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BPA Industry News- (Oct 2010) 
01/10/2010
Baby Show for Trade and BPA join forces for an autumn trade event
In the light of some major companies’ view that the interests of the BPA and the nursery trade would be best served by joining forces with The Baby Show for the Trade, The Harrogate Nursery Fair (HNF) in association with the BPA has agreed not to run the Harrogate Nursery Fair show in October.
HNF in association with the BPA has arranged that all existing HNF October exhibitors will be able to transfer to the Baby Show for Trade with the equivalent stands and space at the Olympia show in London.
Robert Anslow commented, “The BPA asked me to run their autumn show this year to allow companies to showcase their new lines following launches in Cologne this month. The decision by the BPA to now concentrate on a London event will allow Clarion to deliver a single solution to the issue of two UK autumn shows.
He continued, “The Harrogate Nursery Fair in March 2011 will continue to provide the same high quality exhibition for the Nursery Trade that is has done for the past 41 years. 200 exhibitors have already confirmed for and been allocated for March 2011”.
Andrew Ratcliffe, Chairman of the BPA stated, “We are pleased to be working with Clarion from now on to provide an autumn event showing new season products, which is focussed on providing return on investment for exhibitors, and return on time for retailers”.
Lee Masters, Managing Director of Clarion added, “Working in partnership with leading associations in the markets we serve has always been the model for our successful trade shows. We are looking forward to working with the BPA not only in delivering a successful event for its members but also to support financially the important work it does in Safety and Standards.”
“A central London event every autumn, delivered in partnership with the BPA is absolutely in the best interests of exhibitors and visitors alike. This is an unmissable opportunity for retailers to grow their businesses by buying profitable products at the right time from the widest possible choice of quality suppliers” he continued.
The Baby Show for Trade 2010 will now host Dorel, Britax, Chicco, Graco as well as Silver Cross, Maclaren, Bugaboo, Phil & Ted’s, Emmaljunga and Kiddy amongst 150+ exhibitors.
It is open from Sunday 10th to Tuesday 12th October at London Olympia.
Visitors can register for free entry at www.thebabyshowfortrade.com. Suppliers wishing to find out about stand availability should contact Dan Leyland at dan.leyland@clarionevents.com or on 020 7370 8837.
NEW BABY & NURSERY TRADE AWARDS (The BANTAS)
BPA’s infamous BACRA awards have been renamed as part of the collaboration between the BPA and Harrogate Nursery Fair. They have been renamed the BANTA awards- Baby and Nursery Trade Awards. They will be launched at the industry’s favourite UK trade event, Harrogate Fair’s March show, with the aim of rewarding excellence within the nursery sector. They will be awarded at the largest gathering of the nursery industry, during Harrogate’s infamous party night on Sunday 27th March. Nursery Today are the major sponsor of the BANTA awards and the categories to be announced in due course.
BPA HOST PLENARY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWELVE YEARS
The Baby Products Association recently hosted the CEN/TC 252 three day annual event which culminates in the Plenary. This event was held in the UK for the first time in 12 years at the exclusive Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square, London 30th August to 1st September. The Plenary gathers together safety experts from throughout Europe plus a representative from CEN to discuss all major aspects of the standardisation of childcare and use articles. Delegates from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Holland and Sweden attended in addition to the UK delegation. There was also a networking dinner prior to the final meeting day. The dinner was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed, with the French delegation even complimenting the food! The BPA Plenary Report will be circulated to members in due course.
BPA’S CONCEPT & INNOVATION AWARDS- SPONSORED BY GFS
The semi-finalists for the BPA’s Concept & Innovation Awards recently presented their ideas to a panel of industry judges earlier this month. The judges were impressed by the high level of innovation, which so surpassed previous year’s entries, that they invited an additional finalist to the show.
The UK’s leading carrier management firm Global Freight Solutions (GFS) has cemented its presence in the nursery sector by partnering with the Baby Products Association. GFS are sponsoring the BPA’s sixth Concept and Innovation Awards at the Baby Show for Trade in October and the Registration Area of Harrogate’s March event.
The firm already work with some of Europe’s best-known manufacturers and retailers of baby and maternity clothing, bedding and accessories including: Mamas and Papas, Babywise, Cheeky Rascals and Kidrapt among others.
GFS Managing Director, Neil Cotty, said the number of leading baby brands which the company now include on its client roster made allying with the Association a logical step. He remarked:
“We would like to think that we understand the baby products sector and the premium which those in the industry place on efficient service of customers. Bearing in mind that GFS itself is known for innovation, joining forces with an organisation such as the BPA which places a similar degree of emphasis on creativity among its members seems something of a natural process.”
“This will enable us to learn more about how we can serve the sector even better and allow other manufacturers – both large and small –to grasp more about the difference which we might be able to make to their businesses.”
Since being founded in 2001, GFS has developed unparalleled links with some of the world's major carriers and has become recognised for creating industry-leading delivery management, track and trace, and claims handling software platforms.
In addition to its baby product clients, GFS boasts other big brands in the financial services, leisure and engineering sectors as customers.
The BPA’s Managing Director, Robert Anslow, has welcomed the recruitment of GFS as its latest supporter. Mr Anslow added: “The backing of GFS is fresh endorsement for the work of our association and its members. GFS is already a firm presence in our sector and offers the sort of fresh energy and ideas which I’m sure will be of interest to other manufacturers.”
STANDARDS UPDATE
The following standards have been published and are available to purchase:
BS 8423:2010 Fireguards for fires and heating appliances for domestic use. Specification
This replaces BS 8423:2002 which has been withdrawn
The following standard has been corrected via corrigenda and is available free of charge to past purchasers:
BS EN 62115:2005 Electric Toys. Safety
The following standards are under review to establish if they should be revised or withdrawn:
BS 6102-4:1991 Cycles. Glossary of terms
BS EN ISO 105-X18:2007 Textiles. Tests for colour fastness. Assessment of the potential to phenolic yellowing of materials
BS EN ISO 10528:1995 Textiles. Commercial laundering procedure for t
