P19-22 BUSINESS5 passed:P19-22 BUSINESS5 passed 16/12/2008 13:24 Page 19
BUSINESS MONITOR
Think positive
They say every cloud has a silver lining, and it looks like that could be the case for the printwear
industry in the credit crunch. Paul Clapham spoke to some the industry’s movers and shakers to get
their views on the year ahead – and it’s suprisingly positive…
I
am not Private Fraser and we are not all expectations of the return on that investment. It risen due largely to the oil price, but this has
doomed. But you’d have to hunt high and low also has a range of new iconic workwear brands been essentially a case of them becoming realistic
in the serious business press to read that for 2009, including Helly Hansen and Caterpillar. rather than threatening to sales, says Roden.
message. Deloitte’s, at least, have gone on record Given the requirements of health and safety Although sales of ethical and organic products
that Christmas spending is expected to hold up legislation, workwear is probably printwear’s are standing up strongly to date, Roden can
especially amongst younger consumers, but most recession-proof area – as far as that term envisage such premium priced products coming
elsewhere the Jeremiahs are having a field day. It has any value – but Roden says that BTC under pressure. As I have read elsewhere,
is easy to write doom and gloom copy and so business managers might want to highlight their
contribute to economic woes, but I refuse to join
in, not because I’m a fool with rose-tinted
spectacles but because of the conversations I’ve
had with printwear businesses these past weeks.
The consistent message I’m hearing is positive.
“
ethical credentials, but their accountants may be
There’s business
saying that they don’t absolutely need to, not in
2009, anyway.
out there to be
Blue Max Stag has also given the cheque book
some hard work with over £1million invested in a
In fact, two totally unassociated business
had and we’re going
brand new 23,000 square foot high-level
managers said, in two consecutive phone calls:
“there’s business out there to be had and we’re
for it
going for it” – back-to-back, almost verbatim
comments. ”
warehouse, doubling the capacity for storage at
the company’s Trowbridge site and providing the
capacity to store 5 million items. It’s a thoroughly
modern, high-tech facility aimed at efficiency, low
Nigel Roden of BTC activewear paints an activewear’s promotional sales have also errors of picking and reduced running costs. All of
upbeat picture. The company has been trading continued as strong as ever. He cites as a concern that is good news for customers; Mary and David
over 20 years and has seen 40% growth in the the downturn in new starts in the building Fawcus (founders of Blue Max) say that holding
last two years. It has invested £1 million in a new industry, but balances that with big projects such
distribution centre and has very positive as Heathrow and the Olympics. Some prices have
continued on page 20
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk January 2009 | 19 |
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96