Murray Hudson's blog from Gratnells
Catalogues & distributors
Gratnells trays storm Audi showrooms in Holland.
Feb 21st
Cars and trays (and furniture!)
Gratnells trays have been selected as the tray of choice for the children’s play areas in a number of VW/Audi showrooms in Holland. With furniture designed by the respected educational furniture manufacturer Klassehout, two pieces were created to keep children happy while Mum and Dad bought the latest car. Klassehout design creative and flexible furniture for primary schools. All their furniture is manufactured according to current standards and safety with necessary certification.
Everything there is to know
Feb 7th
After much blood, sweat and tears we have completed our Gratnells International Brochure. It was primarily designed for our overseas customers, but it’s just as relevant for our UK partners too. It clearly demonstrates our complete product range and potential applications for third parties, and has a full colour chart and lots of technical information too. There’s even a glossy pull-out poster for that space above your desk that needs brightening up!
If you’re interested in having a look at what we do you can download a pdf, or see a flicky version online. I’ll even post you a copy if you email me your details.
Toyfair 2012
Feb 7th
The Nurnberg Toyfair is always one of the highlights of the ‘selling-season’ and this year it started a day earlier than normal. Instead of kicking-off on the first Thursday in February the organizers moved the fair to the last Wednesday in January. If they hoped to get more people through the door on that first day they would have been sorely disappointed. Most of the halls were significantly less busy than normal but it gave myself and Spencer Randon, our Director of International Sales a good opportunity to see as many people as possible.
Smiles all round
The news across the market was decidedly mixed. Andreas and Yvonne from Henbea, Spain recounted woes of all the Spanish Education Government contracts being cancelled in 2011 making trading difficult. However, there was more positive news from Germany and Poland where a big merger of two of the biggest players is sure to affect the market . It may be strange to travel to Germany to pick up UK news but Nurnberg is always a good mixing pot for of the latest comings and goings of the UK market. Probably the biggest news was Craig Carter formerly of Agenta, Findel and TTS had set up his own business to source products. It’s called Craig Carter Concepts and a website would be appearing shortly. Thanks as ever to companies showing our trays on their stands and this year the box of chocolates goes to Dusyma and Neinhuis for supporting us among others. A positive year all round.
Dusyma
Neinhuis
Playing with toys in Germany
Jan 31st
This week I am visiting the annual Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair 2012 in Nürnberg. It’s the largest international trade fair for toys and games and has been held annually since 1949. The Fair takes place for six days every year and sees about 2,700 exhibitors from over 60 countries showcasing their new products and attracts around 80,000 trade visitors, over half from overseas.
You can find more information about the Toy Fair here. If you are at the fair and would like to arrange a meeting please drop me an email
Prince Andrew at BETT
Jan 11th
Just spotted HRH Prince Andrew at BETT 2012, next to a very tall man and some short children. He was there to launch InfoMentor, a collaborative learning and assessment tool for Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Further Education coming to the UK in 2012.
Former education secretary promoting British educational products.
Jan 11th
Former Education Secretary Charles Clarke doing his bit for the UK ( next to a Gratnells tray ) at the LJ Create stand at BETT 2012! LJ Create Ltd is a UK based company that produces interactive educational technology for the global market.
Laptop trolleys
Jan 11th
LapSafe showcase their new laptop trolley on another BETT stand featuring Gratnells trays!
LapSafe is a British company that specialises in the design, manufacture and distribution of various laptop security products that support the management and implementation of any type of mobile computer solution. Click on their logo below for more information.
BETT I can spot some Gratnells trays….
Jan 11th
As I was walking round BETT 2012 I was delighted to see this attractive stand from Constellations UK featuring an array of Gratnells trays. Constellations is part of the Confetti Media Group and they design, manufacture and install exceptional learning spaces from standard classrooms to specialist areas like ICT suites, drama, recording and TV studios. Click on the logo below for more information.
BETT’s on!
Jan 11th
Here we are at Olympia in London at the BETT show. Spencer Randon our Director of International Business welcomes a customer onto our stand. If you are at BETT over the next few days do pop by and say hello. We are on stand A69 in the Main Hall. Although we always attend BETT this is our first time exhibiting.
From ASE to BETT, it’s show time
Jan 10th
Here’s a photo of our stand at ASE last week where we were showcasing our new frame colours and our ready assembled frames with welded runners. See the post below for more information on the ASE Exhibition if you are not familiar with it.
This week I will be at the hi-tech BETT show 2012 in London’s Olympia. More information and pictures to follow next week – but in the meantime if you are planning a visit be sure and drop by our stand (A69 in the Grand Hall) or email me to arrange a meeting.
