Taking a look back

P&P editor Melanie Attlesey takes a look back at her favourite interviews from the last seven years.

October 2014

I started editing Printwear & Promotion in August 2014, with my first issue being the September one. My first autumn and winter was certainly a busy one with trips out of the office left, right and centre to immerse myself in the industry. One of my first visits was to Rowlinson Knitwear (now known as One+All) in Stockport to discuss the company’s move into corporatewear. This interview sticks in my mind as Donald Moore, managing director, was such a delight to speak to.

December 2014

My next trip out was to Scotland. During this whirlwind outing I visited Glenmuir’s factory in Lanark to see the golf clothing brand’s new modular embroidery machine set-up. The reason I have selected this article, is that it was my first experience of seeing embroidery in action on a large scale and it certainly opened my eyes to garment decoration. While in the area I also visited the team at Trespass to hear about the brand’s move into the corporate market and its new partnership with PenCarrie.

December 2015

Another first for me was a visit to BTC activewear’s distribution centre and warehouse in Wednesbury. Earlier in the year, the distributor had upgraded its warehouse management system, which caused numerous unforeseen issues. After a challenging year, BTC activewear threw open its doors to customers so they could see the changes that had been implemented and find out what the distributor had planned for 2016. I enjoyed this visit as it made me realise and appreciate the complexities of operating a warehouse on this scale.

July 2018

This trip was one of my all-time favourites. Despite being really poorly with a chest infection (I’m sure the team at Coloreel and AJS Embroidery Services will remember it well!), I flew to Sweden and was given an exclusive demonstration of the revolutionary new Coloreel embroidery unit. As the industry’s leading magazine, it’s our job to showcase to you the latest innovations from across the industry and hopefully we achieve this every issue.

May 2019

My second international visit was to Kornit Digital’s premises in Düsseldorf, Germany. Kornit leads the way when it comes to sustainable digital printing and it was fascinating to find out what the company was doing in this field. I felt privileged to be invited as a guest to the manufacturer’s open house event and to sit down for an interview with CEO, Ronen Samuel, to hear his thoughts and opinions.

May 2021

And finally, I have interviewed and spoken with many garment decorators over the years and I do truly love hearing your stories. Every business has their own unique way of coming to the industry and that is what makes the world of printwear so wonderful. Like many during the pandemic, I had to conduct my interviews over the phone or via Zoom, but this did not stop decorators from coming forward to tell their stories. Perhaps one of my favourite interviews during the pandemic was with Mike Cadman of Murgens Keep. He certainly was not backwards in coming forwards and it was pleasure to get an insight into his business.