The Pen Warehouse has also given two of its best-selling ballpen ranges a mellow makeover to produce a collection of appealing new pastel colors.

The PenWarehouse (TPW), has launched an online marketing platform called Business Solutions, aimed at driving distributor sales growth, digitally. Since 2013, TPW has been credited with the introduction of several digital marketing firsts, including web-to-print technology with the award-winning platform No-Minimum. co.uk and most recently personalised customer logo digital catalogs.

Former managing director of Senator Pens, Andrew Hill, has joined promotional products manufacturer, Listawood in the newly created role of group sales and marketing director.

Don’t let a lack of personal development hold back your staff and your business. The BPMAMA education programme provides the perfect training platform for merchandise businesses, says Daniela Arena

Look & Feel was the motto of HAPTICA live ‘19 in Bonn, Germany. There was plenty to look at and feel for the 1,840 visitors (up slightly on the 1,803 last year) of the seventh edition of the show. The 198 exhibitors (193 in 2018) presented novelties, bestsellers and highlights of their product portfolios.

A new industry group is helping the younger members of the merchandise industry chart its future, says Jon Birrell.

The founder of garment business PenCarrie passed away recently.

Liz Young, the supplier services director at Sourcing City, the BPMA’s partner in Merchandise World, is taking on a new position.

Europe’s largest supplier and manufacturer of branded candies, Kalfany, has partnered with UK confectionery supplier, The Sweet People, in an exclusive agreement. These two well-known suppliers of branded confectionery have signed a deal to bring more branded confectionery to the UK’s promotional merchandise market.

Individual biometric data could open the way to more secure and convenient technological options, but it’s not foolproof, says Matt Pluckrose

EverythingBranded has appointed Pierce Robson as its new head of design. Robson, who joined the company as a graphic designer in early 2017, will focus on making the design process easier for all parties, by altering and improving elements of the procedure and how EverythingBranded deals with requested work.

PF Concept has launched its own paper manufacturing facility in Blackpool to add a new self-produced promotional paper range to its portfolio of made in UK products with competitive pricing and fast delivery. The company’s varied product collection now includes a wide range of paper products, from sticky notes, notebooks and desk calendars to notepads, blockmates and combi notes.