The Way Forward
Peter Lucas, Chairman & Chief Executive
We have now entered our new financial year, and it is great to be doing so with the Melka brand back under our control. We completed the Melka acquisition on 26 April 2007, and the photograph below shows me shaking hands with Paul Schrotti, the senior partner of EQT which is the Swedish equity house from which Melka was purchased.
Not only does the brand strengthen our position in the men’s casual wear market, it also brings to the group a European distribution dimension of our other brands—Melka having over 7 European sales offices.
Here in the UK BMB have now successfully opened 5 stand alone Jeff Banks stores, all of which are producing very positive returns per square foot and we will be looking to a further roll out later in the year.
We have also opened the first of the New Look stores. The end of this year should see us operating in approximately 25 locations including their new menswear flagship store in London.
Having finished last year strongly, following a dissapointing start, I am looking forward to a positive growth this year. Not only in new areas, but also within our established outlets in places such as: Debenhams, Burton and House of Fraser.
Finally hopefully you saw that in conjunction with William Hunt, our Addison & Steele team, supported by our Goole manufacturing unit, have made the suits for Manchester United for the first FA Cup Final at the new Wembley Stadium. Even though United lost we ensured they did it in style.
Return To The Fold
Peter Lucas, Chairman of Leeds based Menswear Brands Group BMB, and non Executive Chairman of the Retail Division of the Arafa Group announced the acquisition of the Swedish menswear brand Melka from its current owner M/T Owner AB.
Peter Lucas said, “Both myself and many members of the BMB team have had close links with Melka over the years and we are now delighted with the acquisition of such a strong pan European brand in men's casual wear. It compliments the existing brands within the BMB Group and develops further the Retail Division of the Arafa Group. The brand will give the Group a solid platform for future growth and acquisitions throughout Europe.”
A spokesman for M/T Owner AB stated, “We are very pleased to be able to place the business with a new strong parent. With its prior knowledge of Melka and extensive menswear experience the buyer is uniquely placed to bring Melka forward and realise its full potential.”
Peter Lucas will become the Chairman and Mark Cotter the Managing Director of the new Melka International business. Mark Cotter commented, “It is important with a brand such as Melka that we keep its Swedish heritage and culture and to this effect we will be looking to maintain a continued presence in Sweden as well as developing the current strong, professional sales distribution teams that exist in Europe.”
Melka: Style & Confidence since 1946
99.98% of the world’s population is not from Sweden. So let’s talk about the people who are. And the little country up north that has made a big impact on life as we know it. From music and design to human values and fashion. Swedish Melka offers a wide range of fashionable clothes for European men who want style, comfort and confidence—every day. Welcome to a brand of fashion chosen by men who share our views and want to be part of our world. Men who prefer clothes that allow them to be themselves, in all situations. It’s a question of self-confidence—about living the way you really want to. Wherever you are, even down south.
60 Years of Fashion - A Story from Somewhere up North
Chapter 1_
In June 1946 it was the world premier in Paris. As a sign of the times the Second World War had its tragedies, and its consequences gave inspiration to the new times’ most radical fashion invention, the bikini. Up in the North, at the Swedish company, Mölnlycke, CEO Folke Thulin had been gazing expectantly into his crystal ball for a while: there was a major lack of clothes, and with peace the demand would increase substantially. So what would a fearless entrepreneur do? The solution was of course simple. He started his own clothing company, Melka. According to the myth, the initials probably stand for Mölnlyckes Eget Lilla Konfek-tions-Aktiebolag (Mölnlycke’s little own clothing company).
Chapter 2_
During the autumn of 1946, the operation began. Melka’s first item of clothing for sale was a pair of pyjamas, and the stage for them was, literally, a closeddown theatre in Falkenberg, soon the old theatre wasn’t enough. Melka grew considerably. Pyjamas were joined in the range by shirts and, soon, by entire collections for everyone in the family: men, women, and children.
Chapter 3_
Ten years after it had begun, the small clothing company had 2,200 employees making more clothes than there were consumers.Sweden was too small. Europe was waiting. Soon Melka factories were even popping up on the continent, first in Holland and then in Portugal (in a wine cellar) and in Finland
Chapter 4_
At the end of the 1960s, Melka streamlined the business and laid the foundations for today’s brand. The children’s and ladies’ collections were discontinued and instead they invested everything on clothes for the modern European man.
Chapter 5_
Today, as with 30 years ago, the brand is sold across Europe. Melka can be found on a total of 16 markets in Europe, as well as in USA. Fashion from the North, spreads across the world....and that’s not the end....
Dressed to Impress at Wembley!
The Premiership Champions will make the traditional prematch parade in the best that Yorkshire has to offer. The elegant single-breasted navy suits have been handmade by BMB in Goole from cloth produced by Premier Worsteds in Huddersfield.
The contract may have been prestigious, but it also has been hard work for the small team.”The team has been brilliant,” says Jean Joyce, product development manager. “They’re really excited and they’ve worked weekends, morning and evening to get them finished. Sir Alex couldn’t believe how quickly we’d done things!”
Keith Ashby, made-to-measure controller at BMB, visited the squad at their Carrington training complex yesterday for a final fitting. Forty five have been made, including one for the manager Sir Alex Ferguson, director Sir Bobby Charlton and other officials.
He said: “The suits are beautiful. They have peaked lapels, red and white lining to reflect the team’s colours and their names are embroidered on the inside. They look very sharp. It’s the first time we’ve been asked to do Manchester United so we hope we’ll continue to do so in the future.”
The contract was swiftly arranged after a conversation between Savile Row tailor, William Hunt who makes suits for Gary Neville.
“We only received the material a couple of weeks ago,” said Mr Ashby, “so its been a huge effort by everyone to get them ready and we’re delighted with the results.”
Two members of staff: Christina Sanderson and Danielle Stainforth were the winners of a draw to see who went to a press conference on Tuesday at United’s ground, where the team appeared in their suits. Christina was reported to be both excited and nervous!
The footballing giants are the latest in a string of celebrated names to be kitted out by BMB—providing the suits for the England squad at the last World Cup, and also for the Sebastian Coe-led team during the successful 2012 Olympic Games bid.
In the world of Rugby, Leeds Tykes, Leeds Rhinos and Leicester Tigers are among their other clients. Mr Ashby believes United were as well prepared as they could have been for the final. He said: “The players look in great spirits—relaxed and confident and I’m sure they’ll do well. We hope the best team wins!”
We do know however, who’ll be wearing the winning suits!
Banks Over The Water...
Banbridge Outlet Centre? Most of you reading this will be wondering where the hell it is. Drive 30 mins South of Belfast and 60 mins North from Dublin, slap in the middle of Ireland, and a year ago all you would’ve seen is fields and cattle, but today BMB together with the Jeff Banks concept store are right in with the major stores for the launch.
So how did we get here? (And yes from the pictures you can see wooden flooring, sharp lighting and glass and shiny steel everywhere and you will see this on all the future looks), but how did we get there?
As a team: pulling together helped—from the focus group around the table in Leeds Head Office: Creative Design, Retail Ops, IT, HR, Administration, Merchandise, Finance, Warehouse. If I have left any one out? Sorry, yes: Retail for all their work, planning/timing together on extreme timescales to get the store open and it worked (like riding a bike all parts work!) Ever tried to ride a bike with out a saddle? Answers on a post card to Steve Parr!
So everything in place and ready behind the scenes, Retail kick in. I took a team to Hartlepool to pre-retail all the stock (1900 units all ready and waiting!)
Pre-retail? Well rather than the van arrive on the day and you waste valuable time working to get the store open—pre-retailing in the warehouse means we can de-bag/range products, check invoices and price-sticker with outlet prices plus arrange items on the shop floor and stock room with ease. We then over-bag in bay order, and check all is ready for the driver: ensuring everything and anything is on the one van.
My team then flew out to Belfast from Liverpool (at 5am). Tired, yes, but the buzz of the new store kept every one chirpy (unless you hate flying like Mark and Alan!) We arrived in Banbridge and as the store team cracked on, thankfully because all of the sections had worked together, we had the store up and ready to trade by 6pm that evening. In the first week of opening we took over £7k and in the 2nd week we exceeded £14k so the signs were looking good.
So look at the pictures (but to those who participated from all departments they know the hard work which was involved to get to this stage).
I would like to thank my set up team: Iain McClelland, Mark Smith and Alan Bartlett.
Plus many thanks to the new store team in Banbridge: Lee Steele (Manager), Stephen Nugent (Deputy), Trish, Gordon, Emma and Emma A. Because, as we walk away to the next one, they will still be building the brand daily.
PS: Customer feedback from the centre team was nothing but superb—just what they needed a branded designer (and we look like it).
David Basterfield
What a Corker!
Pat Corker will be moving to a part-time role on 1st May 2007 as Group Administration Manager administering the pension schemes, BUPA and other benefits. She will also be providing PA support for Peter Lucas. Pat has served thirty years service this year and she has both managed and worked in the Human Resources Department for all of those years. We wish her well in her new role.
Golden Boys
This is Gary Caunt being presented his Gold Award Certificate from Charlie Cottam. Gary is based at Burton, Peterborough Serpentine Green.
Sailesh Gokani handing over a Gold Award Certificate to Jim Smith based in House of Fraser, Lincoln.
Stephen who has been Chief Cloth Buyer for the BMB Group took early retirement on the 30th September 2006. Stephen had over 33 years service with BMB starting with the UDS Group in 1973. Stephen will be giving us assistance on Cloth issues as a Consultant on an on going basis.
Brian Hensby decided to retire from his full time position as Group Engineer on the 30th March 2007, following some 47 years service, based on the Goole site. Brian has decided however not to give up all together and he will be working with BMB in Goole as Site Services Manager on a part time basis and attending his garden.
Andrew Vause, Assistant Technical Designer, based in Goole is pictured being presented with his Long Service Award watch by Terry Parkinson, Andrew achieved 25 years service on the 22nd March 2007.
Brian Norris of Burton City Centre Birmingham being presented with a gold watch from Nick Chaperon Area Sales Manager for his 25 years service to BMB.
BMB Goole were given a challenge by wholesale customer, James Hibbert of Dress 2 Kill, in London to make and deliver a red corduroy suit for GMTV presenter Keith Chegwin in just 7 days. The Goole manufacturing team, headed by Adele Rhuman achieved the objective with time to spare. Keith, was delighted with the suit and is seen trying it on at the Dress 2 Kill shop in Southall.
Smart Alex Goes On The Street
The long awaited new shopfit concept for both Alexandre and A39 Savile Row has been installed in two House of Fraser Stores.
Having been protoyped over a period of 4 weeks, installed in the mock shop in Goole and given the thumbs up, we installed the concept in Manchester. We needed to be different and take the total look to the top end of the market said Steve Parr, the use of walnut, frosted back panels, lateral satin hanging and a pink light wash make the concept stand out from the rest. Separate feature areas for Made to Measure including shirts have also been created.
Oxford Street is now complete which is House of Frasers most prestigious store and has had complimentary reviews from both House of Fraser and BMB Management. The plan is to develop additional components, visit each store to access how the concept can be introduced to give a consistancy to both brands.
Question Time
We all need someone to look up to—someone we admire for their achievements, whatever they may be. BMB asked Gordon Martin, prominent in his own field, who and what inspires him these days and why.......
- What was your ambition when you were 10?To play football for Spurs (ask my daughter and she will tell you I did).
- What was your earliest retail memory?Leaving a shoe shop at the age of 5 in floods of tears as they hadn't any shoes that fitted me. Apparently I had very wide feet as a child.
- Were you a star pupil at school?No!
- What are your qualifications?I prefer to say I was taught in the "school of life" rather than dwell on my poor list of qualifications!
- What was your first proper job?As a hairdresser, from the age of 16 till I was 22.
- What were you doing when you were 21 & how much were you being paid?Hairdressing and earning £200 a week cash plus tips.
- How was your first day at BMB?Very Hot.
- When did you get your first career break?I met a guy called Malcolm Cambell at a party and told him I wanted to get into buying. He worked for a very large UK textiles mill and, for some reason, decided to give me a job. Without this experience I would not have gotten my job at Next as a Trainee Buyer.
- Who has had the greatest influence on your career & why??The first buyer I worked for was a guy called Richard Wiles who is now Brand Director at Next. He was a great first boss who really supported and trained me well.
- Which other sector would you enjoy working in most?Anything to do with sport.
- Describe the best day at work you've ever had and describe your worst day?The worst day was when I got made redundant from xxxx. The boss's brand new Jaguar had just been delivered that same day, and I had recently moved into my house with a huge mortgage! This however, lead me to work with "Next" so things do tend to follow through. The best day was when I recently got promoted at BMB.
- Are you a workaholic?I work had, think about work a lot outside the office, but I can also switch off. So maybe not quite.
- Which personal characteristics & skills have propelled you in your career?Sometimes you need a bit of luck, which I seem to have had!
- What excites you about your job?Product and sales...
- What irritates your colleagues about you?Not sure, lots I would imagine.
- Whose shoes would you love to be in?Perfectly happy in my own.
