Rupt (asi/84203) is going north, and Starline (asi/89320) is helping the promo startup get there.
The companies announced an exclusive partnership on Sept. 24. Through the distribution deal, Counselor Top 40 supplier Starline has become the exclusive provider of Rupt products to the Canadian branded merchandise market.
The move marks Austin, TX-based Rupt’s venture into Canada’s promo space.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Rupt and bring their cutting-edge products to the Canadian market,” said Brian Porter, chief revenue officer at Starline. “This partnership complements Starline’s dedication to providing the best in promotional products. We’re excited to offer Rupt’s unique, customizable solutions to our customers across Canada.”
A supplier firm established in January, Rupt offers tech gadgets, drinkware, backpacks and other products at one-piece minimums, all crafted from recycled materials, housed in second-life packaging and carbon-neutral, according to executives.
Through the partnership, Starline will fully manage the distribution of Rupt products in Canada. The local free-on-board shipping point will be in Concord, Ontario.
“This eliminates,” the companies said in a statement, “the need for Canadian distributors to hold inventory, making it easier to integrate Rupt products into online stores, employee programs and promotional campaigns on-demand with no inventory risk.”
It also nixes potential complications from cross-border shipping, according to the firms.
“Partnering with Starline is a major milestone for Rupt as we continue to expand our global footprint,” said Rupt CEO Jason Lucash, a former Counselor Supplier Entrepreneur of the Year.
Lucash continued: “With four distribution points now – Austin, Ontario, Portugal and Hong Kong – this collaboration strengthens our ability to serve customers rapidly worldwide, especially as we focus on scaling our services for online stores and programs.”
With operations in the U.S. and Canada, Starline ranked 32nd on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry based on reported 2023 North American promotional product revenue of $61.2 million.
Rupt is the second supplier company founded by Lucash and longtime business partner Mike Szymczak. The pair were the founders of Origaudio, which they sold to Counselor Top 40 supplier HPG (asi/61966). Lucash and Szymczak are no longer affiliated with Origaudio/HPG.
