Introducing partnership with FairForward
In January 2019, the promotional product multi-specialist took the next step in their sustainability strategy by entering a partnership with the renowned Dutch fair trade organisation FairForward
Roelofarendsveen, 08. January 2019 – PF Concept is continuously working to improve its supply chain, realizing that there are producers in the world that might be hard to reach for a global company such as PF Concept and might not be able to pass the company’s strict internal audit systems because of their size and development. To be able to give these producers access to a large network of European promotional distributors, PF Concept has entered into a partnership with FairForward. This organisation is dedicated to develop small producers in South America and Asia and, together with their local trading partners, contribute to the fight against poverty. FairForward’s trading partners form the link between producers and the different international markets.
The history of FairForward goes back to 1959, when the Foundation for Underdeveloped Regions was founded in the Netherlands. After a name change, the opening of its first own Fair Trade Shops with Fair Trade food and the later introduction of the brand name Fair Trade Original, FairForward became an independent organisation for “gifts and living” products in 2013. Since its start, FairForward has entered into long-term relationships with trading partners who adhere to Fair Trade principles. FairForward is an organisation certified by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). This gives FairForward the right to place the logo of WFTO on each product. This ensures that the products are manufactured according to the Fair Trade principles.
As of January 2019, 15 FairForward products will initially be available via PF Concept. These include the Big Fair Bag made of cotton canvas, which is manufactured in Kolkata, India. A great product that not only supports the small producers but also fights the use of single-use plastic. Besides making a clear statement it’s very convenient to transport purchases in this bag. The four-piece stoneware set Fair Mug is handcrafted in Thailand and stamped “Fair mug” which gives the mugs a timeless and unique look as well as proclaiming their provenance.
Also available is the four-piece espresso-set Fair Cup from PF Concept. The message has been stamped into the wet clay before glazing, giving the cups a unique handmade look.
Practical and decorative at the same time is the three-piece set Pila, made of recycled glass, which is glass-blown in Bolivia. Pila is Spanish for ‘to pile’. And that is exactly what you can do with this range. The glasses can easily be stacked making carrying easier.
The carefully selected Fairtrade products support the development of small factories in developing countries while at the same time are very attractive gifts to support brand messages. Further information can be found in the new Enjoy Fair Trade brochure and at www.pfconcept.com.
About PF Concept International:
PF Concept International B.V. is the leading promotional products supplier to the European market. PF Concept combines the widest product mix in the industry with a range of pan-European services that provide unique value to distributors. PF Concept is the preferred one-stop-shopping solution for more than 10,000 promotional products distributors in more than 60 countries. It is headquartered in Roelofarendsveen, near Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and operates from 9 sales offices throughout Europe.
In its ISO 14001 certified plant PF Logo Express Sp. z o.o. in Poland, PF Concept combines 23,000 m² warehousing facilities with a 20,000 m² production plant. The combination of production, distribution and its express printing service SureShipTM meets customers’ needs for fast service to the extent of one-day production and next-day shipment.
Besides being UK’s leading supplier for promotional products, PF Concept UK Ltd is a manufacturer of high-quality drinkware, innovative plastic injection promotional items and paper products. The British Collection of UK-made products is manufactured in Blackpool and Banbury under the name PF Concept UK Operations LTD.
Further information is available at www.pfconcept.com.