Wirral Life November 2019 | Page 11

IN BRIEF RADIO WIRRAL PLANS RELAUNCH ON LOCAL DAB KEEKO KIDS CELEBRATE MERGER AND NEW PREMISES IN MORETON Keeko Kids have officially celebrated the merger of 2 companies, owned by local business woman, Sarah Chinnaraja, with a glittering party at their new premises in Moreton, attended by over 100 guests. Dynamic Duo Marketeers Nik Ellis & Justine McLaughlin have partnered with Radio Wirral Legends to bring a recharged station to Wirral’s airwaves. Radio Wirral was created to serve the residents & expats of Wirral wanting to soak up the life, community & culture it exudes from the peninsula. This month we are delighted to announce a ground-up rebuild of the station, recharged & reinvigorated with a fresh team. The very best of the original crew, Ian Kenyon, Peter Silcock & Tom Hunter have been joined by digital marketing duo Nik Ellis & Justine McLaughlin to create a diverse & vibrant team. This collaboration combines a wealth of broadcasting experience, knowledge & passion with digital & marketing wizardry to unleash a modern, dynamic station on the Wirral. With a complete rebrand, restructure & goals, the team can now offer unique marketing opportunities to Wirral businesses, support at Wirral events, whilst playing an amazing array of music 24/7. Chairman Peter said “We’re proud to call the Wirral our home, so we’re excited to now provide a positive local broadcast to the residents & businesses across the peninsular.” Nik added “We’re thrilled to be involved in this evolution of the station. It’s great to offer a useful, fun & friendly service to listeners across the Wirral & beyond.” Radio Wirral will be broadcasting on DAB radios from 1st November (Day After Brexit) so make sure you tune in & get involved with the peninsula's very own radio station. Keeko was founded over 20 years ago with the unique creation of the Keeko Colouring Board, a product designed to display kids colouring sheets and crayons and to provide passive play for children. The concept was a great success and soon attracted huge brands like McDonalds, Asda & Marks & Spencer. The company worked with a range of suppliers and non more closely than their British crayon supplier Stadium Crayons, who had manufactured crayons in the South of England for over 60 years. Sadly, Stadium went into administration in 2009 and Keeko had no time to secure a new supplier, let alone have factories in China audited, and so with no other option owner and MD Sarah Chinnaraja purchased Stadium Crayons based in Southampton. This move led to a roller coaster of challenges as the Heswall based company took on a failing manufacturing arm over 250 miles away and set about turning the company around and securing the supply of British made crayons. Last week saw the company celebrate not only the success they have made of this venture, but the merger and consolidation of the two companies as they moved the whole manufacturing facility and the Heswall offices into one new site in Moreton. The new site in Moreton produces approximately 30 million crayons each year with capacity to increase this number. The manufacturing arm is led by General Manager, Dave Ayling, who joined the company in 2016. Dave said "The move allows us to continue to compete with Chinese imports with our quality and bespoke range of kids colouring products." Sarah Chinnaraja, Owner & Managing Director said: "It is a huge relief and a blessing to be in one place and to consolidate our business and look forward to an exciting future together. My huge thanks goes to my loyal and wonderful team for all their dedication, determination, hard work and friendship and a massive welcome and thanks to the new members who have joined us to produce our Wirral made crayons. I am absolutely delighted to have brought our crayon making home to the Wirral.” wirrallife.com 11