Printwear_Aug09_p7:Printwear_Aug09_p7 16/07/2009 09:14 Page 7
INDUSTRY NEWS
The promotional merchandise market half year overview 2009
The first half of the year has been testing for the growth in this form of end user buying has
promotional merchandise industry, with 95 distributor consistently grown over recent years and appears to
companies and 26 supplier companies ceasing be holding up best.
trading. Distributor closures are already 109% up on The good news is that while the UK industry’s core
last year. supplier base is feeling the pinch, it is still pretty
According to industry pundits, Sourcing City, all much intact – at the moment.
distributors appear to be experiencing a common Before the current recession, a significant number of
trend of end users budget cutting, and a significant suppliers were left smarting after buying stock at an
delay in the decision making for live projects. unfavourable dollar rate. Dollar and euro exchange
Repeat projects are being scaled down and pressure rates worsened further and, according to Sourcing
has again increased on pricing and lead times across City, suppliers must be sitting on significant unsold
the industry. stocks which is burning cash.
Sourcing City say the feedback from The expectation was that this would
UK and Ireland distributor companies
indicates that the home market is
“A lot of companies seem to have
lead to a number of company failures,
but this has not been the case, as yet,
down by around 20%, although the
figure could be as high as 30% for
lost interest in investment for the
they add.
Again, most suppliers seem to be
many.
future at present, as survival has
surviving by cutting costs in
Most companies are surviving by
cutting overheads, expenses and become the main priority”
overheads and staffing. A threat still
exists however for those who have
staffing. now cut costs.
And, say Sourcing City, a lot of companies seem to have lost interest in Sourcing City predict that any real recovery is not expected until 2012.
investment for the future at present, as survival has become the main priority. Because of the delay in end user decision making, suppliers are being
They add, however, that a major UK distributor experienced significant pressured to turn orders round in ever shortening lead times. Some have even
growth during the last recession by proactively building relationships with reported that they are having to pay overtime to deliver as required, even
new end user customers that were not being contacted by their usual though their order book is actually reduced.
distributors. It is understandable that a number of UK business leaders would consider a
Distributors with a high internet presence seem to be faring better. The break even position for this year as satisfactory.
The power is
Atlantis choose Sharon Lee as UK distributor
in the paper Braintree-based promotional headwear pioneers
the end user. Minimum order for bespoke is 288.
Sharon Lee have been appointed as UK distributor for
On regular orders, stock can be embroidered and
Many end users are now taking advantage of
the stylish Atlantis range.
delivered within 14 days, adds Toby.
the rapidly expanding market for short run
Managing director, Toby Pache is delighted with the
“And you don’t have to order huge quantities. You can
production of T shirts and sweat shirts,
collaboration, which adds the Target cap range and
order one carton, as opposed to a thousand.”
sportswear, aprons and other promotional
the edgy Atlantis USA Italian-styled headwear range
Toby, who has visited Treviso, near Venice, to see
items, according to EZtrans.
to the portfolio.
Atlantis’s warehousing operation, describes it as
EZtrans, the UK’s newest supplier of transfer Toby said: “It is very exciting for us. We were
“phenomenal”.
papers for inkjet and laser printers offers approached by Atlantis, completely out of the blue. A
“We have already started getting orders, which is
products and techniques for every production lot of the Atlantis range is very fashion orientated. The
great. There was a gap before and it needed to be
scenario, from transfers for caps and ceramics Target range is more of a promotional, budget range.
plugged.”
through to soft feel products that leave no
Then the Atlantis general range covers all bases.”
For more information call 01376 552235, email
residue for T shirts.
Customers can now access Atlantis products via
info@sharonleeltd.co.uk or visit
The company regularly posts best methods
Sharon Lee’s website.
www.sharonleeltd.co.uk
and practices, technical hints and tips and
Visuals, images and price
answers to users questions on its website,
lists can be downloaded.
www.eztrans.co.uk
And customers can also be
Latest developments include new
given an Atlantis link on
EZ105/EZ203 Image Clip transfer paper for
their own website.
inkjet and laser. This two part system leaves
Sharon Lee is also
only the image behind for perfect results.
planning training days for
the Atlantis D.Y.CAP
Another first is EZ106 paper, designed for
(design your own cap)
use on synthetic materials with great
web facility which allows
adhesion, a good soft handle and excellent
you to create a customized
durability.
cap in just five minutes.
The Paper Doctor will also be available online
The first training day took
to help resolve technical issues seven days
place on July 8.
a week.
“We believe it will be a
EZtrans products are available through good sales tool,” said
Pencarrie (0800 252 248) and Prestige Leisure Toby.
(0800 652 1234). Or call EZtrans directly on Designs can be saved as
0161 877 7780 for samples and technical PDFs which can be
advice.
emailed without prices to
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk August 2009 | 7 |
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