Factoryvisit is alearningexperiencefor

The BPMA recently organised ahighly successful factoryvisit as part of its Education Programme to Juniper Products in Wellingborough, welcoming attendees from several BPMA distributor companies. The visit offered participants aunique opportunitytoenhance their knowledge and skills as part of their TPM(Trained in Promotional Merchandise) and CPM(Certified in Promotional Merchandise) courses.

Designed to provide learners with acomprehensive understanding of Juniper’s production processes, attendees were awarded course credits fortheir participation, contributing to their overall course progress. The event featured adiverse agenda, covering keytopics suchasthe historyofJuniper Products, materials overview,group tour,artwork and branding methods, and notebook configuration options.

The historyofJuniper shed light on the heritage and evolution of aleading UK based promotional merchandise supplier

•Runners-Up in the4-Ball Better Ball: Team Desktop Ideas

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Distributors

providing attendees withinsights intothe industry’sgrowthand innovation. Learners gained adeeper appreciation forthe significance and impact of thecompany’s product ranges on brandvisibilityand customer engagement.

An overview on materials used servedas avaluable learning experience, showcasing thewide arrayofmaterials used in theproduction of Juniper’s products. Attendees gained first-hand knowledge of thedifferent materials and their unique characteristics, allowing them to make informed decisions when selecting promotional products forclients.

Ahighlight wasthe group tour,where participants had theopportunitytowitness Juniper’s manufacturing processes firsthand. GuidedbyAndrewLangley,learners observedthe various stages involved in production, from initial design concepts to final product assembly.This immersive experience provided valuable insights into themeticulous attention to detail and qualitycontrol measures required to create high-qualitynotebooks.

The group also explored thecreative aspects of promotional merchandise, delving intodifferent branding techniques and customisation options available.

The BPMA Education Programme Juniper Products factoryvisit provedto be aresounding success, fostering an engaging and educational environment forparticipants from BPMA distributor companies. Through ahands-on experience, learners gained practical knowledge and valuable industryinsights, equipping them withthe toolstoexcel in their TPMand CPMcourses.

Andrew Langley,managing director at Juniper Products and BPMA Board Director,said: “Weare delighted with thesuccess of thefactory visit and the positive impact it had on our attendees. It wasaunique opportunityfor learners to expand their knowledge and skills. We look forwardtoorganising morefactory visits that contributetothe professional growth of our members.”

Internationalmerchandisetradebodiesgather

In May, heads of theBPMA, PPAI, APPAand PPPC gathered to discuss collective goals across theglobe for promotional merchandise. Hosted at theBPMA’soffices at Fetcham Park, CEO Carey Trevill welcomed new head of theAPPAinAustralia, Mark Kindness, Jonathan Strauss from PPPC in Canada and Dale Denham from PPAI in theUSfor atwo-day meeting to coverarange of topics.

This is thefirst time all four bodies have come together face to face since 2019 and citing thebenefitsof working together,plans arealready in place to make themeetingan annual event.

The four leaders coveredarange of topics central to thepromotional merchandise industryincluding best practice. Lookingatthe opportunities and thechallenges eachmarketfaced, theorganisations discussed their members and markets, defining wherea collaborative approach could benefit. With eachorganisation taking leads in different areas suchasmarketreports, sustainability and trade events, thelearnings from each countrywereinvaluable.

Highlighting areas suchashow eachmarketran initiativesincluding sustainabilityand theneed foraglobal standardonhow sustainabilityis approached, theUKwas able to set out its progress on themember-only StepForward Pledge. Withacommitment from all four trade bodies, eachagreed on aset of actions to help promoteexcellence and standards across their markets.

Celebrating thesummit withadinner at anearby countryhotel,members of theBPMABoard including Chair Haydn Willetts, President Angela Wagstaff,Board Director RichardSullivanand Membership Director TomRobey joined their industry colleagues foralively discussion on key industrytopics over supper

Additional areas suchasthe approach to research,and standards in datawere agreed as keytothe overallsuccess of theglobalindustryand witharecent meeting withcolleagues in Europe, the summit concluded withmanyactions to take forward.

Latest BPMA newmembers

The BPMA is delighted to announce its newest members. Don’tforget that being part of theBPMAcomes with manyperks suchasthe use of thelogo to represent your membership status. Unlikemanyother trade associations, theBPMAisamember-to-member organisation and requires references from other members as part of the process. This means astrong referral base and importantly,exemplary standards aremaintained. Together withthis rigorous process whichalso includes BPMA Boardapproval,