Chicago-based A La Carte celebrates its 25th anniversary with the publication of its Anniversary Holiday Catalog, which is scheduled to be available mid-August. A La Carte was formed in 1981 when its founders divided the original company into A La Carte and Chicago Gourmet Specialties. Both companies grew to become leaders in the food and candy segment of the promotional products industry, and, in 2003, the two companies merged to become one entity. The release of A La Carte’s special anniversary holiday catalog will be the first of many events throughout the year to celebrate the company’s milestone, according to Adam Robins and Mike Shulkin,
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Philadelphia-based Bodek & Rhodes’ 2007 UltraClub catalogs, as well as the entire 2007 UltraClub line, will be available on Oct. 2, 2006. The October UltraClub catalog release and collection debut mark the earliest availability of the private label to customers since it was launched in 1992. “Next year marks a huge 15-year milestone for UltraClub, which was the original private label brand in the imprinted sportswear industry,” said Mary Ellen Hudicka, director of marketing communications. “The early-edition catalogs and early collection launch are a result of an increasing demand by our customers to get a head start selling the new UltraClub styles before the first
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MasterCast, Pawtucket, R.I., has acquired Marken Industries from Josef Creations, Providence R.I. The Marken line of emblematic jewelry was established in 1977 and was owned by Josef Creations since the early 1980s. David Katseff, president of MasterCast, said the Marken line will be marketed as a separate division of MasterCast. “Marken is well known in the promotional products industry for its broad line of stock and custom castings, pewter collection of specialty items and replicas, as well as custom collectibles,” he said. “Although we will continue to promote our strong position on American-made products, we will also make available MasterCast’s overseas sourcing resources to Marken
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Pelican Products, Torrance, Calif., has added the M1 (3310) and M3 (3370) incandescent task lights, as well as refined existing models, to its M-Series line. Both new lights feature a tail-cap switch for easy on/off/momentary, one-hand operation and are constructed from nearly indestructible CNC machined aluminum featuring a no-slip knurled diamond pattern. They are powered by CR123 lithium batteries, which have an extremely long shelf life and provide exceptional performance in extreme temperature conditions. The M1 3310 is available with a black finish and uses a single battery to power a super-bright xenon bulb, which blasts 30 lumens for up to one hour. The M3
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Journalbooks/Timeplanner, Charlotte, N.C., has promoted Timothy O’Boyle to vice president of sales. “Tim’s dedication to our customers, employees and industry has been instrumental in Journalbooks success,” said Tom O’Boyle, CEO. Since 1989, Tim O’Boyle has been with Journalbooks. Prior to his promotion, he served as the company’s national sales manager. Journalbooks grew approximately 20 percent last year to $15 million in sales and is on target to reach $20 million in sales for 2006. Visit www.journalbooks.com for more information.
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Pelican Products, Torrance, Calif., has promoted Matt Miller to director of sales for the commercial division and Scott Jones to director of sales for national accounts. “Matt and Scott are exceptional sales managers, and, as directors, I look forward to watching them take Pelican’s business to new heights,” said Mark Rolfes, vice president of sales. “I know our sales staff and representatives will benefit immensely from their experience and enthusiasm for the Pelican brand.” Miller has more than 10 years of sales and management experience, as well as a wealth of industrial/safety industry knowledge. Prior to joining Pelican Products full-time, Miller was a factory sales representative,
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Steve LaFalce, vice president of sales at Avaline, Parsippany, N.J., has announced that he will be retiring from the industry at the end of the year to become a full-time golf instructor. “After playing golf for nearly 40 years (along with social instructing at outings and events), combined with 25 years of giving promotional product presentations in this terrific industry of ours, it was only natural for me to want to combine all of these for the last phase of my life,” said LaFalce. “So actually, I won’t really be retiring, nor will I be leaving the industry. Since travel is in my blood,
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Polyconcept, Amsterdam, has announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Bullet Line, Miami. Terms have not been disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close next month. Polyconcept is the parent company to Leed’s, New Kensington, Pa. “We are extremely excited to bring Bullet Line into the Polyconcept family,” said Michael Bernstein, CEO of Polyconcept North America. “Bullet Line is the premier company in its niche, offering excellent product and decorating capabilities with a strong sales and service team. Bullet Line provides a perfect complement to Leed’s, covering products and price points that are outside of Leed’s core expertise.” According to Bernstein, Bullet Line and
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Chicago-based R.S. Owens has hired Nicole Angeloni as graphic designer. “With the growth in imprinted orders we have seen over the last year, this is an important position for Owens to fill with a professional of Nicole’s talent and background,” said Ray David, art director. In her new role, Angeloni will be responsible for managing artwork for imprinted orders, including typesetting, logo creation and enhancements, layouts and personalizations. She will also be involved in developing and implementing new procedures to both optimize and accelerate artwork turnaround. “Accurately and quickly preparing art files for all our different processes, such as lasering, screening, etching and engraving,
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Halls & Company announced the company’s recent move to a new, larger 25,000 sq.-ft. facility, which is located at 7145 Boone Ave. North, Brooklyn Park, Minn., just five miles away from its former site in New Hope, Minn., where the company operated for 30 years. ”The added space and more efficient operations will allow us to effectively handle the continued growth we have been experiencing in the promotional products industry, as well as future company growth,” said Eric Johnson, vice president of sales and development. According to Johnson, in addition to the company’s digital printing, fabrication, engraving and die-cutting processes, the new facility’s larger size will
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