Business Times Celebrating 30 years est. 1991
October 2021
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In print and online Business Times is published in Northamptonshire for the county’s business community www.Business-Times.co.uk
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HIstoric building reopens as creative hub. P3
FE AT UR E
Passion for pickles leads to a shot at the big time. P5
Co-founders Daniel Price and Jonny Sitton on the production line of My 1st Years’ new factory at Grange Park, Northampton
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Let’s work for a brighter, cleaner future. P6
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Vehicle test centre achieves a UK first. P7
Back to business: Firms flock to Chamber business exhibition. P11
Gift brand opens new factory months after arson heartbreak Directors look forward to growth plans resuming after blaze
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he founders of personalised children’s gifting brand My 1st Years have spoken of their delight and satisfaction at being able to open the company’s new factory only months after fire destroyed their former premises. The company’s factory at Brackmills was destroyed in May in an arson attack that caused more than £15 million worth of damage and forced the company to pause its sales. Now, only 18 weeks later, My 1st Years has relaunched with a new brand direction and range of products.
The arson attack on the brand’s Northampton factory and offices destroyed goods, gutted the building and forced My 1st Years to completely stop sales which were estimated to hit £30 million in 2021. The fire destroyed more than £3 million worth of stock more than £1 million in equipment, as well as a 100,000 square foot warehouse, head office and photography studio. It also meant the business refunding customers awaiting delivery of orders while pausing trading for more than 18 weeks. Before the fire, My 1st Years had launched new collections and was about to launch internationally. The company won global attention when Prince George was pictured wearing a personalised robe meeting former US president Barack Obama. Its products have also been seen on Kardashians, singer John Legend’s children and others. My
1st Years’ range of childrens clothing, toys and homeware offers the option of embroidery, flocked, printing or engraving with a special name or customised message Its co-founders Daniel Price and Jonny Sitton are keen that the company continues its trajectory now the new factory at Grange Park has opened, with new products and better materials and a faster personalisation process.. “Waking up on the morning of the fire was surreal and heartbreaking for us and for our teams,” they said. “We never thought we would be in this position but the fire has allowed us time to relook at how we want to progress as a business and made us realise the importance of the right insurance for every single company. “Our insurance allowed us to keep our workforce employed and to get a new factory in only a few months. If we had not had that we would be in a very different position now.”
