THE BIG INTERVIEW PAUL BEVERLEY
Preparing for
the pranking season This month TnP talks to Paul Beverley, founder and owner of PMS International, vin’ Badly Ba brand the company behind the Elves Behavin’ Tell us a bit about your company. PMS International was established nearly 50 years ago from small and humble beginnings. The company is now a global importer and distributor with offices in the UK, Hong Kong and China. The UK headquarters (International House in Basildon) employs more than 200 people, with the overseas divisions staffed with a further 100-plus. It occupies nine landscaped acres and was officially opened by The Princess Royal in 1995.
What changes have you made in the light of Covid restrictions?
“
It’s extremely rewarding to see our products spread a little festive joy to families
Like most businesses, Covid affected
”
Did you know? The Elves Behavin’ Badly Elves was a creation designed to to supply more affordable Elf dolls to satisfy the increasing demand and interest in the daily ritual, during the month of December, where parents use the Elves to stage funny scenarios, hoping to prove to their kids in the morning that the Elves have been busy causing mischief and mayhem overnight 32
PMS, but our extensive supplier networks enabled us to source and supply necessary PPE equipment quickly throughout the pandemic to a broad sector of customers. For over 20 years, PMS has stocked a comprehensive range of PPE-related, non-medicinal, first aid items like plasters, bandages, and sanitising gels. In the last year we have expanded the range to meet demand for related items such as face masks. As an essential supplier, our warehousing operations remained open, with the majority of office staff providing much needed back-up from home. We continue to provide PPE to the market on a much smaller scale and currently hold strong stocks of masks, sanitising gel, antiseptic wipes and so on. During the pandemic, PMS had up to two-thirds of office staff working from home but, following government guidance, we have gradually reintroduced staff back into International House, which is now largely fully staffed to pre-pandemic levels. Our extensive showrooms remained open, exhibiting more than 5,000 products but with all Covid safety procedures in place.
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