Good Afternoon Everyone

[Andy Thorne]

Hi everyone, Im Andy Thorne, Sales Director at London based supplier of promotional products, branded merchandise and corporate clothing. Im also a Southend United fan (yes somone has to) and a keen Scuba Diver.

Im looking to use the forum to Network, learn from successful business people and develop ideas.

In return if i can help anyone with your promotional product requirements please dont hesitate to contact me, we have a product for every budget and work with bluechips as well as start ups.

I look forward to chatting with you

Andy

 

[Vending Siting Services]

Hello Andy

Welcome to UKBF.

How long have you been in the promotional branding business for?

Barbara

 

[Andy Thorne]

Barbara good afternoon and thank you for the welcome.

Ive been in the promotional merchandise industry for 12 years now, and cant see myself doing anything else. Sad i know but its a fun industry with a lot of good people.

 

[Vending Siting Services]

Hi Andy

Nothing wrong with being involved in an industry for 12 years, I've been involved in vending for over 20!

In light of the current economic climate, has your industry changed and have you had to adapt?

Barbara

 

[Andy Thorne]

Barbara,

Thankfully when times are tough and large corporates start cutting back on the traditional TV, Radio and paper advertising they increase there spend on Promotional products as you get a very good ROI.

Our industry trade body the BPMA (British Promotional Merchandise Association) has just done a survey and found some great stats for our industry against traditional marketing methods. If your interested the findings are hear http://www.outstandingbranding.com/news/headline_short/promotional-merchandise-gives-high-roi

Outstanding Branding was started 3 years ago, slap bang in the bad times and has had brilliant growth year on year.

How has the climate effected vending or has it created the same opportunity?

Andy

 

[Vending Siting Services]

Hi Andy

Thanks for the link, I shall take a peek at that in a moment.

Good to hear that you are doing well with year on year growth.

The snacking vending industry took a hit around two years ago and we have changed direction from our own brand (Snack-a-Can) to the big brands such as Nestle etc. By the end of 2012 we will be only offering top branded confectionery lines and we are currenly working with a very well known brand to launch many of their lines. We introduced top brands about 15 months ago and this has turned our business around. We have access to published stats for people's snacking spending habits and it clearly shows brands are the way forward as this is where they are chosing to spend their money.

I have just taken a look at your website - very comprehensive.

Barbara

 

[Vending Siting Services]

Here's a post which has just popped up:

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=252174

 

[Dogsbody]

Andy,

I saw your posts in a couple of threads and also the marketplace so went to look at your site. Didn't see what I wanted, so...

I have just posted a thread asking about doggy poop bags printed with our company details. Something you could source?

Martin.

 

[Andy Thorne]

Thanks Martin, I've sent you a reply

 

[HFE Signs]

Hi and welcome aboard

 

[Clement]

welcome aboard,seems that you are good at your work and enjoy it very much.