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 MoreAIA Fights Hunger with Food Drive
To fight hunger on a local level, Neenah, Wisconsin-based Adventures In Advertising (AIA) organized a food drive benefiting Advocap of the Fox Valley. Advocap—a nonprofit community action agency— serves low-income families in Wisconsin’s Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake counties. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Food Research and Action Center, there are nearly 25,000 people living in poverty in Advocap’s service area. The two-week donation blitz divided the 65 AIA staffers into teams that competed not only on the amount of food collected but also on the “sculpture” they created with the goods, on which the network of AIA owners
Read MoreWorld Emblem Announces January 1st Web Site Launch
Three years ago, World Emblem surveyed their clients to find out what features they wanted to see online and what would make their jobs easier. World Emblem took all of these comments and suggestions into consideration to create the new online catalog. The site, which will launch January 1, 2009, has several new features and benefits including: • Advanced searching capabilities • Split shipments • Invoice, sales order and shipment tracking • Role-based access • Request and track financial adjustments • Reporting Users will be able to print out invoices, create reports on their order history, view price breaks, track shipments right to their
Read MoreSEC Addresses Credit Crisis & Commerce Talks Jobs Loss
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced it has approved a series of measures to increase transparency and accountability at credit-rating agencies, and also ensure that firms provide more meaningful ratings and greater disclosure to investors. Such a move would help ensure lending institutions are only extending credit to qualified individuals and businesses. This increased accountability could work to reassure a shaken financial market and help to get credit flowing again before many businesses are forced to close or face bankruptcy. From the SEC press release: “The new measures impose additional requirements on credit rating agencies, whose ratings of residential mortgage-backed securities backed by
Read MoreBodek and Rhodes Gear Up for Faster Delivery
Bodek and Rhodes, a leading wholesalers of imprintable activewear, recently announced new Skip Zone times in the areas near Harrisburg, Penn. and New York City. Many customers can now order from the company’s Philadelphia warehouse as late as 4 p.m. and still have their order packed and shipped for next-day delivery. “We’re constantly working to find quicker, easier ways to get your goods to your door,” said Rich Weisbrod, vice president of operations. “With special arrangements with our shippers, we can now reach some areas farther away from our warehouses just as fast as ones right next door.” Special programs arranged with
Read MoreBaking Company Moves to Accommodate Expansion and Increase Capacity
Boston-based Dancing Deer Baking Co. announced it has consolidated its multi-location baking and fulfillment operations to a larger facility in the Boston borough of Hyde Park, Mass. The move was three years in the making and is a major milestone for the 14-year-old company. The new 47,500 sq. ft. warehouse and production facility was designed to quadruple the company’s volume and allow it to continue with its technology and automation advancements. It is in an industrial location, operated by First Highland Investment Corporation, which has the potential for additional expansion. First Highland invested over $1.5 million in facilities improvements to transform an existing warehouse.
Read MoreMWV Announces Jonas as President of Personal & Beauty Care Business
Richmond, Virginia-based MeadWestvaco Corp. (MWV) announced Thomas Jonas has joined the company to lead the Personal & Beauty Care business, effective December 1. In his role, Jonas will focus on driving strategic growth strategies for the MWV Personal & Beauty Care business through product development and commercialization, expansion throughout new and existing markets, and efficient management of the business’s global manufacturing capabilities. Jonas most recently served as general manager of Montreal-based Alcan Beauty Solutions and was a member of the executive board of directors for Alcan Fragrance & Cosmetic. “The global MWV Personal & Beauty Care business serves the world’s most recognized and
Read MoreAre You Ready To Tangle?
If you’ve ever picked up a Tangle, then you know the following information is important. We have two in our office and they are constantly being carried around and fiddled with. It’s kind of addicting, really. And, if you don’t know what the Tangle is, I’m going to make you Google it to find out.
In any case, CleggPromo, a leading supplier in sound, light and fun promotional products, announced it signed a deal with Tangle Creations, the originators of the Tangle. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, CleggPromo will be the exclusive supplier of Tangle in the promotional products industry.
For more information on
Hurricane Line Greens and Expands
Miami Gardens, Florida-based Hurricane Line/La Belle Time Inc. announced it is minimizing its environmental footprint by reformatting its catalog into a smaller, eco-friendly size. The new 2009, 132-page catalog will be made in a smaller format but still with an easy-to-read point size for the type. By switching to this smaller format, the company believes it will save, based on 100,000 copies, over 6,600,000 sheets of 8 1/2” x 11” paper. Hurricane Line/La Belle Time Inc. also announced it is expanding its drinkware line from travel mugs and polycarbonate bottles to also include ceramic coffee mugs and eco-friendly water bottles. The new Ceramic
Read MoreGeiger Sales Representative Attains Industry Certification
David Hawes, of Minnetonka, Minn. was named Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS), an official recognition of professional excellence in the promotional products industry, awarded by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). Hawes, an independent sales representative with Lewiston, Maine-based Geiger, was one of 14 Geiger associates and sales representatives to earn the CAS designation. Hawes completed and passed a two-hour exam administered by PPAI which earned him the designation. The exam represents the culmination of dozens of hours spent attending specialized promotional products industry trainings and seminars. CAS professionals are well-versed in all advertising and marketing media available in the promotional products industry. This
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