INDUSTRY NEWS
New financial backing for leading distributor UKL
Swindon based UKL, one of the top five UK distributors of promotional clothing and accessories, has been acquired by a company owned by one of the industry’s leading and most highly respected entrepreneurs, Paul Persey. Following UKL Ltd going into administration on Friday, March 5, the key assets and goodwill were purchased by Carapace Ltd. The injection of funds will allow UKL to re- build its stockholding and re-establish good working relationships with its customers, many of whom have been very loyal to the company over recent times. Going forward Carapace Ltd will be known as UKL Distribution Ltd. Tracy Richards remains as UKL’s managing director. All UKL staff have had their employment contracts transferred to the new company. The announcement about the new funding was made to UKL’s staff on March 5. Since then, sizeable deliveries of new stock have been arriving at UKL’s warehouse so that customer orders can be fulfilled in full. Over the past three days over £1 million worth of stock has been received and more is arriving daily. Tracy Richards, comments: “Here at UKL our primary objective now is to get stock moving out to customers as fast as possible. Our customers have been very loyal and patient and I am extremely grateful to them for that. The UKL team are, as ever, passionate about customer service and are committed to looking after our
Tony Lock
orders@uklmail.co.uk and online at www.uklonline.co.uk
Fruit of the Loom website
Look out for your Just Hoods
mousemat inside this issue
Always at the forefront in the innovation stakes, Just Hoods by AWDis have done it again! If you just threw that piece of AWDis printed plastic contained in this month's issue in the bin you had better retrieve it – it's a very handy mousemat! You will find it a very useful bit of kit on your desk to quickly check on the vast colour and style range available. For laptop users they are even more useful, fitting neatly between the screen and the keyboard!
Blue Max forges ahead with new managing director
gets a make-over
Fruit of the Loom has launched a new-look website that is both faster and simpler to use. It showcases the entire Fruit of the Loom activewear collection for 2010 and introduces a host of new online features. The improved navigation system links to product ranges on the Home page and at the top of individual product pages. You can also zoom in on product photos and scroll around to view design details. Products can also be viewed in any of the available colours or select the corresponding catalogue lifestyle image. Low-res images and spec sheets can be downloaded directly and the ‘Related Items’ feature provides a quick link to complementary styles. The Home page includes the option to ‘Add Your Own Logo’, enabling you to produce a virtual sample garment. There are also Home page links to the Keeping it Simple 2010 ebrochure and the Fruit Code – the company’s code of ethics. The company will also be adding a dedicated World Cup section and launching a Fruit of the Loom blog. Visit www.fruitoftheloom.eu
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
Blue Max, which supplies schoolwear, childrenswear, workwear and leisurewear, has appointed Nigel Plenderleith (right) as managing director. Formerly managing director of Banner Group, Nigel will be joining Blue Max later this year. The appointment has been made by the company's founders and owners, husband and wife team, David and Mary Fawcus. David, the group's chief executive, has also doubled up as managing director for some years. He said: "We have known Nigel for many years now and have always admired his approach to the industry and his in-depth knowledge of the schoolwear sector. Blue Max is well placed for expansion and it’s exactly the right time to put a dedicated individual into the managing director role who can manage business growth on a day to day basis." Though Blue Max has now been existence for 23 years, the company has evolved dramatically over the past five years. The acquisition of Stag in 2007 much increased the size of the business and gave Blue Max a firmer foothold in the schoolwear sector. The company also made a massive investment two years ago, increasing the size of the warehouse to 2 million cubic feet in order to be able
to accommodate its ever-expanding portfolio. "Our guarantee to our customers is that they can safely order what they want from stock at the time they need it. This is a reassuring proposition in a climate where making up front investments is both difficult and even precarious," continues David. Commenting on his appointment, Nigel Plenderleith said: "Blue Max is a successful, ambitious and financially sound company with great potential. Though these are a challenging times, I’m absolutely confident that Blue Max is in a really strong position to forge ahead and grow to the next level." David and Mary will continue to play an active role in the business in their positions of chief executive and business development director respectively.
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