The Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), Chicago, the promotional product industry’s only independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping companies provide safe products, has awarded QCA Accreditation to Seattle-based Cutter & Buck and Mount Vernon, New York-based Jetline.
“With the varied landscape of compliance required for all consumer products, we have been looking for a partnership that enabled us to streamline our compliance efforts. The QCA Accreditation Program was exactly what we were looking for to continue our tradition of compliance and product quality,” said Joel Freet, national sales manager of corporate sales and licensing for Cutter & Buck. “We are looking forward to developing stronger partnerships with retailers and promotional products distributors who expect full compliance throughout their supply chains.”
Darlene Blaum, CEO of Alexandra, Virginia-based The PeerNet Group and QCA Distributor Advocacy Council member, believes it’s often difficult to discern between suppliers’ product offerings in our industry, and a comprehensive compliance program helps differentiate between them. “We rely on and trust QCA Certified suppliers because they have invested in and are committed to the highest standards of quality and safety,” she said. “Our clients are more aware of safety and environmental risks than ever before, and they expect us to protect their brands. It’s a task we don’t take lightly, as our reputation depends on it.”
Eric Levin, Jetline president, said that QCA Certification represents both a key milestone in the company’s growth as well as an affirmation of its commitment to product safety and social compliance. “The QCA process, while rigorous, provided Jetline with an opportunity to review and improve many key internal processes,” he noted. “The result has been a more consistent, streamlined ordering experience for our customers.”
Cutter & Buck and Jetline join the ranks of 16 companies that have previously met the rigorous qualifications to achieve QCA Accreditation: Avaline; Barton Nelson Inc.; BDA Inc.; Broder Bros.; Bullet; Dard Products Inc.; Fanda Enterprises Inc. dba PromoFactory; Garyline; Gemline; Gordon Sinclair; JournalBooks/TimePlanner Calendars; Leed’s; Logomark Inc.; MMI; Prime Line; and Sweda Company LLC.
QCA Accredited companies have endorsed a self-certification, completed a rigorous self-assessment, and then submitted 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.
For more information about QCA accreditation and to inquire about the process and benefits received, email [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—Avaline; Barton Nelson Inc.; BDA Inc.; Broder Bros.; Bullet; Cutter & Buck; Dard Products Inc.; Fanda Enterprises Inc. dba PromoFactory; Garyline; Gemline; Gordon Sinclair; Jetline; JournalBooks/TimePlanner Calendars; Leed’s; Logomark Inc.; MMI; Prime Line; and Sweda Company LLC—with others soon to complete the process.
In July 2010, the QCA Distributor Advocacy Council 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 10 companies, which represent more than $700 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.
