Legendary Australian bowler Shane Warne regaled an audience of 100 business leaders from Hampshire with brilliant cricketing anecdotes when he officially opened a new factory in Basingstoke.
Promoted by Lee Peck Media, Warne was guest of honour of his former Hampshire playing colleague and friend Shaun Udal, who has relocated his logo embroidery business Cotton Graphics to new headquarters at The Loddon Centre, in Stroudley Road.
Now a commentator and pundit, Warne was great value in a question and answer session as he warmed to the task of entertaining the assembled crowd. “I have real affection for Hampshire – and for Shaun,” said the spinner who claimed 708 test wickets to rank fourth in the table of all-time greats.
In a no holds barred interview he included a heartfelt endorsement of his friend’s business. Warne said: “Make no mistake running a business is really challenging and Shaun has done an incredible job with Cotton Graphics – and I’m speaking as a customer. He provides my companies with embroidered logos and the like and the quality, value for money and turn around is first class. It’s a real credit to Shaun and his team.
“I played here in the county for seven years and I was knocked out by the reception I received today in Basingstoke. It’s great to see Shaun doing so well too – he has a great business and I was thrilled to do my bit in conducting the opening ceremony.”
Warne was captain of Hampshire for three seasons from 2005 to 2007 and often worked in tandem with Shaun as spinners, as he recalled: “It was a privilege to play alongside one of the world’s greats and I’m delighted to say we’ve remained close friends. One thing’s for sure, I think everyone who attended today’s event will have had a brilliant time. There’s nobody quite like Warney!”
Cotton Graphics’ 5,080 sq ft unit at The Loddon Centre, also known as TLC, has doubled the size of its premises, allowing Shaun to increase his staff to eight and acquire more equipment.
“Investment is crucial and we’ve just bought a brand new eight head machine and two new single head machines,” explained Shaun, whose business boasts a number of high profile clients, who are impressed with quality of the logos and emblems sewn onto clothing and work overalls.
The firm works for a range of businesses including those in sport, motor, airlines and the medical, hospitality and education sectors… as well as supplying work wear, corporate wear and leisure wear.
Shaun added: “Today was very important to us as a business which is why we appointed Lee Peck Media to ensure proceedings ran smoothly. They have huge experience in PR, event management and looking after high profile celebrities. We were delighted with their work, professional attitude and attention to detail.”