PersonaliseMe will now supply uniforms to more than 20 schools in Conwy county, following the closure of Boppers, which called it a day this month after more than 47 years due to retirement.
The deal came just 12 months after PersonaliseMe was founded by greetings card printer LimaLima’s owner, Carly Brands.
Brands told Printweek that she was “very proud” to be taking on such a local institution, which had been run by owner Joan Rossington for the past 25 years.
“I saw on social media that Boppers was closing, and approached her to take on the stock and business,” explained Brands.
“It’s a great add-on, but makes us very busy. Obviously it’s quite a good time of year to take it on, as we’ve got a little while to get into the swing of things before it all gets busy in the summer.”
Rossington, who has retired following the business’ closure and sale, said it had been a “privilege” to see so many generations of families pass through the doors.
“It’s been the most amazing 25 years for me here in Colwyn Bay, but the time is right to retire. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family, especially my young grandchildren, and seeing what the future brings.
“I am so thankful to our loyal customers for their decades of support, it was a difficult decision to walk away from Boppers but knowing Carly and her team are taking on a large portion of the schools we supply, and that it will remain local, has given me peace of mind. I know they will do a brilliant job and wish them well."
The acquisition has made good use of PersonaliseMe’s new 560sqm site, which it has occupied since the summer alongside its sister company LimaLima.
“We’ve got this really big space, and having all the stock here just makes full use of the premises,” Brands said.
PersonaliseMe will be able to fulfil school uniform orders throughout the year, and has built a dedicated web shop for parents; larger-volume orders will be outsourced, as they were previously under Boppers’ retail business.
The expanded order book represents around £150,000 worth of business for PersonaliseMe, taking it up to £300,000, and will present plenty of new opportunities for growth with schools, and will help the business reach plenty of new customers.
“All the parents either have businesses or are employed somewhere, so it brings a lot of attention to what we were doing already, we’re definitely excited about it,” said Brands.
She added that she had already had conversations with some schools about the potential for DTF prints for sports kits, and that others might be interested in the company’s existing school leaver hoody business.
“We’re not even 12 months, so it’s not bad going,” Brands said.
PersonaliseMe employs five full-time staff, and six part-time.
