I came across a great little gadget in one of our trade mags the other day and thought I would share it with you. It’s sold as a promotional idea but it’s one that can save energy.

Put your computer on snooze with this latest promotional idea that will help save the planet - and cut energy bills by up to £50 a year.

The Eco-button is the latest creative idea from Firebrand, who seek out the best in technology led, and eco-friendly promotional concepts. Just touch the Eco-button when you go for a break, pick up the phone, or head off to a meeting, and your computer slips into an energy saving ecomode. A touch of any computer key gets you straight back to where you left off without having to re-start.

And every time the computer leaps back into life, a window pops up saying how much has been saved so far on carbon, power and money – which at around £50 per computer can bring big savings for any organisation with multiple computer users. (Typically, 50 computers can save around 6.8 tonnes of CO2 and £2000 a year in energy bills.)

A great idea, see more on their webiste

http://www.firebrandpromotions.co.uk/newProducts/Ecobutton.asp

Sportswear brand Coolactive have launched a new range of wicking clothing for the sports wearer. The range uses the Coolmax material which is designewd to draw moisture away from the body. Coolmax is fibre is engineered to keep users dry and comfortable during sporting events.
The initial range will include short and long sleeve t shirts, running vests and sport vests. Colours available will be white, red black,navy and royal.

The complete range will be available from Acorn and can be personalised as required. Clive Horlor, Acorn’s MD comment’s that the range will be ideal for Charities that often buy t shirts for their fund raisers. It’s a relatively low cost garment that will give a lot more comfort to the wearer during the run.

AWDis  is a Company that (all we do is) manufactures hoodies. It’s new range of hoodie comes in 30 colours. This fantastic range is available form Acorn and will soon appear on the web site. In the mean time if your looking for a hoodie in a certain colour give Acorn sales a ring and we can go through the colours with you.

Orotoro (Spanish for Gold Bull) is the latest company to join the organic eco revolution. Tom Watson A Director of the company informs us that they have been in the retail trade for over 20 years and have now launched an organic range that is aimed at the promotional market and will be available to the promotional garment suppliers as a trade only range.
The range will consist of  T shirts available in 18 colours for the men’s and 12 for the ladies. A hoodie will also be available in a wide colour range as well. Until now the colour range in the organic clothing market has been very limited and we are assured that there is plenty of stock available in the UK.
Orotoro’s credentials are impressive, all the garments are azo free and Soil Association  certified as 100% organic. All products are traceable back to source and have the Oelo-Tex stamp of approval meaning they are free from any harmful toxic substances. They round up the pedigree with the the Fair-Trade seal of approval. Acorn will be having a closer look at the range very soon. call Acorn for further details of the range.

Our offices close on Friday the 23rd of may at 5pm and open at 8.30am Tuesday 27th May. Enjoy the bank Holiday

The team at Acorn

The racing spirit of Jaguar the invitation called it. A free day out at the invitation of Jaguar, now that’s what I call a perk. Oulton park race track was the venue and several gleaming jaguars lined up for the guests to drive including the new XKR.

Yes they did let us out on the track behind the wheel and what a great day it has been. With a racing driver next to you feeding instructions as to when to brake, accelerate etc  it was a truly fantastic experience.

Acorn supply several Jaguar dealerships with staff workwear and business wear for the sales team, so hence the day out. Am I going to buy one ? mmm…….. Maybe one day and in the the mean time I can dream on.

New instructions for the sales team lets find some Lamborghini and Ferrari dealerships to supply !

still coming down to earth
Clive

Acorn’s blog will hit the front page this week. We should launch the blog snippets  within 24 hrs so watch out for some interesting reading about what’s developing at Acorn and keep up with the latest industry news. Deals and special offers will be on show when available.

Acorn have noticed a sharp rise in the interest for promotional cotton and jute shopping totes. Companies are cottoning on (sorry about that) to the fact that the cotton tote as a give away reflects their commitment to their own ethical policies as senior managers promote and market their own brands at exhibitions.

Acorn have expanded the range of cotton bags available for personalisation as they come to the market. Westford mill have brought out a great little stuff bag available in 5 sizes ideal for give aways stuffed with goodies. see the new stuff bag at http://www.acorn-printing.co.uk/product.php?id=521 

Both Fruit of the Loom and Gildan two of the Worlds largest garment manufacturers have warned of a price increase coming soon.  The Promotional clothing industry and end users (the customer) have enjoyed market competition, which has seen a downward  trend in general prices for many years. Today the Cotton coming from some of the major cotton producers is increasing in price rapidly. The production of the garments has undergone major reviews and improvements as the world’s conscience starts to bite and at long last the working conditions are improving for the cotton and garment workers.

It had to stop sometime, when Supermarkets are selling school uniforms for £5 and jeans for £2, less than the price of a pint at the local.

Acorn will continue to promote and support manufacturers that have ethical policies that cover both the growing of the cotton and the working conditions of the people in the industry.

 During a visit to Acorn’s new facility today at Coventry BTC’s Managing Director Glenn Hyams confirmed that the acquisition of their new premises in the Midlands is on course and  full steam ahead for a Christmas move. The new warehouse will increase their stock holding massively and new ranges will be introduced to widen the choice their customers currently enjoy. BTC is a major garment supply partner to Acorn. The major brands stocked can be supplied the same day when Acorn’s customer’s need that fast response. Neil Pitcher BTC’s Midland manager also announced the arrival of their new web site that will confirm stock availability when Acorn have orders to place in a hurry.