Dutch publisher reveals huge strides over three decades in business
In an industry that’s very raison d’être is to mark all of life’s moments – not just hatches, matches and dispatches – it’s fitting to celebrate some of this year’s notable company anniversaries.
PG has been checking in with various celebrators across the greetings world to share some of the significant moments in their business’ evolution as well as their plans to mark the milestone.
In the first of this series we visit Tailor-Made Studios International where commercial director Vincent Schumann is rightly proud to be banging the drum for the Netherlands-based company set up by his father 30 years ago, with the celebrations underway on its stand at Ambiente in Frankfurt.
Potted history: “TMS has come a long way since my dad Ron Schumann set up that small Dutch company who sold cards in a few countries in Europe. Here we are three decades on and we’re now producing around 80 to 90million greeting cards a year as well as high-end stationery and other products, selling to companies in 40 countries around the world.
“I feel privileged to have grown up with the business, working alongside my dad until he retired five years ago – it’s rather lovely that we still have 38 customers who have been on board since the company started.”
Notable changes: “You can’t ignore the huge strides that have been made on the sustainability front. The days of producing cards covered in glitter or flitter are now gone but what’s exciting is the new sustainable materials and finishes that we’re able to use to make the products special. Our latest stationery collections, for example, feature vegan leather, linen and cold foiling while the effects that can be achieved on the lenticular front now are incredible.
“The ways of communicating with customers has also moved on immeasurably during TMS’ history – our new Virtual Gallery is a case in point. Developed for us by a computer games specialist, this online tool means that customers can do a walk-through of our ranges, creating a wish list as they go.
“Design styles are constantly changing and different markets have different tastes, though several European countries are now responding very positively to UK design styles which is great as, in addition to our team of 20 designers, we also work with Carte Blanche/Hotchpotch and, more recently, Laura Darrington Design to offer their designs.”
Marking the milestone: “We’ll be kicking off the celebrations on our stand at Ambiente – which finishes today, 30 January, at Messe Frankfurt in Germany. Even though Dad has officially retired he will, of course, be there to celebrate and to see our 800 new products that will be on show.”
