Often, it takes very many individual processes and component tools to make a promotional product. So to find a product range with inherent traceability, sustainability and craftsmanship is a rare treat.
“We’re not sustainable to follow a trend, we’re sustainable because it’s better - and it’s the way we’ve always done things,” says Carrie, our Herefordshire-based specialist in name badges, awards and wooden products.
The factory produces an array of promotional products, but its mainstay is badges and awards, from metal and wood.
Metal, infinitely recyclable, has traditionally acted as the base for most name badges - but a growing number are opting for a wooden approach.
Likewise, the factory has seen growth in its awards business, as businesses and events opt for something a bit different.
The process of selecting the right materials, and grain is important - with oak and bamboo two of the most popular.
“The team is made up of some genuine experts in wood”, Carrie says. “Particularly for things like awards, you get to learn that no two pieces of wood are the same, so getting the best out of that natural material requires real knowledge.”
The Bamboo used is ‘Moso’ bamboo - with rich, caramel tones, and as close to a consistent finish as you can achieve from a natural material, it’s best in class.
Bamboo itself is inherently sustainable - plants can grow up to 50cm a day, reaching a height of up to 20m. They grow for four to five years, and when chopped down, the roots are stimulated to grow more canes.
The most popular material is oak, and the oak used by this factory comes from European forests, and is ‘grade A’ finish - meaning it is free of most defects for a great finish. The honey finish and distinctive grain give presence, and you can see why it’s a popular choice for awards.
The beauty of a lot of these timbers, and all this expertise, is the creative possibility it affords.
“Almost everything is, or can be made bespoke”, enthuses Carrie.
“Bamboo phone stands can be custom shaped around a logo, awards can be shaped like stars, or fireworks - or almost anything you can imagine”.
Not content to simply look at materials, the factory contributes 1p per wooden badge, award, coaster or gift to tree planting, with more than 50,000 being planted in the last year.
Pin badges have seen a rise in popularity - the traditional enamel metal badge is made in the far east, and air freighted over. There is a different UK made option - a printed, cut and epoxy domed badge, made in the UK in a fraction of the time, still with a lot of the bespoke shape possibilities of a moulded badge - and a significant reduction in air miles.
Bamboo equivalents are also popular - for a more natural feel.
And what of the good old name badge? Well, the factory still produces millions every year, almost every one with a unique name and logo.
The options there in terms of finish and style are vast, from (nameless) window badges you can slot a printed name into, to printed or engraved bamboo, and even cut to shape wood and acrylic (less sustainable, but still popular).
For regular users, we can setup an online ordering portal - simply pre-pay for a badge allowance, and they’ll be printed and posted on demand, as and when required.
At end of life, there is a simple recycling scheme - simply return any badges from former colleagues to the factory (via us), and all possible component parts will be recycled. All funds from metal sold for recycling go towards tree planting initiatives.
Sustainability goes right from manufacture, to despatch, to disposal. All packaging is now plastic-free, with badges being sent in carefully crafted paper sleeves, awards wrapped in sturdy but gentle card wrap, and paper tape.
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