BPM A Charter

BPMACharter Day

Charter members assembled to work through key issues facing the industry, including sustainability, procurement and exporting

This year, the BPMA has completely overhauled its Charter membership, open to those members who have reached additional standards in the industry. Representing some of the most established suppliers and distributors in the country, they gathered for an inaugural Charter Day on 30th June this year in the beautiful surroundings of the BPMA’s head office at Fetcham Park.

SUSTAINABILITY, STANDARDS AND TALENT

BPMA Board Director Clive Allcott responsible for Charter standards, Commercial Director of DTB, opened the meeting, paying homage to his fellow members for their continued leadership on standards in the industry and introduced the topics of the day. The BPMA set the scene further with end user views and the positioning of the industry on sustainable business, encouraging members to look beyond just the product as the stories of the overall sustainable progress in our industry were just as important.

This included sustainability of current business models, adaptation to the current economic climate, stabilising the industry, supply chains and their continued feasibility in light of significant pressures from different sides, promotion of UK standards and business to EU/ROW, looking at developing new markets, and leading on best practice.

Innovation and communication of the goods available to the industries, focused on end-to-end sustainable solutions, ensuring our industry acts responsibly in its role as part of the circular economy, actively pursuing solutions which answer the sustainable requirements and high expectations of businesses and consumers.

In addition, the BPMA pledged to continue researching and delivering effectiveness models which prove the role of merchandise within the communications mix and its responsible role to uphold exceptionally high standards, providing an industry model with sustainable business at the start point of compliance and policies placing the UK as a leader.

Together with the adoption of a wider diversity and inclusion policy to aide businesses in their recovery, the BPMA stressed the need for the search and acquisition of people to build back the core skills and talent needed to deliver now and in the future. BPMA CEO Carey Trevill stated this will ensure the new talent the industry needs can see itself working in the industry and the career path ahead.

LIFTING THE LID ON NEGOTIATION

The day was split into two halves with guest speakers addressing Charter members on the state of negotiation and buying with procurement expert, Mike Lander. As a regular contributor to marketing end user trade press, The Drum with his procurement column, ‘Ask Mike’, his long career in procurement produced some eye-opening observations on buyers behaviour.

Providing actionable insights for the collected businesses in the room, Mike provided some stark warnings about the economy and the likely ways we could see contracts being negotiated in the future. Sparking debate and discussion, Mike

provided an ex-buyers view on what he usually saw from the industry and ways to navigate and avoid a race to the bottom by qualifying hard every opportunity to avoid wasting time and resources.

THREATS TO THE INDUSTRY

With every part of the supply chain under strain, the focus turned to the knock-on effect of the challenges the industry faced during the current climate. The BPMA reported on the continued high level of complaints from every corner of the sector and invited discussion on how this can be addressed.

In every instance, both distributors and suppliers pointed to communication being at the heart of making sure jobs could move forward. Every member in the room recognised the very real issues facing supply, delays, continued staffing absences due to Covid, courier issues but the lack of communication was causing serious problems and damaging reputations.

The collected members all requested a far greater recognition and commitment to communication, even if the news wasn’t good to allow each party to manage their responsibilities and avoid significant and permanent loss of business.

The BPMA is actively following up with select businesses where issues appear to be particularly acute.

UNDER THE SKIN OF EXPORT CHALLENGES

In the last session of the day, Carey Trevill asked the assembled Charter members for their contribution to a planned ministerial meeting in July. Introducing customs expert, Christopher Salmon from clearBorder who had been invited to help facilitate the discussion and work with Trevill on the preparation of the papers, he shared his qualifying experience as Michael Gove’s advisor during the Brexit process.

Listening to the collective experiences of the members, it was clear the ongoing and inconsistent customs approaches and freight issues were just two of the tipping points affecting exporting outcomes. Working through a range of options for ‘asks’ from Government, Salmon underlined the need for a clear, single-minded proposition to ensure Government sat up and took notice of the importance of the industry and the detrimental impact on British business, contracts and jobs. Look out for the further article on the outcome in this issue.

The day concluded with a summary of discussions and actions to be taken forward and with more events to come, PM will report back on further Charter thought leadership and actions supporting the industry.

BPMA Charter members can access the documents and resources via their Charter Asset page. Interested in becoming a Charter member? Speak to Tom Robey on 01372 371183

Charter member B-Loony’s BalloonGrip Wins PSI Sustainable Product Award

B-Loony Ltd’s revolutionary cardboard balloon stick balloon holder was proclaimed winner in the ‘Sustainable Product’ category at PSI’s seventh annual Sustainability Awards ceremony in Düsseldorf.

BalloonGrip balloon holders are the world’s first truly sustainable balloon sticks, designed to secure and distribute air inflated natural rubber latex balloons for giveaways and promotions.

B-Loony answered the urgent need for an alternative to plastic balloon sticks by inventing the now patented BalloonGrip balloon holder.

Plastic balloon sticks are banned in the EU and Scotland with a proposed ban set for England and Wales.

This innovative product is made from PAP21, a non-corrugated paper fibreboard, which can be recycled with domestic paper and card, and is sourced from sustainably managed forests. The product also conforms to EN71 Toy Safety regulations.

The evidence of certification, which was provided to the jury included ISO 9001, ISO 14000/1, BRC Certificate, ISO 5001 SGS/FSC PEFC and SEDEX IMPRIM‘VERT.

The jury judged the product “worthy of the award”.

The PSI Sustainability Award recognises the achievements of businesses from the promotional products industry in the areas of economy, ecology, and social affairs.