The Chicago-based Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), the promotional product industry’s only independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping companies provide safe products, has awarded QCA Accreditation to Hit Promotional Products, located in Largo, Fla.
“Achieving QCA Accreditation has been a challenging but extremely beneficial and rewarding process,” said Bill Schmidt, Jr., vice president of Hit Promotional Products. “In spite of record growth during the past several years, combined with operational improvements and major investment in new technology, product offerings, inventory and personnel, we felt that all of these efforts would be severely devalued without a companywide commitment and focus on product safety, quality assurance and social accountability. Becoming QCA Certified was the only way for us to meet these expectations.”
QCA Accredited companies endorse a self-certification, complete a rigorous self-assessment, and then submit their headquarters and their supply base to multiple third-party audits. The QCA board uses a scorecard representing the performance of the applicant and its supply chain on the third-party audits as the foundation for granting accreditation.
“Immediately after completing the initial self-assessment, we knew that the road to QCA Accreditation would not be easy considering the depth of our product line, which is comprised of more than 5,000 SKUs within 12 major categories. This is complicated by the fact that we also use multiple methods for product decoration, ranging from pad printing to embroidery,” Schmidt, Jr. said. “We believe that QCA Accreditation will demonstrate our ongoing commitment to providing safe, high quality products to our distributor partners. While the initial phase is now complete, maintaining QCA Certification will be an ongoing process of continuous improvement, and we look forward to continuing the journey.”
Hit Promotional Products joins the ranks of 17 other companies that have met the rigorous qualifications to achieve QCA Accreditation—Barton Nelson Inc.; BDA Inc.; Broder Bros.; Bullet ; Cutter & Buck; Dard Products Inc.; Garyline; Gemline; Gordon Sinclair; Jetline; JournalBooks/TimePlanner Calendars; Leed’s; Logomark; MMI; Prime Line; SnugZ USA; and Sweda Company LLC.
“Congratulations to Hit Promotional Products for its success and commitment in achieving QCA Accreditation,” said Brent Stone, QCA executive director – operations. “Fortune 1000 companies continue to be focused on doing business with companies that can demonstrate they are capable of protecting their brands, and it is rewarding to see more industry leaders respond. Compliance programs are a journey rather than a destination, and we applaud the efforts of those companies that have made QCA Certification a part of their strategic growth and improvement plans.”
For more information about QCA Accreditation and to inquire about the process and benefits received, e-mail [email protected].
About QCA
Chicago, Illinois-based Quality Certification Alliance is an independent, accreditation organization whose mission is to elevate the standards by which industry firms that import and/or manufacture promotional products provide consistently safe, high-quality, socially compliant and environmentally conscientious merchandise. QCA Accreditation is granted to companies who complete an independent third-party audit and comply with stringent standards, which are based upon a combination of state and national laws, international standards and industry-accepted best practices that are recognized for their strength and effectiveness by QCA Accredited companies, the promotional products industry and end-user clients.
QCA was formed in July 2008, and today 18 companies have met the rigorous qualifications to achieve QCA Accreditation-Barton Nelson,Inc.; BDA Inc.; Broder Bros.; Bullet; Cutter & Buck; Dard Products Inc.; Garyline; Gemline; Gordon Sinclair; Hit Promotional Products; Jetline; JournalBooks/TimePlanner Calendars; Leed’s; Logomark; MMI; Prime Line; SnugZ USA; and Sweda Company LLC-with others soon to complete the process.
In May 2012, the QCA Distributor Advocacy Council Charter was created to formalize the relationship the organization has with distributors who understand the value compliance programs have in building stronger relationships with suppliers, creating competitive advantage in the marketplace and building loyalty with their end-buyer clients. It is currently comprised of 15 companies, which represent more than $800 million in annual promotional products sales.
D E (Denise) Fenton serves as executive director – compliance, and Brent Stone serves as executive director – operations.
For more information, visit www.qcalliance.org.
