Latest News & Press Releases PRESS RELEASE Please CHECK DOC Press Release Twisted Twee has a pint & half at National Business Awards Suzi Warner, Director of Twisted Twee, is enjoying her hardwork at 'Hero Gift of the Year' Awards Ceremony which is being supported by Not On The High Street for her modern, witty and artistic fashion designs. Twisted Twee is an up and coming London base adult and children fashion clothing designer company and for the service of providing a wide section of t-shirts and pants to a diverse society of individuals with the modern, witty and artistic fashion brand designer name. Ashley Pearce, Director of Pearce Distribution Services Ltd, said “he’s so proud that a hard working individual like Suzi Warner from Twisted Twee has, in my eyes, achieved so much and I feel its her time to take the credit for her modern, witty and artistic fashion designs at a prestigious National Business Awards Ceremony such as this one. Well done again and if you are interested in purchasing or visiting Twisted Twee website at your leisure, please go to www.twistedtwee.co.uk for that unique shopping experience. There is still time to add your nominations for 'Hero Gift of the Year' for Suzi Warner from Twisted Twee and the winner will be picked on June 12th all you need to do is click on the link below, to add your support. http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/524123/Hero-Product-of-the-Year-2011 Thank you very much and I really am grateful to anyone who votes. It's 1 click away and here's the link again. http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/524123/Hero-Product-of-the-Year-2011 PDS has been assisting & supporting Twisted Twee with the fulfillment, storage and distribution for nearly five years now and over time PDS and Twisted Twee have built a great working relationship. So I would like to take this opportunity over providing you with a brief overview of PDS products and services as stated above. A social enterprise operating within the fulfillment, logistics and warehouse management sector. Specializing in the fashion-accessories, giftware, household goods & appliances industry with over 15 years experience of skin-wrapping, shrink-wrapping and blister-packing, which provides meaningful employment opportunities for blind & partially sighted individuals. As you may be aware or know that visually impaired individuals have one of the high unemployment records within the employment market place, with at present 75% of working age to be unemployed for no fault of their own. With your help and support PDS will be able to continually strive to make a difference to those visually impaired individuals /communities by persistently demonstrating, promoting and contributing to the local and national economical community by supporting and working with a diverse & wide range and variety of SME organizations like yours, which in turn will mutually benefit both parties continued growth and promotional awareness opportunities along the way. Twisted Twee Suzi Warner 156a Agur Road London N1 E suzi@twistedtwee.co.uk Pearce Distribution Services Ltd Ashley Pearce PDS-Director 14-16 Verney Road London SE16 3DZ E ashley@pdsdirect.net M 07738 544 765 Latest News & Press Releases PRESS RELEASE PDS Seals the deal PDS wins new CD fulfillment contract with Express Duplications a South London Based CD marketing company. PDS is a social enterprise that operates within fashion-accessories- giftware and household good & appliances by offering those organisations an alternative London based fulfilment, storage & distribution enterprise solution. PDS is providing Express Duplications with a shrink wrapping solution to assist and support Express Duplications CD and DVD distribution operations. So if you are looking for a London based fulfillment, storage and distribution solution look no further than PDS.. PDS can offer you and your organisation a bespoke quotation that meets your individual needs and requirements. Please feel free to view PDS website @ www.pdsdirect.net or alternatively email ashley@pdsdirect.net call Ashley Pearce on 07738 544 765, for a quote. Alternatively if you’re looking for CD and/or DVD solution, please feel free to visit Express Duplications website @ www.expressduplactions.co.uk for more information or alternatively email andy@expressduplactions.co.uk call Andy Young on 0208 769 5224, for a quote. Latest News & Press Releases PRESS RELEASE PDS SEES STARS IN THERE EYES Pearce Distribution Services toast and revel in Cocorose London achievements of being National finalist at this year’s Start-up Stars Awards 2010, which this year was held at the Dorchester Hotel in London to celebrate the success of winning or being one of 10 National companies to reach the national final. Cocorose London is an up and coming, innovational, with stylish designs; London based folding shoe company that has a delightful range of folding shoes and other fashion accessories ranges that meet your individual fashion trends requirements at a cost to suit your pocket. Ashley Pearce, Director & the team at Pearce Distribution Services are so proud of Cocorose London in becoming National Finalist of one of the most prestigious National Business Awards, we/PDS understand that Janan and Gareth from Cocorose London were disappointed not to win the prestigious award. If you are interested in purchasing a pair for yourself or a present for a love one visit www.cocoroselondon.com to see the full range of shoes and other fashion accessories for yourself. PRESS RELEASE PDS GETS THE CREAM Pearce Distribution Services won Cupcake Organic Divine Skin Care beauty cream contract. Cupcake organic is a new, effective and innovational beauty cream company that cleverly balances its eco friendly, social responsibilities with its unique blend of high quality certificated beauty product brand that is bright and clear to meet the consumers’ eye. Pearce Distribution Services Ltd, is a social enterprise operational within the fashion-accessories, giftware and household goods & appliances industry, which is solely run and managed by blind and partially sighted employees, that is based in Bermondsey, that is assisting Cupcake organics by being there fulfillment & distribution arm of the operation. Ashley Pearce, Director of PDS is delighted to be involved with a beauty company like cupcake organics that has high moral and respect of their carbon footprint responsibilities and their social inclusion beliefs and PDS are looking forward to working closer with Cupcake Organics by assisting and supporting them with their future growth. If you require any more information in regards to PDS products & services don’t hesitate to contact PDS on 0207 635 3021 or alternatively visit our website at www.pdsdirect.net for more information. If you require any more information regarding Cupcake Organics Divine Skin Care please contact April at Cupcake Organics or alternatively visit www.cupcakeorganic.com for more information. Latest News & Press Releases Press Release PDS enjoys tea party success with UNDERGROWTH, a ceramic and glassware Company. Pearce Distribution Services wins a prestigious fulfilment and distribution contract, with Undegrow in new up and coming London based porcelain and Glass Company to manage their fulfilment, storage and distribution needs.a young Central St. Martins graduate specialising PDS is a social fulfilment, storage and distribution enterprise operating mainly within the fashion accessories, gift ware, household goods and appliances industry. PDS is a social firm managed and run by blind and partially sighted employees. Undergrowth director Tina Tsang was a young Central St. Martins graduate specialising in the ceramic and glassware industry that wanted to make her own mark on the giftware industry, so in 2005, Undergrowth was formed and with its unique and fresh designs, makes them one to watch. Ashley Pearce, Director of PDS has remarked “winning this new porcelain goods fulfilment contract heralds an exciting new era for us at PDS, to support the growth and distribution of these niche products in a fast developing market is an inspiring prospect. It will bring additional employment opportunities for one of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK. I sincerely look forward to working with Undergrowth”. If you require any of the above services or further information please feel free to contact PDS on 020 8635 3021 or email on ashley@pdsdirect.net Undergrowth can be contacted on www.undergrowthdesign.com Sales contact: Tina Tsang sales@undergrowthdesign.com Mobile +44 07789860533 27th july2009 Game on with Phoenix Pearce Distribution Services Ltd Wins gaming contract with Phoenix a London based games company to manage their fulfilment storage and distribution arm of their operation. PDS is a fulfilment, storage and distribution operation within the fashion accessories, giftware and household goods & appliance industries, solely run by blind and partially sighted employees, based in Bermondsey, South East London Phoenix is a new up and coming London based gaming company. Ashley Pearce Director of PDS said “Winning this contract opens up new avenues and market places to explore. I am also looking forward to working with Gavin on this and future projects” I f you need more information please contact PDS at ashley@pdsdirect.net or 0207 635 3021 Press Release 7th July 2009 PDS Cracks it with Glassware Contract PDS dives into new market places by winning a new Homeware Contract to handle and manage Reiko fulfilment and Distribution Operation. Reiko is a London based house ware company who are very keen to build a working relationship with a social enterprise like PDS who will be assisting Reiko with their current and future production requirements, which they are looking to exhibit within the next few weeks at ?? event, ready for autumn giftware markets Ashley Pearce Director stated “I am really pleased to hear that PDS has opened up new market opportunities for PDS to explore and I am really looking forward to working and assisting Reiko in any way we can to assist in the companies future plans” Date 25th June 2009 PDS, Third year success at Barclays Trading Places Award 09 Pearce Distribution Services Ltd, a social fulfillment, storage and distribution operation, working within the fashion-accessories, giftware and household goods industry. Celebrates their latest news, at present, we are one of the hundred nominated UK companies short listed, at this years The Barclays Trading Places Awards 09, making it their third consistent year in a row, at This years Awards. Having been successfully nominated, for the third year in a row at the Barclays Trading Palaces Awards, has undeniably underlined, to all PDS employees and promoted & demonstrated to mainstream employer’s that a company, like PDS with our social inclusion and commitments to improving the lives of disabled and disadvantaged employees within are local area / communities, can also make a difference to the local and national economy by playing a major part within the retail chain sector. Ashley Pearce the Director of PDS, stated with our ongoing success of being one of hundred National UK Companies nominated finalist at The Barclays Trading Places Awards and having been provided this excellent marketing opportunity has overwhelmingly helped breaking down the barriers that disabled and disadvantage employees face on a daily basis and in turn has indirectly lead to securing / winning new contracts on a regular basis to being now in a position of offering employment opportunities. For potential employees. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those people that have helped, been there in the short term that PDS has been trading.” If you require any additional information regarding are products and service please feel free to contract us at ashley@pdsdirect.net or alternatively phone us on 0207 635 3021 and we look forward to hearing from you soon.. PDS ventures into new Bling industry PDS wins new contract within the jewellery industry, with Joanne Tsang a new, up and coming fashion, giftware and jewellery company based in Bromley, Kent. With PDS handling and managing their fulfilment, logistics and distribution operation, Pearce Distribution Services Ltd, is very excited in wining this contract and having this opportunity and the ability of venturing into new and exciting industries for PDS, such as the jewellery industry, which PDS have been very keen to work with for a number of years, which will in turn benefit PDS with new marketing and expansion opportunities and will provide additional employment and training & development opportunities for your current and further employees. Ashley Pearce Director of PDS Said” This is a very exciting time ahead for PDS, as I’ve just been informed the great news, that PDS have been successful in securing this contract with Joanne Tsang and having this opportunity of working within the prestigious jewellery industry and having a warehouse facility to handle a contract of that size, will provide PDS with additional benefits of exploring, new markets places, which in turn will be able to expand our current products and services that we currently provide to your existing and future clientele, also I’m sincerely looking forward to working with Joanne Tsang on this venture and to wining other new and existing contracts within that industry along the way” If you require any additional information about Joanne Tsang products and our other services or require any additional information regarding any of PDS’s services and/or products Please feel free to contract PDS at ashley@pdsdirtect.net or alternatively call 0207 635 3021 for further information or see if we can help. LATEST NEWS PDS Clients Bagsai wakeup GMTV Fashion Clients PDS hears good news that Bagsai a fashion accessories company and a very good friend and a customer of PDS, has had this tremendous marketing opportunity of appearing on one of the most well known morning TV show’s GMTV. PDS’s relationship with Bagsai, is that PDS manages their Fulfilment, storage and distribution fashion accessories operation on a daily basis of the wholesale requirements, so if you require any additional information regards a fulfilment, storage and distribution solution. Look no further than PDS. Ashley Pearce Director of PDS said, I am delighted for Bagsai that they have been given this excellent marketing opportunity of promoting and appearing on GMTV and also I would like to take this opportunity of wishing them all the best for the future. So if you require any additional information about PDS, please feel free to contact us on 0207 635 3021 or email ashley@pdsdirect.net So if you require any additional information about Bagsai, please feel free to contact them on 07977 931 392 or email norman@bagsai.com LATEST NEWS PDS Fulfil new season products on clients behalf PDS is continuing to honour our orders to loyal and emerging clients with their must have fashion-accessories products lines and collections available for the must have fashionable trendsetters out there. PDS have assisted a number of up and coming fashion accessories companies for a number of seasons now including Catherine Deane one of the top designers of wedding and evening gowns, exhibiting this seasons Spring / Summer 09 collection at prestigious fashion exhibitions and events around the world (London, Paris and Milan). If you require top of the range ladies evening or wedding dresses, please email g.deane@catherinedeane.com for additional information. To Bagsai – Distributor of this season Tintamar ranges of products to organise your life, including the famous VIP handbag organiser and Day 172 Beach bag, plus BagSai's own vinyl shopper and day bags. Also Bagsai's natural fibre scarves, including pure silk, cotton and linen. If you require these must have products, email norman@bagsai.com for more information. Twisted Twee – So if you are looking to purchase a light humour crazy adult and/or children’s t shirt look no further than Twisted Twee website at www.twistedtwee.co.uk or email Suzi@twistedtwee.co.uk. Alfonso De Nicola – So if you are looking to purchase a light humour design Baby changing and handbag collections, look no further than Carla website at www. www.alfonsodenicola.co.uk or email info@alfonsodenicola.com So If you or your organisation are looking for a solution to assist your fulfilment, storage distribution requirements, please feel free to contract PDS on ashley@pdsdirect.net or alternatively call 0207 635 3021 for your requires. Press Release January 09 Press Release For immediate release Local MP Simon Hughes Actively supports PDS Vision Pearce Distribution Services Ltd. gets a visit from none other than Simon Hughes, MP for Southwark and North Bermondsey. The visit was initially to find out what impact the current financial downturn has had on PDS currently and/or future plans & growth. Also to see if there are any issues that the council and/or councillors could help and actively support, a company like PDS. PDS is a fulfilment, storage and distribution, social enterprises operating within the fashion-accessories, giftware and household goods and appliances industry, which are solely run by visually impaired employees. Ashley Pearce Director of Pearce Distribution Services Ltd stated that the current downturn has not affected any part of our trade at present, and we are actively increasing our productivity by 30% from the previous year. I’m also delighted and honoured that an MP of Simon Hughes status has actively and openly supported the supported employment scheme/industry for a number of years and has given up some of his precious time to visit an organisation which also believes in change & improvement, which is needed to change societies opinions of what visually impaired and other disabled communities can achieve. Through actively offering theses clients ongoing support and employment opportunities, in turn will decrease the current level of 66% of visually impaired of working age currently unemployed through no fault of their own. I also personally believe this can be achieved through a partnership approach, from the public, private and the volunteer sectors. Having the presence of Simon Hughes visiting PDS has given us/PDS the additional strength to continue campaigning and striving to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities here and abroad. Having this visit has also opened up more marketing opportunities for PDS to build on and explore and last, I would like to thank all the people that have supported PDS in the time that we have been trading and welcome any new clients that we can help and support along the way. For further information with regards to working with Not for Profit organisations contact can be found below Contact Ashley Pearce Director of Pearce Distribution Services Ltd On Tel No. 0207 635 3021 or email ashley@pdsdirect.net Notes to editors: Pearce Distribution Services Ltd is a pick, pack, distribution and storage business ran from a factory in South East London, with their main focus being the fashion trade. One of our core values is striving for change and create employment opportunities to enable blind and visually impaired people to have equal voice and equal choice and to live a full and valuable life. For further information, ring the PDS office on 0207 635 3021 or visit www.pdsdirect.net Press Release Date 23th January 2009 PDS Shoes up for new Veganonline Horizons Pearce Distribution Services Ltd. Expands into new horizons, by clenching a new contract with veganonline.com, an up and coming online retailer that prides itself on its wide range of animal free, ethical and environmentally friendly footwear products. Veganonline.com, only select from a handful of global organisation’s, which pride themselves on quality, the environment and an ethical approach to providing vital employment opportunities for those local communicates With PDS a social enterprise managing there fulfillment and logistics part of there operation. Having expanded and having the ability now to explore and secure new horizons being successful contract of this size, has given PDS the confidence to increase the number of people we train / employ, with the additional knowing need to survive at these difficult times. Ashley Pearce the Director of PDS stated”that he was delighted to hear news, That Veganonline.com have agreed to the proposal. Winning this contract has opened up new doors and additional marketing opportunities for us/PDS to explore/promote now and in the future what can be achieved, with the right, additional training / employment opportunities. This can in turn assist and support ongoing visuals impaired and disadvantaged employees, within there own local community. A Work colleague stated “Ashley’s business has gone from strength to strength in the last year, and acquiring a client such as Veganonline.com, will only strengthen and recharge his resolve to keep pushing the business and increasing it’s growth.” Press Release Date 17th November 2007 PDS Celebrates is a pint an half Pearce Distribution Services Ltd celebrates there new contract with Twisted Twee with a Pint and Half, Twisted Twee is an up and coming London bases adult and children’s fashion clothing company, how our looking introduction new lines and continues growth within the e-comical market place by using a company like PDS to handle and manage there Pint and half pint adult and children’s T-shirt sets contract, which PDS has been inform will lead to additional contract from that individual clients within the next with weeks/ months. So having succored a contract as of this size, has given PDS the additional confidence of increase the number of people that we currently Train / employ and also Knowing that there is a market place for a South East London based social enterprise such as yourselves and providing our clients with an individual and personal services, but alps known that both parties our playing there part in changing the way sociality portrays disadvantaged communities with the local and international communities and in term by assisted those clients with further growth; Ashley Pearce the Director of PDS stated”that he was delighted to hear news, That twisted twee a an up and coning fashion adult and children’s clothing company having agreed to the proposal. This will uti,ittally provided additional training / employment opportunity within our warehouse facility for our visuals impaired and disadvantanced staf and help and support twisted twee with there future growth Latest News & Press Releases Press Release 11 August 2008 PDS Starts in Startups Awards 08 Social Enterprise Pearce Distribution Services Ltd. has just been told we are one of ten national finalists, at the Startups Awards 08 Ceremony. We have been put forward within the social enterprises section of the awards. Ashley Pearce, Director of PDS, who is also registered blind and has profound dyslexia tendencies, entered the company into Startup national competition. The reasons for entering this national award, was first to hi-light and prove to society and mainstream employers/employees, what can be achieved through passion, hard work, and continuous commitment, not only from PDS, but also our current clients and partnerships / working relationships with various local and national organisations. Ashley Pearce Said “I’m honoured that a social enterprise this is solely run by 100% Visually impaired has been nominated as one of the ten national companies short listed for this years Startups awards. I first would like to thank our clients and all the organisations that have helped and supported PDS achieve being nominated for this award, and also for believing in our mission/vision. As without these organisations we wouldn’t, be where we are today. Secondly I believe, being a national nominated finalists at one of Britain most prestigious awards, has injected additional enthusiasm to continue the hard work that we have put in campaigning, and to support visually impaired employees / individuals. Knowing, that entering into these national business awards is continually helping driving forward our message, surrounding visually impaired employability to a regional and national scale of organisations that believe in our vision / mission statement to support, improve and increase the number of opportunities for visually impaired employees within the UK / Global economy”. Article A Blinding VI Employment opportunity through consultation Ashley Pearce a dyslexic, registered blind individual and the director of Pearce Distribution Services Ltd. PDS is a social enterprise that provides employment and social opportunities to visually impaired people at our Southeast London premises. PDS operates within the fulfilment, logistics and warehouse management. Specialising in the Fashion – Accessories, Giftware, Household goods & appliances industry, with over 10 years experience of skin-wrapping, shrink-wrapping and blister-packing. PDS would like to take this opportunity of providing you with a greater understanding of how the current voluntary sector/sheltered employment schemes currently operate. Highlighting the current issues surrounding social disadvantage employment, this will be discussed at the social enterprise policy consultation event taking place on the 2nd October 2008. I feel that the barriers, visually impaired and other multi-disabled individuals face on a daily basis surrounding employability, combined with the lack of knowledge that most main stream employers currently face surrounding employing and supporting visually impaired employees at there workplaces, adds to the additional strain of the ever declining numbers of employment placements, at there various volunteer/supported employment sectors and training & development organisations within that sector. I feel this should be one of the main priorities at the consultation. If I may, I would like to take this opportunity of providing you with some information surrounding PDS and the benefits that PDS and other organisations can provide, to support and assist visually impaired employability, while also explaining to you my personal story. As stated above, with my dyslexia and being a registered blind individual, who was looking at a life of unemployment for the rest of there life, but through an opportunity that one of the volunteer and supported employment sectors gave me, which has keenly provided me with the opportunity, skills, training and confidence, to get to where I am now. That being in a position of running my own business that has been nominated in diversity in business, three time’s within the last 18 months. I am passionate about making a difference to the current volunteer / supported employment schemes. I feel, what we need to do, is to build on and improve the employability of employing visually impaired individuals, using the private, third sector and centre government to provided contractual opportunities of employment, production or other Services, through a collective structured long term, business solution, which would mutually benefit all sectors concerned through productivity, individual confidence building, to providing awareness of what the skills that Blind and partially sighted individual and other disabled people can achieved / offer to main stream employers and to the additional benefits of lowering the current number of 66% of visually impaired currently unemployed. PDS would also be interested in any additional comments of how you feel this could be changed. If you have any issues regarding the above matter, or any other queries please feel free to contact us through our contact page. Also if you would like to see our operation in action for yourselves, please feel free to contact us in advance to arrange your visit at our Bermondsey, Southeast London premises. Yours Truly Ashley Pearce PDS - Director Press Release 23rd June 2008 Press Release PDS Barclays Trading Places Awards 08 Social Enterprise Pearce Distribution Services Ltd. has just been told we are one of two finalists from the London region, at the Barclay’s Trading Places Awards 08 Ceremony. Ashley Pearce, director of PDS, who is also registered blind and has profound dyslexia tendencies, entered the company into Barclays Trading Places national competition. At present, PDS has been successful in making it to the last two companies in the London region. PDS has now been entered into the national awards, where two companies from 10 regions will have to present then to a panel of judges. At this stage of the competition the companies will then be announced as a national finalist or the winner. Ashley Pearce Said “At present, I’m feeling overwhelmed and honoured to be one of the companies short listed that has been put forward for the national business Award. Especially with my limited employment opportunities in the labour market, as well as with my own disabilities of being registered blind and dyslexic. I also can’t believe that my vision of running a company solely with visually impaired employees, would make it to this stage of a national competition, I would like to thank all those involved that have helped me achieve this, organisations such as Action for Blind People, Business Link, Thames gateway and the clients that have been with us from the start through to now. Thank you all.” Press Release Date 7th April 2008 PDS Bags, BagSai Fashion Contract Pearce Distribution Services Ltd. has clenched a contract with Bagsai. Bagsai is an international socially responsible fashion distributor, distributing exclusive, innovative, stylish and desirable, handmade fashion accessories. The company has come to PDS to manage there fulfillment and logistics operation. All Bagsai products are designed with desirability, style, space & time saving solutions with there clients in mind. All products are produced by ethical organizations. Bagsai fashion brand accessories and products are made using locally sourced products. Bagsai distribute the French brand Tintamar’s range of practical bags and handbags organizers, Arthena non leather bags and other fashion accessory product lines. Having secured a contract of this size, complexity and knowing that both parties are committed and continually striving to make a difference, to assist and support disadvantaged communities here and abroad, has given PDS the confidence and knowledge that there is a niche market out there for a social enterprise such as us, and also that fast growth companies out there are interested in supporting the disability employment sector. Ashley Pearce the Director of PDS stated, ”That he was delighted to hear the news that Bagsai have agreed to the proposal and that they were keen to assist and support disadvantaged communities here in the UK as well as abroad.” PDS is also delighted of winning this contract as this will provide additional training / employment opportunities within our warehouse facility, for our visually impaired and disadvantaged staff while assisting Bagsai further to expand their vision of being a fully socially responsible Fashion Accessories company” If you require additional information regarding Bagsai products,please contain Norman on 07977 931 392 Date 3rd March 20083 Press Release for an immediate release PDS opens Global Organisation Eyes Pearce Distribution Services Ltd. is a social enterprise solely run by blind and partially sighted employees that is challenging and slowly improving social opinion of visually impaired people. They do this by breaking down the barriers that visually impaired people face on a daily basis, with the support of RHM Princess Alexandra to on-going support from local and international organisations like Canary Wharf Group, Business Extra, Jobcentre Plus and various fair-trade organisations. Pearce Distribution Services Ltd. is a double-nominated fulfilment, storage and distribution enterprise. Operating within the fashion, giftware and household goods industry run solely by blind and partially sighted employees based in Southeast London. The Company was founded in April 2006, by director Ashley Pearce with initial start up funding and assistance from The European Social Fund and a national charity called Action for Blind People. From its inception, PDS has gone from strength to strength winning various small to medium contracts with fashion, giftware and household product companies throughout the Greater London region, to holding meetings with various organisations such as the patron of Action for Blind People, Princess Alexandra to national and international organisations, promoting our services through (Business Extra, Canary Wharf Group, Jobcentre Plus to Fair-trade organisations). Ashley Pearce is a registered blind person and Director of PDS. He knows that he has a massive challenge to change society’s opinions as to what blind and partially sighted people can do in the workplace. He used to work in a supported employment factory for over 10 years, which was also based in a disadvantaged area in South East London. He also knows that 66% of visually impaired people of working age are unemployed and claiming benefit and for some individuals, this lasts for life. He is also aware of the added pressures that employers face in terms of global productivity and competitiveness alongside traditional output costs which occur on a daily basis. Ashley wants everyone to know about the benefits of employing a visually impaired person, but did you know that employing a visually impaired person can benefit your organisation by statistically having one of the lowest number of sick days per year and the additional benefits of employing visually impaired and other disabled people by improving your organisations corporate social responsibility, through contractual business opportunities. Ashley stated “I know PDS has taken on a massive challenge to change society, at present, with the limited job opportunities that visually impaired people are given and with the barriers that there are. However he also believes that 2008 will be the year where more businesses will enforce ethical trading and that business performance will mean nothing without purpose, as companies become more socially aware of their responsibilities, non-participants will not be at the races.” PDS is now looking forward to building new and stronger partnerships with more different organisations along the way. Can you help? Comments from organisations: Business Extra – We have helped Ashley Pearce at PDS from the early days develop his business, starting with reviewing and building his business plan, testing his assumptions and ensuring that he could grow a sustainable business. Our free advice and help has, we hope, given him the chance to achieve a lasting business. Whilst he continues to get shelter support from Action for Blind, his success to date is very much down to his own efforts and determination. Guy Stanley, Business Adviser, Business Extra, www.bizextra.biz Notes to editors: Pearce Distribution Services Ltd is a Fulfilment, Storage and Distribution business run from a factory in South East London, with their main focus being the fashion trade. For further information, ring the PDS office on 020 7635 3021, email ashley@pdsdirect.net or visit www.pdsdirect.net. Press Release for an immediate release 1st March 08 PDS Provides Alternative employment Opportunities to Concavity Disability MP Pearce Distribution Services Ltd, a Double nominated fulfilment, storage and distribution, social enterprise, solely run by blind and partially sighted employees, is challenging and slowly improving society’s opinion of visually impaired people. This is being solely been achieve by breaking down the barriers that visually impaired people face on a daily basis and through the awareness, acknowledgement and the visits that PDS has had in the short term of trading and PDS was honour, when Mark Harper the speak for the converisty party for disabilities, visited PDS warehouse facilities and who can see the opportunity that social enterprise like PDS, can provided a vital services to improve economics to the local communities, aweaareness and ecknomenies, but also provide additional employment opportunity to one of the most disadvantaged employment sector as employing Blind and partially sighted employees and being honoured and supported by the speaker for the conversaty party for Disability, can only improve socially appoint of visually impaired people and add the effectual economics that visually impaired people desire. Ashley Pearce Director of PDS stated ”that PDS was honoured the coneraty party, speaker for disabilities Mark Harper visited PDS and with the knowledge and he has gain and with the position he olds of passing on this vital awareness, promoting and continually support from government subsirdented funding to improve the lives of visually impaired and the additional benefits that visually impaired people, will provide to main stream industry If you require any additional information please feel free to contact Ashley Pearce on 0207 635 3021 or ashley@pdsdirect.net 30 January 08 Press Release PDS lights up to fulfill Quute Illumina contract Quute Illumina is an up and coming innovative handbag designer company with an exclusive look. They are innovative and high tech oozing with a stylish selection of handbags and operating out of a London base. All products are cutting edge in handbag designs and include an internal lighting system which makes life so much easier to find those personal accessories in the dark. All products our made with a special fabric called Damask, which is a woven fabric that has desirable depth floral patterns and designs making the handbags a MUST have accessory for 2008. The company has shown their social responsibility by linking up with a social enterprise called Pearce Distribution Services Ltd, which is a South East London organization who managing their fulfillment storage and distribution arm of their operation. PDS is a social enterprise solely run by blind and partially sighted employees. Having secured a contract of this size has given PDS the confidence to increase the number of people who they train and employ. Knowing there is a market out there for a South East London based social enterprise and the fact that fast-growing companies out there are interested in supporting the disability employment sector, has only increased their resolve and confidence that they are making a difference and this in turn has boosted the work ethic and pride in their employees. Ashley Pearce, the Director of PDS stated that he was delighted to hear the news; “That Quute Illumina have agreed to the proposal means that this contract will provide additional training and employment opportunities within our warehouse facility for our visually impaired and disadvantaged staff, whilst assisting Quute Illumina with there further plans and growth.” Notes to Reader: Quute Illumina is an up and coming innovative handbag design company with exclusive, innovative, high tech handbags oozing with a stylish collection. The company, is based in London. For further product information, , email info@quuteillumina.co.uk or visit www.quuteillumina.co.uk Pearce Distribution Services Ltd is a Fulfillment, Storage and Distribution business run from a factory in South East London, with their main focus being the fashion trade,. For further information, ring the PDS office on 0207 635 3021, email ashley@pdsdirect.net or visit www.pdsdirect.net. 26th October 2007 - Press Release This Article appeared in Banking & Dagenahm Talking Newspaper and Cannary Wharf Group Newsletter, The best of Newsletter and Warehouse & Logistics News in Dec issue Social Firm Diversity at Thames Gateway Awards Pearce Distribution Services Ltd has just been nominated as a finalist at this year’s prestigious Thames Gateway awards. This is in recognition of PDS’ contribution to promoting diversity in the workplace and in particular its work in empowering people with visual impairments by giving them the chance to gain employment skills training. PDS is a fulfillment, storage & distribution social firm operating within the fashion, giftware and house hold goods industries. We are solely run by blind and visual impaired employees. Ashley Pearce Director of PDS is himself visually impaired and has achieved so much in the short time that PDS has been trading. He in turn is consistently looking at providing opportunities for blind and visually impaired employees to come and work for the firm, or gain skills through work experience placements. Ashley recognizes that 66% of people who are visually impaired in the UK are unemployed and there continues to be a chronic level of discrimination on the part of employers. Ashley Pearce States: “Being a finalist at this prestige award ceremony in the diversity in business section is great and something that is close to my heart. It hopefully put the spotlight on blind and visually impaired people’s abilities with regards to having greater understanding, knowledge and awareness of what people can achieve and the issues they face on a daily basis.” For further information with regards to working with Not for Profit organisations contact can be found below Contact Ashley Pearce Director of Pearce Distribution Services Ltd On Tel No. 0207 635 3021 or email ashley@pdsdirect.net Contact Michael Harte Senior Business Development Manager Canary Wharf Business Centre Tel 07795 127 629 or email MICHEAL.HARTE@natwest.com 4th October 2007 - Press Release PDS venture to new horizons Pearce Distribution Services Ltd, is a pick, pack and despatch fashion, giftware and house hold goods social firm, that is solely run by blind and visual impaired employees. PDS is currently in the process of building working relationships with a few known London based, Not For Profit organisations such as Real Action, Justice for Columbia and Distinctive. That help a selected sector of the disadvantaged community here and aboard to improve individual lives in there own unique way. Ashley Pearce Director of PDS solely believes that the way forward is to provide a service that mutually benefits our current retail customers, employees and the third world fair trade organisation, that has similar disadvantages to over come as our own employees at PDS. Only by building a strong partnership with other organisations within this sector, can our goals be achieved by each and every organisation working closer together. For Further inforammation with regarsd to workijg with Not for Profit organisations contact can be found below Contact Real Action, The Learning Store, 3 Mozart Street, Queens Park, London, W10 4LA Tel: 020 8960 2065Fax: 020 8960 2074 email: thelearningstore@realaction.org.uk Contact Marieal,Justice for Colombia, 9 Arkwright Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 6AB Phone: 020 7794 3644 | Email Justice for Colombia 10th August 2007 - Press Release PDS Dressed to go to the Arcangel Ball Pearce Distribution Services Ltd is social firm, exclusively run and managed by blind and visual impaired people, has recently clenched a contract to manage the fulfillment and logistics operation, with Arcangel, an up and coming London based globle designer of Luxury Women’s Prêt-a Porter Fashion Brand garments to the worlds best fashion boutiques. Having secured a contract of this nature has given PDS the confidence to provisionally increase the number of disabled people that we train to work on the forthcoming project. The securing of this contract proves that there is a market out there for a South East London based social firm such as PDS and also that businesses are interested in supporting the disability employment sector. Ashley Pearce Director of PDS commented. ” I was delighted to hear the news that Arcangel has agreed to the proposal. This contract gives additional training and employment opportunities within our warehouse facility for the benefit of visually impaired and socially disadvantaged staff.” Colin Kelly, Business Adviser at Action for Blind People has seen at close proximity what PDS are trying to achieve following their graduation from the Visage business incubation project. He believes that the awarding of such a contract is significant. “With PDS in receipt of such a prestigious contract, it will undoubtedly assist them in their tentative growth at a time when they have just started on their own two feet. Everyone concerned with our charity hopes that this is a step in the right direction in enabling Ashley to be more independent and empowered by running his own successful enterprise.” For further information regarding Arcangel, contract Gary Deane - Marketing Director, at, Studio 10, 124-128m Barlby Road, London, W10 6BL or alternatively by email g.deane@arcangel.com or phone / fax on +44 (0) 207 1016571 For further information regarding Action for Blind People, contract Colin Kelly Business Advicer on +44 (0) 207 635 3010 or write to him at 14-16 Verney Road, London, SER16 3DZ or alternatively visit Action for Blind People website www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk 20th June 2007 Barclay's Trading Places Awards PDS General Manager Ashley Pearce entered a national competition for new 'Start Up' businesses, organised by Barclay's, and was delighted to discover that he'd made it through to the last 50 in June. The next stage will reduce the numbers to 25 - the semi-finals! Even reaching this stage of the competition means that entrants will get some publicity and free exposure to potential customers. The awards ceremony will be held at a Dinner event in London on 2 October 2007. Hope to see you there! Ashley Pearce said "I'm amazed to be short-listed for a national business award with my employment background as a manual labourer and I also can't believe that my business ideas made this stage...I would like to thank all those people that have helped achieve this". Colleague Barbara Morton of Action for Blind People stated "Ashley has worked immensely hard in developing his business and really deserves this award - he will stand a real chance of making PDS a success with this boost to his confidence and profile". This article appeared in the July/August edition of logistics Magazine. Minister visits Visage On 8 May the Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, visited Visage to see the ground breaking work which is happening with the micro businesses. The Minister had a full tour of the businesses and spoke to those involved with the Visage project. The Minister was interested in everything that Action is doing and asked colleagues from Visage and the Verney Road Factory many questions about their work. Chief Executive Stephen Remington, Head of Service Development Colin Whitbourn and Visage Coordinator Andy Taylor impressed on the Minister that the Visage Project's approach could, and should, be used to provide other disability groups with a bridge from training and study to open employment. Press Release on Tuesday 30th May 2006 - Blind charity gets into fashion! Thanks to funding from the European Social Fund a Fashion Lingerie Warehouse Distribution business is operating and being managed by visually impaired people for the first time ever in the UK. With support from Action for Blind People, the company, trading as Pearce Distribution Services (PDS) is a commercially viable business giving visually impaired people first hand knowledge and real experience in establishing and running a successful business. Ashley Pearce, Manager at Pearce Distribution Services, says 'PDS will have a highly flexible approach. It will store and dispatch items, working from a customer database provided by the suppliers. Virtually every aspect of the work depends on all of the team having access to equipment specially adapted for visually-impaired people, which will enable them to provide a good quality service to the fashion lingerie industry.' PDS are currently looking for companies within the fashion lingerie business who require pick, pack and storage services Ashley Pearce adds, 'We believe that the fashion business trade would be interested to learn about this new and innovative approach to business and employment training. With 3 out of 4 blind and partially sighted people out of employment this has been a fantastic opportunity to enable visually impaired people to work.' Notes to editors: Pearce Distribution Services are a pick, pack, dispatch and storage operation, run from a large factory in Bermondsey, South East London, excellently located for the big central London fashion houses and retail boutiques along the King's Road. Action for Blind People work to inspire change and create opportunities to enable blind and partially sighted people to have equal voice and equal choice and to live a full and valuable life. For further information visit www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk or contact our free phone national helpline 0800 915 4666. Minister visits On 8 May the Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, visited Action For Blind People t/a PDS to see the ground breaking work which is happening with this micro businesses and 3 other that Action and the European Funding have supported. The Minister had a full tour of the businesses and spoke to those involved with the Visage project. The Minister was interested in everything that Action is doing and asked colleagues from Visage and the Verney Road Factory many questions about their work. Chief Executive Stephen Remington, Head of Service Development Colin Whitbourn and Visage Coordinator Andy Taylor impressed on the Minister that the Visage Project's approach could, and should, be used to provide other disability groups with a bridge from training and study to open employment. Minister visits Date 25th June 2009 PDS, Third year success at Barclays Trading Places Award 09 Pearce Distribution Services Ltd, a social fulfillment, storage and distribution operation, working within the fashion-accessories, giftware and household goods industry. Celebrates their latest news, at present, we are one of the hundred nominated UK companies short listed, at this years The Barclays Trading Places Awards 09, making it their third consistent year in a row, at This years Awards. Having been successfully nominated, for the third year in a row at the Barclays Trading Palaces Awards, has undeniably underlined, to all PDS employees and promoted & demonstrated to mainstream employer’s that a company, like PDS with our social inclusion and commitments to improving the lives of disabled and disadvantaged employees within are local area / communities, can also make a difference to the local and national economy by playing a major part within the retail chain sector. Ashley Pearce the Director of PDS, stated with our ongoing success of being one of hundred National UK Companies nominated finalist at The Barclays Trading Places Awards and having been provided this excellent marketing opportunity has overwhelmingly helped breaking down the barriers that disabled and disadvantage employees face on a daily basis and in turn has indirectly lead to securing / winning new contracts on a regular basis to being now in a position of offering employment opportunities. For potential employees. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those people that have helped, been there in the short term that PDS has been trading.” If you require any additional information regarding are products and service please feel free to contract us at ashley@pdsdirect.net or alternatively phone us on 0207 635 3021 and we look forward to hearing from you soon.. Minister visits On 8 May the Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, visited Action For Blind People t/a PDS to see the ground breaking work which is happening with this micro businesses and 3 other that Action and the European Funding have supported. The Minister had a full tour of the businesses and spoke to those involved with the Visage project. The Minister was interested in everything that Action is doing and asked colleagues from Visage and the Verney Road Factory many questions about their work. Chief Executive Stephen Remington, Head of Service Development Colin Whitbourn and Visage Coordinator Andy Taylor impressed on the Minister that the Visage Project's approach could, and should, be used to provide other disability groups with a bridge from training and study to open employment.