The Beijing Olympics are in full swing and how refreshing it is to see the Brits doing well for a change (especially, dare I say it, after the disaster that was Euro 2008). Although it seems a way off yet, I'm sure those of you reading this will be no stranger to the opportunities that the 2012 Olympics will undoubtedly create for the printwear and promotional industry, particularly in terms of merchandise potential. But a quick Google search under some Olympics/promotional product-related headings threw up a few articles that got me thinking about just how far-reaching an impact it could have.

M&R has launched its new Saturn Platinum II, which it claims "sets the standard for high tolerance printing in a compact press, with a level of control and quality normally found only in large, expensive presses".

Ranks Enterprises has increased storage capacity by 50% with the purchase of the premises adjoining its Harrow showroom and distribution centre.

BBL on the move

B&B Leisurewear has moved premises. Its new address is: 127 Monk Street, Derby, DE22 3QE, UK. Telephone details remain the same at: Tel: +44 (0) 1332 381603; Fax: +44 (0) 1332 346721.

Online garment design solutions provider RSK Tech of Dundee is launching two major new initiatives this month.

Tomato Source, is a ‘first time' exhibitor at the National Incentive Show to be held at Birmingham's NEC, 16 - 18 September 2008.

Drucktech has developed a prototype for a new carousel-like heat press for caps.

EthicStar has added five new designs to its all over printed range, bringing the total number of designs offered from stock to 10.

Aisin Europe, the exclusive distributor of Toyota Embroidery products in Europe, has recently completed a move of premises.

Clothes Show Live founder Jeff Banks will lead the celebrations when it comes to toasting the hard work of corporate clothing, workwear and PPE buyers at next year's new awards programme from Corporate Clothes Show LLP.

Business promotions specialist Fluid Branding has launched a new website, which it says offers customers more choice and access to the latest range of promotional incentives.

Saf has expanded its 100% organic clothing range to include a long sleeve men's t-shirt, a men's polo shirt and a rugby shirt. Other new additions also include the creation of a Saf babies selection.

In response to the growing demand for bespoke clothing, UKL has teamed up with Russell Europe to create a new UKL version of Russell's Design a Garment tool - Russell Solutions.

GS UK, in conjunction with UKL, has announced a series of annual Roadshow venues for 2008.

T Shirt and Sons, the leading UK environmentally conscious t-shirt printer, which produces 100% certified organic garments, has switched to a ‘green' electricity company.

Businesses seeking natural or 'earth friendly' promotional products have been given a green boost with the launch of Living Promotions.

Your Embroidery Services Ltd (YES), UK and Ireland supplier of DTG direct to product ink jet printing machines, has continued its expansion of technical support and development with the appointment of a dedicated print product technician.

TheMagicTouch has upgraded its website to make it more userfriendly.

Leather and silver gift and accessory specialist Solo has launched a new leather holdall.

Customers often complain about having too much stock sat on their shelf that they feel will never sell. Equally, we often get customers calling in the day after ordering because they do not have enough stock to complete their order.

The Primark exposé this summer once again brought garment manufacturing into the media spotlight. A company spokesperson responded to the program by saying: "Primark is an ethical organisation and takes its responsibilities seriously," and like most retailers, Primark has a policy that outlines its ethical and environmental commitments. But as this documentary highlighted, there can be a significant contrast between a company's ethical policy and what is acutally happening on the ground.

Anyone who thought that ethics is a county east of London would have got a sharp wake-up call from the recent publicity surrounding Primark and its factories in India. P&P readers probably reacted with some sympathy, a sigh of relief that it wasn't them and maybe a bit of schadenfreude. But the comments and letters in the quality press highlighted a basic fact: people may like cheap clothing, but not at the expense of child labour or appalling working conditions.

Xpres has been selling transfer systems since 1980 and now offers five different technologies." When the company first began, an embroiderer was an embroiderer, a screen printer was a screen printer, and so on," explains the company's sales director Mark Robinson. "But now they are all one-stop-shops, looking for valuable add-on sales by diversifying their offering."

Blue Max Stag, importer and wholesaler of high quality clothing to the corporate and leisure wear sectors, offers an extensive range of jackets ideal for outdoor use.

"We're confident that the addition of Result to our ever-popular Regatta and Stormtech collections means we now have probably the best selection of outerwear available to the industry," says BTC activewear

The very nature of the British climate means that jackets are a fundamental requirement for those wanting to spend some time outdoors, and with Finden+Hales being all about teamwear it makes sense that the brand has a widespread and comprehensive offer of outerwear to keep everyone happy, dry and warm.

ETC says it is continuously working with its customers to find solutions to their embroidery difficulties. "With the peak season for outerwear garments upon us, customers are seeking remedies to make the embroidered areas of garments waterproof," it says. "We have two solutions for this problem, both cost effective and very easy to apply."

Colchester based corporate wear distributor I.S. Enterprises handles a variety of different clothing and apparel brands including, Fruit of the Loom, Gildan, Jerzees, Kustom Kit and Result jackets and headwear.

It won't be long before the months of falling leaves and stormy and rainy days start, says James & Nicholson. In its "Workbook 2008", James & Nicholson presents a diverse collection of 37 jackets, among them seven new products, for the cold season. Whether casual or functional there is a jacket to suit all needs, it says.

Launched in riot colour and marketing activity in 2007, the Jerzees Colours says its range of Softshell jackets and gilets have gone on to become one of the most requested ranges of outerwear in the distributor market.

A brand new jacket range is being launched by Papini, the Yorkshire-based company known for its high quality polo shirts and fleeces.

Prestige Leisure UK added well known brand Regatta to its Brochure Collection for 2008, adding a large number of styles for men, women and children and increasing its already extensive range of jackets and outerwear.

PenCarrie's jackets collection is one of the most comprehensive in the industry featuring more than 125 styles. New styles launched early in 2008 which are entering their first full autumn/winter season include designs from top quality brands such as Result, Kariban and Slazenger. PenCarrie now also stocks the Regatta outerwear range.

With 26 years of outdoor heritage, Regatta knows how to create products that cope fantastically in the outdoor environment whether at work or play.

Technology is key for the range of jackets available at Ralawise. Keeping the wearer warm and dry is essential for any outdoor garment, and Ralawise offers a host of jackets perfect for protecting against the elements.

Result offers a unique collection of classic and contemporary multifunctional jackets for all corporate and leisure activities.

As the seasons aren't really where they're supposed to be anymore, girls need a jacket that is both stylish and protective against those sudden showers and gusts of wind.

Tombo says it has a jacket to suit all weathers and all occasions, from light winds and blustery gales, to sporting events and outerwear for employees. Lined or unlined, heavyweight or lightweight, there's a jacket for every season with plenty of pockets. Tombo also understands the importance of providing a multitude of colours for teamwear, so all its jackets are available in a selection of attractive colourways, most of which fully coordinate with other items in the range.

"Here at UKL we have to look to the future, and to plan ahead. As soon as summer starts, it seems we are looking to the end of the summer and the coming winter season. This year is no different and so we are now readying ourselves for the jacket season.

When a company is still going strong after nearly 30 years in business it has got to be doing something right. Golden Finishes, the garment decorator's "partner for promotional products", is ticking all the right boxes with exceptional customer service levels and an ability to cater for virtually any promotional product need. Nonetheless, with owner and md Philip Gold nearing 70, the team felt it was time for an overhaul to help take the business forward and ensure its continued success for the next 30 years.

Fibre to fabric in twenty minutes? It may take longer than that to produce in reality but the hope is that over the time it takes you to print a small run of T-shits or embroider some logos, reading this article will give you a simple taste of the fundamentals of how a natural or man-made fibre develops into a finished fabric suitable for production into a schoolwear garment. Textiles, like any science, is complicated, but fundamentally textile fibres can be split into two basic elements:

Throughout the months of July and August retail members of the Schoolwear Association held Untax Our Teens events in their shops to publicise the Association's Untax Our Teens campaign to reduce the rate of VAT to 5% on upper body, badged school uniform items. I am one of 32 members, covering 50 stores throughout the UK, who decided to take part.

Since its inauguration and launch in April this year the BPMA Academy has proven to be a phenomenal success story within the promotional marketing industry. Students from companies such as Tomato Source, USB Company, COI, Brand Addition, Brunel Promotions, Senator Pens, Parker Pens, P&MM, The Sourcing Team, Sweet Temptations and Merit Promotional Clothing have already booked their place for the September course - a clear reflection of the industry's need for a formal training academy.

The BPMA's annual dragon boat racing day for the promotional marketing community saw The Marketing Store team take the top spot ahead of Sourcing City, with the 2007 winners, The BPMA, coming in third out of a field of nine boats.

With over 4,000 visitors last year and a 14% increase in visitors over the last four years, the Printwear & Promotion Exhibition has well and truly secured its status as the definitive three-day event for the garment decoration industry.

Most people are familiar with the Toyota brand name standing for quality and reliability, says Aisin UK, but often we forget about the safety of the operator of the embroidery machine, or the consequences of an accident.

ETC Embroidery Supplies has launched a new Fibre Unravelling Spray, which it says is ideal for use on all soft or lightweight garments such as polo shirts, Tshirts, dress shirts, blouses and nylon fabrics.

Norman Ronald from GS UK talks about the importance of keeping up with the latest embroidery software updates and outlines the newest version of the company's ApS-Ethos software

Slick Stitch says it is the only contract embroidery with 275 heads that run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is also the only embroiderer to embroiderer above 50,000 garments a week, and claims to have the largest collection of new machinery in the country, with continued investment in systems, people and training.

Mark Robinson Sewing & Embroidery Machines has recently moved to new industrial premises. The two-floor industrial unit complete with a sales office and showroom is a welcome move that md Mark Robinson expects to pay dividends in the future.

With a new agent and a new range of machinery ZSK has returned to the UK embroidery market.

Modular software

One of the problems with buying software, any software, is that you inevitably end up with quite a bit that you do not want or need. Because most software is split into levels then you are forced to buy the one that includes the feature that you need but, unfortunately, it also contains a lot that you don't.

Exhibitions are an important sales and marketing tool for companies within the promotions and printwear industry. When organised well and approached with a planned strategy, an exhibition can generate large numbers of good sales leads, a particularly important consideration in the present economic climate.

One of the major benefits of membership to PROMOTA is being able to attend the members only PROMOTA Show.

Colchester based corporate wear distributor I.S. Enterprises handles a variety of different clothing and apparel brands including, Fruit of the Loom, Gildan, Jerzees, Kustom Kit and Result jackets and headwear.

Since joining ETC earlier this year Sarah-Ann Tonner, senior sales advisor, says she has noticed a vast amount of embroiderers branching out to cover heat press and sublimation. "ETC has embraced this development and with the festive season fast approaching, we are offering customers an excellent range of embroidery consumables," she says.

House of Sarunds, the leading continental chocolate and confectionery supplier, has launched a new product for companies looking to reward staff or customers or create a promotion with a real wow factor over festive period.

Listawood Promotional Products offers a wide variety of items suitable for Christmas promotions.

Business promotions specialist Living Promotions has a range of natural promotional gifts suitable for marketing campaigns this Christmas.

Prestige Leisure carries a number of promotional items in the Brochure Collection 2008 from shield badges to teddy bear fridge magnets. To view the full range visit http://www.prestigeleisure.com/.

Ralawise offers a number of promotional products, which it says are perfect for gifts, giveaways or resale.

Christmas Products from Solo, the leading supplier of quality silver and leather promotional and business gifts

Promotional product sourcing company Tomato Source works with a range of promoters from blue-chip companies to SMEs. It also works very closely with decorating/finishing companies in order to brand blank stock.

The Christmas season is around the corner and there is no time like the present to determine the hot items to offer for 2008. Of all the predictions, one thing is clear, if it is personal and has special meaning, then it will sell. Personalised products are a definite hot item, and because of their inherent intrinsic value, they sell at a higher price tag...even in times of economic uncertainty.

‘Hey, Hamster Pants, blast her into next week with your new trouser rocket - you'll be knocking in nails and bringing down planes with your new improved equipment!'