First Editions has completed the acquisition of its biggest competitor in the sports bottle industry- Ash Print Plastics, which includes H2Glow. This has solidified First Editions’ position as the UK’s number one manufacturer of promotional sports bottles and signals its intention to remain there.

With Ash Print Plastics’ previous owner Brad Ball stepping down to focus on a career in stand-up comedy, First Editions took the opportunity to expand its product range. The acquisition agreement reached between First Editions and Ash Print Plastics will take effect immediately.

With the addition of Ash Print Plastics’ moulds, First Editions can now offer an unrivalled selection of UK manufactured bottles. The new shapes available following the acquisition include two runners’ bottles, the legendary Titan 750 and an exciting unique protein shaker. In adding these products to First Editions current range, Managing Director Brian Alderson is confident that First Editions will continue to dominate the industry: ‘This investment signifies our intention to remain the UK’s leading bottle manufacturer and hopefully will lay a solid foundation to help to grow our export business.’

This time last year, First Editions invested in a state of the art four-colour process screen printing machine. As First Editions is the only UK-based company to offer this technology, the addition of new bottle shapes to its repertory will offer customers requiring this service an even better range of products to choose from.

The agreed deal also sees Ash Print Plastics’ screen-printing machines move to First Editions’ headquarters in Birmingham. These new machines will significantly boost First Editions’ production capacities and therefore reduce lead-times.

First Editions director, Mark Alderson, is most excited by the acquisition of H2Glow. ‘This is a unique product and a unique opportunity. No one else offers a sports bottle with a flashing light in the lid so this product is set to revolutionise the safety implications of running and cycling at night. With hugely varied target markets and having already received interest from night walk organisers to theme park gift shops, these products are set to light up the promotional bottle scene”.

The company, which is still family-run after 20 years in operation, will continue to develop. The future looks bright for First Editions.

Published on: March 19th, 2015