WILD Thang Development Update
WILD Thang Development Update

A big thank you to our friends Tarways Asphalte who have completed a great job resurfacing our car park and goods in areas, these have now been marked up with our disabled and electric charging bays.

Benson Signs have also been back on site to fit high level signage to our Derby Road elevation, showing the world what we’re all about! It’s been a very tough journey with development and COVID disruption, but we’re edging closer to final development completion.

Who said manufacturing premises had to be boring or run of the mill, we are really proud to have had the aspiration to create something world class with the help of Liverpool based K2 Architects & Frank Rogers Building Contractor Limited.

Its hopefully not long now as we literally can’t wait to be able to invite you guys & gals to our grand unveiling when it’s safe to do so!

If you would like to find out more about how Wild Thang can help you create a world class physical image, simply get in touch.

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Good luck to all the Businesses Reopening From Team Wild Thang!
Good luck to all the Businesses Reopening From Team Wild Thang!

Finally the day we have all been waiting for, the reopening of all ‘non essential’ retail, hospitality, pubs, gyms and more. Team Wild Thang wanted to wish good luck to the butcher, the barber, the candlestick maker and of course, the bar tender, much luck as reopening gets into full swing. We are here as always to help with expert advice to keep you covid safe and on brand, whether it be face masks, uniform emblazoned with safety reminders, signage, giveaways or any other merchandise, we’re your one stop solution for creative branded clothing, merchandise & print to help get your business looking world class.

So let’s get back at it and get this show back on the road & here are a few ideas that will hopefully give you just a little inspiration to take your branding to the next level.

 

We have a great range of face masks and face covering options, some of which can be branded with full colour coverage to help you stay safe and on brand.

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In an outdoor environment feather flags are a fantastic way to draw attention to both your brand and location but could also be used to promote safe social distancing at your venue, all of which helps you stay safe and on brand.

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With it being all about the great outdoors for hospitality currently, what better way to stay safe and on brand by creating an outdoor seating area using these high quality café barriers.

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Hi-Visability vests have traditionally been used in the construction industry as a means of keeping employees safe but can also be used in a variety of environments to make employees easily identifiable & could promote safe social distancing again keeping you safe and on brand.

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Please remember we are here to help with expert advice for creative branded clothing, merchandise & print. If you have a requirement, question or query simple get in touch. 

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It’s been a WILD 12 months since the first lockdown!
It’s been a WILD 12 months since the first lockdown!

Wild Thang look back on the challenges and successes since the first lockdown, so we have chosen 12 pictures along with a small description that sum up our company journey over the past 12 months and create a snap shot of highs and lows timeline.

It has without doubt been the most challenging year in our company’s history but we were determined from the very start to make sure it was not going to define us as a team or company, and that we at Wild Thang would not only survive, but thrive.

We are incredibly proud as a company and as a team that we continued to try and make a difference in our community both personally and as a business. Our NHS awareness and fundraising campaign was our highlight and really gave us something positive to focus on with the belief as a team that we could all make a difference to not only Wild Thang but also making sure those NHS heroes knew they would never walk alone.

A big thank you also has to go to the clients that have continued to require our services, placing their faith in Wild Thang to continue to deliver, and of course our team who have adapted and thrived with the back drop of the challenges and impact the pandemic has had both at home and in our work place. We appreciate every challenge you have all over come.

With infection rates falling and the vaccine rollout having a real impact hopefully we can look forward to the future with new hope, confidence and ambition that a return to normality is on the horizon.

Now that our world class development is virtually complete we have never been in a better position to deliver World Class branded clothing, merchandise and print to our amazing clients across the UK and beyond, we can’t wait to give you the official tour. Even though we know there will be continued challenges the sky really is the limit, we truly believe we can make 2021 the start of a new positive era at Wild Thang, and make it our best year ever. 

 

1)  Lock Down Begins For Wild Thang.

  

23rd March and our company lockdown begins, no-one could imagine that the pandemic would still be impacting our lives 12 months on. While our sales like everyone else’s fall off a cliff edge we focus on making sure we create a robust continuity plan that will protect our team and the community. We have never worked as hard to put all the new procedures in place to make sure we survived and thrived as a company. 

 

2) Team Wild Thang Social Distancing T-Shirts sent out to our Amazing Team.

While our sales, studio staff and part of our production staff are working from home we still wanted to make sure we kept in touch with our amazing team so what better way than to send them a t-shirt, which we produced in house of course. 

 

3)  NHS T-shirt Initiative launched.

We launch our T-shirt Campaign to let them NHS heroes know they will never walk alone whilst also promoting social distancing. For every t-shirt purchased we will donate 50% to NHS Charities OR a t-shirt to an NHS hero in their fight against the virus. The reaction to the campaign is fantastic and we feel really proud as a team we are making a difference.

 

4)  Further ISO success For Wild Thang.

Even though we have been working remotely because of corona virus that was never going to stop Wild Thang from making improvements, even in incredibly challenging circumstances. We are immensely proud as a team to announce the award of ISO 27001, which now creates a trio of ISO standard certifications at Wild Thang.

 

5)  NHS T-shirt Campaign completed and reported.

 

We were incredibly proud of what we achieved as a team at Wild Thang to try and make a difference and received orders from across the UK and Internationally, plus a few celebs purchased and were happy to get involved in our campaign. We were happy to report that we sold over 370 t-shirt’s and dispatched from WT HQ. The feedback, social interaction and encouragement was immense, but the highlight was from Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together who commented “Well done for all the support you are giving to NHS charities, this is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing with us, we really appreciate it. Thank you so much for your support to NHSCT and our members. I love the videos and selfies they are great.”

 

6)  Liverpool FC finally lift The Premier League trophy after a 30 year wait.

While we have been a branding partner with LFC for many years this this was an incredibly special moment to say that Wild Thang have branded the first team’s kits and accessories for the Champions of England.

 

7)  Wild Thangs world class development is getting closer.

Even with the impact of the pandemic our building contractors are flying towards the final external phases which includes full cladding to our west wall, and importantly the window knock through which will give natural light into our production space. We are getting excited to show prospect clients, suppliers and partners the finished build! The sky is the limit.

 

8)  Wild Thang creates a little bit of history.

It was a special moment to visit the Museum of Liverpool and see the new exhibition which documents the effect Covid-19 has had on our region with our NHS campaign T-shirts featured, and the positive impact that companies and individuals have had. Curator Kay Jones and the team have done a wonderful job putting it together, it was so nice to see our own NHS awareness t-shirts and other merchandise we have produced form part of this important curation.

 

9)  Salford Red Devils compete in the Challenge Cup Final.

Wild Thang are incredibly proud of the club and honored to be their Official Merchandise and branding partner, along with Kappa, supplying the highest quality kit. Salford Red Devils unfortunately lose out by the narrowest of margins at Wembley.

 

10)  We lost a true friend and mentor coach, John Haynes.

John became an integral part of our company family helping Wild Thang and all our employees to learn to fly with the eagles over many years. We will never forget the positive impact he had on us all as individuals and as a company. John had unwavering commitment over the past four decades to raise aspiration and confidence in each individual that has been mentored by him and The International Coaching Academy. John was rightfully posthumously awarded the Freedom of the City of Liverpool & will always be in our hearts and minds.   

 

11)  Wild Thang invest over £120k in new state of the art DTG branding machinery.

This will dramatically increase our in house DTG print capacity and prepare us for future growth. As a company and country it’s been a tough year, but we have a dynamic mindset that won’t allow us to standstill, but push forward to be the best we can be and this will add to our world class branding offer.

 

12)  Wild Thangs long awaited Practical Completion is agreed for our new World Class development!

Whilst like many companies sales may have been reduced in 2020, it has not reduced our optimism and determination to make 2021 the start of a new era and our most successful ever. It’s due to our teams commitment that our development is now completed which places us in our strongest position ever to deliver one world class solution and as always we are here to help with expert advice to solve any branded clothing, merchandise and print puzzle. Four years in the making and we can’t wait to give you an official tour, when it’s safe to do so in 2021, and get you all involved in the official showcase launch later in the year. 

 

If you need some expert advice on some World Class Branded Clothing, Merchandise or Print to help with your 2021 bounce back please don't hesitate to get in touch. 

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Happy St Patrick’s Day
Happy St Patrick’s Day

Happy St Patrick’s Day to all those celebrating but especially to our Irish colleagues, clients, suppliers, family and friends over on the Emerald Isle!

We are sure you’ll be missing the incredible parades and craic that take place, but we’re sure it will be back bigger and better for 2022!

It literally is ‘Pure Genius’ how Guinness are so connected to the event and the merchandise they produce is World Class, bringing fun and innovation to the party! Here’s some merch in action to whet your whistle for next year.

If you are interested in getting some creative world class branded, merchandise and print simply get in touch.

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I’m dreaming of a covid free Christmas just like the ones we used to know !
I’m dreaming of a covid free Christmas just like the ones we used to know !

Where do we start when it comes to looking back on 2020, well I think now more than ever it has to start with a big, huge, massive thank you !

To our incredible clients & suppliers who have all helped us weather the storm that has been 2020, every order placed has meant so much this year and having a stable supply chain is central to us being able to deliver the world class service we strive to deliver.

A big thank you to the whole Wild Thang team for their commitment & dedication in helping us get through what has been the companies most difficult time in its near 25 year history. We all committed as a team from day one of lockdown to make sure we not only survived but thrived as a team and company.

While like many companies sales may have been reduced in 2020, it has not reduced our optimism and determination to make 2021 our most successful ever. It’s due to our teams commitment that our world class development is now completed which places us in our strongest position ever to deliver one world class solution & are always here to help with expert advice to solve any branded clothing, merchandise and print puzzle.

Four years in the making & we can’t wait to give you an official tour of our new world class development when it’s safe to do so in 2021. But until then we will be doing a virtual launch and tour over the coming months that will hopefully showcase how far we have come as a company in the last 24 years.

Christmas is the time when we can all make a difference so as our last job of the year our Team Christmas themed day raised money that went towards buying arts and crafts for the children at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, as we knew this was something that they were running short of, we also made a delivery into Liverpool Cathedrals food bank to help those less fortunate at this time of year.

We’d like to thank our generous staff for contributing and helping make these donations possible, you’re the best. The clock is ticking and we will be closing in the next hour for our festive break, but we’ll be back with a bang on the 4th Jan, recharged and ready to go!

Wild Thang now looks to 2021 with great ambition to make it our most successful ever.

Wishing all Wild Thang’s Clients, Suppliers, Colleagues, Family and Friends A very safe Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Team Wild Thang

If you have a requirement In the New Year for any one of our services please don’t hesitate to get in touch

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Wild Thang investing in new state of the art DTG branding machinery
Wild Thang investing in new state of the art DTG branding machinery

Wild Thang make an investment of £120K to further enhance their current DTG printing machinery and ensure they continue to strive to deliver world class products and quality to their amazing clients across the UK, and the rest of the world.

Andrew Dwerryhouse, Wild Thang MD commented: 'Even in these incredibly challenging COVID times it is important to look ahead and continue to make important investments like this that will help us deliver our long term aspirational growth plans.

Even in times of economic uncertainly its incredibly important to have that dynamic and continuous improvement mindset because we understand if you are standing still and not adapting then the writing may already be on the wall for any company.

We decided as a team in order to survive and thrive as a company that we needed to continue to invest for the future. As a company we have a one solution mindset so this really compliments Direct To Garment equipment we already have in place but increases our capacity to a much more industrial level with the very latest high quality branding technology which of course will complement our large screen-print, embroidery and heat transfer departments.

Our amazing team undertook three days of training during the installation so have further enhanced their expert DTG knowledge and we are especially excited about the GTX machines environmental credentials with printer inks are manufactured according to Brother's exclusive formulation to provide the best possible results. These DTG inks are amongst the first to not only carry the Oeko-Tex® Certification, but also to be GOTS APPROVED and CPSIA compliant* to help ensure they are safe for printing and environmentally responsible.

For those who don’t know DTG printing it stands for Direct To Garment which is the process of using a modified industrial inkjet printer to apply digital designs directly to garment, it can print any number of colours to an incredibly high resolution meaning there are no longer any boundaries to create incredibly complex designs on short runs. This is the chosen method for on demand where we produce garments as one off or small orders as they are received which is incredibly flexible. We see markets changing and have demand for people to create partnerships where they don’t want to outlay big amounts in either stock or setups so this really opens another set of doors to give our clients yet another possible solution to their branding requirements.

We decided that we wanted to make the first job off the new DTG equipment a special one so we decided to support our friends over at MaxMade who will be taking part in a social distance Santa Dash in memory of Emily Jane Gore, Emily sadly passed away earlier in the year. Their team raised an incredible £5,329 with all proceeds being donated to Willowbrook Hospice. We hope you like our little video montage & photo's to celebrate this significant DTG investment and also to help promote the great fundraising initiative MaxMade are supporting.

After an incredibly difficult year with the impact of Covid we are now focused on Wild Thang looking to 2021 with great ambition and combined with the upcoming completion of our new development we believe the sky really is the limit for dynamic sales growth."

To find out more about the new DTG branding service simple get in touch 

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Video montage & photo’s Various DTG installation images, John Penkman Wild Thang production dept manager proudly holding the t-shirt and the Maxmade team with the cheque & wearing the t-shirts which features a picture of Emily Jane Gore, who will always be remembered.

It was a happy Valentine’s Day for Wild Thang
It was a happy Valentine’s Day for Wild Thang

It was a happy Valentine’s Day for Wild Thang.

As the completion of its major development plan and a new era with the handover of its upgraded headquarters, that dream started to become a reality on Valentine’s Day when Frank Rogers Building Contractors officially handed over the new build offices of the development.

Andrew Dwerryhouse said: “This represents a major step forward for the business and it is amazing to see this investment start to come to fruition. When you embark on a development on this scale, you take a deep breath. It’s a huge commitment in time, planning and of course monetary terms - but when you see it start to become reality, you know it is the correct decision.

We wanted to make sure we brought the right people in on this project. Myself, the Directors and our senior team care a great deal about this business so it had to be right for everyone, it’s fantastic to be able to report that all staff are already benefitting from the amazing new spaces. Central to the whole development was always to create a wonderful high quality working environment for our amazing colleagues and the really big news is that I actually had my first lunch break away from my desk in 24 years, which is quite a revelation!

Both Frank Rogers and the architects at K2 have not let us down.

They have delivered a genuinely high quality job so far, especially with the added complexity of it being undertaken while we continue to manufacture. Our eye can’t be taken off the ball just yet because we still need to complete the demolition of our old building to create the new cladding and windows around the rest of the outside and also create a completely new production configuration which is a big task in itself. The full completion of the entire development is looking like it will be towards the end of April 2020.

 

It has been an intense and challenging few months for the whole team working alongside the development while it progresses and something like this only happens through that real team ethos in every area of the business. Overseeing this project and continuing to make sure the day-to-day work of Wild Thang isn’t compromised has been a huge logistical challenge. Our team has worked brilliantly to ensure it has been business as usual.

 

Although Friday 14th February was the official handover for the project there are still some jobs that need to be completed. Another firm, Box Clever, has also been integral to the process, taking Wild Thang through the tender process and acting as the development project manager.

As a company we have enjoyed growth of around 18-20% for the past three years and are aiming for further 20-25% growth following completion of the project. The transformation of the headquarters will allow the business to significantly increase manufacturing capacity and will require a rise in headcount to meet our aspiration to be one of the leading branded clothing, merchandise and print companies inthe UK.

We are now the biggest company in this sector in the Liverpool city region and we see huge opportunities for growth in the coming months and years. This project has been three years in the planning and seeing it finally come to fruition is incredibly exciting for us all. In fact I can safely say there may have never been a more exciting time, because this is one of the biggest moments in Wild Thang’s history.” 

Main photo image is the handover image on reception stairs includes directors of Wild Thang, Box Clever & Frank Rogers

Other photo images of new offices and Wild Thang staff enjoying the new spaces

 

LOOKING BACK ON A 'WILD' 2019
LOOKING BACK ON A 'WILD' 2019

It’s been one of the most exciting and challenging years in Wild Thang’s 23 years in business and we are more excited than ever to get our exciting redevelopment completed so we can really do our Thang and shoot for the stars!

You may know us for just printing t-shirts, or just supplying branded pens, but hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised about what we have been up to over the past 12 months and get a much better understanding of the truly extensive range of world class products and services we provide.

 

It’s been a Wild 2019

January was an incredibly exciting moment, after 4 years of hard work and preparation we were finally granted planning permission to redevelop the premises.

 

February and our development was competitively tendered and we were chuffed that local Liverpool company Frank Rogers were successful to create a trio of local companies involved in our exciting new development.

 

March gave us the opportunity to produce the official merchandise for the Liver Building 360 tour, Liverpool’s newest and most innovative attraction!

April was immense, whilst we attended the World Famous Grand National at Aintree Racecourse we spotted the playing cards we had produced for the Jockey Club in the hospitality lounges.

May was the month that we finally broke ground on the development, a momentous moment for sure, it was fantastic, and with much relief to finally get the build underway.

June allowed us to put the final touches to Liverpool Football Clubs 1st team player’s jerseys and training kit with the embroidery to commemorate the Champions League Final in Madrid, we are proud to be an official branding partner for one of the greatest football clubs in the world.

July and the development is making exciting progress with the steel frame and cladding being completed, so really starting to become a reality that all the effort and planning made with the very talented K2 Architects, to create a development that had integrity to add something dynamic to the city scape was finally paying off.

August, wow we are very proud to be voted as one of the top merchandise and corporate gift distributors in the UK, and the only representative based in the Liverpool City Region for 2018.

 

September seen the launch of the medal muddle initiative with our friends at BTR. CSR is at the heart of Wild Thang as a company, so we were proud to make an effort to not only help raise much needed money for local charities, but in turn upcycling products to minimise waste. 

October and Salford Red Devils reach the Rugby League Grand Final at Old Trafford, against all the odds, we were incredibly proud and privileged to be part of their journey this year as their Official Branding, Merchandise and Retail Partner following the commencement of a 3 year deal with our friends at Kappa UK.

November - I’m a celebrity, get me out of here! In every jungle there has to be a Wild Thang and that just happened to be us! Producing the Official Merchandise for one of the biggest programs on TV.

December and its time to have yourself a merry eco Christmas. This year we wanted to highlight a number of innovative products that are all about sustainability, reusability and recyclability, which included a straw for life, collapsible reusable coffee cup and a draw string tote bag, made in part of recycled cotton blend and plastic bottles! If you has been a good boy or girl this year you may even receive one of our Wild Thang branded, eco orientated, corporate merchandise gifts!

Topping off an incredible 2019, and something huge for us to celebrate is our new building officially becoming water tight, so we can starting planning the interior design, new office layouts and the official launch in March, so watch this space...

 

We have come a long way since that £1500 Princes Trust loan 23 years ago, so we are more excited about the future than ever before and what we can achieve as a team in 2020. When the team works the dream works, so we would like to wholeheartedly thank and wish all of our amazing team, clients and friends a very merry and Wild Christmas, this New Year don’t worry about a Thang, so we can make it a very prosperous 2020 together.

 

We are always here to help with branded clothing, merchandise and print advice!

 

Team Wild Thang.

 

WILD THANG WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR !
WILD THANG WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Wild Thang special thank you festive discount vouchers, our greatest thanks for all your business this year - we want you to know we really appreciate it. Please Remember we are here to help you have a successful & prosperous 2020 by providing free expert branded clothing, merchandise and print advice. As a small token gesture of our appreciation, save £’s by taking advantage of our four great voucher offers for 2020. From the whole Wild Thang team. They are Valid in both January & February 2020. Using them could not be easier simply present when placing an order

 

Voucher 1 will give you a free set up on any order for merchandise or corporate gifts Why not has a browse around the many products available

ALL PRODUCTS

Voucher 2 will give you a free set up on any order for branded clothing Why not has a browse around the many garments & apparel available

CLOTHING

Voucher 3 will get you some free business cards or a discounted pull up banner. Why not has a browse around the many promotional paper & desk products available

PAPER & DESK

Voucher 4 will get you some free numbering required on any sportswear kit. Why not has a browse around the tip of the iceberg of sportswear products available

SPORTSWEAR

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas They are Valid in both January & February 2020. Using them could not be easier simply present when placing an order. If you want to proceed with an order simply quickly fill in the contact us form or give us a quick call to explain your requirements

ENQUIRY

Proud sponsor and exhibitor of the Halton & Warrington Business Fair #HaltonBizFair
Proud sponsor and exhibitor of the Halton & Warrington Business Fair #HaltonBizFair

Some things in life are free and this is one of them! Why not come and see Wild Thang plus many other companies at the Halton & Warrington Business Fair #HaltonBizFair taking place at the Halton Stadium, Widnes on Thursday 7th November.

Get registered now, come along & get some expert advice in a business 2 business exhibition environment including free workshops, seminars, free one to one business clinics, networking sessions & a good few freebies! Wild Thang will have lots of innovative products on display and amazing promotional merchandise campaigns such as Paddy Power, LFC, Vimto, EFC, Sky Bet, NHS Awareness campaigns, MAG and many more.

Latest BPMA market research for the promotional merchandise industry proving our products/services are an equal or better return on investment than many other forms of advertising. Remember we are here to help with expert branded clothing, merchandise and print advice. For more details click on the below link

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