ImagesMagUK-Sep18

www.images-magazine.com SEPTEMBER 2018 images 07 INDUSTRY NEWS Awesome Merchandise hits crowdfunding target for US-expansion Awesome Merchandise has hit its target of £350,000 to support the upcoming launch of its new US facility in Austin, Texas this summer, in just over a week since it started the Crowdcube campaign. “We are delighted to have reached our goal less than two weeks after we went live on Crowdcube,“ said Luke Hodson, who founded the business in 2005 and owns it with his wife Charlotte. “Having so many investors involved in Awesome is really exciting for us, with many customers, friends and family now being a crucial part of our journey. We are now overfunding and will leave the campaign open until we reach £750,000 or the end of the campaign. The support and response we have had to our Crowdcube campaign and growth plans has been really positive and encouraging and we can’t wait to get started on taking Awesome onto the next stages.” Luke says the money will be used to “roll out production lines so that our US offering is on par with our UK offering much quicker”, as well as supporting Awesome’s continued growth of its UK operations. The campaign launched privately on 1 August, with the official Crowdcube campaign launching publicly on 7 August 2018. “Investors get equity in Awesome Merchandise and both the A and B shares that are available include the right to participate in dividends and capital distributions,” explained Luke. Awesome’s turnover for 2017 was £5.5 million, with a projected turnover of £7.5 million for 2018 that includes US sales; the US business is a separate company that is controlled by the UK company. The company decided to go down the crowdfunded route rather than approach banks for financing after seeing other companies use it successfully. “A lot of craft breweries and a bunch of our customers have used equity crowdfunding to great success. Camden Town, Northern Monk and Brewdog have shown what is possible through having a crowd of investors rather than relying on banks or venture capital alone. Banks prefer tangible assets such as property or machines – what we are doing as a company doesn’t necessarily fit with their more traditional view on business.” Awesome raised awareness for Crowdcube via the company’s mailing list, social media, personal outreach, PR and the Crowdcube platform. www.crowdcube.com/awesome Snickers launches new Stretch Comfort range Snickers has launched Stretch Comfort, a new range of workclothes that promise maximum mobility, improved ventilation and a slimmer, tailored fit. The garments have been created using hi-tech fabrics and body-mapping design, and include trousers, jackets, rainwear and accessories. www.snickersworkwear.co.uk The new Snickers range promises comfort and mobility Luke and Charlotte Hodson in Austin, Texas: Awesome Merchandise has raised £350,000 via the equity fundraising platform Crowdcube Itma 2019 has already sold out despite adding extra halls Itma 2019, the textile and garment technology exhibition that takes place next June in Barcelona, Spain, has sold all its exhibition space despite adding two extra halls. Charles Beauduin, chairman of Itma Services, which organises Itma 2019, said: “As an international platform, our priority is to accommodate as many eligible applicants as possible to participate in the exhibition. Currently, we were only able to accommodate some 1,660 exhibitors from 47 countries on the show floor. We have to put many applicants on the waiting list.” The number of exhibitors in the printing and inks sector has increased by 30% since Itma 2015. Itma 2019 will be held from 20-26 June 2019 at Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via venue. www.itma.com