Images_Digital_Edition_April_2019

www.images-magazine.com 46 images APRIL 2019 stands out is its ability to lay its hands on stock when others are struggling. “When stock is exceedingly scarce, we do more to find it and can airlift from the States,” Michael adds. Technological investments For PAG, investing in technology has helped it to “punch above its weight”. Under Michael, it has introduced stock visibility systems for accurate, real-time monitoring of its supply chain and it was one of the first to integrate EDI (electronic data interchange) with Gildan to enable the exchange of documents. The company was also an early adopter of cloud-based systems, which it has used since 2008. “We try to leverage technology and not be just location based,” he explains. “We have a web developer in Uruguay and people keying in data in Canada and the Philippines.” The result is a lean company that runs operations with a core workforce of just 12 people from its base by Hanger Lane in west London. PAG has been based in this area since the start, moving to its current warehouse and office in 2005. It offers same-day van deliveries within London where six of the leading screen-printers are based. “They get demanding jobs where being able to supply stuff immediately is vital,” Michael says. “We couldn’t function as the business that we are unless we were located where we are.” One highlight in the company’s 50 years was becoming clothing supplier to the 2012 London Olympics, providing 70,000 T-shirts for volunteers. “We then became a bit of a go-to company as the opening and closing ceremonies developed and they needed garments,” Michael recalls. Rejecting price wars, PAG prioritises “deep working relationships” with customers. Michael comments: “We work very closely with people who want a different relationship rather than somebody with a big warehouse. We provide a more personalised level of service. We put in effort for our customers who are loyal to us and want to grow with us. A big part of our business is trying to catch people early on in their cycle and proving we can do something a bit different. It’s nice to see people grow. It’s more impressive when you help somebody build a business rather than just supplying people who already have a strong business.” This model is not one they intend to sacrifice in exchange for massive expansion, he adds. “There are businesses doing things in low cost locations with low cost staff, but it’s not what I want our business to be. I have no desire to get to the point where I don’t know the names of all my members of staff. It’s just completely different. My business is very much how I want my life to be.” Michael’s parents are still involved in PAG as partners, and they were joined by Michael’s wife, Emma, who was previously in marketing at shipping giant Maersk, in 2010. He hopes that the company’s staff members, who are paid according to the London Living Wage, also feel part of the family. “Even to this day, we are all flexible,” Michael says. “If people are under pressure, someone is always able to help them. The reason we can retain staff as well as we do and have the quality of staff is that we enjoy the variation. The way we are set up is not the most scalable, but very much based around enjoying working with the people next to you. We have genuine fun together. If I couldn’t go into the warehouse and help out, I’d stop working.” A good place The family currently has no major party plans to mark the company’s half- century although it did set up a skate ramp at the Printwear & Promotion Live! exhibition in January as part of its celebrations. Michael has also set himself the target of getting out to meet as many of their customers as possible before the end of the year. They remain excited about future prospects in spite of any uncertainties in the UK economy. “We are exceedingly pleased with our existing brands and what we are offering,” Michael says. “We have the right products, and the manufacturers and brands are doing the right things to support us. We are in a good place.” www.pag-leisurewear.co.uk Michael regards American Apparel’s Fine Jersey T-shirt as a “stand-out product“ If I couldn’t go into the warehouse and help out, I’d stop working DISTRIBUTOR PROFILE