Touch of Ginger secures Commonwealth Games win

Touch of Ginger, a Cambridgeshire company with a strong track record in supplying corporate gifts for major global sporting events, has been announced as the only UK business to be appointed as a licensee for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Add This Share Buttons

The Shepreth-based company will be supplying branded products for corporate gifting, merchandise and memorabilia for GOLDOC (Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation) and the Queen’s Baton Relay. 

Gary Moore, Touch of Ginger company director and joint owner said: “It was great that GOLDOC came to us and asked us to be involved. We’re proud to be the only UK merchandise licensee to be appointed. They recognise that we can bring something different to Gold Coast 2018 and add real value to their merchandising programme.”

Prior to this, the company had specialised in retail products since it was formed in 2000 by Gary Moore and Adam Cash, both product designers who had collaborated on various projects for many years. Touch of Ginger's expansion from UK to overseas global events came about with the help of the Department for International Trade (DIT). “DIT has been fabulous helping us with trade missions, introductions and part funding for flights,” said Gary. “As a small business, we wouldn’t be able to do what we’re doing without the support of DIT. Trading overseas is good for business but it’s also great to fly the British flag. What’s really nice is to be recognised from an international perspective.”

Through its Exporting is GREAT initiative, DIT aims to inspire and encourage more businesses to export by 2020. Any company interested in breaking into overseas markets, and taking advantage of the global appetite for UK goods and services, can visit DIT’s online trade hub, great.gov.uk.

Anton Rudgalvis, International Trade Adviser at DIT in the East of England, who has been working closely with Touch of Ginger, said: “This is a brilliant example of international success for a company with a really niche product who know their market – and more importantly who has made use of the services available through DIT to expand into overseas markets. For major sporting events, such as the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018, the company has to plan years in advance.”

For the Glasgow event the company has designed a commemorative baton for the Queen’s Baton Relay and similar products are likely to be required for the Gold Coast. Plans for the Australian event, led by Touch of Ginger's Sales Director Jane Moran, a native Australian, are already underway. “Jane has been out there meeting with the team to facilitate the deal,” said Gary.  “We have a reputation for innovative product solutions that are relevant to the event. We almost always do more once the client is confident we will deliver; with global sporting events you can never miss a deadline.”

The Commonwealth Games contract win follows on from the company being an exclusive licensee for London 2012, the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Touch of Ginger isn’t stopping here and is already setting sights on the next Olympics (2020) and the Rugby World Cup (2019), both of which are in Tokyo. The company will again work closely with DIT on ensuring they understand and are well prepared for meeting the needs of the Japanese market.

Gary would encourage other small businesses to follow suit in looking for overseas opportunities. “Exports are good for business and it’s a good time to get out there. It’s not always easy, but it is rewarding. If you focus on what you’re good at you the sky is the limit for where a contract might lead.”

___________________________________________



Looking for something specific?