Custom HBC Corporation, Waconia, Minn., a health- and beauty-care supplier to the promotional products industry, was ranked fifth on the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal FAST 50 Private Companies list, the 50 fastest-growing private companies in the Twin Cities based on revenue growth over the past three years (published in the magazine’s October issue). The Fast 50 list includes manufacturers, banks, high-tech and med-tech companies, architectural firms, and consulting companies. Together, these 50 Twin Cities’ companies had more than $1 billion in revenue in their most recent fiscal year and averaged 161 percent growth since 2004. Six of the top 10 on the list, including
Read MoreJust Hired: Ennis, Smartpart Products Add Team Members
Carrie Hoesli Joins Ennis Sales Team Carrie Hoesli has joined Ennis, Midlothian, Texas, as a new sales representative. Hoesli’s primary territory will cover Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona serving Ennis’ newest acquisitions, B & D Litho of Arizona, based in Phoenix, and Skyline Business Forms of Denver. Prior to accepting her new position, Hoesli was employed by Ward Kraft of Mount Vernon, Ohio where she held customer service and sales representative positions during her seven-year tenure. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in technology in commercial graphics from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. and is a certified document consultant with the Print
Read MoreAstor Makes Chocolate With Style
Astor Chocolate, Lakewood, N.J., recently launched its new Executive Line, featuring Radiant Bronze window boxes with custom-molded, premium Belgian chocolate centerpieces. The centerpieces are surrounded by Belgian milk or dark chocolate truffles with various fillings. Astor’s new molded chocolate line also offers custom molded squares, bars, CDs and more, all prepared with premium Belgian chocolate. To view Astor’s introductory offer of promotional chocolates visit www.astorline.com. Do you have a press release for PromoMarketing.com or Promo Marketing magazine? We are continually looking for the latest information on promotional product suppliers, distributors and the promotional item industry in general. Please e-mail all
Read MoreGiving it Away for Free
Hi. Welcome back, you.
Since I got nothing but crickets from my last post’s call for comments, I am forced to do all the heavy lifting this week. But that’s the point of having one’s own blog, I suppose. It seems you’re onto the fact I’m trying very hard to not have to think of a new topic each week. Thanks reader, for always keeping me on my toes and teaching me a life lesson to boot.
Now, let’s talk a little bit about things that are free.
First up, free editorial. Suppliers, I’m going to let you in on a not-so-hidden secret:
Ho Ho Hum
According to the sticky note put on my desk by Charles Plyter (PM’s esteemed Web editor and my cube neighbor), I am a grinch.
I can’t help it.
I’m just not feeling very Christmas-y this year. And though that just happens to be my denominational holiday, I’ll even go out on a limb and say I’m also on the outs with Hannukah and Kwanzaa. Not even up for Festivus. My lassitude is that bad—I’m actually denouncing holidays I’ve never even celebrated.
But that doesn’t mean I’m going to rain on your seasonal parade. However, if I may, I’m going to widen
New Fabrics At Alo Sportswear Inspire Active Lifestyle
Created for active, on-the-go individuals, Alo, a women’s and men’s performance-based sportswear collection, introduces unique proprietary technologies and fabrications for spring 2008. “Our spring ’08 collection brings elements of fashion into sportswear design so it is incredibly easy to wear every day,” said Daniel Harris, co-founder of Los Angeles-based Alo. Harris added, “Each style in this collection is designed and fit to enhance and flatter the body, making the wearer look as good as they feel.” The performance fabric featured in various women’s and men’s styles blends stretch bamboo and cotton spandex to create a lightweight, breathable jersey fabric. It also features naturally
Read MoreWorkflowOne to Save The Smile Train $1.6 Million on Marketing and Fundraising
Dayton, Ohio-based, WorkflowOne announced it will help The Smile Train (www.smiletrain.org) by providing significant savings on its fund raising and brand-related spending. By handling all print and promotional product management for The Smile Train, WorkflowOne will save the organization an estimated $1.6 million annually. These savings will be used to provide free cleft palate surgery to approximately 6,400 children in developing countries. WorkflowOne will also provide additional services including design, sourcing, warehousing, marketing, fulfillment and delivery for the charity. Unlike many charities that support a number of causes, The Smile Train is focused on solving a single problem: cleft palates. Clefts are
Read MoreSeventeen Distributors Affiliate with iPROMOTEu in October 2007
Wayland, Massachusettes-based iPROMOTEu announced that 17 promotional products distributors have affiliated with iPROMOTEu in October 2007. During the first 10 months of 2007, a total of 139 promotional products distributors have affiliated with iPROMOTEu (surpassing last year’s total of 114 new iPROMOTEu Affiliates). The annual sales volume represented by these 139 new iPROMOTEu Affiliates is in excess of $28,000,000. Presently, 345 distributors from 42 states (Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia as well) are affiliated with iPROMOTEu. Adding the salespeople working for iPROMOTEu Affiliates, more than 400 industry sales professionals are being supported by iPROMOTEu. “Experienced industry distributors and
Read MoreAvaline Contributes $12,000 to Education Fund
“Avaline is proud to be a part of a great industry with a history of giving back,” said Leonard Hornstein, CEO of Parsippany, New Jersey-based supplier Avaline. “We feel our Bronze Level donation ($12,000) to the PPEF Tomorrow Fund is an appropriate contribution given our size and financial plan over the next few years.” Hornstein believes higher education is important to all businesses and all Americans. “We compete in a global economy where jobs are exported to low-cost providers all over the world. We cannot stop this natural flow, but we can retrain and educate our people so they gain new skills to replace
Read MoreNew Environment Line Introduced at Leed’s
Leed’s, New Kensington, Pa., unveiled 100 percent post-consumer recycled products and other environmentally-friendly products in its Meeting and Conventions launch. Leed’s, a Polyconcept North America company, is debunking the perception that environmentally-friendly products compromise style by offering options that are made from recycled material but still maintain mainstream appeal. Owl is the flagship collection for Leed’s EcoSmart effort and includes bags composed of either 100 percent or 51 percent post-consumer recycled material. EcoSmart also encompasses stationery made from recycled leather or cardboard. For every EcoSmart import order placed, Leed’s will plant a tree through American Forests. “We stand by our environmentally responsible products,” explained
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