A BOLTON-based creative branding company has won a tender to supply logo-branded products for the majority of universities and higher educational colleges in the UK.

The move for Silk Group Ltd to supply promotional merchandise and branded clothing is thought to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds for the company in St Georges Square, close to the town centre.

The company will provide all types of products branded with the university or college logos — from pens, bags and power-banks to water bottles, coffee mugs and hoodies.

This builds on Silk’s current success in supplying a selection of universities and colleges across the country, ranging from the University of Central Lancashire to City, University of London. It means Silk, which was first established in Bolton in 1988 and now has a second base in Devon, will deal with around 100 universities and many other higher educational colleges.

Director Pete Slater has been carrying out a series of presentations to university and college representatives and is delighted that the company’s hard work has paid off.

“This is an excellent move for Silk,” he stated. “It already means we need to add two more members of staff to the 20 the group already employs. We may need to increase the team further as the contract progresses.”

He pointed to the need these days for all educational institutions to market themselves attractively to engage effectively with potential students. He also felt that Silk’s ethical and sustainable ranges had resonated with university and college staff.

“We tried to encourage them towards our eco products and they appreciated this and also the sustainable nature and experience of our own company, having ISO14001 for environmental management,” he added.

Mr Slater felt the inclusive nature of Silk, with its own design studio and embroidery division, meant it was recognised that orders could be supplied more easily and quickly.

Although the success of this new tender - largest in the company’s history to date - represents a significant move forward, it already has a solid customer base which includes local authorities like Manchester City Council.

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