NEWS
Independent support from
Caltime celebrates 30th year
When Caltime was created 30
Firebrand
years ago by husband and wife
team Ted and Glenys Blake, neither
Fledgling greeting cards publisher, Firebrand Art, is launching a new
thought their company would
initiative aimed at helping independent retailers maximise their cash flow
become one of the established
and margins during the first half of 2009, through reduced wholesale prices
‘oldies’ in the business.
and extended credit terms.
But 30 years on (1979 to 2009)
The initiative, which runs to 30 June, sees wholesale prices discounted
Caltime has established itself as
back more than 10%, from 96p to 86p; along with extended 60-day terms
the UK’s leading manufacturer
for all accounts, if required. However, for those who wish to continue to
of non-confectionary advent
pay promptly, there is an additional 2.5% discount available for payment
calendars.
within 30 days, giving those customers a total discount of almost 13%.
To celebrate, Caltime are
Ted & Glenys Blake with the Caltime Sales and
Firebrand’s Guy Barnard said, “We will stick to the discounted
adding 30 new designs – one for
Admin Team, Caltime Factory Staff.
wholesale price regardless of any materials costs we might incur over the
each year - to its range of over 200.
next few months and customers can choose to extend their credit terms
Starting with a small traditional advent calendar with envelope, the Caltime range
even further if they opt to pay by credit card at the optimum time.”
includes the complete spectrum of advent calendar categories from traditional, religious,
In addition, carriage will now be free on all first orders over £100
advents with chocolate to advents with advent candles, glitter advents, 3D advents,
(reduced from £150) and re-orders over £60 will now be carriage-paid.
Pop-Ups, Mini Christmas Card advents, advents with stickers and more.
There is no minimum order requirement.
The majority of Caltime lines are manufactured at the company’s factory in Sandy,
Other benefits include free spinner offers for 48 packs of 6 cards, and
Bedfordshire.
free card samples of new ranges to all customers throughout the year.
Says managing director Ted Blake: “We started with £4,000 of working capital and
“Selected samples from new ranges will be sent to all customers as
our garage for a warehouse. Making our own products in the UK is proving to be a wise
soon as they are available,” said John, “not only to let retailers test them
decision. We have complete control on all production, quality control is tight and we
with their customers, but even sell them, if they wish.”
compete well with the Far East. In fact Caltime exports over 30% of its production and
To make it easy for new customers to open an account, Firebrand Art
by not importing we don’t have to make those long journeys to China!
does not require pro-forma payments for UK customers.
Caltime will be showing it’s full range at the Spring Fair, NEC, Hall 3, P4.
Ling moves Talking Pictures
to Kent
Cardgains set for biggest Village
Following their acquisition by Ling Design Ltd this summer, Talking Pictures
yet
Cards Ltd has announced that from 15th December 2008, all operational Spring Fair 2009 will see the largest Cardgains Village to date with new exhibitors and
departments which includes customer service, distribution and finance will almost 300 sq m of exhibition space.
relocate to Tonbridge, Kent and share key facilities with their parent company, The show will be the launch pad for Cardgains 20th anniversary celebrations and
Ling Design. 2009 marketing supplier/member marketing campaign: Supplier Shuffle.
Some other non-operational departments will remain in Thirsk until the Visitors will be able to enjoy the ‘village experience’ with live music and relaxation
spring of 2009. area as well as visit almost 30 Cardgains suppliers to see the latest designs and
Ian Bant, Managing Director of Ling Design and Joint Managing Director of seasonal launches.
Talking Pictures Cards said: “We looked long and hard at the options available The first of the Anniversary celebrations is planned for Sunday 2nd February with the
to us, and reached the conclusion that the businesses would prosper most by launch of the Cardgains member 2009 prize draw with the first prize of a trip for two to
co-locating certain functions. However, Talking Pictures will continue to operate Las Vegas.
to all intents and purposes as an independent company. Other events include the 2008 Charity cheque presentation, member awards and
We very much regret the necessity for redundancies at Thirsk, where Vegas-style party.
the company has benefited enormously from an enthusiastic, loyal and hard Village exhibitors include: Ling Design, Noel Tatt, Grass Roots, Paper Rose and
working team of employees.” Quitting Hollywood.
8 Greetings Today
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