News

Theme for 2010: “You need. We innovate.”

As a key trade supplier of plastic cards, encapsulation and litho print into print agents nationally, we understand the need for absolute confidentiality. And that’s why it’s so frustrating that we can’t tell you all about some of the exciting new contracts we’ve won just recently! Suffice to say we believe we are well and truly out of this recession having been massively busy for the last six months and gaining more market share than ever.

The recession hit us hard and early but sheer determination and hard work by all of our team has meant that we are leaner, stronger and more cost effective than ever before.

Kath Doran of Spectrum says:

“We believe our increased turnover and customer base is due to the way we work with our trade partners. Our expert knowledge of the ‘print on plastic’ sector ensures that we give our customers, and in turn their customers, solutions to problems every time they inevitably arise. We are so focussed on our problem busting approach that our theme for 2010 is ‘You need. We innovate’.”

One example of a way we are already living our new promise is with our work with a new key customer on some highly confidential direct mail portfolio work which includes both unique keyfob manufacture and print.

We are also thriving within our catalogue encapsulation business having secured contracts with several well known print agents working with high street retailers.

If you need help with a problem, remember if anyone can, Spectrum can! We’re on 0161 480 7202 or email sales@spectrumplastics.co.uk.

Spectrum Plastics win learndirect national award

On October 19th Kath Doran attended the national learndirect award ceremony at the Park Plaza hotel, London. As winner of the North West small/medium business award she was pleased and excited to be at the ceremony but never did she think she might actually be the overall national winner. How wrong she was!

Spectrum won the national learndirect achievement award in recognition of their commitment to training within the company over the last 18 months. They were presented by their trophy, certificate and £500 prize money by TV presenter Eamonn Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford. He says:

"Ruth and I are both delighted to support the learndirect Achievement Awards. We have worked with learndirect in the past to highlight the difference learning can make to people’s lives, and have seen first-hand how learners from across the UK are boosting their skills, improving their job prospects and becoming more confident. All the finalists are truly inspiring, and we were honoured to help celebrate their success at the national learndirect Achievement Awards ceremony.”

Kath Doran, MD at Spectrum, is very proud of the whole Spectrum team and thrilled that the company and the people within it have been recognized for the hard work and dedication that has gone into the training process. Kath says:

“The award is a great way to recognise the achievements of learners, and employers, and Spectrum are delighted with the national award. We are proud to invest in our team. Over 50% of the Office and Production teams have been supported in training within their roles to achieve NVQ level 2 qualifications. And with this new incentive even more of the team are keen to get involved.”

She goes on to say: “In the current economic climate, it’s tempting to cut back on or even completely ignore training and staff development. I’ve got a different view. Our company has weathered massive challenges, even before the recession hit, and when we saw the opportunity presented by learndirect, we leapt at the chance to improve the skills of our team. If you’re to succeed and grow, as we’ve done, in these difficult times it is imperative that all employees are up for the challenge, and are optimising effectiveness in their roles.”

Indeed employees are the key to the company’s success. During the last 18 months a team of trainers and assessors, have supported staff through workplace assessments. Everyone taking the learndirect NVQ courses has benefited from improvements in knowledge, confidence, and decision-making skills. They now have the skills to enable them to improve efficiency, increasing productivity and profit and play a key role in the company’s future growth and success.

Chief Executive of learndirect, Sarah Jones said: “The national winners and highly commended finalists have shown exceptional determination, and have gone that extra mile to learn new skills and improve their qualifications, or have supported others to achieve their goals. These finalists are an inspiration to millions of learners, support staff and businesses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and truly deserve recognition.”

For more information call 0161 480 7202 or email kath@spectrumplastics.co.uk

Open Day Great Success!

We had a great day yesterday with over 50 visitors joining us to look at our site and capabilities.

With print production capacity recently increased with the addition of a Heidelberg Speedmaster 52 - 5 colour press visitors were keen to see us in action.

Watch this space for more soon!

Spectrum win Learndirect Training award

Spectrum Plastics, were nominated as a regional Learndirect finalist out of 180 companies entered. On 1st July Spectrum attended the awards ceremony held at the Reebok stadium, Bolton, and won the Small/Medium Sized Company Award.

They will now attend the finals in London on 19th October to represent the North West region for the National Awards. Kath is very proud of the whole Spectrum team and thrilled that the company and the people within it have been recognized for the hard work and dedication that has gone into the training process.

The Learndirect Achievement Awards are a great way to recognise the achievements of learners, and employers, and Spectrum are delighted with the award.

Spectrum Plastics are proud to invest in their team members. Office and Production teams are supported to train within their roles to achieve NVQ level 2 qualifications.

The programme aims to improve business productivity and competitiveness by ensuring the workforce is equipped with the appropriate skills and abilities to do their job, and play a key role in the company’s future growth and success.

For more information contact Hargreaves Training Solutions on 0113 2449393 or go to www.learndirect.co.uk/awards

£250K Investment for Spectrum Plastics

Print production capacity has just been increased at Spectrum with the purchase of a Heidelberg Speedmaster 52 colour press. With a running speed of 13,000 sheets per hour this is almost twice the speed of their previous press.

The machine is fully computer controlled and has automatic plate loading and automatic wash up. With make ready of the press gauged in minutes, teamed together with the exceptional running speed both long and short runs are extremely economical. The press is also equipped with in line numbering and perforating to support Spectrum’s key business of plastic card manufacture. To compliment the press a new computer to plate system has been purchased giving fully automatic processless platemaking – essential with today’s environmental concerns.

Although currently running day shift it is intended to be running double day shift as soon as possible. Spectrum cater in-house for digital, litho and screen printing: they believe that saves time and budget on every job which they can pass on to their customers.

Kath Doran, MD of Spectrum Plastics says: “We understand the customer’s requirement for speed, and the new equipment has allowed us to cut production times and costs. In these challenging times we’re proud of this significant investment and know that our customers will appreciate the commitment we are showing. With the new machinery we hope to attract not only plastic card and encapsulation work but pure print work too.”

If you would like to see the new Speedmaster in action why not come along to Spectrum Plastics open day on Tuesday 13th October. For more information call 0161 480 7202.

How do you increase your sales in tough times?

Blimey, that’s the million dollar question.

Well, Spectrum Plastics have had significant results by empowering their people to take responsibility.

Over the past three months sales personnel have received Customer Service and Sales training. Each staff member now has specific Key Performance Indicators which don’t just involve sales targets. Sales volume is of course a target but new business, call volumes and average order value are also taken into account as well as quote to order ratio and number of new products sold to existing customers. In essence it’s taking the business plan and dropping right down to individual levels.

The targets: • Sales volume – existing customers • Sales volume – new customers • New business calls • Number of new customers • Number of new products sold to existing customers • Average order value • Order to quote ratio

The sales team meet one-to-one at the beginning of each month to agree their own achievable targets and review KPIs from their previous month. Through continual planning, discussion and coaching results over the past two months have been very exciting both for the individuals and for the company management!

One-to-one training, coaching and classroom training have been provided by Julie Biddle, of Julie Biddle Associates. She has been involved in Spectrum’s sales team transformation as well as being heavily involved in Team Leader development, Customer Service training for all staff. Kath Doran, MD of Spectrum Plastics says: “Across the organisation, teams have become much more motivated and successful. I’ve seen a real change with the way people approach their work and the place has a real buzz these days that perhaps it didn’t always have. One of the reasons this project has been successful in such a short time frame is that we have enlisted help from outside the business, Julie has really blown the cobwebs away and everyone has her trust and respect.”

Kath goes on to say,

“In fact things are going so well for us at the moment we are now looking to expand our team with the introduction of a new Sales Manger role. If you’re interested send me your CV!” If you would like to find out more about Spectrum Plastics why not take advantage of their open day on Tuesday 13th October. As well as a full tour of their printing, encapsulation and plastic card manufacturing business you’ll be able to meet the people involved and have a glass or two of something cold! For more information call 0161 480 7202 or go to spectrumplastics.co.uk.

Training investment at Spectrum Plastics

In the current economic climate, it’s tempting to cut back on or even completely ignore training and staff development. Kath Doran, MD of Spectrum Plastics has a very different view. She feels that if the Company is to succeed and grow in these difficult times it is imperative that all employees are up for the challenge, and are optimising effectiveness in their roles.

Over the last six months Kath has been investing two days per month working with Julie Biddle Associates to ensure her team achieve this aim.

Julie Biddle states, “Spectrum Plastics is an example of a very pro-active company who realise that the success of the organisation is down to the people who work there. The initial objective was to provide support and direction to the sales team providing them with the skills and confidence levels to maximise sales opportunities, follow up quotes and bring new customers on board. Pro-active sales calls are now a regular activity and this is reflected in the results.

It also became apparent that for the success to be continued, then a development plan needed to be in place for Managers and Team Leaders to ensure everyone was pulling in the right direction. The Managers and Team Leaders are now far more responsible and are starting to make decisions that would previously have been left to Kath.”

Kath Doran says: “Julie has worked with all of us to develop training needs analysis plan and now is part way through a training and development programme with the whole company. Julie is completing individual coaching with team members as well as broader training sessions. I have been delighted by the way Julie has developed strong links with individuals and I am seeing excellent results coming through already. Thanks Julie!”

Dinosaur Roar!

Valentine’s Day was a roaring success for Hampshire Libraries, they held two events for kids to support the launch of their colourful new dinosaur card, keyfob and bookmark.

The card takes artwork from the popular ‘Dinosaur Roar’ book by Paul and Henrietta Stickland published by Ragged Bear Publishing Ltd. It’s colourful, relevant and the kids just love it!

In addition to the 50,000 children’s cards that have been produced for Hampshire we are also producing 100,000 new adult cards with keyfob.

Anne Marley at Hampshire Library and Information service says: "We are delighted with the new cards which have gone down a storm. Even our adult customers want them! The service from Spectrum has been excellent – great advice, responsive and attention to detail – I’ve been impressed.”

To find out more about switching suppliers or to get some further information and samples please contact Debbie on debbie@spectrumplastics.co.uk

Spectrum Nominated for learndirect Achievement Award

The learndirect Achievement Awards are a great way to recognise the achievements of learners, and employers, and Spectrum are pleased to announce that they have been nominated in the small business category. In April Spectrum will discover if they have achieved the prestigious award and then an award ceremony will take place during July 2009. Spectrum hope to be there! All short listed award nominees receive a certificate and individual regional winners in the business category win £250. Spectrum Plastics are proud to invest in their team members. Office and Production teams are supported to train within their roles to achieve NVQ level 2 qualifications. The programme aims to improve business productivity and competitiveness by ensuring the workforce is equipped with the appropriate skills and abilities to do their job, and play a key role in the company’s future growth and success.

Spectrum are delighted to announce that the following team members that have now achieved their qualifications:

Paul Customers Services NVQ Level 2

Ian & Chris IT NVQ Level 2

Cherie & Steve Storage and warehousing NVQ Level 2, including fork lift truck driving

Kay and John are about to finalise their Team Leading NVQ Level 2. Wayne has achieved his ATT level 2 in Accounts, and is now working on level 3.

For more information contact Hargreaves Training Solutions on 0113 2449393 or go to www.learndirect.co.uk/awards

Trade Only Show

Spectrum Plastics have been once again been impressed by the response at the Trade Only exhibition. They generated over one hundred and fifty leads and the team are now busy back at the office getting quotes and samples issued to potential customers.

Customers were particularly interested in their new products: • Mini business cards • Bag collars • Mirror business cards • Braille business cards • Carrier bag holders • Evolution signage

Kathryn Doran says: “We were happy with the customer response and pleased to say we gave away hundreds of tipples on the stand. We’ll be busy over the next couple of weeks chasing up leads but I’m pleased to say we already have several in the bag which makes it really worthwhile.”

If you missed us at the show call 0161 480 7202 or see spectrumplastics.co.uk for more information on our range of encapsulation and plastic card products. With more than 30 years’ experience in this industry Spectrum know what they’re doing and offer a quality service that's second-to-none, whatever your budget.

Bromley Libraries move to Spectrum

Debbie Green from Spectrum met Ian Ramage from Bromley Libraries at the LI Show last year. They got talking and following a meeting Bromley Libraries made the decision to move library card suppliers and ordered 30K keyfob library cards. They have not regretted it!

Ian Ramage at Bromley Libraries says: "Despite us being a difficult customer, changing our minds, and requiring a number of quotes for different products, Spectrum have been prompt in responding to our needs! We are very pleased with the new card, keyfob and bookmark design, and will be asking for additional quotes for other cards!"

Bromley have been so pleased with the cards that they are now looking at ordering a junior version.

To find out more about switching library card suppliers or to get some further information and samples please contact Debbie on debbie@spectrumplastics.co.uk

New library cards for Dunbartonshire

Having just revamped their keyfob card for adults Dunbartonshire felt that their kids’ cards needed a redesign.

They asked young people to design the images that were to appear on their new-look library cards. The winning images were then printed on 5000 library cards for distribution.

The competition was advertised in libraries, schools and in the press and was judged by the award winning illustrator Catherine Rayner. The top three entries each received an iPod, and the class of the child who won received an illustration workshop with Catherine.

Richard Aird from Dunbartonshire Libraries says: “We recently switched to Spectrum Plastics to produce our two adult library cards and keyfobs, and were delighted to work with them again for the production of our first ever children’s library card. Once more, we found Debbie to be extremely helpful and efficient, and we have developed an excellent relationship with our new card supplier.”

Spectrum reach for the skies

We are working with a well known airline services company to create a brand new form of advertising being tested on planes.

‘Seat back advertising’ is a new concept for airlines and a massive generator of extra income for them. Advertising messages have been printed on specialist fire retardant material and then finished by affixing the printed material to the headrest covers.

158 planes across a very famous airline fleet are trialling the new idea and with over 220 covers per plane that’s over 72,000 pieces that we have produced within very tight timescales!

The whole job has taken just under three weeks to complete with over 25 personnel working on the project at any one time.

Kathryn Doran, MD at Spectrum says: “This project has really thrown us in at the deep end! We were all geared up for a quantity of 13,000 when the order came through for 72,000. We were excited, thrilled and scared all at once!”

She goes on to say:

“The job has stretched our innovative skills to the max, every part of manufacture is new and unproved, whether it be the specialist material or the time-consuming finishing. It’s been a massive learning curve but we got them all out on time.”

The contract requires Spectrum to produce the seat back covers monthly for different advertisers. As Spectrum always say: ‘The skies the limit!”

Be a winner @ Print for Business

Can we improve your Summer? We hope so, maybe with a little sunshine from Spectrum Plastics perhaps. Go to our stand at the forthcoming Print for Business exhibition, it's stand P75, and take part in our ‘traffic lights’ game. By scanning the barcode on your individual game card you will find out if you are one of the hundreds of lucky winners. There are some exciting prizes, including top daily prizes of Thomson travel vouchers.

It will also be a great opportunity to catch up with Spectrum and talk about our current range of encapsulation and plastic card products.

Back at the show for their third time we hope to achieve the success of previous years. In 2007 we were inundated with enquiries and quote requests that led to many contracts. Last year over 150 people won Spectrum USB cards and Darren Wood of Sixmedia and Dasha Tolkachevam won the top prizes of £150 travel vouchers.

Kath Doran, says of the 2007 exhibition: “Last year the time just flew by, we were so busy. We spoke to over 250 people about their encapsulation and plastic cards requirements and we have had a lot of jobs come into us as a direct result of the show.”

The show takes place on 16th, 17th and 18th September at the NEC. This year the Print for Business exhibition has teamed up with the National Incentive Show so there will be plenty to investigate!

Kathryn Doran joins IPIA Council

MD of Spectrum Plastics, Kathryn Doran, was elected to the Council at the IPIA Conference and AGM in May. Having been members of the IPIA for only 18 months Kath was delighted to be joining the strong team of industry leaders.

Kathryn says: “I’m keen to get more involved in the IPIA and I want to learn more about the vast array of businesses which make up the association. I want to get started on my duties as IPIA council member and help support this hard-working and exciting industry. Initially that means talking to members, if you feel there is something I can do to help support your business please give me a call.”

Kathryn is a member of the Conference & Exhibitions working group whose duties include organisation of the Print for Business exhibition and management of the speakers and entertainment. For further information please contact Kath direct on 0161 4807202.

Investment in people

Spectrum Plastics have been working with ‘Train to Gain’ to help members of their Office and Production teams gain NVQ level 2 qualifications within their roles.

Wayne Doran is the first to finish his NVQ level 2 AAT (accounts) and is eagerly awaiting his results.

Wayne says: “I’ve enjoyed taking some time out of day to day work to get involved in training. I have one day off site each week and work with my NVQ assessor in the office. I took my final exams in June and now I’m just awaiting the results….I’ve got everything crossed!”

The Train to Gain programme aims to improve business productivity and competitiveness by ensuring their workforce are equipped with the appropriate skills and abilities to do their job and play a key role in the company’s future growth and success.

Spectrum team members that are currently undergoing training are:

Paul – Customers Services NVQ Level 2

Harry, Ian and Chris – IT NVQ Level 2

Cherie, Martin, Steve and Trevor – Storage and warehousing NVQ Level 2, including fork lift truck driving

Elaine, Kay and John – Team leading NVQ Level 2

Harry Haslam says: “I really appreciate the help from Spectrum in terms of getting further qualifications. I’ve not worked with many companies that are so forward thinking. My IT skills have improved no end and I now feel confident to tackle things that I would have passed to others in the past.

For more information contact Hargreaves Training Solutions on 0113 2449393.

Congratulations to Hull Tigers!

Hull AFC have just been promoted to the Premiership and what better way to celebrate this achievement than to have library cards produced for everyone to enjoy – and that’s just what Hull City Council have done!

Lisa Jenkinson co-ordinated the design of the series of sports tickets including local football and rugby clubs, as well as local places of interest to ensure all round appeal.

Lisa says of Debbie Green: “I wanted to say a big thank you to you and your colleagues for getting the tickets to us by 25th April.”

She goes on to say: “Thanks very much for all your hard work throughout this – I appreciate that you were really busy with other projects. I look forward to working with you and your colleagues again in the future.”

Why not contact your local sports clubs to see if you can work together in promoting sport AND reading?

Our keyfob / bookmark joining cards – like Hull’s design - are really useful for members. Busy mums don’t have to struggle to get numerous cards in their wallet – the keyfob allows her to carry the barcode information with her keys at all times. The elderly also appreciate the keyfob / bookmark design, not so nimble fingers need all the help they can get.

Remember if you have a simple design we can work with you too – it’s not just the fancy joining cards we work on.

LI Show 2009!

We hope you enjoyed your visit to the LI Show, we certainly did and if you were one of the many people who took part in the Spectrum traffic lights game we hope you won! As well as the ‘Year of Reading’ mugs we also gave away two top prizes of £100 worth of equipment for libraries. Our winners were Mrs S Jeens, from Alcester High School, who spent her winnings on books for her school library and Mohammed Imran, from Accrington & Rossendale College.

We had a great exhibition talking to many people about ways we can work together and our current range of library and barcode products. If you didn’t get chance to pick up our information pack at the show, or need any free samples please call me on 0161 480 7202 or go to www.spectrumplastics.co.uk for more information.

We’ve already got our stand booked for next year and it’s going to be bigger and better!

Lovely labels

Did you know that Spectrum produce barcode labels at very competitive prices? We’ve years of experience of making barcode labels and know all the tricks of the trade.

Barcodes are laser printed at 600 dpi on permanent self-adhesive stock with a protective satin finish. They are kiss-cut to allow easy peeling and all you have to do is supply your number range and we’ll get on with the rest!

Our standard size is 62mm x 19mm with 40 labels per sheet and we work with all the barcode symbologies.

Give us a call today and order some test sheets to try before you place your order.

LI Show update

Debbie, Kath and Harry were rushed off their feet this week when they attended the Library and Information Show at the NEC.

They talked to over 400 individuals about their great selection of durable library cards and library products. They gave away over 300 prizes in the Spectrum 'traffic light' game and two top prize winners walked away with £100 worth of funding for their library.

Spectrum have already booked a bigger and better stand for 2009 so watch this space!

Spectrum supply over 70% of the UK's library cards.

For more information contact Debbie Green on 0161 480 7202.

Spectrum go green!

Spectrum are keen to reduce the environmental impact of their manufacturing techniques at every opportunity.

They have been investigating recycling opportunities for their waste for years and in April smashed their 2008 target of recycling FOUR TONNES of waste per month.

Previously this would have gone into landfill sites.

Spectrum are now looking at other ways in which they can help to protect the environment.

Spectrum show support for libraries

Spectrum Plastics have been producing library joining cards for over twenty years and around 70% of all libraries in the UK now use library cards produced by them – it’s a figure they’re very proud of.

Spectrum have forged close links with local authorities up and down the country. They circulate a quarterly newsletter, ‘Library Talk’ which is well read throughout the Library community. Debbie Green, Libraries Manager at Spectrum, understands the special requirements that Councils have with regard to Library card products and she specialises in helping them to get the most out of their tight budgets.

Debbie runs a ‘Design a library card’ competition sponsored by the company. This encourages children and parents to get more involved in their local library. Councils can take part in the scheme by contacting Debbie (debbie@spectrumplastics.co.uk) and taking a minimum order. Spectrum provide competition prizes and also offer a discount in artwork set up charges to the local authority – this way everyone wins!

Debbie says: "It's so rewarding to be working in such an important area. Children just love taking part in our competitions and if it means that we encourage more library visits then what could be better!"

Spectrum will exhibit the forthcoming Library and Information show on the 23rd and 24th April, you can meet them on stand 834. They will have a special traffic light game where you can scan the barcode of a specially produced library card and see if you are the top prize winner of £100 worth of equipment for your local library, or an amber light winner – win one of 300 ‘National Year of Reading’ mugs.

Spectrum are proud to support the National Year of Reading. They have produced free commemorative bookmarks for libraries to celebrate the event which. Contact debbie@spectrumplastics.co.uk for more information.

The National Year of Reading activities include: April: Read all about it! Links to newspapers and magazines; library membership campaign. May: Mind and Body. Reading and learning at work. The knock-on benefits of reading. June: Reading escapes. Holiday and summer reads. For more information go to: www.yearofreading.org.uk.

Hull Libraries have just created a wonderful keyfob-bookmark childrens’ ticket using artwork from the book Mr Pusskins, written and illustrated by author Sam Lloyd and published by Orchard Books.

Lisa Jenkinson of Hull City Council says: “Deborah Green and her team had to work closely with the publishers and Sam Lloyd to make sure they were in agreement when we were using their artwork. This worked really well and the end product looks great!”

Lisa goes on to say: “Hull Libraries have worked with Spectrum Plastics for the last 3 and a half years with regards to the design and supply of Hull Libraries joining tickets and certainly everyone who I have dealt with along the way have been very helpful. I would certainly recommend working with Deborah or any of her colleagues at Spectrum, whatever your requirement.

New rotary die-cutting machine first of it’s kind in UK

Spectrum Plastics have just invested over £80K in a bid to improve plastic card production capacity and timescales. Their brand new totally automated cutting machine will cut 75K cards per hour – and that’s fast!

“We are getting extremely busy and this machine will help give us the capacity to carry on growing.” says Kathryn Doran, MD at Spectrum.

She goes on to say,

“Less wastage, no more manual feeding and the improved cutting speeds will mean we can improve production timescales and overall efficiency.”

The sheet fed rotary die-cutting machine has been manufactured in America and it will arrive in Stockport on 7 March. It will be commissioned by 14 March and the Spectrum team are raring to get started.

Having been manufactured to Spectrum’s exacting specifications the machine is a unique piece if kit in the UK.

Spectrum need the extra capacity as the company is seeing large numbers of new customers as well as continued repeat orders. Since re-branding last year order books have been filling up quickly!

Specifications: • Automatic deep pile sheet feeding and precise adjustable side registration. • Automatic and precise servo controlled registration to the rotary die tool. • Precision crafted rotary die tool for perfect card quality every time. • Tooling costs at 1/10 punch press technology, on comparable yields. • Equipment costs at almost half that of punch press’ with triple the productivity. • Custom delivery designs for the full range of laminated card requirements.

Library and Information Show 2008

Join us on stand 834 on 23rd and 24th April in Hall 11 at the NEC.

We'll be showing off our great selection of durable library cards and meeting our library customers from around the UK and Ireland.

Spectrum supply over 70% of the UK's library cards.

For more information contact Debbie Green on 0161 480 7202.

Trade Only Show Triumph

Spectrum attended the Trade Only show on 28th and 29th January and were delighted at being so incredibly busy.

“I did not even look at my watch, let alone have a coffee before 3pm on the first day, the feedback has been incredible!” says Kath Doran.

Since getting back to the office the team have been busy doing nothing but nothing but non-stop quotes and getting back to contacts made at the show. Several big projects are in the pipeline.

Spectrum joined forces with representatives from the IPIA and found that this new more promotionally focussed audience were really interested in the products they had to offer.

The 2008 Trade Only National Show exceeded all expectations with over 1350 visitors (63% up on 2007) Visitors from 15 different countries and exhibitors from the UK, Europe and the USA.

Andrew Pearce, Chief Executive of the Independent Print Industries Association had this to say about the Trade Only National Show " the event was a resounding success for the ten IPIA members who exhibited together under the IPIA pavilion banner, so much so that I have already reserved space at the 2009 Show, and I hope that more members will join us next year."

If you met us there we hope you enjoyed your visit and that you were one of the many people who took part in the Spectrum traffic lights game. We managed to give away over 150 prizes in the two days, including lots of bottles of win!

If you didn’t get chance to pick up our information pack at the show or need any free samples or indeed samples for your own jobs, please give us a call on 0161 480 7202.

Newsletter for libraries

Spectrum are working on a big project to keep local authorities up to date on advances in library card manufacture. Local authorities will start receiving a newsletter from January giving them lots of key information, discounts and competitions. It's hoped that the newsletter will form an important tool in educating libraries on the potential of library cards, and also generate a network whereby local authority and library staff can communicate with one another.

For more information contact Debbie Green at Spectrum.

About 70% of all libraries in the UK now use library cards produced by Spectrum Plastics. They offer not only the standard credit card sized cards, but ones that incorporate a keyfob and bookmark.

New library cards in Stockport

Local authorities have been signing up to a library card competition sponsored by Spectrum Plastics that encourages children and parents to get more involved in their local library.

Stockport is the most recent area to complete the competition. Rebecca Harnett (aged 5) and Pearl Palfreyman (aged 10) won the competition with the beautiful designs photographed here. The presentation took place as part of the Reading Comes Alive 'festival' in Merseyway Shopping Centre. The prizes were presented by Lynne Chapman, who is a professional picture-book illustrator. In addition to the gift tokens supplied by Spectrum Lynne also drew an original, personalised picture for the two winners.

Photographed are (from left to right): Janet Wood (Development & resources Manager, Stockport Library & Information Service, Rebecca Harnett, Lynne Chapman and Pearl Palfreyman.

Local authorities can take part in the scheme by contacting Debbie at Spectrum and taking a minimum order. Spectrum provide competition prizes and also offer a discount in artwork set up charges to the local authority – that way everyone wins!

About 70% of all libraries in the UK now use library cards produced by Spectrum Plastics. They offer not only the standard credit card sized cards, but ones that incorporate a keyfob and bookmark.

“It’s so rewarding to be working in such an important area. Children just love taking part in something like this and if it means that we encourage more library visits then what could be better!” says Debbie Green, Libraries Manager, Spectrum Plastics.

Spectrum success at Telford

On October 10th and 11th Spectrum exhibited at the Print For Business Exhibition at the International Centre in Telford. The new stand was a roaring success and Kath and her team have been swamped with new enquiries and quote requests.

If you were at the show you will also have had the opportunity to win Spectrum USB sticks or up to £150 of travel vouchers.

On Wednesday Darren Wood of Sixmedia won the top prize and on Thursday Dasha Tolkachevam, pictured with Harry Haslam, won the opportunity to take a trip with her prize of travel vouchers. Well done to both of our lucky winners and let us know where you end up on your trip!

Harry moves into Account Manager role

Harry Haslam has recently been appointed Account Manager at Spectrum Plastics. Having worked for several years as Spectrum's screen print specialist Harry brings a wealth of experience and first hand knowledge to the role.

Harry will be making initial contact with Spectrum customers over the next few months and his role will be critical to customer care within the organisation.

If you'd like to know more or arrange a visit from Harry just call him on 0161 480 7202.

Unbeatable Plastic cards using 100% plastic materials

Spectrum Plastics produce tear-proof plastic cards that are exceptionally durable and can be cut to any size or shape. Spectrum use a unique synthetic polyester substrate that, when heated during production, forms a permanent bond with the encapsulate, giving it added strength and flexibility. The finished product is a highly durable card that can be custom-designed, printed, sealed and cut to your requirements. Available in a wide range of gauges and finished in gloss or matt they can also be personalised to feature photos, names, numbers or barcodes. Spectrum are one of the largest plastic card manufacturers in the UK and, with over 10 years experience, and can ensure perfect results at fantastic prices - whatever the size of order.

Typical uses include:

  • Membership cards
  • Promotional and loyalty cards
  • Identification cards
  • Library cards
  • Security cards
  • Bookmarks
  • Key fobs
  • Point of sale

Spectrum re-invent themselves as encapsulation brand leader

Spectrum Plastics have just unveiled their new logo and brand identity. Spectrum felt they had moved on as a company over the last few years and the team felt it was time for a refresh. The new logo is as colourful as the people within the organisation itself and their new strap-line – ‘Encapsulating your needs’ is really what they’re all about.

“It’s not just a logo it’s a whole mind-set change of direction for our company – we’ve officially become a customer centric brand!” says Kath Doran, Managing Director, Spectrum Plastics.