Politics affects business whether we like it or not. Many have tried to turn a blind eye (and ear) away from the ‘B word’, Brexit, but there are some key considerations to remember when it comes to the supply of items and the subsequent credit management.
Merchandise World returned to NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire in January to provide the merchandise industry with the sort of kick-off it wanted for 2019.
Chesham-based promotional printer, B-Loony, has launched an eco-friendly balloon stick as an alternative to the single use plastic sticks which are to be banned by the EU.
Catalogue group, Ignite is delighted to announce a new member, TC Branding Group, of the Ignite family. Princes Risborough-based TC Group is one of the industry’s most respected and long-established distributors.
Swiss company Prodir is elevating sustainability with its DS Regeneration Pens. The writing instruments are manufactured from 100% recycled plastic and are also equipped with a globally unique refill Prodir claims offers a better environmental balance.
Pen company, Goldstar, will continue to expand its capabilities this year by investing more than €2m on new technology and services, plus more on extra staff. The company has already spent a total of €3m in Ireland in the last two years.
GeigerBTC has acquired London-based distributor EMC Advertising Gifts as part of its continued expansion strategy to support clients in the UK and Europe.
Goldstar, the pens specialists, will continue to expand its capabilities in 2019 by investing more than €2m capital on new technology and services, plus more on extra staff, all designed to deliver benefits for its customers and their clients. This is a significant increase in its annual investment, having spent a total of €3m in Ireland in the last two years.
The investment, to meet increasing customer demand, will mainly be spent on expanding the company’s inkjet and laser printing equipment, particularly on more mirror engraving. An extra seven staff next year, mostly in sales covering the UK and France, will take the total number to 40, double what it was two years ago.
Colin Loughran, General Manager, says: “We’ve invested significantly in our laser decoration capability. We can provide high-tech soft touch pen decoration and 360° decoration and our turnaround times are some of the fastest in the industry.”
The company has also been developing its inkjet printing and now has 11 machines producing premium quality full-colour imprinting on soft-touch and metal products that maximise the clarity and impact of the branding. Additional investment has been made in state-of-the-art technology which specialises in creating gift-set and packaging branding.
Eye-catching full-colour inkjet printing on both sides for double branding and impact is the latest addition and that includes the ability to reproduce photographic imagery.
Colin Loughran says, “We are committed to investing in our services and capabilities for the benefit of customers. Our philosophy is to look continually for ways to improve what we offer to our customers, from better branding opportunities to the finest service. We then invest in our services and capabilities so that we can deliver these benefits.” Summing up, Colin added “Goldstar has grown significantly in the past few years and we are actively seeking new opportunities and partnerships to continue our growth plans to become a major force within the promotional trade industry.
Congratulations to Claire Etoe for winning Suppler Unsung Hero of the Year Award. Thanks also to our sponsor Everything Branded. #bpma #bpmaawards #winners
Supplier Unsung Hero of the Year Award sponsored by Everything Branded
WINNER: Claire Etoe – Preseli
Accepted by Jackie Thomas with Claire on FaceTime!
Congratulations to Fluid Branding for winning Distributor of the Year Award 5m+. Thanks also to our sponsor Direct Textiles + Bags. #bpma #bpmaawards #winners
Distributor of the Year £5m + sponsored by Direct Textiles + Bags
As we are sure you are all aware the current events in Parliament are unprecedented, the uncertainty over the Brexit negotiations are affecting confidence across the market and are proving wearing on our industry.
There are a number of possible outcomes as to how the UK could leave the EU or the possibility still remains that we could have a further referendum which will lead to a protracted period of uncertainty.
It is at these times that the Industry more than ever needs a strong Trade Association.