After five years of exceptional growth, Crazy Bags has outgrown its headquarters in Lymington in Hampshire and moved to further expand its operation.

A market-leader in the promotional bag sector, it is now based in New Milton, Hampshire with new office space housing an expanded account and marketing team with in-house warehousing.  Managing Director Andy Steavenson said: “It will enable us to continue innovating in the promotional bag market and establish us as a game-changer in the marketplace.”

Wholesalers and distributors from around the world came together in Hong Kong at the spring meeting of Ippag, the International Partnership for Premiums & Gifts.

They discussed issues such as the consequences of the Ukraine crisis and the unstable political situation in various countries and regions of the Arabic world.  Rick Brenner, Chairman of the American industry association PPAI (Promotional Products Association International), and Paul Bellantone, CEO of the PPAI, reported on the market in the US.

SPS has announced the acquisition of High Profile in a move that will further strengthen the company’s offering when it comes to British-made promotional products.

With ambitious plans for growth after a management buy-out last year, the leadership team at SPS view the acquisition of High Profile as a fantastic move for Great British manufacturing, as both companies will benefit from the shared experience, knowledge and business processes.

SPS opened its doors in May to host the AGF Branding Bootcamp Extra. Distributors from around the UK came to Blackpool for a day of education, product demos, and quality conversations with their favourite suppliers.

It also included a tour of the SPS factory, with the opportunity to do product branding and explore the company’s massive manufacturing and branding facility. The two-day event was a massive success, with distributors returning to their businesses full of ideas, expert knowledge and a desire to send the rest of their teams to the next event.

The PAGE group hosted its 24th annual awards conference and dinner which, after 23 years, was held at a new venue, the Woodland Grange in Leamington Spa.

Held on June 4, it was attended by PAGE members with presentations from Andrew Talbot of Gateway 3D who spoke about the standard online catalogue provided to PAGE members and the advantages of having your own stand-alone website.  He was followed by Peter King and Sam Baker of PAGE Partnership who introduced Osyth, the latest development in promotional industry distributor software.

It’s OK to be chewsy about the promotional products you chews for your next event, campaign or launch. After all, you want to be remembered for the right reasons.

Whether you want to indulge your clients with happy childhood memories or get them chewing over their next campaign, Liquid Lens’ latest product launch will get people talking (when they’re not chewing their way through the merchandise).

The two leading industry bodies in the one-to-one marketing industry, the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM), have come together under a newly formed group.

Headed up by group CEO Chris Combemale, the merged organisation will become the largest marketing trade body and provider of specialist qualifications in Europe, serving a £14.2 billion industry with a workforce of over 530,000.

Comedian Russell Brand has again been in the headlines with a national newspaper accusing the millionaire comedian of selling branded sweat tops produced in Bangladesh as being screen printed and produced in the UK.

The investigation by the Mail on Sunday reported that the Stanley and Stella sweatshirts on Brand’s “The Trews” online merchandise shop, which are on sale from £60 each, had labels sewn into the product revealing their Bangladeshi origins.

The issue highlights again concerns over product labelling regulations which have been the focus of much criticism both in the UK and in other EU marketplaces.

Daniela Arena has been appointed Professional Development Manager of the bpma’s revamped education programme. The move highlights the importance that the trade association places on raising industry standards and best practice through education and training.

Daniela told Product Media: “Education remains at the heart of the bpma. We seek to encourage industry learning and professional development to enhance the skills of all individuals working in the industry.”

With demand increasing for higher-specification hoodies, sweats and sportswear at affordable prices, BTC activewear has added new garments from existing brands Fruit of the Loom, Gildan, FDM and Anvil alongside new brands Tee Jay’s and Active by Stedman.

They include four vibrant colours added to the Fruit of the Loom Men’s 61390 Performance Tee range (pictured): Bright Yellow, Fuchsia, Lime and Azure, also available in ladies’ size code 61392 and children’s size code 61013. The 100% textured polyester is for excellent moisture wicking and quick-dry performance.

Promotional products distributor AD Merchandise has moved to larger offices in Manchester as part of a planned growth strategy.

The strong and robust colours of the company’s brand identity have been applied to refurbishing the new offices on the 14th floor of the landmark West Point office building in Chester Road.

For the first time in Germany’s 55-year history of the promotional merchandise industry, the country has a single united promotional merchandise trade association. The move which unites 5,000 companies and more than 50,000 employees in a single body has been subject to lengthy negotiations with each of the old associations having to declare a formal vote in favour of the change.

Blueprint Promotional Product is celebrating record sales of over £1 million at the end of its financial year, boosted by expansion into export markets. It gained 24 new contracts, resulting in over £250,000 worth of promotional merchandise being delivered globally to clients.

Matt Franks, Chairman of the bpma, on how the bpma is evolving to adapt to a changing environment.

I’m delighted to be involved in this launch edition of Product Media, the new trade magazine from the bpma.