4 Milton Keynes bound MerchandiseWorld is setfor its biggestevershowinthe city
6 BPMA graduates
Thelatest students have passed theirTPM qualifications
8 Bighitters
Resultsfromthe BPMA’s annual Golf Dayrevealed
9 Christmas clobber
It’s time to getmeasuredupfor thefestiveperiod
WELCOME
As Septemberrolls around,it’stimefor the industry to gather once againat Milton Keynes forMerchandise World.
This year’s peak season show promises to be thebiggest ever with morethan100 exhibitors,which hopefullyaugers well forthe rest of theyearand also into 2025 Recent GDPgrowthfigureshaveshown someencouragementafter asluggish coupleofyears
Meanwhile, the IPABellwether Reportfor Q2,which indicatesspendingsentiment among advertisers, showed UK companies upwardly revised theirmarketingbudgets at thestrongest rate in over adecade.
That’s threebitsofgood news to go into theautumnwith,solet’s hope that theseason of mists andmellow
ProductMedia Magazine is availabletothe whole promotional merchandiseindustry.
It is theofficial magazine of the BritishPromotional Merchandise Association (BPMA)
11 Taste of success Promotionalfood anddrink really hits thespot
18 Finance
Latest government slow paymentpromises
19 Technology
Hi-techgifting canoil the wheels of business
20 Knockitoff
Howtoprotect your company’s IP from copyists
23 Lessonslearned JasonO’Connoronbusiness
fruitfulnesssignifies abumperharvest for merchandisecompanies.
This month’s issue containsacouple of reminders that it’s notalwaysplain sailing forbusinessesinour sector.BothTotal Merchandiseand Preseli have been around long enough (20and 25 yearsrespectively) to be able to tell atale or twoabout the ups anddowns of business. Thankfully, theirbosses, JasonO’Connor andDave Wilson have shared some of theirwords of wisdom basedontheir experiences buildingsuccessfulbusinesses. Make sure youfind outwhattheythink
Both of them have aresolutefocus on thefutureand taking note of what may come next.Thismonth we also take alook at theissue of intellectual property,with
BritishPromotional Merchandise Association
Fetcham Park House, LowerRoad, Fetcham,Leatherhead,Surrey, KT22 9HD
thehelpofACID, whichstands forAnti CopyinginDesign,atrade body that lookstohelpbusinessesprotect thefruits of theircreativity.
Forsmall businesses,whichmakeup themajorityofBPMAmembers,itcan be easy to assume that itsinevitable you will be pushed around by thebig boys
However, oneofthe messages from ACID’s LauraNewbold Breenisthatthere is a surprising amount that youcan do to protectyourself. If youcreated it,it’s your IP andyou shouldn’t be shyabout letting theworld know.It’snot just about pride, it’s aboutprofit.Check outthe BPMA events pagefor detailsofanupcoming webinarthatwill explore theareainalot moredetail
Show andtell
The industry get together in Milton Keynes is the perfect opportunity to cement relationships and learn about new products
This year’s Merchandise World is due to take place on 11 September at theMarshallArena, Milton Keynes.
The signs forthe show aregoodwith morethan 100exhibitors bookedfor theone-daycoming together of promotional suppliers and distributors, making it thelargest ever Milton Keynes Merchandise World.
Merchandise World’sSeptember date makes it theperfect option forcompanies focusing on theend of year period.
COME TOGETHER
Its relaxedatmosphereallows time forbusiness leaders to have quality conversations, negotiatetrading partnerships, and build relationships with topsuppliers.
Withalmost 300 visitors pre-registered at thetime of writing, theevent looks set to continue this trend.
Exhibitors include suchwell-known names as Bic Graphic,CHX Products, Castelli, Midocean, Oldeani, PF Concept,
Product Zone and Samedaybags.
This year’s event also witnesses sixteen new suppliers, including All Jigsaw Puzzles, AODACi, Choc on Choc, DOYUK, GetJohn&Co, GlobalPromotional Services, Kleen-Tex, Little Green Paper Shop, Printollo,Regal Toys, SIGG Switzerland Bottles, and Stand4Socks.
OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK
David Long, managing director of Sourcing City, whichjointly owns Merchandise Worldwiththe BPMA, said thesector wasin good shape.
“The UK economyisrecovering from thehigh inflation of thepast year,and this year we have seen theadded benefit of promotional merchandise required for major events, suchasthe General Election, theEuropean Championships, and the Olympics,” he said. “Weare yettosee what effect achange of government mayhave on business in general, but as an industry we have alwaysbeenresilient and creative so thereisevery reason to be optimistic for thecoming months and onwards.”
Once again, Merchandise Worldwill featureEcoWorld and theopportunityto discoverimportant new environmentally friendly products from suppliers, he added.
RINSE AND REPEAT
Oneexhibitor with an interesting sustainabilitystory is Circular &Cowhich produces reusable cups that canbeused in aclosed loop system. The companyworks withorganisations suchasthe Eden Project in Cornwall to cut theuse of single use coffee cups, ensuring that quality, recyclable cups areused again and again by visitors.
Nowthe companyhas introduced a frosted clearvariation that is perfect forcold drinks, and iced-coffees. The frosted clear cups areavailable in 12ozand 16oz sizes, withflattraditional lids, or cleardomed lid options, completewithaholefor astraw
TAKE 5… OR LESS
Afocus on speed comes from First Editions, whichoffers asuperhero-style turnaround of just five days on its corerange of branded drinkware
As aUKmanufacturer withlocally-held stockand facilities, thecompanycan get some jobs out of thedoor in as little as 48 hours from artwork approval. Ask about the priorityorexpress options at stand 32.
Withmorethanamillion bottlesand caps, thereisplentyofchoice including Olympic 500and 750, Bio 500and 740, Aqua and AquaMax ranges. All these products areguaranteed BPA-free and fully dishwasher-safe.
SOCK IT TO THEM
Another companyputting fast service front and centreisKingly,whichalso claims afive-dayoffering as theselfproclaimed fastest sock-knitting company in theindustry, thanks to atriple-shift manufacturing system.
Acustom sock-knitting service offers production forordersranging from 50 pairs to 500pairs in just five workingdays.
Kingly says it is theonly sock companyutilising BCome’s Cradle-toGate sustainabilityplatform. Eachofits sustainable products features aunique QR code that reveals its full sustainability report. This transparencyisbackedby certifications, including ISO,Oeko-Tex, GOTS, GRS, andSMETA Pillar 4.
NEWFACES
Merchandise Worldisalso ideal for meeting newappointments, suchasTom Robinson, newaccount manager at clothing specialist The Outdoors Company.
Popalong to stand 42 to find out how he can help bring brands including Adidas, The NorthFace and Columbia to theservice of your brand. An example is theAntorajacket by The NorthFace whichisstylish as well as sustainable, as it is made from recycled materials, minimising its impact on the environment.
The Outdoors Companyhas also appointed staff to bring moreofafocus on theimportant European market.
LETITRAIN
THE ESSENTIALS
WHERE –Marshall Arena, Stadium MK,MiltonKeynes
WHEN –Wednesday11September
2024.Showopens from 9.00 and closes 16.30
WHY –this one dayevent forfrontline teams and leaders from professional distributors will help them discovernew products forthe Peak Season andlearn about product branding techniques. Arelaxed atmosphereallows time forquality conversations, negotiating trading partnerships,and building relationships withtop suppliers. HOW -visitors can register at merchandiseworld.co.uk. Thereisafree station transfer shuttle bus every30 minutes between Milton Keynes Central station and theMarshallArena between 8am and 5pm.
Free airport transfers from Luton areavailable by prior arrangement. Onsiteparking in all car parksis nowchargeable at £5 per day, payable via RingGo.
SowEasy will be showing off anew product in theshape of its rainballs which it claims areanindustryfirst. The colourful balls aremade in theUKatSow Easy HQ from post-consumer recycled paper and filled withmixed wildflowerseeds or herbs. They come in threevibrantly
coloured balls in an engraved tin or a craft box withadigital print label.
The MOQ is just 50 units withshort lead times up to 1,000 units. They have astrong visual impact and help align withcorporate sustainabilitygoals. Youcan even choose abespoke colour mix from 10 solid colour options –black, yellow,orange, red, pink, grey,purple, light blue, light green, and chocolate.
SELECTED WITH CARE
Last, but not least, PF Concept will be at stand 48 withits sales team to explain its latest collection. Discoverthe Roam bags, along withawide range of items likethe Lucia recycledplastic pen, theLiliana sugar cane notebook, and more. All selected with care. What areyou waiting for?
BPMA NEWGRADUATES
Among the industry professionals recently completing aBPMA education course is Harry Walbaum,operations manager at drinkware specialist First Editions. His colleague at the company,Sarah Logan also successfully completed the TPM, which is aimed at more experienced promotions executives with more than three years in the sector
QCan youtell us abit about your career so far?
A Ijoined First Editions in 2019 andspent threeyears as production manager beforebeing promoted to my current role.
QWhichBPMAcourse did youstudy?
A
Icompleted theCPM course, as did my customer services colleague Sarah Logan. The course gave me lots of helpful insights intomyroleatFirst Editions, thanks to itsuse of practical, industryspecific examples.
QDidyou find it achallenge to fit in your studies around work?
A
The BPMA programme is extremely flexible. Because youhaveaccess to
theonline portal 24/7,it’snot difficult to buildstudy time around your work schedule.
QWhat advice do youhave for other potential students?
AYouneed to be honest with yourself about gaps in your knowledge and skills. That way, you can be surethat you’re building on existing abilities to benefit both yourself and your company.
QWhat about life outside work?
AIamaqualified rugbyreferee operating within theRFU’sPGMOTgroup which sees me officiateinPremiership and Championship matches.
LEARN YOUR OWNWAY
The BPMA Education Programme is designed to empowerlearnersand promotebest practicewithinthe industry. It offers athree-tiered continuous learning platform,cateringfor alllevels of experience within thepromotional productsindustry. From new startersto experienced industryprofessionals,the BPMA offers theonlyrecognisedindustry qualifications of its type, only open to BPMA members.
TPM –the TrainedinPromotional Merchandisequalification is thestarting point of your continuousprofessional developmentjourney in merchandise. It is aimed at individuals whohaveuptothree years’ promotional merchandise industry experience.
CPM –for more experienced practitioners with aminimum of threeyears’ industry experience, theCertifiedinPromotional Merchandisequalification is thenextstep.
■ The TPMhas four course intakes withthe next being October 2024.Start thecourse and achieveyour TPMcertificatewithin six months. Find moredetails at bpma.co.uk.
The course wasrecently fullyupdated and refreshed
MPM –takeyour professional development journey to thehighest level with theMaster of Promotional Merchandise qualification.The MPMis forindustryleaderswithmorethanfive years’ experience and this course is being fullyupdated.
Formoredetails on anyofthe BPMA courses, contact education@bpma.co.uk.
WEDNESDAY
11TH SEPTEMBER 2024
JOIN THECLUB
Everyone was awinnerasmerchandise big hitters and duffers alike blew the dust off their woods for the annual BPMA Golf Day
OnThursday, 27 June 2024,the NottinghamshireGolfand Spa experienced yetanother thrilling BPMA Golf Day, building on the success of previous years.
The sold-out event, held under perfect summer skies and arefreshing light breeze, brought together industryprofessionals for aday of friendly competition, networking, and camaraderie.
Participants met forbreakfast and coffee, then showcased their golfing prowess on thechallenging yetpicturesque courses, followedbyanenjoyabledinner to round theday off
BIG HITTERS
Highlights of theday included the Nearest thePin Competitions withChris Green (Team Involution) demonstrating exceptional precision on thepar-3 holes, securing one of thenearest thepin accolades
Chris’s Team Involution colleague Nathan Cookson also proved his consistencyand
skill, adding another nearest thepin victory to theteam.
Paul Lee(Team Merchandise Lab) continued fine form,clinching another nearest thepin title witharemarkableshot.
Nic Taylor (Team Desktop Ideas) displayedfine accuracy, earning anearest thepin recognition.
LONGEST DRIVE
TristanWright of Team Impression Europe showcased his powerand technique by winning thelongest drive competition, sending theball down thefairwaywith impressive distance and control
TEAM COMPETITIONS
Among theteams, victors in the9-hole BPMA Scramble were theMerchandise Lab Team, consisting of Elliot Sampson, Paul Lee, Matt Lawrence and NickBaker Teamwork and strategic play secured them thetop spot in afun and challenging format.
Winners in the18-hole, 4-Ball Better Ball competition were Team Involution featuring Nathan Cookson, MarcRead, Chris Green, and James Rahill. They took home the trophy thanks to amix of cohesive play and coordination.
Runners-Up in the4-Ball Better Ball were theDTB WhiteTeam, featuring Clive Allcott, Oliver Simpson (LSI), Lloyd Simpson (LSI), and Ben Lowes (Crystal Galleries), who put in astrong performance to finish in second place.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Team Merchandise Lab’s Paul Leewas crowned Individual Champion due to his skill and consistencythroughout theday
Histeam colleague, NickBaker,also from Team Merchandise Lab,was close behind, claiming Individual Runner-Up,showcasing talent and determination to securethe second spot.
In thespirit of theday,Paul Maye (XD Connects) received thelight-hearted Wooden Spoon award, embodying thespirit of participation and enjoyment of thegame.
The BPMA Golf Daycontinues to be a highlightonthe promotional merchandise industry'scalendar,fosteringrelationships and providing aplatformfor informal networking. 2024’sevent not onlyhighlighted individual talents but also focusedonthe importance of teamwork and sportsmanship
The BPMA expressed its gratitude to allplayers and supporters fortheir contributions to making theday asuccess. The NottinghamshireGolfand Spaproved to be an ideal venue once again, offering aperfect blendofchallenging holes and scenic beauty.
Look out for2025’sdate.
CHRISTMASWRAPPING
Now is thetime to be looking at gettingyour promotional Christmasjumpers orderedfrom your clothing supplier
Duetothisactivity over thelastfew weeks,Ithought it would be interesting to find moreinformation about thetrend and historybehind theChristmas jumperthatwe all know and love
MID-20TH CENTURY:
The modernChristmas jumper as we knowitbegan to take shape during the 1950swhen thecommercialisation of Christmas in theUnited States and Europe led to theproduction of holiday-themed clothing. Christmas sweaters were typically hand-knitted by grandmothers and mothers, featuring reindeer,snowflakes, and SantaClaus motifs.
GAINING POPULARITY:
Christmas jumpers gained significant popularityinthe 1980smainly due to American TV and film personalities, such as Bill Cosbyon The CosbyShow and ‘Tis the season to order your ironic festive garments. Clive Allcott provides the lowdown on Christmas clothing
Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
This continued into the2000’swhere the‘uglyChristmas sweater’emerged. This trend turned theonce heartfelt and genuine Christmas sweater intoa humorous and ironic fashion statement. People began to celebratethe tackiness of these sweaters, often competing to find or createthe ugliest one possible. Spotting this trend, retailers began to produce and marketsweaters specifically designed to be ‘ugly’orover-the-top whichhas become a staple product today.
Christmas and often
wear Christmas jumpers anddonatetocharity. Companieshavenow embraced this event andoften have branded Christmas sweaters for staffand customersas part of their branded merchandise.
Here at DTBwehavestarted taking orders forbothdye sublimated and knittedsweaters with personalisationatthe forefront HappySelling Clive theclothingand bagguru
CHARITYAND SOCIAL CAUSES:
With thegrowthand popularityofthe Christmasjumper charitablecauses have seen theopportunity to link these worthwhile causes to events like "Christmas JumperDay," organisedbySavethe Children which hasencouraged people to
Rising starsgrabcareer developmentopportunity
The PrintingCharity’sannual celebrationofyoungindustry talentwas this year held at the House of Lordson4th July.
Hosted by Printing Charity2024 President Baroness Morgan of Cotes, the event celebrated the61winners drawn from theprint, paper,packaging, graphics and publishing sectors.
This year,almost £84,000 will be awarded by thecharityacross 105courses selected by thewinners to buildpersonal development, bolster corerolecapabilities, gain arecognised qualification, or
followaleadership pathway.
2024’swinners aredrawn from more than 50 very different jobroles, from print operatives, HR professionals and sustainabilityexperts to securityofficers, print makers, benchhand team leaders and analysts, demonstrating therange of opportunities forbuildingacareerwithin theindustry.
Printing CharityCEO Neil Lovell.
“This year we aredelighted to fund ahuge range of courses, including training to understand AI, environmental management, public speaking, negotiation, women in leadership investigative journalism, maths and personalityprofile training,” he added.
“The Rising Star Awards actasa bellwether forthe industry, withthe courses applied foroften indicating print’sdirection of travel, withambitious, committed emerging talent looking to develop theskillsets they knowwillhelpthem grow in their careers,” said
gain a recognised or the skillsets they know will help them grow said
“These courses maybediverse,but they clearly indicatewhat our winners have in common: thedrive to build their skills and capabilities to equip themselves well forthe industryand theworkplace of the future. The futureisclearly bright.”
This year’s event wassupported by thePublishing Training Centreand Unite theUnion.
ARE YOU ARISING STAR?
A RISING
Star for 2025 will open in 2025. To be kept up date on all relevant subscribe to The Printing
Rising Star applications for2025will open early in 2025.Tobekept up to dateonall relevant notifications, subscribe to The Printing Charity newsletter at theprintingcharity.org.uk.
Everyyear,winners receivegrants of up to £1,500 to invest in career development and grow their futurepotential in print.
Previous winners have workedinawide range of roles in theprint, packaging, paper,publishing and graphics sectors.
BPMA members can seek to use theawardstofund abroad spectrum of training and development to grow theirskillsets, boost their career opportunities, and bring new knowledge and capability intotheir workplaces.
be Unique
New collection of End of Year 2024
Discover our newcollection full of conscious products that will inspire you to create unique gifts.
Elevate your brand story with our functional and stylish collection, creating unforgettable experiences. By crafting moreproducts with recycled materials, we reduce waste and give old materials newlife, offering impactful and budgetfriendly options. Boost your brand recognition with stylish personalised gifts.
To see the newcollection please visit us at Merchandise World in Milton Keynes on the 11thSeptember 2024.
Exploreour newcollection and discover aworld of possibilities to create unique and sustainable gifts!
LOVE AT FIRST BITE
Marketers have long recognised that the way to aconsumer’s heart is through a tasty treat, hence
Food anddrink aretwo of the essentialsfor life,which helps explainwhy we thinkabout them so much.
According to one study,the average person spends 10-20% of their daythinking about food. For some, it is alot more–the study alsofound that forthose witha disordered relationshipwithfood, thefigurewas almost 100% andthat they even dreamed about food.
Most of us have amorenormal relationship withfood and areable to indulgeour tastes in amore straightforward manner It is hardly surprising therefore that tastytreats areanever morepopular form of branded merchandise. Whether it is cookies, cupcakes, chocolate, ice cream, tea, toffees, or beer,thereare options for everytaste. And thegreat thing is that it works.
ONCE BITTEN,FOREVER SMITTEN
BITTEN, FOREVER
According to exclusive research undertaken by Product Media into consumer opinions on promotional food and drink, almost half of people (48%) reported an improvement in their perception of companies that sent them food and drink.
Therewas practically no downside to giving food and drink, withonly 1% indicating their perception significantly worsened and 0% somewhat worsened.
to into consumer on of an their of sent for promotional events, use to working from
Pre-pandemic, food items were particularly popular forpromotional events, but use switched to support workingfrom home withsuppliers developing mailable items suchasbrownies, flapjacks and sweets that couldprovide amuchneeded boost to staff workingremotely,letting them knowthey were still part of theteam.
Plastic free and 100% recyclable options are in demand
In response, Distinctive has come up with even morevariables foreco andsustainable options from all paper and plastic free items to products available withnatural card, and even grass paper
Higher qualityproducts withtop famous brands suchasLindt, Lindor,Tony’s Chocolonely,Toblerone, Ritter Sport, Milka, and Leonidas arealso provingmore popular,Leechsaid.
At theother end, theevents and exhibitions sector revivalhas seen acorresponding higher demand for inexpensive giveawayssuchasindividually wrapped sweets, lollipops, mint tins, sweet sachets and personalised drinks.
Distinctive has introduced sweets and lollipops withcompostable wrappers and is catering to varied tastes withbespoke flavours on request.Sugar free options and vegan and gluten free suitable products are also ailable.
Nowwe’re back to ‘normal’ thefood and drink markethas retained this newelement of its market, as well as therebounding events segment.
MARK THE DATE
Other segments have remained perennially strong, not least theChristmasgiving sector, wherestalwarts suchasadvent calendars continue to performwell.
LaraLeech, senior account manager Distinctive Confectionery, says that the company’sadvent season kicks in from May and June withexistingclients getting their orders in early to secureprint runs.
“Westill supply themost exciting range of shaped advents withevenmoreoptions of shapes this year,” she says. “There’s also atrend towards moreluxuryand high end items this year,along withproducts that are letter box friendly,particularly as we head into Christmas Season.”
Clients aredemanding morechoices of sustainabilitywithevenmoretransparency on origins of packaging and rawmaterials.
“Weoffer achoice of outer cartons from recycled coffee cup paper and natural cardtowholly compostable packaging. Ouradvents forexample are all printed withthe relevant stamps of sustainability,”Leechadds.
THOUGHTFUL MERCHANDISE
Other suppliers also notice thedrive to be sustainable at Christmas. The Sweet People, whichpickedupthe BPMA Grand Prix Product Awardfor its bespoke treat box in recyclable packaging, has arange of mini and maxi chocolateadvent calendars packed withrich, darkvegan chocolates,
The company’schocolates arecrafted in-house withthe finest cocoaatits UK chocolatefactory. The advent calendars are conveniently sized forposting, making them an ideal, thoughtful gift foryour staff and clients. Logos aredisplayedprominently throughout thefestive season, to help brands stay top-of-mind.
Companies can choosefromacollection of graphic designs or createacompletely bespoke design. They can even add custom messages behind eachdoor
something a the company also
Maxi Cube, a box of which is filled a choice truffle treats or delectable
THE DRINKS ARE ON YOU
As well as edibles, drinks areanincreasingly popular option. Suppliers have had to adjust their products due to thedemand for greater sustainabilitywhich hasseenbottled watercome under thespotlight as many companies looktocut their single use plastic consumption.
This has seen thehuge growth of reusable waterbottles in their manyforms, but drinks providers have also adapted to thenew paradigm, says John Godfrey, managing director of Just aDrop.
They also come in sustainable and fully recyclable, personalised chocolate boxes.
For somet bit different, companyalso offers its Eco Maxi Cube,a box of delights which is filled with achoice of festive tru treats or delectable chocolate discs. come insust recyclable,personalised chocolateboxes.
CHANGING TASTES
Leechnotes that clients are requesting morebespoke and individually tailored products for their brand requirements, from chocolates embossed withtheir logos to specially designed boxes. Clients also want to spend moremoney on premium and unique products.
infinitely and the Tetra cans have screw tops made from sugar cane.”
Just a Drop offers 250ml, 330ml and a 250ml drinks range that includes health energy drinks, orange juice, iso redberries, and
“The main trend has been towardseco packaging, so we have extended our water et andglass to aluminium cans and ons,” he says. “Aluminium cans are recyclable, and theTetracans have ps made from sugar cane.” aDropoffers sizes of 250ml, 330ml 500ml. It also has a250ml canned drinks range that includes health and energy drinks, orange juice, iso redberries, and apple spritzer
The Energy Drinkisthe most popular,and thecompanyalso health, vitamin and energy shots in 60ml glass bottles.
popular, and the company also provides vitamin energy shots in 60ml bottles. available.
Brandingcan be appliedbydirect print to the cartons and cans in addition to labelling
BRANDED INNOVATION
Another companywithdrinking options is Eat My Logo whichintroduced abeer and cider range. The 330ml cans areavailable to be customised withalogo or bespoke design to createalong-lasting impression. It is just one example of trendsetting and innovation from theChorleybased bakerinits decade supplying the merchandise sector
Events have been aparticular area of expertise withPride, Halloween, and Christmas assuming importance, drawing thousands of clients annually who seek themed promotional products. These occasions arepivotal, withbusinesses looking to enhance their celebrations with custom-designed treats.
Whether it'sabespoke biscuit shaped like aPumpkin forHalloween or aPride-themed cupcake, Eat My Logo crafts eye-catching treats forcompanies wanting to leave amemorable impression during these keyevents. key events.
Spotting up and coming events has become central to this strategy,with meticulous planning months in advance, following awell-structured content schedule whichallows thebusiness to maintain acompetitive edge.
Andy Poar,director of Eat My Logo says: “Overthe years, we have enjoyedgreat success in providing themed products formajor celebrations. We arealwayson thelookout fornew themes to cater to including events likethe Olympic Games. We have aThemes and Events tabon our website, whichisregularly updated to keep up with thelatest events and celebrations.”
WILDFLOURS
As well as looking out forevent trends, thecompanyhas stayed abreast of changing corporatetrends overthe past decade, not least thedemand for sustainable options through expanded product offerings and reinforced dedication to eco-friendly practices.
Recently,Eat My Logo has takena significant step towards sustainabilityby switching to Wildfarmed Flour,acompany renowned forits sustainable agricultural practices. This transition not only underscores Eat My Logo's commitment to environmental responsibilitybut also enhances thequality of its products.
CONSUMERS GIVE EDIBLES THE THUMBS UP
Research undertaken for Product Media by OnePulse polling on consumer attitudes to promotional food and drink found chocolate, snacks and bakesgoods arethe waytomakeanimpact.
Asked about their preferredfuture promotional items:
n Branded chocolatewas themost desired futurepromotional item (52%).
n Branded snacks (50%) and branded baked goods (45%) were also highly favoured.
n Other popular choices included branded confectionery(44%), branded drinks (36%), and branded tea/coffee (34%).
n Branded bottled waterand branded healthfoods were less desired but still notable, with17% and 32% respectively
n Only 5% of respondents indicated they were not interested in receiving anylisted promotional items in thefuture.
Overall, thesurveyhighlighted that promotionalfood and drink items are generally well-receivedbyconsumers and can positively impact their perception of companies.
n 48% reported an improvement(11% significantly improved, 37%somewhat improved).
n Therewas minimal negative impact, withonly 1% indicating their perception significantly worsened and 0% somewhat worsened.
n Forasignificant portion (35%), receiving promotional items did not change their
perception at all. n 16%ofrespondents had no prior perception of thecompanybeforereceiving thepromotional item.
The most commonly received promotional items were found to be snacks (58%) and chocolate(40%)
Non-alcoholic drinks (35%) and alcoholic drinks (33%) arealso fairly common, along withbaked goods.
Less commonly received items include full meals (15%) andfruit/vegetable items(20%).
Asmall percentage of respondents indicated they have never received any promotional food or drink items, with "None of theabove"at9%and "None of these" at 14%.
ThepathtoSALSA certification
Everyyear since 2016,The Sweet People has proudly held SALSA certification, reaffirming its commitment to quality, safety, and excellence in thefood industry. Managing director,Mandy Hastie explains howthe rigorous annual audit ensures that its promotional sweets and chocolates not only delight but also meet stringent safetyrequirements.
QWhat is SALSA and whyisit important?
A SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) is afood safetycertification supported by theFood Standards Agency, theInstituteofFood Science &Technology, theFoodand DrinkFederation, andmajor UK retailers. SALSA certification informsour customers that our products aresafe, legal, and high-quality, made under strictsafety and hygiene protocols. It showsweare a trustedsuppliercommitted to excellence, providing peace of mind andconfidence in ourproduct quality, which is crucialinthe food industry.
Q
Howdid we achieveSALSA certification?
A
AchievingSALSAcertification involvesa thorough auditby food safety experts. Ourdedicated team workstirelessly to meet these standards. Maintaining this certification requires continuousdiligenceand improvement. We regularly updateour processes, trainour staff,and invest in qualityingredients and equipment. This commitment ensuresweconsistently meet andexceed SALSAstandards.
QWhat about traceabilityand zero non-conformance?
A
Traceabilityiscrucial forSALSA certification. We have procedures to trackall rawmaterials andpackaging at everyproduction stage.Wetesttraceability forwards andbackwards annually In 2024,wepassed withno non-conformances forthe first time, a challenging feat that canfail due to minor details likeamissing ethernet coveror
weekly instead of daily cleaning checklists. This achievement places us in thetop tier of conforming companies.
QDoes it open new opportunities?
A
FOOD TRENDS TO KNOW
Food fads come andgoquickly, and the next threeyears, up to 2027,will be no exception. Research companyExploding Trends specialises in spotting what’s coming over thehorizon, and these are some of its predictions:
■ Huge growth foronline food and drink –the pandemic saw moreofus ordering food online, often forthe first time. That behaviour has stuckand food delivery apps have helped embed it. It’s not just fast food,aspeople have become used to subscription services delivering recipe ideas and ingredients direct to our homes. The ways we eat have ben changed forever.
■ Robot kitchen assistants –noneed to argue about who’s peeling thespuds as AI and robotics ventureintothe
kitchen. Miso Robotics hasdeveloped an appliance that cooks burgers and it is already being used in some commercial restaurants. Hold thegherkins!
■ Smart devices –anassociated development is connected kitchen devices making it easier to order and cookfood. Youmay never runout of milk, or burnameal again.
■ Warehouse farms –vertical farming means that food maynolonger be growninafield but under controlled conditions in afactory. Yields andquality can be higher and costs could fall.
■ Veganoptions expand -worldwide sales of plant-based ‘meat’ products are expected to grow to over $35 billion in 2027 to cater foragrowing number of vegan and vegan curious eaters. Vegan
SALSA certification hassignificantly boosted ourrepeat businesswithin the promotionalsectorand has enabledusto supply our luxurybrand, The Chocolate Gift Company, to prestigious retailers,including Selfridges,HarveyNichols,Liberty, Fenwick Bloom& Wild, WorldDuty-Free, andThe RoyalTrust
QCan clientssee the results?
A
We aresopredisposed to qualitythat buyers of majorbrandslove to visit our factory. We inviteclients and partners to visit TheSweet People factorytowitness our dedication to quality. Seeour meticulous production processes, meet our team, and experience thehighstandardsthat earnus SALSAcertificationyear afteryear.Welook forwardtowelcoming youand sharing our journeyofqualityand innovation.
meat and fish will play alarger role on futuremenus, and milk alternativesare already booming –almost doubling to be worth$40.6bn in 2026.
■ Food equals wellness –healthfood has been athing foreverbut thestakes arerising as moreconsumers looktobe morephysically and mentally healthy Food that helps in that quest could do really well and companies that provide it will be seen as allies.
■ Snacks aremeals –inour time poor world, on thegoeatinghappens more often, and snacks can do alot more heavy lifting, especially if they provide morethan aquicksugar hit. Meal replacement products areset to grow by aCAGRof8.26% up to 2028, withhigh protein treats aparticular favourite.
PAYMENT PROMISES
Anew Government could mean anew approach to late payments, but don’t wait for Westminster,says Mike Collins
Regular readers will knowthatDirect Route/ AccountAssyst tries to avoid conversations about politics becauseinvariably it causesdivision. We’renot the type of crowd to alienatepeople –our missionistohelp.
Howeverthatsaid, it’shardnot to get allpoliticalwhenwe’ve nowgot anew Government, spouting about anew set of rulestoallegedly govern business andtheir practices
We noticed in Labour’s manifestoaclaimed
commitment to stamp outthe late payment of invoices to small business and to require ‘large’businesses to better report on theirpayment practices
LATE TO THE PARTY
The idea is to exposelatepayers. Sounds familiar? We’vebeen operating andreporting on the very same proposition, via the Register of Outstanding Invoices (ROSI) since 2004
Here’s aquestion –who remembers theTories’ commitment to thetoothless
Local Support Contact Details
Please contact amember of our local support team for advice on any matter relatedtodebt and credit management
London and South
David Barker
dbarker@directroute.co.uk 07766545871
Midlands and East Anglia
KenBrown
kbrown@directroute.co.uk 07795214426
Wales and North West
Ian Jenkinson
ijenkinson@directroute.co.uk 07860 197476
North East,Scotland andNorthern Ireland
MikeCollins
mike@accountassyst.com 07866 427363
Prompt Payment Code?
Turnsout this wassimply avoluntaryregister,towhich therewas no requirement or obligationtosignup, nor any ramifications if youchose not to.Itwas aPRexercise forbig businesses to applaud themselves fordoing what they were contractually obligated to do anyway
HELPYOURSELF
Ouradviceiswhatyou’d expectfromus– don’t wait for others to fix thesituation for you. Usually,the answer you need is staring right back at you in themirror, and is available almostinstantly if yousimply contact us.
AnyGovernment andits election grabbing headlines will not ensurethatyou getpaid on time.Tomaximise thereturn of your monies, youhaveto managebothyour credit and risk yourself
Here’s threeeasy tipsasto howtodothingsright, first time, everytime…
1
Knowprecisely who youare dealing with
Have an accountopening process that not only gathers as muchinformation as possible at thestart of your business relationship before anyworkisdone, but also checks that information and confirms whether your prospectisa companythat youshouldbedoing business with? Consider incorporating a Director’s Guarantee if youare unsureabout your risk (Direct Route/AccountAssystcan automatically do this foryou).
2Manage your risk
Maintaina systemthat regularly checks andmonitors aclient’sfinancial position. Business changes quickly and risk can go up as well as down. If you’re not awareof agreater customer risk, then
howcan youreact to it and make sureyou don’t fall victim to baddebt?
3
Have asolution and stringent rules for latepayment
Toooften asupplier’s credit control process is crossing their fingers and relyingon good will to be paid. Times aretough and will continue to be so.Nomatter how muchthe customer likes you, it’stheir choice who they pay first. If youdon’t have robust systems in place to put your business at theheadofthe queue then youcould easily be passed over. Remember,the squeakywheel gets theoil.
BPMA BENEFIT
The difference between Direct Route/AccountAssyst and theGovernment is that although we’rebothtelling you what to do,we’ll actually help youtoput things right. Like we said, our mission is to help your business.
If you’re aBPMAmember (or in fact, even if you’re not…) drop us alineorpickupthe phone and learnhow your BPMA membership can entitle you to benefitsthatcan avoid you suffering thepain of baddebt. We reiteratethat,BPMA Member or not, Account Assyst cannow help youin many essential ways. Is it not worth alittleofyour time to find out what all thebuzzisabout and so safeguardyour future?
Emailsupport@ accountassyst.co.uk to book your complimentarycredit management review and suitabilityevaluation Newstarts call fornew beginnings, so let’sall start by putting best practice into our businesses and better securing our futures.
l MikeCollins is managing director of Account Assyst
It’s greattoreciprocate
This giving season, why not consider what recipients might really like, suggests Matt Pluckrose
Aswestart to enter autumn and manyclients start early planning forthe ‘givingseason’, it’s time to think what your clients will be looking for.
This area of our markethas traditionally been dominated by alcohol, hampers, vouchers and lifestyle products to reward behaviour or loyaltyduring theyear
Likemanyaspects of business life, giving and receiving gifts around Q4 is linked to influencing behaviour based on theconcept of reciprocity, butwhatdoes that mean?
GIVE TO RECEIVE
In psychology,reciprocityisa social normof responding to apositive action withanother positive actionand so rewardingkind actions.
As asocial construct, reciprocity means that in response to friendly actions, people arefrequently muchnicer andmuch morecooperative than predictedbythe self-interest model.
This makes senseinour industryas companies, brand ownersand employers want to reachout and createthat good feeling witha positive action such as giving agiftthat will createfurther positivity towards them forthe coming year.This is what drivesspending in this season and whycompanies and brand owners thinkcarefullyabout what will provokeand drive thosefeelings.
LASTINGIMPRESSION
This is wherewebelievepromotional technology can be very beneficial to your clients as theuseful, qualityand long-lasting impact of atechgiftdelivers exactly this feeling. Getting this right though is not easy as thewrong gift, poorly executed withthe wrong back storyor thought can have theoppositefeeling to that intended.
When suggesting and planning your clients’campaign ideas, it’sworthbearing in mind to only give what youwould want to receive.
This idea is never moretruethan around thegiving season wherethe investment in reciprocityshould be carefully considered as thenegative feelingofreceiving agift that does not meet thetarget audience’s expectation can have theoppositeeffect to that intended.
Promotional technology andlifestyle gifts provide your target withthe right mix of usefulness, quality, responsibility, and products whichfit their digital lifestyle.
TECH ON TREND
So,what will be trending and filling this objective this autumn-winter? Let’stakea lookatsome options. Tech giants likeApple have led theway with electronics which change and improve our way of living, the
waywework, travel and communicate. Trends overthe past 12-18monthshave shown clearlythat items suchasanti-lost trackers forour keys,luggage or even pets areagain hot –led by Apple’s AirTag which is nowamust-have formany.
Wireless magnetic chargingischanging as all themajor brands start to adapt their phone designs to allowfor this. The Qi2 standardwill become thenormfor this over thecoming months and this will become a universal gifting idea to suit all consumers, allowing them to charge devices quicker and moreconveniently
SOUNDS GOOD
Audio products arealwaysverypopular lifestyle gifts and withmoreretail brands accepting theneed to use moresustainable materials this will featurestrong this season withaclose eyeonspeakers, headphones and earbuds particularly
Gifting in technology is alwaysagood time to reconsider budget. Manyclients are starting to reduce thequantityofgifts and focus on higher end gifting fortheir key customers. Sometimes thebudget forthese can be very substantial whichiswhere awell-chosen technology gift can really makethe perfect choice
In this area we areseeing growing demand foritems such as micro wirelessprinters, projectors and of course retail brands often demonstrate to therecipientthe thanks being offeredand build that positivefeeling.
Technology whether it’sfor use in the home, office or while travelling is themust have merchandise this autumn and when considered in thecontext of ‘whatwould youliketoreceive?’ can be thego-togifting experience this winter
● Matt Pluckrose is managing director of Desktop Ideas
Knockitoff
Knowing the value of your intellectual property is one thing –protecting it is another. Laura Newbold Breen explains how to safeguard your ideas
Intellectual property(IP) is the foundation forall designs, creative worksand brands.Likeany business asset, IP is fundamental to growth However, understanding IP can be abit of a minefield and copyists can often prey on this to pushtheirinfringing agenda
Sadly,IPtheft is rife. From high street retailers stealing ideas from lone and micro creative businesses to mass manufacturers churning out cheap copies of original designs; it is so important to lookafter your IP from theget go.Now,withgenerative AI looking to cherry pickfromaplethoraof existing information to createideas quickly without, as yet, anyrecognition of original ownership,wehavetobe‘IP Savvy’more than ever
The brand confusion caused within markets whereasubstandard copyis imitating thereal thingispotentially hugely damaging to theoriginal. Aldi has faced court cases from brands including M&S and Thatchers, who accused it of copying their products. Another international giant, Shein, has long been under theethical spotlight, while producing extremely cheapfashion ‘knock-offs’.Again, IP is theimportant piece in this puzzle to mitigateany brand damage if you’re unfortunateenough to be copied.
Anti Copying in Design (ACID) is hereto help younavigatethe trials of IP.Itisthe UK’s leading membership and campaigning organisation fordesign and intellectual property. ACID is atrade association for designers and manufacturers withadiverse membership ranging from individuals to multinationals, and spanning manyindustry sectors. The organisation is committed to fighting design theft and lobbying Parliament fordesign lawreform.
At ACID,webelieveinthese toptips forsuccess:
1UNDERSTAND IP BASICS
It’simportant to understand thebasics: Aregistered trade mark is aunitaryright.It lasts forlifeifyou renew it every10years. Atrade markcan be your companyname, product name, or youcan trade markanew design range –and youcan trade mark logos as well.Ifyou register your trade mark youcan include thesymbol®.Ifyou don’t
your trademark, you can
register your trademark, youcan use ™instead in theUK.
Trade Secrets areyour knowledge, skills, technical information and know-how; guard them withyour lifeand keep them to yourself
DESIGN RIGHTS – THERE ARE THREE TYPES:
Registered, whichlast for25years provided yourenew them everyfive, and give you thestrongest scope of design protection, including colour,material, ornamentation and so on.
Unregistered last between three-15 years depending on when your design reached market, and cover“shape and configuration only.Inthe latter five years, these can be requested as licensable, meaning somebody can copyitbut must payyou aroyalty. Supplementary, lasting foruptothree years, wasbrought in post Brexit to replace theEUunregistered right in theUK, under whichthe UK can benefit from protection of one or moreofthe following: lines, colour, shape, ornamentation, contours, textureor materials.
Youcan find out all about IP rights in moredetailonthe IPO websiteatgov.co.uk.
2TAKE ADVICE BEFORE YOU DISCLOSE INFORMATION
It’simportant not to give anything away tooearly on until you’ve hadlegal advice. It might be that youhavecome up witha potentially patentable process, or anew sustainable material.
Equally,trade secrets areyour hidden weapon. Keep anything likerecipes, manufacturing processes, business agreements and so on to yourself
ACID members have access to an hour’s free legal advice per issue, and reduced legal fees thereafter,fromachoiceofsix legal affiliates.
3CHECK FOREXISTING WORK
Ensureyou arenot copying and potentially infringing somebody else’s design rights or trade marks to mitigateany risk of youbeing accused of infringement by searching theIPO forexisting registered trade marks, designs and patents within theUK–the gov.co.uk websiteprovides a searchable database.
However, sometimes it can be difficult to decipher howsimilar something is. Again, ACID’s legal affiliates can help hereand that hour’s free advice is an invaluable tool of IP strategy planning.
4KEEP RECORDS AND BE PREPARED
An audit trail is akey element of your preparation during thevarious stages
of design (concept, design drawings prototypes anddifferent progress iterations).
Sign and dateall your work.Most ACID cases have settled based on strong evidence to support unregistered designs. Makesurethatthisinformation is to hand.
Though unregistered rights exist in design and copyright works, should youeversuspect anyone of copying your work,you will need to providean audit trail to prove dateofcreation and ownership.ACID members have unlimited use of theACID IP Databank -afree, securevault formembers to upload designs and important documents to obtain aPolice Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) endorsed certificate witha unique, tamper proof number.This givesthirdpartyevidence forthatall important audit trail. The ACID IP Databank has a10MB file limit, so you can even upload videos.
If youdon’t want to be copied,say so.There’snomorepowerfulmessage on your website/marketing material. Something along thelines of,“All the intellectual propertyinour designs belongs to (yourname).Any infringements will be pursued seriously.”
ACID members arelicenced to use the ACID logo on all their marketing collateral,
whichisapowerful deterrent to would be copyists. It shows youknowyour IP rights and ACID is on your side.
5
STAY IN THE KNOW
ACID runs anumber of free webinars on avarietyofIPsubjectsonamonthly basis.
Online brand protection can often feel likeagame of whack-a-mole, with copycats popping up all overthe various marketplaces. ACID partner SnapDragon Monitoring offers all ACID members afree initialbrand checkand 15%off their online monitoring fees
BPMA members can join SnapDragon Monitoring to learnall about website cloning and howtotacklebrand impersonation issues through awebinar on 24 October at 12.30
ACID members can access these webinar recordings anytime, as well as aplethora of factsheets and information, and that all important free legal advice and deterring ACID logo
Joining ACID will ensureyou can stay up to speed withIPdevelopments and combat thecopyists.
● LauraNewbold Breen, ACID’s CEO, hasextensive experienceinintellectual propertyhaving served 10 yearsashead of legal forMagmatic Ltd, previous owner of theTrunki brand.
PROTECT
YOUR WEBSITE
Register forthe BPMA’s ACID Lunchtime Learning webinar on Combating Fraudulent Websites by going to the Events section of bpma.co.uk. The webinar takesplace on 24 October at 12.30 and will coverwebsite cloning and howtotacklebrand impersonation issues. Don’tmiss it.
Outdoor &Lifestyle
Brand Supplier
All products can be branded with your logo to makeyou stand out from the crowd.
FOLLOW YOUR PASSION
Like many in the promotional merchandise sector, Jason O’Connor endedupinitalmost accidentally.However,after 20 years as afounder, and now sole boss of Total Merchandise, he heads up an award-winning and growing merchandise business. ProductMedia caught up with him to find out what the past two decades have taught him about business and being the boss.
STARTING UP
At thestart, Ididn’treally knowmuch about this industry andhow it worked– Iwas very green andsortoffellintoit. Gradually that changed butitprobablytookabout18 months to geta really firmgrasp on things. In some ways though,the industryhasn’t changedmuch since those days.The product offering is pretty similar andbuyers still want thesamethings. They’requite conservative in some ways.But it’s atougher marketand thereismorechoice.Weare sellingadvertising vehiclesand it needs to be mass market
GROWTH
Therewasn’ta big growth plan as such It wasquiteamateur in theearly days –I rememberhaving ameetingwithone supplier in my dressing gown. Things did get more professional as we went along. From workingout of home offices,wegot our first office, then another, andthenendedupin Colchester whereweare now.
We obviously had aspirationsand looked to companieslike4imprintbackinthe day, butthe growth wasorganicand we developed as abusinessquiteincrementally
The fact that we weren’tfromthe sector provedtobea benefitaswewereableto step away from accepted ways of working. We didn’twant afield sales forceand saw theinternetascrucialtoour businessmodel, givingusthe ability to setour ownprices.
LEADERSHIP
I’ve always worked formyself from theage of 16 so I’mconfidentinthat way. My dad ranhis ownbusinesssoI probably absorbed alot of stuff from him.Ultimately,I likebeing in controlofmyown destiny.
Idid actually go forajob in abank when Iwas younger and wasoffered it.This wasa real fork in theroadmoment and Icould have gone down amoreconventional route, but it came at atimewhenI’d fallen in love with music whichbecame ajob and apassion for 13 years and actually led to what Idonow
In my opinion,thereiscertain skillset that people have anditcan’t really be taught. You either have certain things or you don’t –they can’t be instructed
TECHNOLOGY
We took apurposeful approach to embrace theinternet at atime whencatalogues were still all therage. We didn’t have that baggage so we could do it ourway,and Idon’t think I’dchange anything.
People don’t likechangeand thought that theinternet wasundercuttingthe sector but it wasalwaysgoing to happen,and youhave to adapt or youare thetarget.Ithappens to allindustries– Argos got completely screwed by Amazon. Internetselling is now abig part of theindustry.
In aweirdturnofevents, Total Merchandise is becomingmorefocused on peopleskillsagain.Itisa very personal business andcustomers value humaninput. They’veprobablybeen askedbytheir boss to sourcemerchandiseand they don’t want to messitup. We arethe experts.
THE FUTURE
Foranyone getting involvedinthissectorI’d saythe most important thing is to carve out your ownpathinbusiness. Whatever youdo, do it withpassion anddon’t just followwhat othershavedone
We alltakeinspiration from someone, but I would feel that I’dfaked it if Ijustcopied someone else. I’mglad we hadsolittleoutside influence and that we have done this ourselves.
At an industrylevel I’mslightly concerned that theindustrycan appear setinits ways If we aretryingtoattractnew talentintothe sectorweshould askourselves truthfully what it is we wouldoffer to an fresh faced 18 year old.
The future is both scaryand offers opportunities to us,and we need to be able to face both
TIME FORANEW LOOK?
Rebrands can refresh abusiness but are not to be undertaken half-heartedly or without asolid strategy,says Melissa Chevin
Business is ahigh-stakes game at thebest of times, but never more so when it comes to therebrand. Getitright andyou can revitalise atired or fading brand, connect withnew audiences and increase profits. Getitwrong and youmay be left withutter confusion and alienated loyalcustomers.
But howdoyou measurethe success of arebrand? Ithink it dependsonhow successfully theoperation fulfils its brief, since companies rebrand formany different reasons.
Ithought it might be instructive to look back at someofthe rebrands of thepast, and trytodrawsome lessons from what worked–and what emphatically did not.
DIFFERENT CLASS
Let’s start on the credit side. 2009 luxury brand with an with ‘chav’ culture. undertook a massive and to away that space, and re-establish
Let’sstart on thecredit side. By 2009 traditional luxurybrand Burberry had become burdened withan association with‘chav’culture. It undertookamassive overhaul of its designs and marketing to get away from that space, and re-establish itself as atop luxurybrand. The companyunderwent further modernisation in 2018 by adopting aminimalist logo and shifting to an emphasis on sustainability.
On arather humbler note, in 2019 Dunkin’Donuts became
simply Dunkin’asitsought to position itself as amodern, fast-paced coffee destination to competewiththe likes of Starbucks. And although donuts remain firmly on the Dunkin’menu, their removalfromthe brand at atime when everyone wasbecoming morehealth-conscious wasprobablya smart, timely move
BRAND GAP
It doesn’t alwaysgowell, though. Remember Consignia, thebrand adopted by RoyalMail forabout threeseconds before bosses realised no-one had thefaintest idea what it meant?
Another rebrand whichleft many scratching their heads wasElonMusk’s decision to rename Twitteras‘X’.The single-letter name does nothing to convey theplatform’sidentityand purpose, and therebrand’ssuccess canprobablybe judged by thenumber of media outlets still referring to it as ‘X,formerly Twitter’
Even simple things can come back to bite you. When GAP attempted to modernise its logo in 2019,the change wasmet withan immediatebacklash, forcingthe company to revert to theoriginal just six days later
The lesson seems to be,byall means embrace change –but be very careful how youstepforward
Melissa Chevin is BPMA board director and marketing consultant withGFConsulting –mchevin@gf-consult.co.uk
SILVER LININGS
Celebrating 25 years in merchandise this year, Preseli MD Dave Wilson reflects on products, people, and staying successful
QWhat arethe biggest changes to theindustry in thepast 25 years?
AWhen Ifirst started in 1999,most of our orders were receivedbypost or fax. Customers sent us physical artwork back then, in the formofbromides. We had an email address, but hardly anyone wasusing it. Ievenrecall one of our senior colleagues giving theemail address to someone overthe phone: “It’spreseli-dash-uk-dot-com-dot-uk, or something likethat…”–not realising that email addresses have to be as exact as telephone numbers.
Q
Howhas Preseli changed in that time?
AIn manyrespects, our business model is thesame. We still buy from theFar East, we still have aparent company in Hong Kong whichisasvital andpivotal as ever,and we still import promotional products and areatrade only supplier to thepromo industry.
However, therewas asignificant change to therange of products we offer about 15 years ago.Originally,wewerevery muchanimporter and stockist of promotional products whichwewould then print in theUK, using outsourced printers and, forsome time, our own in-house facility. In addition to stock ranges, wewould also source bespoke products in China on an ad hoc basis.
The change came in around 2009 when we started to import lightweight quick to produce, made-to-order items suchaslanyards, pin badges and keyrings Nowadays, we still have stockitems in
our range, but they only represent about 15%ofour sales. The bulk of ourbusiness is themade-to-order ranges whichare imported within 10 days to 4weeks. The worldhas effectivelybecome asmallerplace.
Q
What do youmiss about the industryof1999?
ANotmuch, if I’mhonest. It was slowreceiving orders by post and farfromideal by fax. Imiss thefact that Ihad amorestreamlined profile back then. These days Ihavetobuy new clothes everytime Igoonholiday.
AQWhat do youwish youhad known back then?
Ithinkthat alot of thetimeyou just have to go through theprocess of learningonthe job, sometimes it’s trialand error. Iwas very rawwhenI joined Preseli in 1999.Mypreviouswork experience, afterleavinguniversity,was in thetravelindustry, so very different to promo.Isuppose that if Iwas to cherry-picka single piece of advice to be givenback then, it would be to remaincustomer-focussed, no matter the challenges
QWho has beenyour biggest influence?
APeterPerowne, thechairman of the Preseli Group,mysenior partner in Preseli UK and also my uncle. He went out to Hong Kong well over40years ago and runs anumber of successful businesses as well as investing very wisely in property.
Maybe themost important thing I’ve learned from Peteristotry to makePreseli as vital as possible to our customers, so that they come to trust us withthe supply of our range of products. That way, our customers come to rely on us, just as we rely on them to sell our range of products, because we don’t deal withend users.
QWhat areyour hopes forthe future?
AThat Preseli will continue to be atrusted supplier to thepromo industry. It would be nice to enjoysome years of political and economic stability–Covid andBrexit have been hugelyunwelcomechallenges in recent years.
QHowdoyou describe your management style?
AIamapeopleperson and theway Preseli is runreflects that.Our team, bothinHong Kong and theUK(and even in France –bonjour Clare!) is the single most vital element of our business. Iworkhardtokeep theteam working well and that is reflected in our success. We were very happytobevoted BPMA Supplier of theYear and Ithink that shows, as muchasanything, that we aredoing the right thing in termsofour staff as well as our customers.
PREPARE TO SHINE
It’s time to show the sector’s finest at the BPMA Product Awards 2024. Here’s how to take part
The BPMA Product Awards are thetop awards forsuppliers in thepromotional merchandise industry, recognising thebest products that our sector provides Entries forthis year’s awards opened on 2September 2024 and will be presented at acelebratoryevent on 6 December in London.
The awards areopen to members of theBPMAand anyqualifying supplier to theindustry.
CATEGORIES
Suppliers can enter thefollowing nine categories:
■ Apparel Product of theYear
■ Award&Exhibition Product of theYear
■ Bag &Folder Product of theYear
■ Drinkware Product of theYear
■ Food &Drink Product of theYear
■ Health, Travel &LeisureProduct of theYear
■ StationeryProduct of theYear
■ Technology Product of theYear
■ Writing Instrument Product of theYear
Entries aremade online and can be edited after submission, up until the final deadline on 9October.Any entry submitted will be vetted prior to thefirst round of judging.
Awards aremade at bpmaawards. awardsplatform.com whichyou must register withtotakepart.
The Product Awards arejudged in three
overall rounds by two judging panels. The first two rounds take place online and produce ashortlist. The final round takesplace in person and determines the Platinum, Gold andSilver Awards and the coveted GrandPrix Award.
TheGrand Prix Awardwill be revealed at theBPMAAwardsinJanuary2025. It is theoverall winner from all winning entries across thenine categories, on an points basis.
This year,all entrants will automatically be entered intoanadditional three categories free of charge as well as the Grand Prix Award.
■ Sustainable Product of theYear
■ Innovative Product of theYear
■ UK Made Product of theYear Entries closeon9October at 17:00
SHORTLIST
The shortlist will be announced on 22 October and anyentrant shortlisted will be required to provide abranded sample of product to be deliveredtothe BPMA offices by 28 October
Full details of howtoenter,including adownloadable entryguide and helpful advice, areavailable at bpma.co.uk.
RED LETTER DATES
2September: Open forentry
13 September: BPMA member early birdentryratecloses at 17:00
9October: Entries closeat17:00
22 October: Shortlist announced 28 October: Branded sample submission deadline for shortlisted entries
6December: Winners will be announced at this year’s Product Awards 2024 LIVE taking place at One MoorgatePlace, London.
ONESTEPATA TIME
TeamTogs is afamily-run specialist apparel, uniforms and merchandise business established in 2003. It sources and brands (mainly in-house), supplying to adiverse rangeofclients ranging from corporates, experiential agencies, SMEs, clubs, teams and schools. It gained the BPMA StepForward Pledge in May 2024, which reflects the proactive steps it is taking on its journey towards sustainability within the business. Founder Karen Saragoussi explained how it is meeting the StepForward Pledge.
QWhat steps have youtaken to improve sustainabilityofthe organisation?
A Here aresome highlights:
n Carefully selectour suppliers for qualityand sustainabilitycertifications and their commitment to ESG.
n Increasingly source and apply branding locally wherever possible.
n Identify and proactively promote product ranges and branding techniques to our clients that have theleast environmental impact.
n Provide sustainabilitycredentials to accompanythe products and production processes we propose.
n Continually evolve our in-house branding services to onboardnew and innovative sustainable solutions, materials and finishes.
n Regularly review and upgrade our machinerytoimprove energy efficiency
n Reuse all boxes, and use distribution packaging made from recycledand recyclable materials.
n Contract aprivate wastemanagement companythat enables 97%ofour waste to be recycled,and generate energy from all wasteand ensurenothing is sent to landfill.
n Prioritise transport partners who have a forward-thinking sustainable policy.
n Provide regularsustainabilitytrainingand development forour staff
n We also support our charitypartners at agloballevel –Goods forGood –and locally–Gratitude –byrepurposing and passing on unwanted or oldbranded stock from our clients
QWhat steps would youliketotakein thefuture?
A
We plan to continually invest in the most sustainable processes and solutions forour business. We hope to be bold enough, and forittobecommercially viable, to only offer sustainable products and solutions to our clients.
QWhat is your biggest challenge around sustainability?
AOurbiggest challengeistrueclarity and visibility. Manysuppliers in the merch and clothing arena quotedifferent sustainable credentials. It would be good to have an internationally agreed set of ‘acceptable’credentials/certifications that would aid us in our approach to sourcing. We believethis would also help the suppliers, who maybespending time and money achieving credentials which arenot understood or perceivedtobe‘the right ones’.
QHowhave customers/staff/suppliers responded to your efforts?
A We aredelighted that ourstaff have embraced our sustainabilitymission and vision. Ourforward-thinking suppliers areall on boardwiththe drive towards sustainability. Generally,our bigger clients have been very receptive and in manycases arebeing proactive in requesting sustainable solutions. In some cases, smaller clients, wherebudget is morerestricted, mayrequirelowercost options whicharen’talways(yet) the most sustainable.
CLONE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Simon Drury, co-founder of Clone Media Technology explains how it is taking account of waste and planning for greater sustainability
At Clone, we empowerclients to exceed marketing goals through innovative design, impeccable print procurement, and captivating offline campaigns that seamlessly convert online.
As abusiness handlingfulfilment and globaldistribution,wegenerate significant cardboard and paperwaste, whichwenow manage through acertified recycling scheme. By embracing thecircular economy, we reuse90% of product packaging Recently, we’vetransitioned to environmentally friendly tapes andpalletwraps
Oursustainabilitygoals include replacing company vehicles withelectriconesand installing EV chargingpoints using landlordgrants by theend of 2024.Additionally, we’reexploring solar panelinstallationonour premises next year Education is crucial, andweare planning workshopstopromoterecycled and ethically sourcedpromotional products to ourclients, emphasising theimportance of localsourcing. Akey challenge is thehigher cost of eco-friendly and ethically sourceditems, making them aharder sell to clients.
Being Carbon NeutralBritain certified, ISO 9001 &27001 accredited, and BPMA certified has generatedapositive response, opening new communicationchannels with clients.
Geiger underscores sustainableposition with latest acquisition
Promotional product distributor Geiger has acquired carbon-neutral business Brandelity Ltd, marking another significant milestone in its ongoing global expansion.
Brandelityhas been carbon-neutral since 2019,collaborating with CO2Balance to measureand offset its carbon emissions through projects in Africa.
Geiger boasts leadership in sustainability, and this acquisition underscores a shared commitment to environmental responsibility.
Brandelity, headquartered in Windsor,UK, has established astrong presence since its inception in 2004.Byjoining forces with Geiger,Brandelity’scustomers will now enjoyanexpanded arrayofservices and creative solutions.
“I'm thrilled to announce the sale of our business to Geiger,” said Chris Love, managing director of Brandelity. “This partnership represents asignificant opportunity forgrowthand innovation, benefiting both our valued customers and dedicated staff members. Withthe combined strengths and synergies of our twocompanies, we are poised to deliverenhanced services, greater resources, and exciting new opportunities foreveryoneinvolved.”
The Brandelitybusiness will nowbeknown as Brandelity, aGeiger Company, andall employees have been retained by Geiger
SowEasyaudit aims to improvesupplychain
Seed specialist SowEasy has undergone a SMETA 4-pillar audit to helpsthe business understand standards of labour,healthand safety, environmental performance, and ethics within its operations.
The SMETA audit is designed to help protectworkers from unsafeconditions, overwork,discrimination, lowpay,and forced labour
It is deliveredbyapprovedauditor companies and businesses undertaking theaudit areprovided withaCorrective Action Plan to help improve performance in theseareas.
SMETA is oneofthe most widely adopted social audit standards globally
and allows suppliers to shareone audit report withmultiple customers, reducing theneedfor time-exhaustive duplication. SowEasy has also announced that it is boosting its team withfour new appointments covering sales, finance, and client services.
Managing director,Jamie Gray,said: “Weare excitedtowelcome Cameron, Uno,Carol,and Jellian to our team. Their diverse skills and fresh perspectiveswill be valuable as we continue to innovate and grow.Cameron will be travelling across thecountrytovisit clients. He’s got tons of experience in theindustry, so he’s going to bringsome serious energy to theteam.”
“Weare delighted to welcome theBrandelityteam and theirclients to theGeiger family,” said Vicky Kinasz, vice president/managing director of Geiger International. “This acquisition is another strategic step in our European expansion and we areproud to have them on board.”
The move follows Geiger’s acquisitionof German companyWER GmbH in July
LALTEX LAUNCHES SUSTAINABLECATALOGUE
PromotionalsupplierLaltex hasdeveloped whatitclaims to be thefirst catalogue of sustainable promotional products.
Named Introducing Sustainable Solutions, Certified Products Collection, eachproduct has been chosen forits verified eco-friendly status, not just its appearance.
The catalogue providesevidence forevery item included, showing that thematerials used come from various sustainable sourcestocreatethe perfect promotionalproducts.
With thegrowing importanceof products accurately representing abrand’s commitments to theenvironment in areas such as their recyclability and/or composition,havingreliable information on theprovenanceofproducts hasnever been moreimportant
Kingly aims forplastic-freemanufacturing by 2025
Sustainable garment manufacturer
Kingly has set atarget of eliminating all plastic from its manufacturing process by January 2025 as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainabilityand innovative solutions.
The Bulgarian-based business will discontinue theuse of compostable bags, offering them only upon specific customer request.
Kingly will also replace plastic tags withrecycled poly-cotton thread for attaching socktags, ensuring a plastic-free tagging process.
In amove towardsinnovative packaging solutions, Kingly is introducing large bags made from regenerated plastics, whichdissolvecompletely in hot water.
Furthermore, FSC-certified export boxes will nowbesecured withrecycled reinforced Kraft tape, eliminating theuse of traditional plastic packaging.
Robert Armour,CEO of Kingly,said:“Our plastic-freeinitiativenot onlyreducesour environmental footprintbut also sets a newstandard foreco-friendly production.”
Supplier PF Conceptwants to switch over to completely sustainablemerchandise by the endofthe decade through a gradual phase outprocess.
Speaking at therecent Green &Sustainable Promo Show in Leeds,PFConcept regional manager, John Barrett said: “We’re addingasustainable option to all ourbest-selling products, andwhenthe sustainable option reaches optimumsales turnover, we’llbegettingrid of the original ones.So, by 2030,our wholecollectionwill have a sustainable message. ”
The company’slatest catalogue features400 productsdesigned withrecycled materials and sustainabilityinmind
TheLeeds showprovided suppliers and distributorswith achancetoshareinformation about thegrowing demand for greener products.
Jess Potter from InfinityInc, confirmed agreater interest in sustainable merchandise.
“It’s nice to be able to put forwardaproduct whereyou’ve gota sustainable option–you canshowcustomers hownice theseproductsreally are,” shesaid.
Kingly uses sustainable machinery, with all manufacturing machineryoperating using GOTS-approvedsustainable oils.
In afurther advancement of its efforts to reuse wastefromits plant, Kingly is using sockoffcuts to produce practical doorstops and stylish interior decorations.
Kingly uses sustainable machinery, with and interior the company’s engineers using the textile
The idea wasdeveloped inhouse by thecompany’sengineers using thetextile compression machine whichproduces compact t-shirts and towels
Carlo Nardini, managing director of distributor Pro-Ad notedthat therehas seen a bigshift towards eco-friendly options.
“It’sbeen areally rapid change, particularly since Covid, during whichsuppliers had time to develop more productstofit with theclients we’reafter,” he said.
Around 50 suppliers and brands exhibited at theshow andalsoconfirmed the growingdemand forproducts with detailed andprovableeco credentials.
Alexander Daniels, from midocean,said: “People are asking more about theactual materials in theitems, how they’reused andend-of-life storyaswell.”
onnecting,
Connecting, learning, educating
Factory visits are agreat way the BPMA can help members build their industry knowledge, says Kian
One of my favouritethings about our industryisbeing able to connect withsomany knowledgeable sector specific professionals. Aprimarymission of ours at theBPMAistohelpand educatethe sector to thebestofour ability. We believe that continuous learning and professional development is keytodriving our industry forward, and we arededicated to providing theresources and opportunities necessary to help our members succeed.
At theBPMA, we offer an extensive education platformtailored to thesector This platformisdesignedtobebeneficial forbothentry-level professionals and seasoned veterans of theindustry. We ensurethat thecontent is alwaysrelevant
Clews-Braddon
and informative,aimed at helping individual‘scareer progression. From thebasics of promotional merchandise to sales, procurement and industry marketing, our courses cover awide range of topics that are crucial forsuccess in our field.
FACTORY VISITS
As part of our education programme, we encourage distributor learners to participate in factoryvisits. These offer aunique opportunitytowitness theincredible work that takesplace behind theclosed doors of our suppliers’workplaces.
Abig thankyou to Clive AllcottBPMA Vice Chair and commercial director at DTB, forhosting our most recent visit. DTBisaBPMACharter member,which means it represents thehighest standard within our industry.
During this visit, Ihad theopportunityto present alongside Clive.Our presentations were followedbyaninsightful factorytour and in-depthdiscussions on decoration methods and industrychallenges.
The feedback from learners was overwhelmingly positive;having left with adeeper understanding of thedifferent print methods and arenewed sense of enthusiasm fortheir work
Seeing theproduction process first-hand not only enhances technical knowledge, but also fosters agreater appreciation forthe craftsmanship and effort that goes into creating high-quality promotional merchandise. We were pleased to host attendees from BDA, Pinksheep,and Promo Trade Co,and delighted by their enthusiasm.
BUILDINGCONNECTIONS
These factoryvisits and educational initiativesare perfect opportunities forus to bringbusinesses together and help createlasting connections within our membership.Networking is acornerstone of our industry, and through these events,
we foster acollaborative environment whereknowledge and experience are shared freely.Our members consistently tell us that theconnections they make through theBPMAare invaluable to their professional growth
In addition to factoryvisits, our education platformincludeswebinars, workshops, and certification programmes. These resources aredesigned to provide ongoing learning opportunities and keep our members at the forefront of industrytrends and innovations. Whether it’smastering new technologies, understanding regulatory changes, or exploring new marketopportunities, theBPMAiscommitted to helping our members stay ahead of thecurve
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
We lookforward to welcoming moreof youtoour futureevents and educational programmes. These interactions not only enhance individual knowledge but also contributetothe collective strengthand innovation of our industry.
Stay connected withusand be a part of thevibrant communitythatis driving thepromotional merchandise industryforward.Together, we can achievegreat things.
If youhavea member of staff who is interested in our education platform, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to us at education@bpma.co.uk for details on pricing and intakes.
Formoreinformation on our programmes and howtoget involved, visit visit our website-bpma.co.uk.
● To contact themembership team, email membership@bpma.co.uk
Whether you are an employer looking for tailored, specialist knowledge for your team or you want to increase your specialist knowledge, the BPMA Education Programme is perfect for promotional merchandise professionals. Written by the industry for the industry, courses are available online, 24-7. Places are available now on the only recognised qualification for the sector.
