S&S Activewear, Bolingbrook, Ill., has entered the school uniform market with the addition of French Toast, the best-selling brand of school uniforms. According to Margaret Crow, marketing director, the decision to carry school uniforms came at a time when increasing numbers of schools nationwide are adopting dress codes that often include uniform requirements. “It wasn’t that long ago that uniform polices were limited to private and parochial schools,” said Crow. “Today, however, we’re seeing an increasing number of public schools instituting uniform requirements because of the numerous benefits they’ve been proven to generate for both students and educators, including increased attendance and a greater
Read MoreEVANS NAMES ZINGALE SOUTHEAST ACCOUNT MANAGER
Evans Manufacturing, Garden Grove, Calif., recently appointed Michael Zingale as the new southeast senior key account manager. “Mike is an accomplished salesperson with more than 15 years of promotional product industry experience, noted Shelley Sake, director of sales and marketing. “He will do a fantastic job representing our line and will share his extensive knowledge with our distributors in our newly created Southeast territory.” Zingale will represent Evans in 10 states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. He will also be working with the Puerto Rico market. “Mike’s previous industry experience on both the
Read MoreS&S ACTIVEWEAR OFFERS FRENCH TOAST UNIFORM BRAND
S&S Activewear, Bolingbrook, Ill., has entered the school uniform market with the addition of French Toast, the best-selling brand of school uniforms. According to Margaret Crow, marketing director, the decision to carry school uniforms came at a time when increasing numbers of schools nationwide are adopting dress codes that often include uniform requirements. “It wasn’t that long ago that uniform polices were limited to private and parochial schools,” said Crow. “Today, however, we’re seeing an increasing number of public schools instituting uniform requirements because of the numerous benefits they’ve been proven to generate for both students and educators, including increased attendance and a greater
Read MoreIPROMOTEU, DAVIES JOIN FORCES
iPROMOTEu, Wayland, Mass., and Ted Davies, “The Promotion Coach,” have entered into an agreement pursuant to which Davies will provide personal coaching and training to all iPROMOTEu distributor affiliates. Davies, who has worked in promotional product sales for 26 years, has been a regular speaker at industry events, including the PPAI Expo and ASI Shows. His coaching and training entity, The Promotion Coach, is PPAI-approved for CAS/MAS CEU credits. As stated in his company’s literature, Davies provides “a comprehensive [marketing, prospecting, and sales training] program offering easy-to-use, can’t-afford-to-skip materials for helping you tap your full earning potential.” iPROMOTEu, with a network of more
Read MoreVANTAGE CELEBRATES 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY, 300,000 DIGITIZED LOGOS
To commemorate its 30th anniversary this year, Vantage Apparel, Avenel, N.J., transformed its booth at January’s PPAI Expo in Las Vegas into an art gallery showcasing 30 years of decorated apparel. A special on-site presentation took place to highlight the company’s 300,000th embroidery design. The milestone was reached in early January when CorpLogoWare submitted NASCAR artwork for a pending jacket order. Vantage digitizes an average of 10,000 logos per year, or more than 40 new logos per day. The company operates nearly 1,500 embroidery heads, producing more than 5 million embroidered garments annually in its facilities across the United States. Vantage
Read MoreBARON RETURNS TO WINTHROP-ATKINS
Winthrop-Atkins, Middleboro, Mass., recently welcomed back Ron Baron as vice president of sales and marketing. Baron was formerly employed at the company for 25 years, where he served in various roles, including president. General Manager Phil Gelinas stated: “We are a better, more responsive supplier than ever, and we are excited for [Ron] to help us proclaim our message to broaden our current loyal audience.” Of his return, Baron said, “I am just thrilled to be associated, once more, with this wonderful group of hard-working people that have been responsible for making me look good in our industry.” For more information, call (888)
Read MoreBlast Off
WHEN THE FEDERAL government created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958, people were looking to venture into the most remote locations imaginable. The thirst for discovery was demanding and required vast sums of capital to invest in new technologies, inventions and enhancements. NASA contracted many businesses and manufacturing plants to create tools that would meet the needs of space travel. Once the new technology was in place, these companies had the building blocks to manufacture space-age products on a large scale and reduce prices, making them accessible to average consumers. NASA can be thanked for home smoke detectors, cordless drills and
Read MoreLeashables Unleashed
Anyone who has been to a few recent promotional products trade shows has probably come across Parker, Colorado-based Leashables. Even distributors that have no interest in selling personal care or hygiene products find the Leashables booth mesmerizing. Perhaps it is the televisions playing a reel of skiing stunts or commercials made to look like 50s-era filmstrips, albeit more edgy, that attract show-goers. Though, the appeal could equally be the obvious excitement of the Leashables staff, most notably the company’s founding brothers, Jeff and Brady Anderton. Any reports of the promotional marketing business getting younger should cite the Andertons. But their youth does not cause
Read MorePROMOTIONS EAST ON TRACK TO HOST RECORD NUMBER OF EXHIBITORS
Promotions East 2007 is expected to host a record number of exhibitors this June, with more than 620 companies already having contracted to exhibit at the show, scheduled for June 4-6, at the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey. This number is well ahead of exhibitor contracts at this time last year. “We fully expect Promotions East 2007 to be bigger and better than ever,” said Mike Schenker, national accounts manager and sales administrator for Hilton Apparel Group and president of SAAGNY, the show’s producer. “This show is the premier networking venue for distributors and suppliers in this region, as well as an
Read MoreDUNBROOKE’S PIERCE OPENS CONSULTING BUSINESS
Bob Pierce, former co-owner of Dunbrooke Apparel, Independence, Mo., has launched a new consulting firm, Pierce Marketing & Communications, based in Lee’s Summit, Mo., which will specialize in public relations, advertising and marketing. “Industry members are clamoring to maximize their marketing efforts,” said Pierce. “After twenty-seven years of success as both a supplier and a distributor, I’m eager to assist others to reach their business goals.” Along with partners Dave Hausen and Jay Jones, Pierce recently sold the Dunbrooke operation. Prior to his 14-year term at Dunbrooke, Pierce had extensive distributor experience at Osterman API, once among the top distributor sales companies in the
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