WHEN AMAZON RELEASED Kindle, its wireless reading device, bibliophiles everywhere shuddered. It was just another instance of a new technology running up against a treasured pastime. As any book lover will attest, there’s just something irreplaceable about the look, feel, and yes, even smell of a bound volume.
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Neely Manufacturing Has Record Year
Neely Manufacturing will be ending 2008 with record sales led by USA Made tote bag line which had an estimated increase of 48 percent. This has been a breakout year for Neely. The company attributes this success to its return to U.S.-based manufacturing, nationwide sales coverage, a more than $2 million stockpile of inventory and an 35 percent increase in operational staff. Despite tough economic conditions, the company feels it is well-positioned to support its customers with more products having shorter lead times. About Neely Manufacturing Neely Manufacturing has more than 65,000 sq. ft. of plant space and is one of the largest producers
Read MoreGold Medal Fleece and New-At-Vantage
RiverMills Made in USA Fleece endorsed by U.S. Track & Field Champion
RiverMills Outfitters, manufacturer of Made in USA fleece apparel, is proud to announce the endorsement of Dr. Thomas Fahey, 10-time U.s. Track & Field Senior Discus Throw Champion. Dr. Fahey will be wearing RiverMills R100 microfleece jacket at this year’s National Senior Games where he is going for an unprecedented 11th straight National Seniors Champion title.
For more information on RiverMills Outfitters, visit www.rivermillsoutfitters.com
Vantage Adds Veteran Garran to Sales Team
Avenel, New Jersey-based Vantage Apparel hired Brett Garran as the sales representative for Northern N.J. and Western N.Y. Garran
Raining Rose Fifth Year on Inc.’sList of Inner City 100
For the fifth consecutive year, Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Raining Rose has been recognized by Inc. magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing urban businesses, ranking 37th on the 2008 Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)/Inc. Magazine Inner City 100. This is Raining Rose’s highest rank to date. For the 2008 list, more than 6,500 new nominations were received, the most in the program’s history. “After five years of hard work it is an honor to be continually recognized for our continued growth,” said Chuck Hammond, president and CEO of Raining Rose. “I believe our day-to-day efforts are truly what create this environment for
Read MoreBoundless Network Acquires Minneapolis Promotional Products Distributor GWS
Austin, Texas-based Boundless Network, a leader in professionalizing the promotional products industry, announced the acquisition of Minneapolis-based GWS, Inc. The deal will enable Boundless Network to leverage its patented technology platform and the GWS sales force to significantly expand sales in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. “With its impressive customer base and long history in Minnesota, [GWS] represents a very strategic acquisition for Boundless Network,” said Boundless Network CEO Jason Black. “Minneapolis is a large metropolitan area with large corporate opportunities under served by traditional distributors. GWS has a talented and progressive sales force that can utilize Boundless’ sales and technology offerings to significantly grow
Read MoreBreaking News… Just In From Bejing…
While normally we don’t take time out to highlight non-industry-related achievements, we felt in this case a few words must be said. One of the promotional products industry’s very own will be representing the good, old, U.S. of A. this summer at the Olympic Games in Bejing. This professional’s professional will hang up the cell phone and holster the Blackberry as he travels abroad to become one of America’s only two-sport threats—competing in both table tennis and synchronized swimming. While some have questioned his choice of sports, we at Promo Marketing pledge to give him full support (and possibly a place on the cover
Read MoreBill Gates: American Workers Not Smart Enough???
I recently came across a news article on Bill Gates’ testimony before the House Committee on Science and Technology, held on March 12. As part of the hearing, Gates requested the current 65,000 cap on H-1B visas—which allows that number of foreign workers to be legally employed at U.S. companies within a given year—be removed. He argued “the shortage of trained scientists and engineers had grown so severe [in the U.S.] that it required a dramatic increase in the number of highly skilled immigrants permitted to enter the country,” according to the www.artstechnia.com Web site. Gates contended that “despite the excellence of America’s institutions
Read MoreA PROPOSITION YOU CAN’T REFUSE
EVER SINCE PRODUCT recalls hit the promotional and retail sectors this past summer, Proposition 65 has been the watchword on the lips of both suppliers and distributors. With the start of the 2008 trade show season, the sense of greater awareness became especially evident. “Prop 65 compliant” signage is more prominently displayed. Education programs on the law are offered. And suppliers are adopting product designations and new testing procedures to ensure they’re keeping pace with Prop 65, which is said to be the most strict product-safety law in the country. Otherwise known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986,
Read MoreBoundless Network Acquires Street Smart Promotions
Boundless Network, based in Austin, Texas, a leader in professionalizing the promotional products industry, announced the acquisition of San Diego-based Street Smart Promotions. The deal, part of Boundless Network’s nationwide acquisition strategy, includes offices in California, Florida and Texas. “Boundless Network’s acquisition of Street Smart Promotions represents a great win for both companies,” said Boundless Network CEO Jason Black. “Jill Sands built a great business. Yet, she saw that joining Boundless Network would provide her employees with the opportunity and tools to achieve even greater success.” Street Smart Promotions, founded in 1997, over the years has grown steadily as key employees left San Diego
Read MoreSenator USA and Dart Pen Merger
Senator & Co. announced the merger of Senator USA and Dart Manufacturing into the newly formed Senator Promotional Group USA. Michael Nick, president and CEO of Senator Group Worldwide, said, “This is the first step in Senator’s global strategy to become a prominent supplier of promotional products around the world. Senator enjoys the number-one position for promotional ball point pens in Europe and has a significant presence in about 90 countries around the world. We are very happy to now have a strong foothold in the U.S. market, the biggest promotional products market in the world. We also recognize that we need to
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