Seattle-based SanMar Corporation, the exclusive supplier of the luxury lifestyle apparel brand Red House, released the Summer 2008 issue of RH Reserve, a magalog devoted to the wine country lifestyle and championing the inspiration of the Red House brand. Focusing on the refined culture, cuisine and landscape of the wine country, RH Reserve echoes the artisan style of Red House apparel. Articles range in content from planning the perfect event to practical pointers on topics such as wine pairing and fabric performance. “RH Reserve is all about ideas, inspiration and aspiration,” said Laura Kirkland, Red House brand manager. “You’ll find outfitting ideas, suggestions for
Read MoreProforma Opens Six New Offices in April
Proforma, a leading North American provider of graphic communications solutions, announced eight new owners joined the Cleveland-headquartered company. The Proforma network of owners and support-center staff look forward to working with these individuals to help them grow their businesses and reach their goals. Proforma provides its members with access to award-winning business development sales tools and marketing programs and efficient back office services. Proforma owners, with state-of-the-art technologies, enable their clients to grow with innovative marketing solutions such as direct mail, promotional products, eCommerce solutions, commercial printing services and business document printing. The following new owners joined the Proforma network: • Rich
Read MoreMark Strauss Joins WorkflowOne as Vice President of Business Development
WorkflowOne, based in Dayton, Ohio, announced Mark Strauss joined the company as vice president of business development for SAP. Strauss will report to Scott Berry, senior vice president of sales for WorkflowOne and work in conjunction with the Walldorf, Germany-based software company on a joint marketing agreement. “The SAP joint marketing agreement is a tremendous opportunity for WorkflowOne to acquire new business and gain mind share in large and mid-sized accounts,” said Berry. “By working collaboratively, we will be able to deliver competitive advantage for SAP clients across the country through technology-enabled solutions that help them procure, manage and deliver print and promotional product
Read MoreVantage Launches Green Apparel Catalog
Avenel, New Jersey-based Vantage Apparel, a leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, introduced a new catalog highlighting the company’s green label of organic and sustainable apparel. The company’s new eco-friendly collection includes 100 percent certified organic polos, woven shirts, sweaters, T-shirts and headwear in its most popular silhouettes for men and women. There is also a sustainable jersey fleece hoodie made from recycled plastic bottles and a new organic tote bag. In addition, Vantage offers eco-friendly packaging options and water-based digital printing. For more information on Vantage Apparel’s green label, visit vantageapparel.com/gogreen or call (800) 221-0020.
Read MoreColter & Peterson Installs Perfect Binder for SanMar
Paterson, New Jersey-based Colter & Peterson, North America’s only distributor for the complete line of Wohlenberg perfect binders, completed installation of a Wohlenberg City 5000 perfect binder for Seattle-based SanMar Corporation, the largest apparel and accessory supplier in the U.S. for the imprintables industry in the company’s Issaquah, Wash. facility. “This is a big upgrade compared to the system SanMar had in terms of speed, quality and binding,” said Tom Welby, vice president of perfect binder products for Colter & Peterson. According to Mark Suda, production supervisor for SanMar’s catalog printing department, the new arrival will increase productivity. “We’re excited about adding the perfect
Read MoreCMC Golf Acquires Pinecrest Mills
Scottsdale, Arizona-based CMC Golf announced the acquisition of Pinecrest Mills, a renowned manufacturer of woven, environmentally friendly towels based in Poway, Calif. The consolidation marks the beginning of CMC Golf’s plan for global expansion throughout the custom accessory market. Named by PGA Magazine as the top supplier of player gifts and accessories in multiple categories, CMC Golf has been a preferred accessory supplier for more than 20 years. In the interest of serving customers’ needs, Pinecrest Mills will continue to operate as an independent company under the CMC Golf umbrella. CMC Golf plans to utilize both companies’ sales teams to expand services and product
Read MoreThe End of Paper or Plastic?
I think supermarket vocabulary is about to change. As plastic grocery bags look to be heading the way of the dodo, the age-old question of paper or plastic my not be relevant in the not-so-distant future. I say this for many reasons, both societal and personal. Firstly, a string of cities and even entire countries have moved to ban the unbiodegradable petro-chemical sacks that have a tendency to not only end up as unsightly litter, but to also clog up drainage and sewage systems. Secondly, many companies have started to produce some quality, green alternatives, which, citing the laws of supply and demand, indicates
Read MoreSay A Little Prayer
Today’s installment has nothing to do with promotional products. In fact, it’s not even my typical, lighthearted fare.
I’ve been on CNN.com numerous times throughout the day, following the breaking news of the earthquake in China. I simply have no words to describe how staggered I am by the amount of destruction Mother Nature can cause. They are reporting more than 8,500 lost lives.
8,500 people.
And all this in the wake of the recent disaster in Myanmar. The toll there keeps rising, but at this point, it’s way beyond normal human comprehension. My brain is literally shutting down at the sheer
Rocky Road
Astronomical gas prices. Food shortages. Global warming. It’s feeling a little apocalyptic out here, no?
In case you happen to have missed the news, are evading the stock market or avoiding all human contact—there’s this economy thing going on right now and people are kind of freaking out.
The possible imminency of a recession is palpably affecting the retail sector, according to the Women’s Wear Daily Web site, WWD.com.
Obviously, the real question is how/if it will affect the wearables contingent of the ad specialties industry. I think we’re all fairly confident the T-shirt will remain a sound investment. However, does a slowdown
$200 a Barrel Oil
Light, sweet crude. This market term for oil is somehow endearing, hearkening back to a time when Hollywood glorified oil men. Wildcatters striking it rich and Jed Clampett moving his family to Beverly … Hills, that is. There was an everyman’s face put to the image of oil wealth.
Oh, how times have changed.
As of today, oil has peaked to an all-time high of more than $122 dollars a barrel as worried traders start buying on what they think the future will hold, whether it be increased demand (see China and India) or decreased supply (see OPEC). And as