Geiger UK

Your Brand - Our Inspiration

Geiger Team

We’ve rebranded!

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    GeigerBTC has rebranded to Geiger to globally align our trading name. 

    Our company has continued to grow and evolve since the acquisition by our US parent company Geiger in 2018 and we are taking this step to further integrate and take our vision for the brand to the next level.  

    “We’re delighted to take this opportunity to evolve our brand further and to realign our value proposition,” said Managing Director Vicky Kinasz of the change.  “Since our acquisition in 2018, our business has developed for the better every single day. You may have noticed that we’ve let go of ‘BTC’ to further integrate with our parent division.”

    “That doesn’t mean that we’re letting go of our heritage as there’s no substitute for experience,” she continued.  “Being now known as Geiger will further strengthen our position as a global industry leader with worldwide reach, supported by market-leading standards of service and compliance.”

    Jo-an Lantz, President and CEO, agrees: “Our UK team has done a wonderful job of realigning their messaging and updating their visual appearance. It was a big decision, but we truly feel it was the right one. We’re just continuing to be better and stronger together.”

    Please get in touch with us regarding your branded merchandise and promotional clothing needs!

    Geiger Team

    Back to Learning

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    When the UK went into the lockdown in March 2020, we found ourselves in a situation none of us had ever experienced in our lifetime.

     

    Finding positives

    Yet amid the worry and uncertainty, there were still positives to be found. For families, it became a chance to spend unexpected quality time together, something increasingly difficult in today’s hyper-paced society. Children were able to spend time with parents who would otherwise have been rushing to and from work. Parents were encouraged to become more involved in their child’s education through home-schooling. For some, this came with unique challenges of its own, but in the long run, children will likely have benefited from the extra, quality time they’ve spent with one or more parents. Despite the gravity of the pandemic, there were moments when many people were able to make the most of a temporarily slowed-down world, reconnecting to some of the most important things in life.

    Back to learning

    A few months later, as lockdown tentatively lifts and society continues to adjust to everything the “new normal” throws at us, it’s time for the UK’s 12-million-plus pupils, students, teachers, and parents to look forward to returning to school, college, or university. Some have already returned, the children of some key workers never stopped, others have been able to continue their studies online.  Although the enforced months at home will have had their benefit, the value of educational institutions cannot be underestimated. For younger children, they’re a place of growth and development. For those in further and higher education, they can be the path to better life chances and maybe a dream career. For everyone who learns and works in them, they’re a social hub: a place to form friendships and forge relationships that will last a lifetime. For parents who’ve been struggling with juggling the stresses of Covid, work, and their child’s education, a return to school offers some chance to restore work/life balance.

    Not sharing is the new caring

    Whether you’re the parent of a primary school child or you’re a post-graduate student, education is vital; but so too is staying safe as the world returns to learning. Social distancing is a part of everyday life for the foreseeable future, even in a classroom of infants. New measures limit activities; books, toys, and stationery that would normally be for all to share are either out-of-bounds or can only be used by one small group at a time. Classrooms and most of things in them will have to be sanitised after use — that goes for everyone from nursery to university. It’s not easy, but it is necessary. The new slogan is “Not Sharing is Caring”, something that goes against everything we’re taught in school but is perfect for the times we find ourselves in.

    Staying eco-friendly

    At the same time, we face another problem. Pre-Covid, the environment was barely out of the headlines. We were being constantly reminded of the need to recycle, cut down on single-use plastic, and use fewer chemicals. Just months later, we’re potentially sending chemical and single-use goods levels through the roof.

    So how can we do our bit to help? How can we keep ourselves Covid-safe without destroying the planet? One obvious answer is to source eco-friendly items that are durable and safe to use. This is particularly important when returning to a communal environment such as a school.

    Solutions for Students

    At GeigerBTC, we already have a range of safe, eco-friendly essential products ready to go. These are items that can be personalised — ideal for when not sharing is caring — and some even have an antibacterial coating, keeping them sanitised should they be mistakenly used by others.

    You can find some a great selection of products here. They’re safe,environmentally-minded, are great value, and let’s face it, who doesn’t enjoy having items with their name on?

    GeigerBTC has always had a great reputation for quality, useful personalised goods. In the current situation, we’ve remained here for customers, stocking everything from PPE to school stationery — all of which conforms to new safety regulations.

    Solutions for Schools, Colleges and Universitities

    We also have a full range of products that can help to create safe environments in places of education. These include hand sanitiser stations, desk divider screens and a wide range of signage options to communicate and reinforce new procedures and guidelines such as social distancing and handwashing reminders, and walking in strict lanes or one direction.

    Whatever it is you need, we have the capacity to get it shipped and delivered safely to your door helping you get back to work and to learning in the safest, most eco-friendly way possible.

    2020: THE ONE WHERE WE TOOK A STAYCATION

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    2020 has been a very difficult year for many people and many businesses. If there’s one thing we all deserve right now, it’s a holiday.  But with every country still battling COVID-19 and quarantine restrictions in place in some countries, what are our options?

    For many who aren’t able to travel abroad – 2020 is the summer of the staycation.

    Staycation

    For those who’ve spent months cooped up at home, there’s finally a chance to have a change of scene, whether choosing the beach, countryside, a city break, or even just a day-trip.

    It’s easy to forget when you live here that the UK is a wonderful country filled with beauty spots ripe for discovery, from the historic likes of the Lake District to hidden glamping gems in North Yorkshire.  The UK offers a huge choice of holiday options from hotels and B&Bs to holiday villages, camping and glamping to fantastic ways to spend a day out from amusement parks to national parks!

    MAKE YOUR BRAND PART OF EVERYONE’S SUMMER

    After all, it’s not just people who deserve a great summer, businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic too.

    The UK’s hotel, leisure and tourism industries are experiencing a surge in business.  What better way to leave a lasting reminder of your brand than to provide your guests and visitors with a branded merchandise gift that they can use all summer, on their staycations, and in their homes or gardens.

    A promotional product with your branding on it will be highly appreciated and can link your brand with memories of a great day out or a treasured holiday.  It could be anything from a frisbee to use at the beach or the park, to headphones for long journeys. Then, of course, there’s our famous British weather, predictable only in its unpredictability. Umbrellas and ponchos are as important in any British summer preparations as sunscreen and shades! The options are endless.

    BRANDED PRODUCTS CAN ALSO BE HIGHLY PRACTICAL

    If people are going out and about, they still need to stay safe and prepared, including on public transport where they must wear face coverings.  Social distancing means there are frequently queues for shops we’d normally nip in and out of.  At tourist spots and public places, queues are likely to be even longer, especially on a hot day.  At times like this, or on picnics, items like water bottles and cool bags can come in handy as well as fans, suncream and refreshing face spritzers. A promotional gift that can be used in the summer will definitely make someone’s day and leave a long-lasting impression of your brand.

    STAYING IN IS THE NEW GOING OUT

    As not everyone is going to be able to get away, there’s plenty of enjoyment still to be had at home.  A back garden barbecue with some friends, something we might’ve taken for granted last summer, suddenly seems like the highlight of the social calendar. Barbecue and garden-related merchandise will be used all summer giving your brand countless opportunities of exposure.

    For families trying to balance working from home and school holidays, finding ways to have fun together can be tricky to say the least.  It’s important, however, to maintain as much work-life balance as possible, even if your work and family lives are happening simultaneously in the same space.

    Here are some simple ideas to make your ‘staycation at home’ more memorable:

    • treat yourself to a home spa day
    • host a movie festival in the garden
    • hold a cooking masterclass
    • reach your fitness goals
    • build a fort
    • enjoy a craft night
    • get stuck into board games and puzzles
    • catch up on some much-needed sleep
    • start (or finish!) those DYI projects you’ve been thinking about

    MAXIMISE YOUR ROI

    ROI of promotional merchandise is higher than any other promotional medium. As many businesses may be experiencing budget cuts, it is more cost-effective for businesses to invest their marketing budgets in branded products rather than in other promotional mediums. For example, the cost per impression of a promotional drinkware product that is worth £5 can be as low as £0.035

    Drinkware stats

    At GeigerBTC, we have the capability to get summer promotional gifts straight to you or your customers and contacts, helping your brand to become part of someone’s well-earned staycation.

    The Future of the Office

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    COVID-19 has changed office life for good.  Lockdown saw the vast majority of the UK’s 4 million office workers begin working from home, many for the first time in their careers.  Now, as offices slowly begin to reopen, employers will be working out what a “new normal” means for them and their staff.  Some will offer greater flexibility around how, where, and when we work.  Big names such as Twitter and Facebook are even offering some of their employees the chance to work from home permanently.

    Missing the Office?

    office environment

    Those of us who’ve been working from home are now familiar with the pros and cons: the lack of commute, comfort of familiar surroundings, and option to work in your slippers are balanced out by children running around, the temptation of a lie-in, and the lack of IT support when your online meeting tools are not working properly.

    We are also well-acquainted with the ups and downs of office life — and there’s plenty to miss: the weekly lunch with friends, the banter, the watercooler chats, the immediacy of asking questions and getting answers in person, the creative energy of meetings, and basic interaction with other adults to name a few.

    With teams working remotely, ad hoc conversations and quick decisions have been made far more difficult.  The sense of community, of all being in this together, may still be there, but it is harder to maintain when everyone is working at different times in different places.

    When we do go back into the office, all those things we miss will return but take place in a new culture of social distancing and PPE — two terms most had never heard at the start of 2020.  If we’re going to return to our desks or workstations and discuss what we’ve been binging on Netflix whilst grabbing a coffee, it’s got to be in a safe environment.

    The Importance of Offices Being COVID-Secure

    The British public is being urged to do their duty in tackling the spread of coronavirus.  Now those who will be venturing back to work will reasonably be expecting their employers to protect them as best as possible.

    Based on government guidelines, the British Standards Institute (BSI) have set out new guidelines on safe working that can be downloaded here.

    But what will a COVID-secure workplace look like?  In terms of staffing, it will be quieter for the foreseeable future.  Teams of workers are likely to work in rotation with staggered start and finish times; some people will alternate between the office and home.

    back to office presentation

    Workspaces are starting to look different, social distancing meaning that desks must be kept far apart, one-way systems need to be put in place, screens must separate those in spaces that cannot be distanced.

    We’ve probably realised when out shopping that we’re always touching communal surfaces.  Some of the more hi-tech offices will be countering this with technology.  Apps will be able to open doors and order coffees.  We’ve had contactless payment for some time; and many businesses are moving towards contactless working environments.

    Where contact cannot be avoided, PPE will have to be used; people will need gloves, hand-sanitiser, and the tools to regularly clean their workspaces.

    It will all seem very unusual at first, but will soon become a natural way of working.  At GeigerBTC, we have considered your wellbeing by offering PPE alongside the promotional products we’re known for.  Take a look here.

    Use the Power of Post to Stay Connected

    As business slowly and carefully resumes, reaching out to existing and potential clients and customers is more important than ever.  With remote working increasing email noise to unprecedented levels, one sure way of cutting through and connecting is by using promotional merchandise — proven to be more effective than any amount of email or social media marketing.

    Promotional products compared to other mediums

    Promotional merchandise has multiple benefits.  For clients or staff working remotely, receiving a surprise in the post could make their day, helping them feel valued and connected to you.  This, in turn, can boost morale, something precious in these turbulent times.

    You can check out our extensive range of working-from-home merchandise ideas for everyone from customers to employees here.

    The Right Promotional Merchandise, Safely Provided

    The new regulations apply to almost every workplace for the foreseeable future.  At GeigerBTC, we’ve adapted our day-to-day processes and working practices to make sure that we are completely certified and compliant with relevant guidelines.  We have the capacity and workforce to dispatch premium PPE and branded products or promotional clothing to your door, wherever that door is.

    Contact us

    Whether your needs are social distancing measures for your workplace or PPE, safety or wellness products for your teams, or corporate merchandise please get in touch with us on [email protected] to discuss your requirements.

    How To Find The Right Work-Life Balance When WFH

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    Even before the Covid-19 outbreak, we lived in an Always-On culture – technology has allowed us to work anytime anywhere.

    As many employees continue to work from home, significantly during Mental Health Awareness Week 2020, it seems more important than ever to find the right work-life balance.
    We’ve put together a few relevant tips on how to find and maintain that important line between work and life during the prolonged working from home period.
    Frame
    1. Set aside a space dedicated just for work 
    This will help you get in the zone and, more importantly, will help you to switch off at the end of the day.
     If possible, find a space with lots of natural light to improve morale and productivity.
    Give your workspace a personal touch to make it your own. A green plant gives an instant uplift or you could even frame a photo of your favourite colleagues!
    cafetiere
    2. Get ready for work
    Follow your usual morning routine – make some tea or coffee and have breakfast.
    Get dresses for your working day. 
    Many of us do cheat and wear tracksuit bottoms – but that’s ok, it’s important to feel comfortable too!

    noise cancelling headphones

    3. Communication is key

    Stay in touch with your colleagues throughout the day – there is no substitute for seeing each other’s faces! 
    There is a myriad of tools available to help you communicate with your team – for example at GeigerBTC we use Microsoft Teams and GoTo Meetings. We also hold a weekly company-wide video chat every Friday afternoon, where we catch up about the week and have a little bit of office banter that we all miss while working from home!
    calendar pod
    4. Create a routine and stick to it
    Write a plan or your to-do-list either the day before or every morning.
    Set your goals for the day, week or month ahead. Put your work away at the end of the day, especially if your workspace is a shared space in your home.
    It’s also important to set working hours and stick to them, especially if you have children at home. 
    tea and coffee set
    5. Take breaks throughout the day and do not skip lunch
    Step away from your laptop, make a cup of tea, clear your head, and recharge.
    Pop out for some fresh air, check on your children or pets, or make a call to check-in with your friends and family. Make sure to stretch regularly, here is a great guide.
    snacks
    6. Look after your physical health and eat well
    It’s important to stay active while we are at home and take outdoor exercise if you can. There are so many fantastic apps and online videos that will allow you to exercise from your living room too.
    Eat healthily, choose healthy snacks rather than salty, sugary and high-fat options. Maintain a healthy, balanced diet, drink lots of water, and of course, allow yourself the occasional treat.
    And, most importantly, don’t forget your mental health
    Make time for mindfulness. Try your best to be patient and positive, and focus on here and now. Identify your triggers and have a plan on how to deal with them, there’s a myriad of techniques available. For example, use the ‘CALM’ technique by assigning each letter to something that makes you feel better and calmer (i.e. C for chocolate, A for art, L for lakes, M for mum).
    Meditation can help you to keep focus and perspective in changing times, whilst reading can be your biggest escape and companion. Explore the many apps that are available for both meditation and reading, or why not join a virtual book club!
    Remember, we are stronger together!
    Even though we are separated in our homes right now, the advances in technology allow us to stay connected to each other in ways we couldn’t even imagine 20 years ago!
    Make sure to regularly check in with your colleagues. Feeling lonely or isolated is very common these days – a simple call to say hello can make a huge difference.
    Take a creative approach to find your own work/life balance. It’s important for your health, attitude and productivity. 
    As employers, investing in an employee well-being strategy can help teams feel connected and valued during these difficult days. Sending your staff a gift is the perfect way to show you care about them. 

    Competition Announcement!

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    Design a snood competition

    We are inviting kids of all ages to design the official GeigerBTC multi mask!
    Winners will receive a multi mask with their own design plus one for each of their classmates! They will also receive a surprise gift to keep all to themselves!

    Entries to be judged by a panel including children of the #GeigerBTCteam!

    How to enter: Simply create a picture or pattern that makes you smile!
    Dimensions: 45cm x 22cm (landscape).

    Pictures and patterns should be emailed to [email protected] with the following details:

    – Child’s first name and age
    – A sentence from your child telling us what they are looking forward to in brighter times (this could be seeing grandparents, going back to school or even a trip to McDonald’s!)
    – Parent’s email address

    Closing date: 10th of May. Winners will be announced on 11th May. Multi Masks will be delivered to winners’ schools when schools reopen. We’ll be sharing some of the entries here and we can’t wait to see your artistic skills!
    T&C’s apply.

    GeigerBTC Announces Leadership Change

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     Vicky Kinasz - New Managing Director of GeigerBTC

    London, UK April 16th 2020: UK Distributor GeigerBTC, a subsidiary of Geiger, a multi-generational family owned and managed company, announced that Vicky Kinasz will join the company as Managing Director, replacing Frank Murphy who will be retiring at the end of May 2020.

    Frank was a Founding Partner of BTC Group, which Geiger acquired in April 2018. Frank states, “Following a very successful two-year transition period I am looking forward to a new and exciting stage in my life, albeit one curtailed somewhat by the current Coronavirus crisis. I cannot speak more highly of the care and consideration Geiger has shown to me during this transition period. While I am saddened to leave behind an amazing team of colleagues, many of whom I have known for more than 25+ years, I could not be more delighted to hand the reins over to Vicky Kinasz. I know she will lead GeigerBTC on to even greater things.”

    Vicky Kinasz joins the firm as an entrepreneurial senior professional with an outstanding track record of success in commercial operations, management and sales. “I am delighted to be joining the team at GeigerBTC,” says Kinasz. “I have spent over 20 years in the promotions industry, and to have the opportunity to join a world class organisation with such an incredible culture and heritage is truly the most exciting opportunity of my career. I very much look forward to meeting in the near future with all our clients, partners and suppliers.”

    Jo-an Lantz, President and CEO of Geiger Worldwide adds, “Vicky brings a track record of managing client relationships and teams with strong communication skills. Her experience as a Managing Director, as well as with promotional products, sales promotion agencies, and consumer brands make her uniquely qualified. I look forward to working with her in the years to come as GeigerBTC grows.” Jo-an continues, “It is difficult to imagine GeigerBTC without Frank Murphy. He has been the lifeblood of the organization for over 40 years. We wish him the very best in his retirement.”

    About Geiger and GeigerBTC 

    Headquartered in Lewiston, Maine, Geiger is the largest family-owned and managed promotional products distributor in the world. Geiger operates from offices across the US and London, England and is affiliated with over 450 independent sales representatives. Geiger is a socially conscientious company, providing proactive, comprehensive marketing solutions to their clients. GeigerBTC was founded in 1977 and is based in Hayes, Middlesex and has a staff of 90. A full-service brand marketing firm, GeigerBTC offers on-site decorating, distribution, fulfilment, web development and customer corporate programs, and employee store expertise.

    Hand Sanitiser Stand

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    Hand sanitiser gel – a key commodity

    Hand sanitiser units 
     

    We have been working with our supply chain to very high ethical standards, all the way down the line. 

    GeigerBTC are still open for business. During this time, we will be continuing to support businesses and help ensure your requirements are met efficiently and safely. 

    As we supply products for organisations with key workers, our factory has also remained open during this period to ensure the supply of essential goods can be maintained. However, we are adhering to government guidelines to ensure that our workplace remains a safe environment for all members of our team. 

    Stand Sanitiser is the ideal choice to help your teams and your customers stay safe and protected.

    • Touch-free dispensing.
    • Recommended for shop entrances, educational establishments, sporting venues and all public places.
    • Drip catcher keeps floors and sink areas clean.
    • Wall-mounted or freestanding station options (push action). 

    Our aim is to offer high quality, safe and compliant hand sanitiser gel and PPE products at the best market price possible.
    Please get in touch at [email protected] if we can help in any way.

    COVID-19 update – 23rd March 2020

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    Covid-19

    We’re all in this together

    As we all try to adjust to the unprecedented times we are facing, we at GeigerBTC are trying our very best to respond to the fast-changing environment while staying committed to our purpose.

    It’s business as usual at GeigerBTC and we would like to reassure you that we are confident that COVID-19 will not significantly affect our business. With the collective experience, training and skills across our team, we hope to continue to provide the high levels of service and quality our customers and partners have become accustomed to.

    Sadly, we are seeing many events around the world being cancelled, and the widespread impact of the virus is reaching all industries. Please do keep talking to us about your changing circumstances and your concerns, and together we will try and find the best solution for you and your business.

    Our Distribution Centre in Hayes remains fully operational and dedicated to fulfilling orders and servicing our webshop clients. Our plan is to keep this facility open for as long as we are able to.

    With regards to our supply chain, we are confident that our widespread supply chain can continue to fulfil all orders and meet with our clients’ high expectations and deadlines, however we are advising all our clients to plan ahead to minimise risk. We will, of course, notify clients immediately of any disruption to supply and orders as early as we can, and we will proactively find alternative solutions should this situation arise.

    We are 100% committed to providing the safest working environments for our employees and we are fully adhering to the ongoing guidance from the UK Government. To this end, we have taken the following measures:

    • We have seamlessly moved a large proportion of our employees to work from home. Our systems and processes are fully set up to function through remote use, bringing absolutely no disruptions to our day to day business.
    • We are encouraging regular staff contact by video conferencing, particularly using Teams, to keep connected and in turn, enhance our employees’ well-being.
    • Meetings with our clients are now being conducted on the telephone.
    • All meetings with external suppliers and partners due to take place at one of our three UK locations have been temporarily postponed or moved to a video conferencing format.
    • Any members of our team returning from overseas trips are required to self-isolate for 7 days in line with Government guidance.
    • In our offices, we are practicing physical distancing by maintaining a 6-foot distance from others.
    • Hand sanitisers have been placed throughout our offices and we are continually sharing advice and information regarding best health practices with our team.

    Thank you for continuing to work with us.

    We will continue to assist, service and inspire.

    Stay healthy and safe.

    #GeigerBTCteam