TIME HAS COME to answer the question, which, truthfully, has long been decided by some of the leading fashion houses: What’s in for spring? This year’s answer is not color, nor is it cut. Don’t be surprised that length is not it, either. This spring, fabrics are where it’s at. “The newest thing in business casual apparel is a gradual swing toward upscale fabrics,” noted Lee Strom, senior marketing manager at Seattle, Wash.-based SanMar. But, it’s not just any kind of fabric that’s in. “Luxury fabrics, like silk, are becoming more obtainable and are available at approachable price points,” explained Strom. Strom couldn’t be
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SOME SAY IT was sheer coincidence when presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s poll numbers soared in Iowa and New Hampshire a mere few weeks after Chuck Norris-endorsed, “Huck and Chuck” campaign gear was released on his Web site. Others will say it was inevitable and simply demonstrates the power of a quality promotional product. What can’t be argued, though, is the fact that promotional products go with politics like peas go with carrots. Fittingly, the first political product actually coincided with the first President of the United States, George Washington, who wore a political button during his inauguration on April 30, 1789 in Manhattan. His
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WHEN IT COMES to the advancement of the species, mankind seems to have its finger on the fast- forward button. On a fairly regular basis, giant leaps are made in varying fields from technology to medicine. But for every move toward the next new-and-shiny improvement coming off the assembly line of progress, there is a quieter, and equally meaningful, reaction. No doubt, we like our cutting-edge toys, yet people still take comfort in and certainly continue to utilize items that are, supposedly, outmoded. Take car collectors. For every top-of-the-line Ferrari in the garage, there’s a recently rebuilt classic car waiting for its turn around the block.
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Philadelphia-based Bodek and Rhodes, one of the leading wholesaler of imprintable activewear, recently reaffirmed its commitment to being a socially responsible company. A number of new and renewed measures to support the environment and workers’ rights, including supporting organic farming and condemning sweat shops. “My father [Art Rhodes] always said, ‘Do the right thing.’ And he meant that not just in our personal lives, but in our business life as well,” said Mike Rhodes, president. For Rhodes, doing the right thing means pushing the sixty-nine-year-old business in an eco-friendly and labor-friendly direction. This year, Bodek and Rhodes announced its policy to partner only with
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Alstyle Apparel and Activewear, the apparel segment of Midlothian, Texas-based Ennis, Inc. announced the launch of a new corporate identity logo. The new AAA™ logo is specifically designed to signify Alstyle’s new direction of combining all styles and brands under the AAA™ label, while moving away from the Gaziani and Tennessee River brands. “Here at Alstyle, we could not be more excited about the launch of our new corporate identity logo. Combining the AAA™ logo with the company name will generate a greater visual impact and a more powerful brand identity,” stated Todd Scarborough, president of Alstyle Apparel. About Ennis: Ennis is
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In an attempt to bring smiles to the faces of children hospitalized during the holiday season, Westbury, New York-based promotional products distributor Motivators, Inc. has partnered with Lynbrook-based supplier Funco Promotions to donate toys to the Child Life Program at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola. Staff members from both businesses were on hand at Winthrop December 21, to help Santa Claus distribute the toys to patients in the pediatric unit. “We are so proud to have partnered with Funco for this event,” said Motivators’ director of operations, Jennifer Brigandi. “The overwhelming donation that they have made to these children is truly an expression
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Senator Promotional Group USA, based in Greensboro, N.C., announced the combination of its Senator Pen and Dart Business Accessories brands behind one sales team. “This is an exciting opportunity to increase our overall sales coverage for both product lines and to begin realizing the synergies these two categories together can provide to the U.S. promotional products market,” said Jim Burrow, MAS, president and CEO of the newly formed entity. “Our focus will continue to be on providing high-level service and selling ideas to our distributor customers, and working through them to grow their revenues and profitability.” Dale Baur, former vice president of
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At Lewiston, Maine-based Geiger last month, sales partner Barbara Fisher-Sprufero, and division sales manager, Janet McMaster, of, presented a $17,210 check to Georgetown University Hospital in Washington. The money was raised at a not-for-profit fundraiser called Barbara’s Choice at Geiger’s national sales conference in May. Matching all of the contributions from the three-day sales conference in Jamaica, Geiger exemplified one of its nine company values “We give back to our community.” Barbara’s Choice is a charity held in honor Fisher-Sprufero, a 20-year veteran with Geiger, who is continuing to battle various forms of cancer. She has been fighting the disease for several years and
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Pro Towels Etc., based in Pittsburgh, announced it has entered into an agreement with Aloe Up, of Eden Prairie, Minn—makers of Aloe Up Sun and Skin Care Products—to be the exclusive supplier partner in the towel category for Aloe Up. As part of the agreement, Pro Towels Etc. will feature a select offering of Aloe Up products as add-on options in the 2008 Pro Towels Etc. catalog. The cost for these items will be the same as if ordered directly from Aloe Up. The benefit is the elimination of multiple shipments from buying from both suppliers and increased opportunities for distributors to sell items
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Univenture, Inc., a manufacturer of innovative specialty packaging, based in Marysville, Ohio, has acquired all of the membership interests of UniKeep LLC, also based in Marysville. The acquisition will facilitate growth of the company and its brands. “Univenture is positioned for expansion utilizing proprietary technologies, products and acquisitions in the markets we serve. Our plan is to grow in packaging and environmentally friendly products utilizing our unique technologies and systems for a competitive edge,” stated Ross Youngs, Univenture’s CEO. UniKeep LLC is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of system and products for digital and document storage, presentation and organization. Its patented wallets and binders—molded
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