Bridgeport, Connecticut-based Prime Line’s president and CEO Rick Brenner teamed with Arnold & Porter attorney Jennifer Karmonick to present a seminar on product safety and the impact of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) on our industry at PROMOTIONS EAST two weeks ago in Atlantic City, NJ. The purpose of the seminar was to educate suppliers and distributors about how they can protect themselves and their customers through a better understanding of state and federal product safety legislation.
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Sweda’s Second Annual Case Study Challenge
As part of its second annual Case Study Challenge, which kicked off on June 21, City of Industry, California-based Sweda Company has officially begun the search for the most innovative distributor project story–and if it’s yours, it could be worth up to $5,000 cash plus an added bonus of a $2,500 credit memo for applicable distributor employers.
Read MoreGary Ball Joins Shumsky Team as President
Dayton, Ohio-based distributor Shumsky Enterprises continues to grow as it seats Gary Ball as president of all business units. “Gary’s passion is in developing efficient, profitable companies through team development, mentoring and coaching, allowing me to focus on my passions–new business development and new product ideation,” said Michael Emoff, CEO and owner of Shumsky Enterprises.
Read MoreNew York City in 10 Ounces
Yesterday, April 29, the New York Times reported that Leslie Buck, designer of the famous Anthora paper coffee cup, pictured top-right, passed away. The whole article can be read here, and I recommend giving it a look. It’s a pretty interesting read, covering not only Buck’s fascinating life, but also how a design that is just perfect for its market can take off and develop a life of its own.
Read MoreEntomologically Correct Bug Plushies
This morning (April 21) the Wired.com blog Geekdad reported on an online store that sells entomologically correct insect plushies. The stuffed animals at the aptly named “Weird Bug Lady” store are created by a zoology student at McGill University who will soon be pursuing a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology and entomology at the University of Connecticut.
Read MoreSt. Regis Crystal Acquires The Martin Company
On April 20, 2010, Cheektowaga, New York-based supplier St. Regis Crystal announced the acquisition of Waxahachie, Texas-based supplier The Martin Company.
“This acquisition presents tremendous opportunities for both companies,” said Richard Firkser, president and CEO of St. Regis Crystal. “The Martin Company, founded in 1988, has spent 22 successful years developing it’s creative, innovative and technical skills. St Regis complements these skills with superior customer service, huge production capacity and the structural and financial backbone to really grow.”
Read MorePaul Lage to Head Gill Studios Inc.
On April 14, Lenexa, Kansas-based Gill Studios announced several position changes in its senior management. Its current president, Tom P. Carrico, will be retiring as of May 3. He will remain with the company in an advisory role for a portion of 2010. Paul M. Lage, former president and CEO of Norwood Promotional Products, will replace Carrico as the new president and CEO of Gill Studios.
Read MoreFDA Says Common Antibacterial Chemical may be Endocrine Disrupter
The U.S. Food and Drug Association stated on April 8, 2010, that it is reviewing its stance on both the safety and effectiveness of the antibacterial chemical triclosan, due to recent studies that show the chemical altering hormone regulation in animals.
Read MoreSmall Businesses Grapple with New Health Care Law (Inc.)
For small businesses, it may be a case of the best of times and the worst of times. A group long distrustful of government stands to benefit early and often from the health care reform legislation President Barack Obama signed into law on Tuesday. But as 14 states challenge the legislation in court and Republicans make its repeal a 2010 campaign theme, many entrepreneurs are wondering what will come next–and how they will be affected.
Read MoreA Real Tweet
Today, Promo Marketing is officially launching its very own Twitter page. I’m sure for fans of ours already wired into the Twitter scene, this is great news. But I’m also sure there are plenty of techno-stragglers and cynics out there who are sitting in front of their computers, groaning, “Man, not another lame Twitter page …”
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