Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Raining Rose Inc., manufacturer of natural lip balms and body-care products, announced the company has moved back to downtown Cedar Rapids after recovering from earlier flood damage.
“This flood has been a test to our company’s perseverance,” said Chuck Hammond, president and CEO of Raining Rose. “It feels good to have everyone back downtown. Although we know that there is still a great deal of work ahead of us, I know that we have already come out of this stronger.”
All of the Raining Rose staff would like to thank its customers and vendors for their patience and
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Delray Beach, Florida-based The Book Company announced the hiring of two new members to the staff, said company president Doug Greenhut. Tony Hoblit has been added to the art department as a graphic designer and will manage production of book customization, which includes cover imprints, Promo-Page inserts and custom book covers and jackets. Jasmine Panchal joined the sales department as an account manager and will assist promotional product specialists with support, education and book title research. For more information The Book Company, visit www.thebookco.net or call (800) 367-9388. Got news? If you have promotional product industry news, we want to hear
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With so many companies in the promotional products industry utilizing hard plastics for products such as water bottles, children’s cups and other beverage items, the issue of polycarbonate promotions containing Bisphenol A (BPA) is one that just won’t go away. The chemical, which some say is linked to issues such as neural and behavorial development. While the Canadian government banned such plastics in the production of baby bottles and food containers in April 2008—becoming the first government to take any sort of action on the issue—the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been slower to act. At stake is the claim infants and
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North Venice, Florida-based Tervis Tumbler Company, a manufacturer of insulated drinkware, announced it launched a redesigned Web site with a new look and improved functionality. The site navigation has been simplified to allow a more user-friendly experience. The site also includes a dynamic representation of personalized tumblers–allowing shoppers to preview a custom tumbler prior to purchase. Other features include a mini shopping cart and an option to ship to multiple addresses. Rick Drass, vice president of information technology noted, “The new Tervis Web site is designed with the Internet shopper in mind. It has an intuitive interface that allows our customers
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The Pedre Company, parent of industry supplier Pedre Promotional Products, announced the acquisition of the Webster Watch Company. The acquisition of the New York-based Webster’s assets includes brand names and trademarks, as well as its Avalon Watch division. “We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Webster following the completion of recent negotiations,” stated R. Peter Gunshor, The Pedre Company CEO. “Webster’s almost 60 years of operation as a manufacturer/wholesaler of timepiece products, complements our own rich 65-year history. The six members of our combined senior management team have more than 180 years of timepiece industry experience,” he added. Anthony Farello, president of Pedre
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Richmond, Virginia-based MeadWestvaco Corporation reported third quarter 2008 income from continuing operations of $46 million, or $0.26 per share. Sales from continuing operations increased 8 percent to $1.81 billion in the third quarter of 2008 compared to $1.68 billion in the third quarter of 2007. Overall sales increased due to growth in bleached board; home, garden and beverage packaging; as well as improved pricing across all businesses. Profitability, however, was lower due to historically high input cost inflation, downtime due to the Gulf storms (which negatively impacted year-over-year productivity improvement in the quarter) and the effects of unfavorable foreign currency exchange. “We are
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Independent Forms Services Inc. (IFS) of Joliet, Ill. and Eastern Specialties Company Inc. (ESCO) of Grayslake, Ill. announced a merger agreement that will combine operations underneath the IFS brand. The company will conduct business out of IFS corporate headquarters. The agreement will allow IFS to better serve its current customers through additional product offerings, while continuing the same level of customer care that ESCO has given to its customers for decades. IFS has invested time and money into improving its customer service operations through its Web site and online ordering system. The company also has systems in place to track and report on forms
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Salt Lake City-based SnugZ USA announced on November 18 it will sponsor a worldwide telethon/webcast to help bring in funds for the production of more inspirational bracelets for the Pay It Forward Foundation. The rubber bracelets with the message “Pay It Forward” where originally created independently of the foundation by Snugz vice president Charley Johnson as a way of encouraging acts of kindness. After having tremendous success with his personal effort, Johnson teamed up with the Pay It Forward Foundation, created by Catherine Ryan Hyde, author of the book Pay It Forward which inspired the 2000 movie Pay It Forward featuring Kevin Spacey, Helen
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Shari Pulver, President of JP Promotional Products, a distributor of imprinted promotional products based in Ossining, N.Y., announced the hiring of Chris Fuentes as sales and marketing associate. “Chris has extensive experience in both customer development and organizing and implementing major marketing events and campaigns,” said Pulver. “Bringing him on board allows us to increase services to our clients, making us much more than your ordinary distributor” She added, “during these challenging economic times, it’s more important than ever to be a strategic partner in helping to build our customers’ business, whether they’re a major corporation or a local mom-and-pop business.” About JP
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John K. Sweeney, formerly with Schaeffer Pen, passed away this past June. John was employed at Schaeffer Pen for 22 years. After Schaeffer Pen, John spent five years with the Jay Group, before leaving the Promotional Products Industry ten years ago. John leaves behind his daughter, Jennifer; sons, John, Jr. and Brennon; his sister, Victoria and two granddaughters. Since John’s passion was fishing, his children had a plaque affixed to the Montauk Lighthouse (Long Island, New York) in his memory. Donations can be made to the Preservation Society for the Montauk Lighthouse, PO Box 943, Montauk, NY, 11954, in John’s name. John was
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