As we are nearing the end of another year – and what a busy one it’s been – we thought we’d take a moment to reflect on a few highlights from 2023 and share some of our favourite product picks too.
Over the past 12 months, we’ve hosted two events – a social Cuppa for Cancer Care in January and Why Good is Better, our spotlight on sustainability, in September – and in doing so, you’ve also helped us raise over £1,100 for our chosen charity, Hope for Tomorrow. Don’t worry if you missed out as there are already more events in the planning, so watch this space.
In June this year, we stepped up to support sustainability in our industry and M&M was one of the first distributors to sign the newly launched BPMA StepForward Pledge. We were delighted to be shortlisted in two categories (Team of the Year and Customer Excellence) in our local business awards, we unveiled our new branding and we moved, again. We’ve swapped offices internally a few times this year, as we’ve kept on growing, but our new home should keep us going for a good while yet, and we’ve also got plenty of space to welcome you for a coffee, a catch up, a slice of cake and the chance to get your hands on plenty of sample products.
Phew! That’s our year in a nutshell, so on to those product picks…
· Get ready for winter windscreens
We’re a big fan of a multi-purpose product and with the winter months ahead, this is a useful piece of kit. Not only is it a handy, pocket-sized ice scraper with a bevelled edge for precision windscreen cleaning, it also features a reusable trolley coin, with a snap fitting to keep it in place. With a metal ring, you can even use it as a keyring, or pop it on your own. Just add your branding to the double-sided trolley token.
Better still, when it comes to sustainability, the ice pop scraper is made from rHIPS.b – a material that is made from recycled polymers, including waste products (from yoghurt pots to the inside of old fridges), with a biodegradable additive that spreads up the natural decomposition process. And it is designed and manufactured in the UK.
· Make a beeline for Wildflower Seed Bombs
These cute bee-shaped wildflower seed bombs recently received a gold award in the exhibition category of the BPMA product of the year awards – and whilst the are a great giveaway for your events and trade shows, we think they are ideal for all manner of campaigns too. Each FSC® certified matchbox holds three shaped seed bombs, made from harvested wildflower seeds and local clay, and can be planted in gardens or pots, whilst a wrapround recyclable label showcases your branding.
If you want to show your commitment to quality and sustainability, we think this UK made interactive gift is a great choice for growing your brand engagement. The seed bombs are also available as Christmas trees, gingerbread, houses or vans, with a minimum order quantity of just 25 units – or even create your own bespoke shape for a really unique gift (MOQ 250).
· Time to talk Tubes!
We love the versatility this product offers and it’s perfect for a Christmas surprise, a celebration or a welcome or thank you gift – and more. Choose a giftbox with glass tubes of wine, pre-mixed cocktails, gourmet cooking items or flavoured teas, and maybe add in a tube of chocolate truffles too – or if you want to send out in the post instead, then choose a letterbox friendly option, with rPET bottles instead (even easier to do with our fulfilment service). Alternatively, just choose a single tube or two, if you are creating your own gifts.
This is also a really flexible choice when it comes to branding options, as you can brand the tubes themselves, the inside or top of the box or the sleeve. No wonder this was an easy pick for us as a product of the week and a favourite for 2023.
· Comfort with a social conscience
Corporate clothing and workwear are also benefiting from the innovation in sustainable materials, products and production methods. Our choice for this year though is the useful Abisko recycled cotton zip through hoodie (who doesn’t love a hoodie).
As the name suggests, it’s made from 100% cotton, half of which is recycled and the rest is organic. This cosy unisex garment has a double layered hood, a kangaroo pocket and the inside features a soft-brushed fleece, for extra comfort.
Now for the clever part, the manufacturers use AWARE™ tracer and blockchain technology – think of it as a digital passport for your product – to ensure traceability and the guarantee of environmental impact and materials claims. On top of this, 2% of proceeds from each product sold are donated to Water.org.
If uniform is on your to do list, then what are you waiting for?
· Spread a little TLC
The M&M team love wellness products so it’s no surprise that this one made it onto our pick of 2023 promo products. Whether you want to help your clients or teams beat the January blues or just indulge in some self care, then how about this four-piece mood balm collection in a printed box.
Recharge, relax, rebalance or rejuvenate, each balm is formulated with a mix of essential oils and natural ingredients to help get you going in the morning or kick back, relax and unwind in the evening. The cruelty free ingredients are vegetarian friendly and each balm comes in plastic free recyclable packaging. You can then add your branding to the cardboard box and even the labels on the tins themselves. This is another UK made product, meaning zero airmiles.
· Our product prediction for 2024
And finally, we promised you our one to watch for 2024. And it’s a notebook – well actually a range of notebooks. Notebooks are a stationery staple and a bestseller, so why have these ones caught our eye?
Firstly, they are made in the UK, and they offer various eco-friendly options, from recycled paper pages to cotton, card or soft covers, that are fully recyclable. On top of this though, there are just so many branding options, meaning you can create a truly bespoke branded notebook.
How about a full colour, digital edge to edge print, using vegetable-based inks, that wraps around the covers and spines. Maybe you want to add your own artwork to the interior pages? Or what about making your branding stand out with a laser cut out on the front cover, and a contrasting coloured page behind. There really are plenty of combinations to bring your brand alive.
So that’s a wrap! If you’d like to find out more about any of these products, then get in touch with the team today, and if you are local, please do come and say hello as we’d love to see you.
