Business Profile: A1 Sports & Promotion

Imagine walking into a business that covers all your sporting, promotional, printing and customized products under one roof? A1 Sports & Promotions offers a wide range of diverse services to cater to your varying needs.

Principals Amarjit and Paramjit Dhadwar, the dynamic husband and wife team, who have been running this company for the last eight years started off specializing in retail sports wear, then they added customized apparel to today, where A1 Sports & Promotion offers apparel decoration among their many services.

A1 Sports & Promotions offers a range of diverse services, including the following:
✓    cricket, soccer, field hockey and volleyball equipment
✓    screen printing for garments and signs
✓    apparel decoration, such as embroidery adding a high-end finish for apparel
✓    direct to garment printing
✓    dye sublimation printing, a newer process that leaves a great finish on trophies and no heavy ink on t-shirts or apparel
✓    cutom awards, trophies and plaques
✓    engraving services, both laser and rotary
✓    team and security guard uniforms to high visibility vests
✓    corporate apparel, such as golf shirts and high quality dress shirts with company logos
✓    photo printing to commemorate special occasions from birthdays to anniversaries
✓    promotional products, such as wristbands, balloons and pens
✓    customized wedding gifts and products

Over the years, demand has increased for their products and services and they have moved into a new retail space within the York Center complex in Surrey. In addition, 90 per cent of their orders are custom as clients want specialized products to meet their team, corporate or personal needs.

“Our goal is the serve the local community, as well as communities in Vancouver Island and Alberta, for all their needs from promotional items to sports events,” says Amarjit Dhadwar with a smile. “Since 2004, it has taken time to integrate new services into our business and we have done this to make it easier for customers, who need to only visit one store rather than multiple stores to meet their needs.”

Dhadwar provided a great example of this: for the popular Kabaddi tournament that takes place in the summer, A1 Sports is providing a full-range of services and products. “I manage A to Z for the tournament, from the ground markings and apparel to tournament cup, plaques and banners. The organizers said ‘This is the date of the tournament, here you go!’ and I am taking care of the rest,” he adds.

The company’s team is dedicated, and if a last-minute order comes in that needs to be completed for the next day, Amarjit and Paramjit plus their team will work overnight on the order to ensure that it is completed and delivered on time.

Futhermore, the Dhadwar’s have gained vast knowledge of the industry, including apparel decoration and awards, so they have gained the trust of customers, who often ask them for advice and concepts. After consulting with customers, they are able to provide solutions and options to ensure the customer is happy moving forward.

One of the best parts of walking into their store is being able to watch some of the production taking place. Customers can watch their t-shirts to golf tees being embroidered by a state-of-the-art Brother machine or can watch members of the team conducting one of the printing methods on tank tops to dress shirts.

A1 Sports & Promotions has been specializing in a variety of wedding items, as they have been approached by brides/grooms and their families for bachelor/bachelorette items like customized tank tops; bridal shower prizes and gifts; reception keepsakes like candy boxes and wine bottle labels; and banners, balloons and decorating fabrics with bride/groom’s names.

When Amarjit and Paramjit first came to Canada in 1994, it was their dream to start a business that would involve the members of their family. This dream has come true, as their teenage twin daughters actively help out with the business, especially during the summer holidays and their younger son, although he is in Grade 4, also helps out as well.

A1 Sports and E3 Studio, a dance company, represented the South Asian community in the annual Canada Day parade in Vancouver with a beautiful float and apparel created by the Dhadwar’s.

A1 Sports & Promotion
Unit 111, 12888 – 80th Avenue
Surrey, BC V3W 3A8
Tel: 604-597-8356
Toll Free: 1-866-234-1104
Email: info@a1sports.com

http://a1sportscanada.com/