River’s End, Minneapolis, enters a new era in apparel distribution by focusing its 2007 product line and catalog on distinctive brands and new collections. Featured on the catalog cover, and only available at River’s End, is Nike Performance Activewear. The Nike brand gives customers an authentic, innovative sportswear line consisting of performance features, ladies’ styles and a wide selection of apparel combinations. The 2007 catalog, which is currently available, also features other retail brands, including Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger and NYNE. The catalog kicks off a celebration of 25 years in the apparel industry. In addition to adding well-known brands, River’s
Read MoreCustom HBC Purchases Wayzata Bay Products
Custom HBC, Waconia, Minn., has announced the purchase of the assets and equipment of Wayzata Bay Products, one of its key suppliers. Of the purchase, Custom HBC’s president and owner, Larry Wilhelm, said, “This acquisition significantly adds to our internal production capacity and flexibility, thereby enhancing our ability to support our distributor customers.” Wayzata Bay Products’ owner and president, Jon Ratliff, is serving as a consultant to Custom HBC to manage the installation and start-up of the equipment at the company’s facility. For more information, call (877) 442-9881 or visit www.customhbc.com.
Read MoreAlo Performance Apparel to Launch In January
Color Image Apparel, Los Angeles, the parent company of Bella brands—Bella, Bella Girl, Bella Baby and a men’s line, Canvas—has announced the launch of Alo, a performance apparel line to address the growing need of high-quality, fashionable, long-lasting apparel for busy lifestyles. The line will debut at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas, Jan. 2-6, 2007. The name Alo stands for “Air, Land, Ocean,” and combines performance-driven fabrications, technical features and sport-inspired designs to create a look and feel that can be worn for almost any occasion. Set to launch with 14 men’s and 15 women’s styles, the garments feature special
Read MoreDorcy International Launches Special Markets Division
Columbus, Ohio-based Dorcy International announced the launch of Dorcy Special Markets, a division of Dorcy International, created to market popular retail Dorcy lighting products to the promotional products industry. “For more than 35 years, Dorcy International has been a leading manufacturer and supplier of flashlights and lanterns to the world’s largest retailers and promotional products suppliers,” noted Tom Beckett, president and CEO. “Effective Jan. 1, 2007, I am pleased to announce we will be launching Dorcy SMD, a new and innovative division of our company, developed exclusively to market the same Dorcy brand lighting products sold at retail to promotional products distributors.”
Read MoreS&S Activewear Announces Winner of PGA Tour Promotion
Bolingbrook, Illinois-based S&S Activewear is pleased to announce that John Gambucci of Badger Promotions, West Bend, Wis., is the winner of the company’s first-ever golf trip promotion in conjunction with PGA Tour apparel. As winner, Mr. Gambucci receives two round-trip airline tickets to Miami where he and a guest will spend three days and two nights, and play two rounds of golf at the world-famous Doral Golf Resort and Spa. The promotion ran from June 1 through Sept. 29, and was designed to draw extra attention to the PGA TOUR styles carried by S&S Activewear. “We wanted to find a unique incentive to offer our customers
Read More1206_Editor’s Note
Balance, peace and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them. Thomas Kinkade, American Artist he new year is quickly approaching, and for the promotional products industry it is a time of mass preparations for the markets busiest season, when trade shows and events come at us rapidly. Personally, this is also a time that pulls each one of us in every direction. Finding the time to make magic for the season and finding the balance between work and home—you know, that concept constantly being drilled into our heads
Read MoreDorcy International Launches Special Markets Division
Columbus, Ohio-based Dorcy International announced the launch of Dorcy Special Markets, a division of Dorcy International, created to market popular retail Dorcy lighting products to the promotional products industry. Stated Dorcy International President and CEO Tom Beckett, “For more than 35 years Dorcy International has been a leading manufacturer and supplier of flashlights and lanterns to the world’s largest retailers and promotional products suppliers. Effective January 1, 2007, I am pleased to announce we will be launching Dorcy SMD, a new and innovative division of our company, developed exclusively to market the same Dorcy brand lighting products sold at retail to promotional products distributors.” Heading up
Read MoreCrystal D’s Larsen Recognized by eCompanyStore
Crystal D, St. Paul, Minn., announced that customer service specialist Kay Larsen has been selected as a winner of the eCompanyStore’s Third Quarter 2006 Supplier Appreciation Award. “Kay has done a fantastic job in working with our team in 2006 and providing the excellent support required to achieve our sales results and corporate goals,” said Craig Callaway, CEO of eCompanyStore. Of Larsen’s achievement, Crystal D’s president Chuck Dahlgren, said, “Our customer service specialists are the best in the industry for supporting our customers’ sales goals. Kay has been incredible in meeting the needs of our customers.
Read MoreLeed’s Rolls Out Full Line of Trade Show, Convention Products
Leed’s, Pittsburgh, recently announced the debut of 37 new items in its “Conventions and Tradeshows” catalog. The items include a colorful selection of functionally designed totes with eye-catching design details, in addition to everything from writing pads to jotters and journal books. According to Meetings and Conventions magazine’s annual report, an estimated 136.5 million Americans attended more than 1.2 million conventions, corporate events and association meetings in 2005. Those charged with planning all of their company’s events, including education seminars, trade shows or corporate meetings, will now have a catalog from Leed’s to select appropriate giveaways or leave-behinds.
Read MoreTarget Graphics Prints Licensed World Series Gear
Located just 303 miles from Comerica Park in Detroit, and 278 miles from Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Target Graphics, Naperville, Ill., found itself in the middle of baseball fever in late October. Within an hour of the St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series, Target Graphics began Hot Market printing on thousands of T-shirts. Hot Market Production—where a company prints huge volumes of shirts in a very short selling period—is usually related to a major event, such as the World Series or the Super Bowl. In preparation for Hot Market printing, Target Graphics housed 250,000 garments onsite and prepared
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