WHEN IT COMES to the advancement of the species, mankind seems to have its finger on the fast- forward button. On a fairly regular basis, giant leaps are made in varying fields from technology to medicine. But for every move toward the next new-and-shiny improvement coming off the assembly line of progress, there is a quieter, and equally meaningful, reaction. No doubt, we like our cutting-edge toys, yet people still take comfort in and certainly continue to utilize items that are, supposedly, outmoded. Take car collectors. For every top-of-the-line Ferrari in the garage, there’s a recently rebuilt classic car waiting for its turn around the block.
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Headquartered in Clearwater, Fla, BIC Graphic USA announced the celebration of BIC Ecolutions Day. “This day was dedicated to celebrating our company’s new green product line for 2008, called BIC Ecolutions,” said BIC group graphic president Jack Teague. “This launch further illustrates our continued commitment to sustainable development.” As part of BIC Ecolutions Day, both Progress Energy of Raleigh, N.C., and Pinellas County Recycling of St. Pete, Fla. visited BIC Graphic USA’s headquarters to educate employees on the different types of actions they can put in place at home in order to conserve energy and improve recycling methods. BIC is offering the
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BIC Graphic USA, Clearwater, Fla., completed its acquisition of Atchison Products, Atchison, Kan., on Aug. 31. The deal will expand BIC’s products to include totes, bags, coolers and backpacks. As previously announced on Aug. 17, BIC Graphic had signed a definitive agreement to purchase Atchison, which posted sales in 2006 of approximately $15 million. Dolly Duffy and Dan Fangman, CEO and president of Atchison Products, respectively, will remain with the 125-employee company. Atchison Products will continue to operate in Kansas, and the company will retain its original name, with the addition of a BIC tagline. For more information, call (800) 255-6023 or visit www.bicgraphic.com
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Reporting a sales value in excess of $15 million, Atchison Products, Atchison, Kan., has signed a definitive agreement to be purchased by Clearwater, Florida-based BIC Graphic USA. The agreement is expected to close on Aug. 31. According to Jack Teague, president of BIC Global Graphic, a major benefit of the acquisition is getting Atchison’s products—totes, bags, coolers and backpacks—into the hands of more distributors. “We believe that the biggest sales opportunity is the fact that Atchison Products currently sells to less than 3,000 distributors within our industry,” he noted, adding that BIC’s distributor count is more than 15,000. “Our expectation is to mutually work
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LOYALTY HOLDS POWERFUL sway over many people’s actions. It is difficult to settle for good when the best is just a little further. Loyalty will see the extra mile traveled, the extra call made and the extra cost paid. Often, it is a result of superior quality or superior service, while other times familiarity can be held accountable, and yet other people will have a simple affection toward a brand. This is the dream of any corporation: To be known of not as a source, but as the definitive source for a commodity. Promotional Marketing’s 2007 Supplier Excellence Awards recognize the best in more
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A total of 44 industry professionals passed the Master Advertising Specialist and Certified Advertising Specialist (MAS/CAS) certification examinations administered by Irving, Texas-based Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) at January’s PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. “Earning a professional certification is an avenue being traveled by more and more people in the industry,” noted Steve Slagle, PPAI’s president and CEO. “Making the commitment to pursue a MAS or CAS certification is a benchmark of the effort individuals are willing to make to ensure their future business success and the overall professionalism of the industry.” The MAS certification requires the equivalent of 170 hours from a structured curriculum, five
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Columbus, Ohio-based Dorcy International announced the launch of Dorcy Special Markets, a division of Dorcy International, created to market popular retail Dorcy lighting products to the promotional products industry. “For more than 35 years, Dorcy International has been a leading manufacturer and supplier of flashlights and lanterns to the world’s largest retailers and promotional products suppliers,” noted Tom Beckett, president and CEO. “Effective Jan. 1, 2007, I am pleased to announce we will be launching Dorcy SMD, a new and innovative division of our company, developed exclusively to market the same Dorcy brand lighting products sold at retail to promotional products distributors.”
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Columbus, Ohio-based Dorcy International announced the launch of Dorcy Special Markets, a division of Dorcy International, created to market popular retail Dorcy lighting products to the promotional products industry. Stated Dorcy International President and CEO Tom Beckett, “For more than 35 years Dorcy International has been a leading manufacturer and supplier of flashlights and lanterns to the world’s largest retailers and promotional products suppliers. Effective January 1, 2007, I am pleased to announce we will be launching Dorcy SMD, a new and innovative division of our company, developed exclusively to market the same Dorcy brand lighting products sold at retail to promotional products distributors.” Heading up
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