Australian gift and toy distributor Jasnor will reach a milestone this year as it celebrates 25 years in business in August.
Established in 1988, the company was started by Sherrie Thurlow and by 1994 it had grown so much that Sherrie’s husband Noel, who had a background in toys and gifts, came on board to head up the business as managing director.
“I have always loved children’s gifts that were not just a passing fad,” Sherrie explains. “My own children had received some wonderful gifts but those that lasted were the ones that really stood out. I also saw an opportunity to offer gifts targeted at men that had the same sense of longevity.”
Today Jasnor is the home of leading giftware, toy and licensed brands including Giggle & Hoot, Hello Kitty, GUND, Romero Britto and The World of Eric Carle.
“We pride ourselves on offering a diverse mix of products to a diverse mix of retailers,” says Noel. “Our skill for identifying emerging trends and continuing to offer an evolving collection of iconic, evergreen brands, along with our customer service and the confidence that we can deliver quality products, has ensured our company has continued to grow over the past 25 years.”
A lot has changed during that time and with the introduction of the internet everything has sped up.
“We’ve had to evolve to meet the changing demands and expectations of our customers. We’ve needed to change the way we service them and the way we share our information, as we’re no longer limited by geography and time is always short in supply… We currently are rolling out iPads to our sales force so we can use a variety of media to service our customers in smarter ways,” Noel adds.
Jasnor prides itself on the fact that its very first client is still a regular customer and believes that loyal staff and high customer service have been important elements in the company’s growth. In fact, 60 per cent of its employees have been with the business for at least five years.
“We’re focused on nurturing and looking after our customers that have supported us right from the start, and with so much change and growth in the business, it wouldn’t be possible to maintain these relationships without the support of loyal staff that become part of the Jasnor family when they join the business.”
Jasnor plans to celebrate its 25th anniversary with fantastic promotions at the August Reed Gift Fair plus some exciting new releases from its iconic brands.
