Due to severe flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Norwood has been unable to operate out of its Souvenir Writing Instruments facility since Wednesday, June 11. The company has temporarily transferred production to its Red Wing, Minn., facility as it repairs the Souvenir facility and its equipment. As of Friday, August 1, the company was excited to announce it has been able to reduce its production lead times to 10 days and will now be able to offer two-color imprints on select products. For more information on Norwood and its flood recovery efforts, visit http://www.norwood.com/files/press_room/Release-CR_Update_08-01.pdf
Read MoreSweda Moves to New Facility
Sweda Company, LLC has completed a move into its new, state-of-the-art, 351,000 sq. ft. facility in the City of Industry, Calif. The new facility is located at 17411 Valley Boulevard, City of Industry, Calif. 91744. The company announced all phone and fax numbers have remained the same, but asks customers to please update address information. For more information on Sweda, visit www.swedausa.com
Read MoreFacilis Group Announces the Addition of Bergman Incentives
St. Louis-based Facilis Group, an alliance-driven provider of Web-based business solutions to the promotional products industry, announced it has added Bergman Incentives of Omaha, Neb., to its select group of partners. Facilis Group encompasses a national organization under its industry-leading @ease system of Web-based IT and management solutions for promotional services companies. Bergman Incentives has been in the industry for 120 years, and will receive preferred pricing and enhanced supplier services. “We are executing an aggressive growth strategy in our region,” said Bergman company president David Gilinsky. “After careful consideration, we believe that the Facilis business model is the best approach for us to
Read MorePrime Line Named Exclusive Supplier of Pop Top Chiller
Prime Line, headquartered in Bridgeport, Conn., announced it has been chosen as the exclusive supplier of the new, award-winning Pop Top Chiller, a patented beverage chiller with a built-in bottle opener in its base. “We are excited to have earned the privilege of being the exclusive company to offer this one-of-a-kind product,” said Jeff Lederer, executive vice president. “It is a great addition to our existing line of drink holders, and perfect for the season’s picnics and barbecues,” he added. For more information on Prime Line, visit www.primeline.com
Read MoreNumo Introduces Recycled Beverage Insulators
Numo Manufacturing, based in Kaufman, Texas, introduced a new line of can and bottle coolies made from 15 percent post-consumer content. “Our recycled Eco Coolies are of such high quality that it is hard to imagine that they are made from tires,” said Tracy Moore, Numo’s national sales manager. “Our engineers spent months experimenting with different material options, and we are very pleased to provide distributors with a product that meets expectations.” Numo estimated that 8,000 Eco Coolies can be made from one recycled tire and if 10 percent of the the company’s coolie business shifts to the new material the result would be
Read MoreSouthern Plus Offers Eight New Eco-Friendly Products
To capitalize on the growing demand for eco-friendly products, Southern Plus, based in Hartwell, Ga., is significantly expanding its line of environmentally responsible products and is introducing eight new products in early September. “Our customers look to us to for fashionable, colorful and trend-right accessories and products. [Right] now the biggest trend is towards anything green,” said Southern Plus president, Grethe Adams. “The message with these new products is: reuse, reduce, recycle,” “Our green line will offer items that are either made of recycled material, natural/organic material or material that can BE recycled,” Adams continued. “We hope this will offer our customers
Read MoreCustom Plastic Specialties Reports Major Growth In 2007
Erie, Pennsylvania-based Custom Plastic Specialties, makers of the Keystone line, have reason to celebrate. The company reported revenue of more than $20 million for the 2007 fiscal year. This figure represents a substantial increase from 2006 earnings, which were reported at approximately $16 million. Such substantial earnings place them firmly on the Promo Marketing list of top industry suppliers. Kippie Helzel, MAS, vice president, sales for Custom Plastic Specialties commented on the company’s success. “We had a strategic plan moving into 2007 to significantly improve our service levels in every area of the company. The diversification in our core product offerings and
Read MoreAlpha, Broder and Columbia – an ABC Expansion
The Alpa Shirt division of Philadelphia-based BroderBros. Co. announced the expansion of its exclusive relationship with Columbia Sportswear to offer new outerwear products. Starting with the fall catalog, Alpha will offer customers jackets for cool and cold weather climates, with options ranging from classic designs to the hottest trends in the retail skiing and snowboarding markets. Alpha will offer the new Utilizer and Nordic Point fleece. The Utilizer features Columbia’s exclusive Omni-Shade sun protection technology, which blocks more than 93 percent of the sun’s harmful rays. The Nordic Point fleece is an eco-friendly fleece crafted from post-consumer recycled materials. Innovations in soft shell
Read More’Tis the Season to Keep It Simple
HOLIDAY CARDS AS a client gift might initially ring of predictability. But in an economy where everyone is looking to tighten belts and knot purse strings—not to mention one in which corporate culture has gone digital and receives less personalized mail overall—greeting cards might be the answer to keeping clients in end-users’ sights during an economically challenging holiday season. According to the Greeting Card Association (GCA), the greeting card industry rakes in over $7 billion a year, and 90 percent of U.S. households purchase cards for a variety of occasions. The GCA also reported nine in 10 people welcome the feeling of importance
Read MoreIt’s in the Bag
LET THE DOMINOES fall. Gas prices are pushing up everything from FedEx and transportation costs to product development and customer service. Companies have begun taking a hard look at even the most constant elements of their budgets to squeeze a little more juice out of the dollar. In a slowing economy, one where promotional products are often seen as perks, there is always the urge to take the road more traveled when it comes to providing items for company meetings and events. Buffet-style eating and bare-bones provisions are held up as the quick fix to saving a few dollars without hurting performance or image,
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