Please do not fix these new number plates to any vehicle until you have received:

A new V5 registration document showing this registration mark or have confirmation email confirming change of mark.

These are current requirements for numberplates:

Transport Secretary Grant Schapps has said that plates with a green flash, for electric zero CO2 emission vehicles, will be rolled out as soon as Autumn 2020.

The British Numberplate Manufacturers Association (of which Bestplate is a founding member) are in consultation with DVLA and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) about their implementation plans, particularly the specification required for the green plate.

Plates are expected to have a green flash to the left hand side of the plate (as shown below)

We will publish more information when details are confirmed.

As a responsible supplier we have identified various issues which need addressing in relation to the Country’s withdrawal from the European Union (BREXIT), and the possible scenario’s based upon whether the Government’s Withdrawal Agreement passes through Parliament in current or amended form, over the next couple of weeks, or we proceed to the default position of a “No Deal Brexit”

We are looking to re-assure our customers that as your suppliers, that we are prepared for all circumstances that may occur in the light of the above, and that there will be no operational impact to our business.

We are aware of Government advice being available, and the links below refer to technical notices and information about trading with the EU in the event of a “No Deal Brexit”:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/how-to-prepare-if-the-uk-leaves-the-eu-with-no-deal

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trading-with-the-eu-if-theres-no-brexit-deal/trading-with-the-eu-if-theres-no-brexit-deal

We have completed the following questionnaire which covers our readiness for Brexit.

1. Customs Formalities   We import & export to many countries outside the EU for many years, we are very well acquainted with these processes. Specifically for Brexit there are no specific documents (if there will be at all) obtainable yet to our knowledge.

2. Customs, duties, tax and rules of origin   Again, we are very well acquainted with import and export duties and related issues by exporting to many countries outside of the EU. To our knowledge, no duties have yet been decided in conjunction with Brexit, but if/when there will be, we are prepared for it.

3. Workforce  We understand the potential increase in workload to deal with a no deal Brexit scenario and believe we are fully staffed to handle any such issues, if they should affect us in any way.

4. Supply Chain   We are in discussions with our suppliers (tier.2 and below) with regard to this issue and believe they are fully prepared, however we have plans in place to increase our safety stock to mitigate any possible issues.

5. Purchasing    We have examined our contracts with suppliers to mitigate Brexit derived risk and ensure Incoterms and liabilities are clearly defined, we see no real impact other than transportation but we have plans in place to increase stock levels.

6. Finance & insurance   Considering all of the above, we have assessed the potential working capital impact on our business and have budgeted accordingly

7. Summary Having answered the above questions and read the government guidance notes (links in letter) we would rate our overall preparedness for maintaining continuity of supply in the event of a no deal Brexit?

Yours truly,

Ray Wallis
General Manager

We are pleased to have been included in the latest edition of The Parliamentary Review as a Best Practice Representative.

“The Parliamentary Review is an indispensable guide to industry best practice, which demonstrates how sector leaders have responded to challenges in the political and economic environment.”

You can read the article here.

 

*Click more to see news article*

*To Enlarge Article Image Click Once More*

Courtesy of the Daily Mail.

Three men were handed suspended prison sentences and left thousands of pounds out of pocket after admitting selling illegal car number plates on the Internet from a business based in Newton Longville. Steven John Clarke,32, his father John Charles Clarke,70, and their associate David Bagnall, 50, appeared at Luton Crown Court on Friday for sentence, after

previously admitting conspiracy to commit Trade Mark Act offences under s1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977. His Honour Judge Stuart Bridge, described Steven Clarke as utterly brazen and “breathtakingly contemptuous” after hearing how Clarke continued to trade in illegal number plates despite having a prosecution pending for similar offences.

Clarke, now of Pulham St Mary, Suffolk, was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work. John Clarke, of Harkness Close, Bletchley, and David Bagnall, who now lives in Newmarket, were both sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and each ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work.

Steven Clarke was also ordered to pay £200,000 to Milton Keynes Council for prosecution costs and was made the subject of a £25,000 Confiscation Order, under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.Confiscation orders were also granted against John Clarke and David Bagnall of £25,000 and £10,000 respectively.

The court had heard how the business ‘number1showplates’, which was set up with the help of Steven Clarke and run by John Clarke, other members of the Clarke family, and David Bagnall, sold vehicle registration plates via the internet. The problem was that the business offered to apply car trademarks (logos) to the number plates without the authority of the trademark holder, an offence under the Trade Marks Act.

The unlawful additions of these logos actually made the number plates illegal to use on the road. The judge’s criticism came after Steven Clarke had previously pleaded guilty to similar offences of applying trademarks to vehicle registration plates in December 2011, while a director of the business No1 Showplates Ltd.

The investigation was carried out by Milton Keynes Council Trading Standards supported by the National Trading Standards, tri-regional scambusters. In setting up number1showplates, the defendants went to great lengths to try and ‘hide’ their business to ensure that they wouldn’t be detected by Trading Standards. They put a fake Irish address on their website, didn’t put their business name and postcode on the plates (as required by law), operated the business from a unit in a garden in Newton Longville and had deliveries of blank number plates sent to an address in Buckingham.

Councillor Mick Legg, MKC’s Cabinet Member responsible for Trading Standards said;“In applying unauthorised trademarks to vehicle registration plates, the business ‘number1showplates’ sought to gain a competitive advantage against reputable, law abiding, number plate businesses. Moreover, unsuspecting customers of ‘number1showplates’ may have believed that the number plates bought from the business were legal to use on the road when in fact they were not (only certain flags and the Euro symbol are permitted to be displayed on a vehicle registration plate). I am pleased that Milton Keynes Trading Standards is continuing its valuable work to maintain a level playing field for businesses in Milton Keynes and ensuring that consumers are protected.”

[Published by Milton Keynes Citizen, 12:48  Tuesday 02 February 2016]

 

Click here for DVLA information on older style plates

 

 

Aside from the industry’s highest standards in number plate quality and service provision, another unique benefit of being a Bestplate customer is access to our motor trade range of high quality, custom-branded promotional, clothing and signage products.

As part of the Zell-Em Group – we offer over 60 years’ experience in promotional product manufacture and supply; and have grown to become one of the UK’s leading trade providers. Whether its vehicle window stickers, ice scrapers, MOT wallets, air fresheners, pricing units or keyfobs – we can supply it.

Through our specialist apparel division, we manufacture and supply all the corporate clothing and workwear products necessary to kit out your sales, reception and service teams. All our logo embroidery is performed in-house and we can source or custom-manufacture garments to suit all working conditions, corporate identity and legislative requirements.

Key buyer benefits:

• Buy Direct from the Manufacturer – Save Time & Money
• Fast Turnaround and Delivery Times
• Trusted by Manufacturers, Dealer Groups and 1000’s of businesses throughout the UK
• Low charges for Artwork Set-up on all Printed Products.

 

For further details on our extensive range of motor trade promotional, corporate clothing and workwear products – please visit our website at: www.zell-em.com or why not obtain your FREE copy of our new 2015 brochure to see our best selling products? To get your FREE brochure – just contact us or your local BESTPLATE Account Manager.

Bestplate, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of acrylic number plates and number plate printing systems announced today it has officially launched a new website.

The new website, which offers quick and easy access to information on Bestplate and its products, is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and availability of product information and aftersales support to its motor trade customers.

Created with their customers’ user experience firmly in mind, the website has been designed using the latest technology so its compatible with the most current internet browsers and without the need for Adobe^® Flash or the requirement to download plug-ins to view its contents.

The website boasts a modern design, easy-to-navigate functionality, and provides more product information relating to Bestplate number plate systems, number plate components and its wider range of in-car promotional items and automotive apparel. Customers can quickly enquire upon any product featured by clicking on a neighbouring link which generates a contact form in which the relevant product description is pre-completed in the ‘subject’ line.

Customers wishing to purchase number plate components can order 24/7/365 through an Online Ordering System which is accessible from the ‘Order Online’ link present on all webpages.

The website introduces an FAQ section with embedded YouTube ‘how to’ videos that respond to common customer questions on the maintenance of number plate printing equipment. This new feature will not in any way replace Bestplate’s on-site and phone based technical support, but instead provides customers with an alternative method of receiving technical assistance.

Visitors accessing the news section can stay informed with company news and legislative developments concerning number plate manufacture and supply. As part of the Zell-Em Group, visitors can also link to the Group’s social media pages where they can remain in-touch with number plate developments as well as product updates and special offers on motor trade promotional items and clothing.

Zell-Em Group’s growth as a leading automotive supplier is attributable to maintaining face-to-face relationships with its diverse range of motor trade dealers and suppliers. Deployed through national field-based teams, this customer-centric and personal approach has remained part of the Group’s strategy since its inception 68 years ago. Whilst Bestplate continues to pursue this strategy, it also recognises the importance of constantly innovating and evolving its online sales and support channels. To this end, Bestplate are proud of the new website – and hope it provides a useful, informative portal for its customers.