Buying British
Flying th e flag
FOR MERCHANDISE Buyers of merchandise are increasingly looking for a British made solution. Made in Britain is helping to provide confidence of choice
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upply chain disruption during the past year or two has underlined the delicate balancing act that many firms face when sourcing from abroad. Costs may be cheaper – although this is no longer a given – and quality can be better – ditto – however, if you can’t lay your hands on the goods you or your customers need, then there is absolutely no advantage. As supply chains became troubled during the pandemic and shipping costs went through the roof, the advantages of using a British manufacturer have become clearer. The merchandise sector has a strong tradition of British manufacturing that is represented by the Briman Group. Members span products from confectionery and other edibles to notebooks and trophies. At a broader level, the Made in Britain group provides a similar role in recognising and promoting British companies that continue to manufacture, and providing a procurement hub for the growing number of businesses that want to buy British. Some merchandise manufacturers are members of both organisations.
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Andrew Langley, managing director of Juniper, said the company has undertaken a journey of reskilling and investment in the last five years, which now sees 65% of production in the UK. “Research is showing a real growth in the demand for UK made items amongst consumers and trade buyers, and it is important for our local economies that we invest in people and skills, as well as cut down on the amount of carbon used for the importation of goods, which can be made locally,” he says. John Godfrey of BPMA and Briman member Just a Drop says that the exchange of experiences and marketing ideas that comes from networking with a group of likeminded, similar businesses with the same target audience is hugely beneficial. “Brexit has made transactions a lot more complex. UK-sourced products make for shorter lead times and less paperwork. In the promotions business deadlines are often short. So, if you have a UK-manufactured product that matched the brief you are more likely to meet the deadline dates,” he adds. Phil Hardy, director of UK Lanyard Makers, says the company has been a
MARCH/APRIL 2022
member of both Briman and Made in Britain since the business was established. A key reason is the business's longstanding focus on sustainability, he says. “As a British manufacturer, nothing that leaves the factory has any air miles attached. Corporate customers increasingly looking at sustainability and buying British made is one way of determining that is the case,” he says. The two markings are quite separate. While Briman provides a specific network of merchandise manufacturers that can share information and challenges about merchandise, Made in Britain is a more universally recognised label. “We include it on our website, on quotations and on our artwork templates,” he says. “Its directory also provides great exposure of the company and we have had direct enquiries from it, which as a trade only supplier we pass on to our distributors.” As a company that has been manufacturing in the UK for more than 30 years, seed specialist Sow Easy joined Made in Britain to be represented as part of the wider British manufacturing industry and have the MIB seal of approval. “We have seen a huge increase in
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