMA’s ProductMedia magazine which is now the principal magazine for the industry and continuing to grow.

As merchandise professionals, we are well aware of the power of product media to influence customers, motivate staff, and to help communicate a message. Which is great. However, to stop us preaching to the converted who have already bought into merchandise as a marketing tool, we have to keep getting our message out to those who may be less familiar with its benefits. That is why the BPMA has formed an end user group.

Deciding on content that is suitable for both suppliers and distributors, and relevant for the highest level MDs and business owners, as well as the customer-facing sales teams, marketing teams and future leaders is no easy task. This year, however, our workshop and training style Education Day will be fun, practical and engaging and perfect fora ll levels managing, overseeing or contributing to sales and/or marketing.

Emma Morris, Sales and Production Assistant with MD James Biggin

Emma will support the current production function, work with existing clients as well as helping to generate new business.

“Emma is a great fit to the Steel City team with a strong work ethic and a positive attitude. She has very quickly got to grips with the production area of the business and our “Customer Journey Model”. We can’t wait to see her use her creative flair with all the promotional product ideas she puts forward to our clients.” Comments James Biggin.

Dectek, the South Wales-based print manufacturer known for ‘all things doming’, has launched its newly developed, trade only, name badge range with supporting commercial strategy. The proposition offers distributors easy to understand products and ensures a competitive edge in the wider market while retaining an achievable working profit margin. The name badge selection has been curated to maximise sales and includes recyclable plastic and new to Dectek, laser cut metal and wood designs.

Chelmsford-based Oldeani recently celebrated 30 years in business, a period that has seen the company evolve from its original focus supplying watches and clocks to a wider product position. Founder Malcolm Fritschy admits he almost started the business by accident. Born in Kenya, and a Swiss national, he was working in the watch trade after doing his national service in Switzerland. A contact wanted to get hold of bespoke watches but didn’t know how.

The sense of the unknown surrounding Britain’s future relationship with the European Union is causing headaches for British politicians and businessmen alike. Despite the Chequers deal being tabled, a recent survey of Britain’s 250 top-performing companies indicated that 90%are continuing to make provisions for any deal. Instability has resulted in extreme currency fluctuation especially in relation to the dollar. This has regularly shown variations up to 2% in a single 24-hour period.

For most small businesses, the greatest obstacle to effective marketing is finding the budget for it. Yet if you don’t spend a penny, guess what? You’re unlikely to see any return. This is the first in a series of articles I’ll be writing about getting the most out of marketing on a limited budget. I’m going to be covering a number of the most familiar platforms, beginning with Linked In. The platform now tops half a billion users in more than 200 countries and cannot be ignored. Here are some tips on putting that connectivity to your advantage.

Merchandise World Promotional Product Awards hit an all-time high this year with a record figure of 118 entries received. This year, the BPMA made entry, even more, inviting by introducing a first free entry for BPMA members and a reduced fee for  Purple Club members.

with January, another sell out Merchandise World is upon us. The traditional curtain raiser to the year in merchandise provides the ideal opportunity for everyone involved with sales in professional distributor companies to see the new and best-selling promotional products. The new year show, which is a joint venture between the BPMA and Sourcing City, makes a welcome return to Stoneleigh, home of the very first Merchandise World in n n 2017.

The BPMA’s new chairman, Angela Wagstaff, has the sort of entrepreneurial spirit that’s common in the merchandise industry. The business she helped start with her husband Alan turns 20 years old next year, which is something of a belated victory for the couple. “Alan had been made redundant three times in the print industry and people were saying there was no future in merchandise,” she says. “We thought they were wrong and started the business to prove a point. It was the classic start-up from the back of the garage.” It’s the sort of no-nonsense approach that people who know Angela will be familiar with.

India is one of the most hospitable countries in the world, and gifting is part of its culture, heritage and social customs. Be it business or personal occasions, India and Indians are amongst the most passionate people about giving and receiving gifts. The gifting industry in India has predominantly been an unorganised sector with no recognition or representation domestically or internationally.

Double bagging doesn’t just happen in the supermarket. Clive Allcott says the clothing industry needs to wean itself off overpackaging

With single-use plastic concerns across the promotional industry, how can garment decorators, clothing suppliers and distributors help in this global issue? Overpackaging is a great concern not only in textiles but across all trading platforms.

The Galpeg AssociateProgramme continues to go from strength to strength, with the addition of three new promotional product distributors. LKGMerchandise, Insignia Promotions and GB Merchandise, have all recently signed up to the programme, which provides timesaving outsourcing tools and resources for independent distributors, allowing them to concentrate on growing their businesses.

Hay Hampers joined the UK’s top small businesses as it was recognized as one of this year’s Small Biz 100 at an exclusive House of Lords reception. The Bourne luxury food and wine gift company received plaudits for its contribution to the UK economy and its local community ahead of the recent Small Business Saturday. The House of Lords reception echoed the support for the event seen across Government since the campaign came to the UK in 2013.