Los Angeles-based American Apparel Inc. issued the following statement in response to news reports of a lawsuit filed by a former employee:
“American Apparel denies all of the allegations in Mr. Hernandez’s lawsuit and will vigorously defend itself and its shareholders in this contemptible action. Mr. Hernandez was a non-accounting employee in the information technology department who was terminated for legitimate reasons. The allegations in this lawsuit are fictional, which the company believes represents a cynical attempt to extract phony leverage by Mr. Hernandez’s counsel, Keith Fink, who has been engaged with the company in other litigation for over three years. The facts are
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Jacksonville, Florida-based Acosta Sales and Marketing Company announced Gary R. Chartrand was named executive chairman, and Robert Hill Jr. was promoted to president and CEO effective January 1, 2009. Hill also was named to the company’s board of directors. Chartrand, who has led the Jacksonville-based company as CEO since 1996, and became its chairman in 1998, will continue as chairman of the board of directors. “Robert’s tremendous leadership, dedication and deep passion for Acosta make this decision the right one for the company,” said Chartrand. “I look forward to working with Robert as we write Acosta’s next successful chapter.” Hill will now be responsible
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Union, Illinois-based Bag Makers Inc. announced the expansion of its collection of eco-friendly bags. Addressing the growing trend toward more environmentally conscious products, the collection is anchored by a fashion tote constructed of 100 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the same material used to make water bottles. The tote is a woven material of 220D and is 100 percent recyclable. Also added to the collection are six new sizes of paper shoppers that are made from 100 percent recycled paper as well as one new size in the plastic die-cut handle series. The die-cut handle bag contains up to 40 percent recycled content and
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Boston-based Arthur Blank & Company announced former owners and long-time executives Stuart and Eric Blank would be transitioning from their respective roles of president and executive vice president to join the corporate team of parent company American Banknote (ABnote), where they will focus on strategic planning and corporate development. As a result, the following organizational changes were made: Keith Goldstein was promoted to the position of president and chief operating officer of Arthur Blank. Goldstein has been with the company for more than 10 years, has broad management experience and is also a licensed CPA. Goldstein has held a variety of leadership positions within
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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 live broadcast of the “Pay It Forward” webcast can be found on November 18 until midnight CST at http://www.tinyurl.com/PIFbracelets. To make a donation directly the Pay It Forward Foundation cause, visit www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=666147. For more information on the Pay It Forward Foundation, visit www.payitforwardfoundation.org Hub Penned Top Supplier By Kaeser & Blair Quincy, Massachusetts-based Hub Pen Co. announced Kaeser & Blair, a top 20 distributor
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Richmond, Virginia-based MeadWestvaco Corporation announced in an effort to streamline costs and improve operational efficiencies, it will discontinue operations at its MWV Beverage Media Packaging plant in Grover, North Carolina. The facility produces packaging for the media and entertainment industry. Some production at this facility will transfer to other MWV Packaging plants, and the company’s capacity to supply these products will not be affected. Closure of the Grover facility, expected by early 2009, will maximize the company’s operations and resources, enabling MWV to more efficiently serve its media customers around the world. “The decision to close the Grover facility was a difficult but necessary
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Bellvue, Washington-based Greater China Industries recently announced staff promotions and new company hires. Mel Cutter was promoted to assistant sales manager. Cutter has a long sales history with Greater China, offering a wealth of knowledge regarding trade with Chinaand the promotional products industry. Cutter possesses more than 12 years sales experience with Greater China and has sold the most custom promotional products of any salesperson in the company. In addition, Chris Ritchie was promoted to business development manager. Since Ritchie started working for Greater China two years ago, he has developed more than 25 valuable clients single-handedly and become a top producer in
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Golf Plus announced it is a Callaway-authorized supplier of Callaway and Top-Flite logoed golf balls as well as the complete line of Callaway, Odyssey and Top-Flite clubs, golf bags and putters. Golf Plus, a Cleveland-based promotional products supplier, will soon be celebrating its 15th year servicing only promotional products distributors. About Golf Plus: Golf Plus’ philosophy has been to offer factory-direct shipments, believing that golf manufacturers develop decorating techniques that best complement their coatings, fabrics and finishes and cause the least harm to the environment. For more information on Golf Plus, visit www.golfplusinc.com
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Pittsburgh-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America, the second-largest supplier within the promotional products industry, is launching four “CheckMate”—checkpoint-friendly—computer bags on December 29. Tested with the manager of transportation security at Dulles Airport to comply with 2008 TSA guidelines, the butterfly design of the bags provides for an unobstructed X-ray view of laptop computers when the bags are properly packed. This design will allow travelers to leave their computers in the designated laptop-only compartments, rather than remove them, as they pass through airport security to streamline checkpoint processing. “CheckMate bags were created to offer the promotional products industry access to the
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Saint Louis-based Facilis Group, an alliance-driven provider of Web-based business solutions to the promotional products industry, announced it has launched a new Web site. Facilis Group encompasses a national organization under its industry-leading @ease system of Web-based I.T. and management solutions for promotional services companies. The new Web site is geared towards educating promotional product distributors about the company’s business model, so they can quickly understand the benefits. Facilis Group provides distributors, typically in the $2 to $8 million dollar sales range, with an end-to-end business model consisting, in part, of sales tools, extensive reporting and order processing. About Facilis Group: Facilis Group is
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