UKL’s annual trade show in December gave customers the opportunity to check out the latest products from their favourite brands and to meet representatives from two names that are new to PenCarrieUKL customers – Skopes and Grahame Gardner.

The event, held at UKL’s Swindon premises, was something of a swansong for joint managing director, Tracy Richards, whose departure was announced on December 8. Tracy is stepping down after 12 years.

Tony Lock, managing director of PenCarrieUKL, said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside Tracy for the last nine months, and I have benefited greatly from her tremendous experience in the industry and her commitment to the business. There is a great team spirit in Swindon and the enthusiasm for the coming merger is very pleasing.

“I am delighted that Tracy will be staying with us until the beginning of March as there is still a lot to be done to ensure the smooth transition of the merger and I wish her every success in the future.”

The UKL tradeshow was a great platform to launch the newly merged PenCarrieUKL – slogan: Together we’re stronger – and to explain to customers how the merger will work for them.

The show was packed with promotional merchandise, clothing, free giveaways, and demonstrations.

We caught up with Gildan’s Jeff Bartley, who told us that Gildan T shirts have been chosen as official merchandise for the sell-out Take That tour in 2011.

Gildan now has a 65% share of the T shirt market in the US and produces a mind-boggling 15 million garments a week!

As well new colours for 2011, Gildan has added a new long sleeve T shirt for women and children.

Sarah Mann, on the Grahame Gardner stand, walked us through some of the uniform styles for the healthcare and beauty professions, including the unisex scrubs, available in a variety of colours.

It’s the first time that the brand has been available via a distributor and, according to Sarah, it was well-received on the PenCarrie on Tour event.

The company has an excellent pedigree. “It’s 107 years old now,” continued Sarah. “It started out making baby clothes. The grandfather went off on his bike to get orders, and the grandmother knitted and sewed baby clothes in the front room. When the health service came in in 1948, they diversified into healthcare uniforms.”

The Urbane range – designed specifically for females – has really taken off, said Sarah. It is perfectly suited to salons and spas and is available in a range of fashionable colours.

Workwear brand Davern told us that the PenCarrieUKL merger has opened up a bigger market for them and that the workwear market in general is picking up.

Grahame Gardner's Urbane range on the UKL catwalk.

A representative told us: “The last quarter has been good, and that’s been borne out by the figures. It’s now come to the point where people are having to replace uniform.”

Another new brand is corporate wear firm, Skopes, which specialises in corporate clothing and uniform wear. Phil Rabaiotti, sales manager for the Midlands and the South, said: “We have been established since 1948. We’re a family business – truly UK stock supported – based in Leeds.

“Our heritage comes from the retail side. We’ve got a presence in House of Fraser. We are a premium brand with a rich heritage.”

A unique selling point is the size range. Suit jackets are from 36 to a 62in chest. Jackets and trousers can also be bought as singles.

On the machinery front, there was good news for T shirt and bag printers.

Dick Townsend, from Pressmech, gave us a sneak preview of his latest T shirt printer – a twin work station, operated pneumatically.

At £2200 (against the single station version at £1800), you can get through twice the workload for less outlay.

Among the big name brands, Russell were showing off their extended knitwear range, a new stretch top range for women, their new Classic Blazer for boys and girls and a new workwear soft shell jacket.

AWDis was giving it’s new Just Cool range an outing and the Henbury Group had plenty to talk about, including a new logo and name for Skinnifit – SF – and a tranche of new products.

Henbury’s new men’s stripe collar polo shirt drew admiring glances while SF’s new long line hoodie is bound to be a winner, along with the on trend double hood hoodie.

The fashion show, choreographed by Red Ice Promotions, also proved popular.

One of the new Henbury polos.

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