=== BEGINS ===
Little did entrepreneur Danny Bamping know, when he stepped
into the BBC 2’s cult Dragons’ Den programme one
year ago, that today he would be celebrating an extraordinary
year of business success by attempting to beat his own Guinness
World Record™ in the world’s two best-known toys
stores within 48 hours.
On Thursday 23 November, he will try to beat his own record
of 11:03 seconds in Hamleys before flying to New York to try
again at the FAO Schwarz toy emporium. Thanksgiving is on Thursday,
and the store expects to attract some 80,000 customers over
the weekend.
Bamping famously sealed a deal in front of the cameras before
deciding not to accept the Dragons’ £100,000 offer,
instead taking out a bank loan to grow the company. Since then,
Bedlam Puzzles has not looked back. Unit sales are approaching
250,000 and are set to grow further this Christmas with Bedlam
Cubes now being stocked in Argos, Tesco, WH Smith, Debenhams,
Harrods, HMV, John Lewis and online retailers like Firebox.com
Being an entrepreneur is never easy and as managing director,
Bamping has interesting stories to tell about growing a business,
motivating people, procuring finance, developing new products,
sourcing from the Far East and dealing with some of the UK’s
largest retailers. It is a challenge that many people aspire
to, but few possess the determination and tenacity to achieve.
One of Bamping’s most valuable lessons of the last year
is the importance of having people around, experts one can trust
and a team that shares the same passions. “I have a senior
business partner and a bank manager who are extremely supportive
and are an invaluable asset to me,” he says. “In
addition, we could not survive and deliver good service to customers
without the team in Plymouth who help me run the business. As
Bedlam Puzzles grows, I am determined that the strong culture
we have will continue, as it is vital to our success.”
As a keen environmentalist, Bamping has been looking at how
Bedlam Puzzles can play its part in minimizing global impact.
The product was designed to need minimal packaging, and plans
for 2007 include the use of recycled plastic and options to
relocate manufacturing back to the UK. “Not only does
it make sense, for all sorts of logistical reasons,” says
Bamping, “but also I would be delighted to put ‘Made
in the UK’ on the box and know that we had not been involved
in transporting products across the world.”
Last Christmas, every retailer stocking the Bedlam Cube sold
out and this year distribution has been expanded to include
some of the UK’s largest retailers. Globally, it is available
in 17 European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil the
USA and several African countries. One of Bedlam Puzzles’
objectives for 2007 is to expand distribution further into the
USA. “I have a number of companies there wanting to distribute
the Bedlam Cube for us,” says Bamping, “and I know
that the US market holds a lot of potential for us. Finding
the right partner will be the key.”
Bedlam Puzzles is launching the Bedlam Cube ‘Solution’
on Thursday 23rd to encourage even more people to attempt the
world record. To date less than 200 people have solved the Bedlam
Cube, “With 19,186 different solutions the puzzle is tough,”
said Danny. “I believe that the Bedlam Solution will allow
even more people to enjoy the puzzle, some enjoy the personal
challenge of finding their own solution, and others will enjoy
competing for the World Record title.”
=== ENDS ===
=== NOTES TO EDITORS ===
=== CONTACTS ===
For more information and to request photos, interviews or free
samples, please contact Bedlam Puzzles:
Bedlam Puzzles Limited
Website www.bedlampuzzles.com
Email sales@bedlampuzzles.com
Bedlam office:
Tel 0845 230 2325
Fax 0845 230 2327
Danny Bamping: 07831 658492
danny@bedlampuzzles.com
Press office:
Lisa-Marie Nelson
Email lisa@bespokemarketing.com
Tel 01844 208818
Fax 01844 212126
About The Bedlam Puzzle Company
Plymouth-based entrepreneur Danny Bamping, 32, famously appeared
on the 2005 series of Dragons’ Den with his Bedlam Puzzle
company and had the Dragons fighting over each other to invest.
After some clever negotiations, he initially accepted a deal
on camera – £100,000 from two of the Dragons, Theo
Paphitis and Rachel Elnaugh, in exchange for 30 per cent of
his company. After a brief period of due diligence, Danny changed
his mind, opted to go it alone and funded his Bedlam dream with
a bank loan.
Just last week the company was named ‘Business of the
Year’ in the Enterprising Plymouth Awards. Danny collected
the award at a black-tie dinner on Thursday 16 November 2006.
He has also been shortlisted as Entrepreneur of the Industry
in the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BMPA).
The company’s client base includes BP, O2, Saab, Investec
and Bolton Wanderers Football club.
Additional Information
· Bedlam Puzzles was named ‘Business of the Year’
in the Enterprising Plymouth Awards on 16 November 2006.
· Danny Bamping was recently placed as number 28 in
the Top 50 Entrepreneurs of 2005.
· The Bedlam Cube was officially launched in Hamleys
and online on 19 November 2004.
· Danny Bamping and Bedlam Puzzles first appeared on
BBC2’s Dragons’ Den on 23 November 2005.
· There are currently 19 variations of the original
Bedlam Cube and 4 variations of the Mini Bedlam Cube.
Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records said,
“We were excited to have the Bedlam Cube as our official
product for Guinness World Records Day on 9 November. It’s
a brilliant product and it was the perfect puzzle to engage
everyone as part of the worldwide record attempts happening
on the day. Congratulations to Danny, who has become the first
official Bedlam ‘speed cubing’ champion of the world!”
Bedlam - "The King of Puzzles"
