Sambro International Ltd. has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
The global toy supplier is one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise.
Announced today (Monday 6 May), Sambro has been recognised for its excellence in International Trade. A total of 257 Awards are made, with five companies being recognised with two Awards.
Employing 87 people from its Greater Manchester UK headquarters and EU offices, Sambro was established in 1996 as a supplier of toys, stationery and back-to-school products to UK and EU retailers, with licensed products becoming a significant part of this business as the company developed.
Sambro holds long-standing licensor relationships with some of the world’s biggest and most iconic licenses, including Disney, Marvel, Hasbro, Paramount, Universal and more.
The firm specialises in developing toys, which inspire creative play across a range of categories including arts & crafts, stationery, plush and novelty and outdoor sectors.
Sambro CEO, Paul Blackaby said: “To be honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise is a milestone achievement for Sambro and the highest honour that we could receive for a UK business.
“We now join over 7,000 other UK enterprises who have received this recognition and is a testament to everything that our team has worked so hard on recently. Sambro has a people-led approach to business, and I am beyond proud of everything our teams have accomplished in the UK, Amsterdam and Hong Kong too.
“The award recognises a period of growth for Sambro spanning the last three years and the expansion of our European business. We continue to focus on innovation, service provision and differentiation through strong design.
“Our award comes at a time when trade is challenging and is a resounding endorsement of how our business has evolved and will continue to change as we meet market demand.
“It is recognition of how we have continued to professionalise Sambro and all that we stand for – a UK based business with strong international trade.”
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses.
The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
Applications for King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 open on His Majesty The King’s Coronation, 6th May 2024 For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/kings- awards-for-enterprise.
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For more information and interview opportunities, please contact: sambro@wearebrazenpr.com
Notes to editors
About Sambro
Sambro, established in 1996 as a supplier of toys, stationery and apparel to UK retailers, with licensed products becoming a significant part of this business as the company developed.
In 2006, the business pivoted to become a licensed toy supplier and became an influential partner for brand owners who were seeking access to the wider UK retail sector. The business quickly developed niche specialities in novelty toys, creative, stationery, backpacks, accessories and arts and crafts product.
Recently, Sambro’s creative strength has evolved into creating its own IP, which translates into many licenses. Sambro also has market-leading capabilities for in-house design of its own-brand and licensed toys in: Arts & Crafts, Creative, Stationery, Plush, Back to School, and Novelty & Outdoor toys.
Sambro’s longstanding, multi-layered and embedded licensor relationships that the business has with iconic global brands such as Disney, Marvel, Paramount, Hasbro and Mattel continues to strengthen over the years.
The trusted and strategic nature of the partnerships that the business enjoys with retailers in the UK and EU, particularly with expanding value retailer outlets in many markets generates continued growth.
Sambro has the core competence of developing products for the value channel, alongside e-commerce, the fastest growing area of retail across Europe.
The company fosters long-standing relationships with quality product manufacturers.
Sambro, with the employment of a dedicated ESG manager, puts its ecological and social commitments at the forefront of its activities.
The motivated, committed, talented and experienced employee group and leadership team ensure continual development and progressive thinking within the company.
