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- American Identity
(asi/120601)
Kansas City, MO
Promotional Products Sales: $185 million 
Workforce: 850
Years in Industry: 34
Privately Held
Roger Henry, president
In 1998, Counselor Top 25 distributors Swingster and K-Products merged, bringing together two major companies operating logo merchandise fulfillment
programs. The resulting entity, American Identity, manages over 350 catalog programs. From 53 offices, the sales force of over 80 covers more than 16,000 accounts nationwide. In 2000, American Identity merged with Boise Marketing Services Inc., becoming the largest privately held promotional products distributor in the country, serving over 350 of the Fortune 1000. American Identity is a vertically integrated marketing-services resource, leveraging its position as a major domestic manufacturer to provide cost-effective promotional merchandise programs.
In-house facilities include screenprinting, embroidery, photography, offset printing and Web site production/hosting.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
There’s an increase in the number of companies we service who want to partner with us in their brand-building efforts. There’s more recognition that promotional products do have a role in branding initiatives, at least within the marketing departments of some of the Fortune 1000 we deal with.
- 4imprint Inc.
(asi/197045)
Oshkosh, WI
Promotional Products Sales: $179.5 million
Workforce: 305
Years in Industry: 19
Privately Held
Dick Nelson, president/CEO
4imprint began as Nelson Marketing in Logansport, IN in 1985. The majority interest was sold to Miles Kimball Co. in 1988. It moved to Oshkosh, WI in 1989. In 1990, Miles Kimball’s shares were sold to Alberta Kimball and Ted Leyhe. Nelson’s owners sold the company to U.K.-based Bemrose Corp. plc. in 1996, and Nelson was named to Bemrose’s board. In 1999, Bemrose sold its U.S. suppliers, and Bemrose Corp plc. changed its name to 4imprint Group in 2000, now headquartered in Manchester, England with additional offices in the U.K., Germany, France and Hong Kong. The same year, 4imprint entered into a strategic alliance with Carabunga.com, linking the sites and offering clients of both firms the services of the other. It also began working with Lands’ End Corporate Sales division that same year. The company is a full-service provider of promotional products and corporate programs, with locations domestically as well as Canada, the U.K., Spain, France, Germany and Hong Kong. It purchased Adventures in Advertising Franchise Inc. in January 2001.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
There’s a positive element any time you have the opportunity to work with clients to solve a problem for their promotional needs. Today’s economy just makes it that much more challenging. Yet the results are that much more rewarding. We feel offering the best prices with the best delivery and customer service allows us to positively impact our clients who seek out promotional items for their corporate needs. When combining the proven track record of our direct marketing with the marketing experience of 400-plus franchise owners and adding our corporate programs and premiums to the mix, we can effectively service our clients for all their promotional needs.
- HALO Branded Solutions
(asi/218440)
Sterling, IL
Promotional Products Sales: $157.6 million
Workforce: 451
Years in Industry: 33
Privately Held
Marc Simon, CEO
Founded by Lou Weisbach in 1972, HALO is a brand marketing firm consisting of HALO Branded Solutions and Lee Wayne Corp. (asi/356000), which was founded in 1952 and acquired by HALO in 1992. Since then, both distributorships have serviced many Fortune 1000 companies while maintaining a large client base of small to mid-sized firms. HALO acquired 21 other companies between 1994 and 1999, going public in 1992. As a result of its ill-advised purchase of Starbelly.com, HALO filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy status in 2001. In 2002, it sold its marketing subsidiary, Upshot. And in May, 2003, HALO, Lee Wayne, and HALO Europe were sold to HALO Holdings LLC, an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, a private-equity investment firm in Miami. The transaction allowed HALO to emerge from Chapter 11 and return to normal operating status.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
It has reinforced the importance of the client/account-exec relationship. We’ve retained our clients because of our total commitment to the account execs and their relationship with buyers. Average sales and margins per client have dropped, but when the economy turns, sales growth will return much more quickly because we’ve maintained the account executives and clients during the tough times.
- Integrated Merchandising Systems, d.b.a./Group II Communications Inc.
(asi/215310)
Morton Grove, IL
Promotional Products Sales: $156 million
Workforce: 250
Years in Industry: 18
Publicly Held
William McKenna/CEO
Founded in 1985, Group II provides marketing support services for global corporations with highly visible trademarks and properties. Via state-of-the-art facilities in the U.S. and Europe, it offers complete turnkey merchandising services, including concept creation and planning, purchasing, production, inventory management, customer service, warehousing, fulfillment, distribution management, billing, reporting and analysis. In 2001, Group II became part of Integrated Merchandising Systems, LLC, which, in turn, was acquired by Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc., in 2002.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
More than ever, clients respect a partner who believes in incremental value-added services day in and day out.
- Corporate Express Promotional Marketing
(asi/168786)
St. Louis, MO
Promotional Products Sales: $150 million
Workforce: 400
Years in Industry: 44
Publicly Held
Dennis Multack, president
Corporate Express designs and operates corporate-identity merchandise, sales promotion, incentive and service-award programs for major recognized brands. It leverages merchandising and physical distribution, an advanced IT infrastructure, Web store expertise and proficiency in third-party procurement integration to precisely engage the customers and purchasing systems of each client in real-time. Each program is custom designed to consolidate client merchandise spending and control costs while enhancing the brand. The firm’s client base includes the consumer packaged-goods, industrial manufacturing, financial services and technology industries. Corporate Express is backed by the resources of its multibillion-dollar parent, Buhrmann NV, and has offices and distribution centers in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia. In 2002, Buhrmann purchased US Office Products’ North American assets through Corporate Express.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Helping our clients achieve their promotional goals.
- Myron Corp.
(asi/278980)
Maywood, NJ
Promotional Products Sales: $145 million (E)
Workforce: 800
Years in Industry: 54
Privately Held
Marie Adler-Kravacas, president
Established in 1949, Myron provides personalized products, including calendars, writing instruments, cards, electronics and executive gifts. It sells to end-users through a variety of direct channels in North America, Europe, Japan and Australia. Its manufacturing operations are based in Maywood, NJ, but it maintains sales/service branches in Canada, England, Japan and Australia.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Our products and services are among the most efficient marketing tools a company can use. We’ve found it a good year for serving businesses concerned with getting more mileage out of the same or reduced ad budgets.
- The Beanstalk Group Inc.
(asi/155460)
Birmingham, MI
Promotional Products Sales: $134.7 million
Workforce: 72
Years in Industry: 25
Jon Sloan, president
Beanstalk, headquartered in New York, was founded in 1978. Under the umbrella of the company’s licensing division, its brand-representation department develops and manages turnkey, strategic global licensing programs on behalf of owners of prominent properties. Its retail management arranges exclusive licensing partnerships with leading mass-marketing retailers, and its brand-consulting division conducts licensing feasibility studies for companies exploring licensing for the first time, to provide evaluative services for companies with existing licensing programs. Through its promotional merchandise management division, founded in 1991, Beanstalk offers promotional products via catalogs or online stores as well as consumer promotions, recognition awards and incentives and promotional mailings.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Clients are looking for companies that are financially strong and that can provide a single source supplier solution for all their promotional needs.
- Proforma Inc.
(asi/300094)
Cleveland, OH
Promotional Products Sales: $131.2 million
Workforce: 653
Years in Industry: 12
Privately Held
Greg Muzzillo, CEO
Alan Chippindale, president
Founded in 1978 by Muzzillo, Proforma is a full-service provider of promotional products, printing and e-solutions with more than 600 independently owned offices in the United States and Canada. In October 2002, Proforma Albrecht and Co., a Proforma franchise, acquired Cooper Ad Specialties.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Knowledgeable clients are increasingly looking for creative growth solutions and true significant reductions in overall costs of doing business. This is an opportunity for the strongest industry professionals.
- Geiger Inc.
(asi/202900)
Lewiston, ME
Promotional Products Sales: $124.8 million
Workforce: 525
Years in Industry: 125
Privately Held
Gene Geiger, CEO
Geiger Bros. was started in Newark, NJ in 1878 by brothers Andrew and Jacob. It has remained a family business through four generations of owner/managers and a 1955 move to Maine. Geiger is a full-service distributor of promotional products and corporate programs. It is represented in 50 states and Puerto Rico and operates 22 local sales offices and five distribution centers. Its Maine plant produces planners and organizers and the well-known Farmer’s Almanac. It participates internationally in Diary Publishers International (DPI) and the World Advertising Gift Exchange (WAGE). In 2002, it acquired the Walter W. Cribbins Co. Inc.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
The need to be more efficient and reduce operating costs has required that we look at every activity and prune or eliminate those that don’t contribute fully. We’re a far more lean and competitive company today because of the many changes we’ve made in response to the challenging economy.
- Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, Inc.
(asi/137616)
Woodinville, WA
Promotional Products Sales: $101.2 million
Workforce: 350
Years in Industry: 19
Privately Held
Jay Deutsch, president/CEO
Eric Bensussen, vice president/COO
Founded in 1984 by Bensussen and Deutsch, BD&A provides clients with an integrated suite of merchandise services, including corporate promotions, sales promotions, retail programs, consumer products and sports and entertainment marketing. Through these channels, BD&A’s goal is to develop strategies that strengthen and extend clients’ branding efforts, enhance their corporate identity and ultimately deliver a physical representation of their brand message.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Our clients have truly begun to embrace the value and power of branded merchandise. They understand the long-term benefits and marked return on investment that merchandise offers their brand and the overall marketing message they’re trying to get out. To achieve the results they’re looking for, it’s extremely important to establish a long-term and trusted relationship with their distributor.
- Tic Toc
Dallas, TX
Promotional Products Sales: $90.7 million (E)
Workforce: 145
Years in Industry: 29
Privately Held
Kevin Lippincott, CEO
Tic Toc began with Case Dunlap Enterprises Inc., a distributorship founded in 1974. Over the years, Case expanded its reach and added strategic competencies by acquiring and merging with established promotional services businesses. Not long after being acquired by Omnicom Group, there was a goal to reflect a comprehensive approach and simplify client access. Case, Promark, Promotional Services Group, Imagination Co. and other component groups were unified in March 2001 under the single brand platform of Tic Toc. Tic Toc offers one point of contact for all marketing efforts. It’s based in Dallas with offices in the San Francisco and Pittsburgh areas.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Even more receptiveness to innovative thinking, which is our strong suit.
- Midwest Trophy Manufacturing Co.
(asi/270880)
Del City, OK
Promotional Products Sales: $90 million (E)
Workforce: 850
Years in Industry: 32
Privately Held
David R. Smith, CEO
MTM, which includes the former Jostens Recognition division, acquired in 2001, provides products and services to help celebrate achievement, reward performance, recognize service and commemorate experiences. It specializes in customized programs for mid-sized and large companies. For 20 years, MTM was a strategic supplier to Jostens, and is now licensed to produce and distribute products under the Jostens brand name. It also manages a customer-service center and provides sales support, creative services, product design and development for Jostens sales reps and clients. In addition to the operation in Oklahoma, MTM has seven North American manufacturing facilities, including Toronto.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Consumer attitudes have changed as a result of today’s economy and world events. As a result of 9/11, people value relationships more than ever, both personally and in business. In the recognition industry, we see a trend toward showing more appreciation and recognition for a job well done. I think we’ve all had a wake-up call.
- Cyrk Inc.
(asi/173519)
Wakefield, MA
Promotional Products Sales: $80 million
Workforce: 450
Years in Industry: 27
Privately Held
Gary Vonk, CEO
Cyrk was founded in 1976 as a manufacturer of screenprinted apparel and accessories. It became the largest diversified marketing services firm in the nation. In February 2001, Cyrk sold its Corporate Promotions Group to a private equity firm that re-launched Cyrk under the same name. Today, by integrating design, merchandising, technology and services, Cyrk helps companies promote their brands more effectively through the design of integrated merchandising and marketing programs. Headquartered in Wakefield, MA, Cyrk serves many Fortune 1000 and industry-leading brand marketers.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
By virtue of our continued investment in creative processes, we have become solution providers, not simply authorized vendors. This partnership in our field organization and within our program group has allowed us to create strong relationships with clients that will weather the current economy and create positive benefits.
- National Pen Corp.
(asi/281040)
San Diego, CA
Promotional Products Sales: $73.8 million
Workforce: 65
Years in Industry: 34
Privately Held
Thomas Ligouri, president
Mike Delaney, senior vice president/marketing
National was established in 1966 by Alfred Ligouri and Paul Stabile as a subsidiary of Modern Mold and Tool International Inc., which became Internet Design Technology Inc. in 2000. The company was one of the first manufacturers of ballpoint pens. National built its business on personalization and decoration, being a major printer of four-color graphics. The company markets its products in 14 countries with production facilities in the U.S., Ireland and Mexico.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
We enjoy competition and a challenging environment. It makes us think harder, try more things and weeds out the weak. We became a stronger company because of these challenges.
- Jack Nadel Inc.
(asi/279600)
Culver City, CA
Promotional Products Sales: $70 million (E)
Workforce: 252
Years in Industry: 50
Privately Held
Marty Nadel, president
JNI was founded in 1953 by Jack Nadel. It continues to be a leading-edge company merchandising promotional products and developing full-scale promotional campaigns for the areas of distribution channels, tradeshows, sales incentives and more. Graphic art personnel and studios are maintained in many offices. Additionally, each JNI office also includes account coordinators to maintain communication with vendors and clients and to assist account executives in all areas of program development. In June 2002, JNI acquired HALO’s offices in Atlanta and Houston.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
It’s much easier to find good people to hire and much cheaper to find good space to lease.
- The Vernon Co.
(asi/351700)
Newton, IA
Promotional Products Sales: $66.6 million
Workforce: 800
Years in Industry: 101
Privately Held
William F. Vernon,
chairman/CEO
Chris P. Vernon, president/COO
F. L. Vernon founded Economy Record Book Co., the predecessor to Vernon Co., in Newton in 1902. The first products were imprinted farm-record books and, later, metal items such as kitchen match-holders. The company was publicly held from 1958-1986, but always controlled by the Vernon family. Vernon markets sales incentive, corporate identity, anniversary and safety programs, and manufactures pressure-sensitive signs, apparel, cutlery and gift merchandise. It has two subsidiaries: Dun-Lap Manufacturing Co., a screen-processor specializing in product-identification applications, and Vernon/SAL, a New Jersey-based screen processor, specializing in point-of-sale programs and digital graphics. In 2001, Vernon bought Mar-Kal Products, a 40-year-old family business specializing in pressure-sensitive screen graphics for the transportation and utility markets. It was subsequently merged into the graphics and Dun-Lap operations. In 2002, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary in business.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
More than ever before, clients recognize and appreciate our strong financial position and superior Dun & Bradstreet credit rating. We feel it’s critical to remain resilient during tough times and continue to invest in new business methods/technologies, even during the inevitable downturns in the national economy.
- Summit Marketing Group
St. Louis, MO
Promotional Products Sales: $65.3 million
Workforce: 345
Years in Industry: 7
Privately Held
Daniel J. Renz, CEO
Janelle Nevins, president
Summit was founded in 1996. It currently operates six subsidiaries: Summit-Barkley House, Summit-FM, Summit-Nevins, Summit-Gardner & Geldmacher, Summit-Harper and Summit-Phoenix. Summit offers a wide range of services for clients, including corporate identity, catalog fulfillment, sales promotional marketing, licensing agreements, graphic design and sourcing of proprietary promotional products domestically and internationally.
Through its direct-marketing segment, it offers strategic analysis and creative business-to-consumer and business-to-business direct marketing and database services.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Clients still have significant promotional needs in spite of their recent economic difficulties. It’s challenging and rewarding to be able to deliver creative concepts that achieve their objectives and give them higher return on their investment. Doing more with fewer dollars has enabled us to truly demonstrate creativity and value as a marketing partner.
- Kaeser & Blair Inc.
(asi/238600)
Batavia, OH
Promotional Products Sales: $64.8 million
Workforce: 128
Years in Industry: 108
Privately Held
Kurt R. Kaeser, president/CEO
Gregg Emmer, vice president of sales/marketing
Kaeser & Blair originally opened as the Cincinnati Printing and Paper Products Co. in 1894. Dutch Kaeser & Bill Blair purchased it in 1923 and expanded sales by launching the concept of selling its products through a national network of independent salespeople. Promotional products were added over the years. K&B prides itself on providing clients with exceptional programs and outstanding service.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
It’s rewarding to see dealers and their customers recognizing the value and benefits of our programs and service.
- Brown & Bigelow Inc.
(asi/148500)
St. Paul, MN
Promotional Products Sales: $64.5 million
Workforce: 900
Years in Industry: 107
Privately Held
William D. Smith, president/CEO
Founded in 1896, Brown & Bigelow operates two distinct divisions under one corporate entity. The company’s supplier division, Hotline Products, manufactures the Hotline and Classic line calendars and sells through distributors. The company’s distributor division and namesake supports 350 promotional product sales professionals in their local markets through a network of full-service support centers. In early 2001, the company sold its retail division, Hoyle Products, and reinvested the proceeds into its calendar manufacturing and promotional products division.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Regardless of the economy, American business must still move its production, so businesses are looking for ideas to help them do a better job. In our industry, we have a direct, long-lived and useful answer to the businessperson’s question, “How do I get more customers and increase sales?” It’s called “building preference by building friendship.” Our ideas work to build a spirit of cooperative goodwill between buyer and seller, which also builds friendship and promotes business.
- Newton Manufacturing
Co.
(asi/283300)
Newton, IA
Promotional Products Sales: $62 million
Workforce: 900
Years in Industry: 94
Privately Held
Jerome Hoxton, president
Newton was established in 1909 by George Newton as a promotional products manufacturer before becoming a distributor exclusively in the early ’40s. The firm currently supports an independent salesforce of approximately 800, selling throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Newton handles all types of promotional advertising orders, including co-op and corporate fulfillment. It owns a subsidiary company in Pella, IA. In 2002, Newton entered into a strategic sales alliance with Adgap Integrated Solutions and signed an exclusive sales agreement with Star Promotions Inc.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Customers of all kinds are recognizing and rewarding firms that make it easy for them in all respects – marketing, product knowledge, fulfillment, Web sites, graphic design, printing, call centers, speed and flexibility.
- Taylor Corp.
North Mankato, MN
Promotional Products Sales: $58.2 million (E)
Workforce: Unreported
Years in Industry: 29
Privately Held
Brad Schreier, CEO
Paul Schleich, president of direct-mail group
A management group of approximately 70 independently operated divisions, Taylor was founded in 1975 by William Carlson. It has two distributor divisions within the industry. The bulk of the other divisions and related firms are composed of, for the most part, social and business-to-business commercial printing, thermography, engraving, and prom/banquet/party supplies sold on a wholesale basis.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Our customers come to us for ideas and help in establishing a program for them with measurable results. It’s a positive experience from the standpoint that they’re more serious lately about getting the right product to help them achieve their goals when the economy is in a bit of a slump.
- JII Promotions Inc.
(asi/232427)
Columbus, OH; Coshocton, OH
Promotional Products Sales: $56 million
Workforce: 700
Years in Industry: 114
Privately Held
Rick Prather, president/CEO
Dan Harms, vice-president/ COO
JII is a distributor of promotional products, including proprietary calendars evolved from lines produced in the past by the Thos. D. Murphy Co., Shaw Barton and Shedd-Brown. JII approaches the market with a multitiered sales organization working with clients with product-driven dropship needs; full service programs requiring cataloging and fulfillment services including company store, corporate identity, safety, and recognition programs; and custom calendar programs. JII’s offerings are supported by custom Web sites developed and hosted by JII on behalf of the client. The Columbus facility is focused on sales, marketing, customer service for corporate program accounts, and the site of its client showroom. The Coshocton facility is the primary manufacturing plant for calendars, houses corporate administrative functions, provides customer service and administration for promotional products, and program fulfillment services.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Our customers have been asked by their customers to increase service, reduce price, increase quality, ship sooner, bill later, collect even later, etc., to the point of exasperation. We’re sensing that customers’ expectations are becoming more realistic. They can’t cut their prices 10% every year and are realizing their suppliers (including promotional product distributors) can’t either. Customers are recognizing the value of the business relationship and the service that accompanies it rather than just the numbers on the purchase order.
- BrandVia
(formerly Wood Associates)
(asi/145041)
Santa Clara, CA
Promotional Products Sales: $51.7 million
Workforce: 165
Years in Industry: 18
Publicly Held
Brett Walter, CEO
Wood Associates, an iPrint Technologies company, is a leading provider of online and offline marketing and customized branding solutions. iPrint and Wood merged in 2001, creating a company with the ability to fully integrate customers, vendors, sales and distribution facilities with full-service e-commerce, workflow management and online art/design tools. In 2002, iPrint was acquired by MadeToOrder.com as an assignment for the benefit of its creditors. The company then changed its name to BrandVia. The promotional products division has since been spun off, and has been sold to several former BrandVia employees.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
The need to streamline operations.
- American Solutions for Business
(formerly American Business Forms Inc.)
(asi/120075)
Glenwood, MN
Promotional Products Sales: $46.1 million
Workforce: 350
Years in Industry: 23
Privately Held
Larry Zavadil, president/CEO
American Business Forms started operations in 1981. Since its inception, it has focused on several key market segments with a concentration on offering a wide array of products and services. Once an organization comprising salespeople working as independent contractors, American decided to extend the opportunity for sales personnel to become employees and participate in the ownership of the corporation. In July 2000, American became an employee-owned company through the formation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP.) Under the ESOP, which is non-contributory, shares in the corporation are purchased annually with corporate profits and distributed to current and future American employees in good standing.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Clients have a greater need than ever to differentiate and promote their businesses.
- Artcraft & Foremost Inc.
(asi/125050)
Moorestown, NJ
Promotional Products Sales: $42.3 million
Workforce: 50
Years in Industry: 56
Privately Held
Judith E. Zimmerman, president
Founded in 1947 as Artcraft Calendar Co., Artcraft & Foremost specializes in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. It develops medically relevant products and provides value-based buying systems for the medical industry. Its direct mail division, Health Promotions Now, serves the healthcare market and several other communities with a variety of stock and proprietary products.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Technology is enabling us to provide increased value.
- Thomas Direct Sales Inc.
(asi/343878)
Clifton, NJ
Promotional Products Sales: $34.3 million
Workforce: 8
Years in Industry: 17
Privately Held
Nancy D’Andrea, president
Guy D’Andrea, vice president
TDS is a family-owned company founded in 1986 as a basement business in Ironia, NJ. The company is now a corporation with global buying and selling capacities with strategic partners in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Today, all of the firm’s sales, design, administrative, and fulfillment activities are conducted from its facility in Clifton.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
(declined to answer)
- Renaissance Promotions
(asi/307074)
Delran, NJ
Promotional Products Sales: $34.2 million
Workforce: 25
Years in Industry: 5
Privately Held
Lora Dunnigan, president
Renaissance, originally Action Calendars, began in 1997 when Alan Zimmermann of Artcraft & Foremost joined his daughter, Lora Dunnigan, and her husband, John, in business. Envisioning a parallel of family growth with business, Alan, Lora and John soon teamed with direct family members Alan Jr., Fred, Andrew and a vast staff of sales professionals, graphic designers, Web site developers, inventory managers and administrative staff. The company is now a full-service distributor providing graphic arts, Web development, warehousing and fulfillment programs.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Hoping customers will realize promotional products will help them.
- Goldman Promotions
(asi/209700)
St. Louis, MO
Promotional Products Sales: $31.7 million
Workforce: 145
Years in Industry: 43
Privately Held
Ken Goldman, chairman
Goldman is a full-service merchandising and marketing-services company founded in 1960 by Sam Goldman and still run by the Goldman family. Today, it has regional offices in eight states. It has developed a reputation for innovation and creativity. In addition to traditional promotional products, Goldman offers graphic design services, CD-ROM products, Web site design and complete fulfillment services.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
In today’s challenging economy, we’ve all been forced to get back to basics, providing cost-effective promotional products that deliver our clients’ message. We’re working harder to understand our clients’ promotional objectives. Our recommendations are more focused, detailed and effective.
- Atlas Pen & Pencil Corp.
(asi/127000)
Hollywood, FL
Promotional Products Sales: $31 million
Workforce: 250
Years in Industry: 63
Privately Held
Robert Schneider, CEO
Eric Schneider, president
Founded in 1940, Atlas sells a full line of advertising specialty products via mail order to a wide variety of businesses nationwide.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
(declined to answer)
- Corporate Edge Inc.
(asi/168860)
East Brunswick, NJ
Promotional Products Sales: $30.3 million
Workforce: 19
Years in Industry: 13
Privately Held
Scott Levy, CEO
Stuart Rosenfeld, president
Corporate Edge was formed as a result of a January 2003 merger of two other distributors: Corporate Image and Selling Edge. It operates out of three offices in New York and New Jersey, with sales offices/showrooms in New York City and Long Island. The company offers complete fulfillment capabilities, and can decorate wearables stateside.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Our mantra is to maintain a physical presence and stay in the forefront of
your client’s mind. This can result in sending spec samples, presentations, lunch meetings and just dropping by to say hello.
- Caliendo Savio Enterprises
(asi/155807)
New Berlin, WI
Promotional Products Sales: $28.4 million
Workforce: 16
Years in Industry: 23
Privately Held
Tom Savio, CEO
CSE is a family-owned company specializing in catalog programs, fulfillment, embroidery, importing and e-commerce solutions. It currently handles more than 50% of its business via the Internet and ships over 93% of all program orders complete within 24 hours. It offers in-house embroidery, digitizing, creative and Web-site development services. CSE has been recognized
for outstanding service and has received the Miller Brewing Co.’s “Partners in Excellence” and the Matco Tools “Achievement” Awards.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
There are many positives, but the largest benefit is the increased focus on value. Our focus continues to be on value vs. price. To that end, our service offerings go far beyond that of traditional promotional products distributors, as we have positioned ourselves as more of a marketing-solutions partner. Solutions such as online budget- management modules, digital asset management, global manufacturing, and online custom name-badge ordering have allowed for significant soft-dollar savings and continued vendor consolidation on the client side. In addition, our inventory and SKU- management strategies continue to exceed client expectations in terms of ship-complete rates and total cost of ownership. We believe a soft economy is the time to invest, and we are continually expanding and upgrading our in-house service offerings.
- Gary Mandel Promotional Concepts
(asi/260340)
Santa Monica, CA
Promotional Products Sales: $ 28.1 million
Workforce: 37
Years in Industry: 26
Privately Held
Gary Mandel, president
Founded in 1976 by Mandel, GMPC is a full-service product design and global sourcing company that develops and creates products to achieve promotional marketing solutions for clients. It believes that clients’ demands for diverse, affordable quality merchandise can only be met by the continuous development of a sourcing base that is increasingly flexible, diverse and global in scope.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Clients are more astute and knowledgeable regarding the use of promotional products as a marketing tool.
- Executive Greetings Inc.
(asi/190890)
New Hartford, CT
Promotional Products Sales: $28 million
Workforce: Unreported
Years in Industry: 47
Privately Held
Rich Nelson, director of marketing
Executive Greetings is an umbrella company encompassing promotional product distributors Baldwin-Cooke Co., a distributor of desk diaries, pocket
planners, business greeting cards and personalized executive gifts; and Curtis-Rand Industries, a similar distributor. Executive Greetings also owns
HR Direct; Drawing Board; Gray-Arc; GoPromos; Sa-So; Greenwoods Collection and Brookhollow.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Customers have not stopped promoting their business; they’re just not ordering in as large volume as in the past.
- Imperial Marketing Inc.
(asi/230430)
Southfield, MI
Promotional Products Sales: $24.3 million
Workforce: 90
Years in Industry: 19
Privately Held
Jay Slavsky, president
Ray Deegan, executive vice president
Imperial specializes in corporate brand-merchandising programs, service awards, event merchandising, incentive programs and fulfillment. It provides services in sales, marketing, purchasing, customer service, program administration, e-commerce, Web design, information technologies and graphic arts. Imperial serves a diverse client base throughout the United States and Europe.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
We believe that as confidence in the economy improves, the outlook for companies with the highest levels of creativity and service will quickly rebound.
- Nationwide Advertising Specialty Co. Inc.
(asi/281700)
Arlington, TX
Promotional Products Sales: $24.1 million (E)
Workforce: 49 (E)
Years in Industry: 66
Privately Held
Bob Gilson, chairman
John Newbern, president
Jerry Ersland, CAS, vice president
Nationwide was started in 1937 in Tyler, TX, by John Newbern Sr. It moved to Arlington in 1951. Nationwide and its subsidiaries, The Heritage Co. and Texad Specialty Co., devote 100% of their operations to the wholesaling of promotional products.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Our long time in the business instills confidence in our customers that we’ll be there for them, where other younger companies may not. Our salespeople
like dealing with a rock-solid company as well.
- Konik & Co. Inc.
(asi/244815)
Skokie, IL
Promotional Products Sales: $23 million
Workforce: 23
Years in Industry: 13
Privately Held
Stan Konik, president
Konik was started in 1990 by Stan Konik. The firm is a family-run, full-service premium/incentive company providing high-end premiums as well as specialty advertising items. It specializes in program planning from idea development to fulfillment, sourcing and warehousing services.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
People are now more educated, price-sensitive and direct in their promotional needs.
- SFI Corp.
(asi/333647)
Glen Allen, VA
Promotional Products Sales: $22.8 million
Workforce: 350
Years in Industry: 76
Privately Held
Robert Wesley, president
Established in 1927, SFI has grown through a managed account program into a major distributor of promotional products and provider of service-award programs. It offers commercial printing, business documents, corporate stationery products, office supplies, statement processing, direct mail and fulfillment services. SFI maintains a network of 60 sales offices.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Clients are looking for greater creativity, products with high-perceived value and distribution channels that get their promotional products to their internal and external customers where and when needed. Having the ability to offer clients our in-house design team, international product sourcing team and supply chain management technology, along with custom-tailored ordering sites, has given SFI a distinct advantage in successfully providing customers with end-to-end solutions.
- Zouire LLC
(asi/366094)
Merriam, KS
Promotional Products Sales: $22.7 million
Workforce: 26
Years In Industry: 5
Privately Held
Joe Dellasega, president
Zouire was created from a combining of three promotional products companies: Tandem Marketing, KayCee Enterprises and Zouire. The new corporation has its sales and marketing headquarters near Kansas City, and operations and warehousing in Pittsburg, KS. The company designs and implements full-service marketing programs for clients such as Lexus, Michelin, Bayer, Pizza Hut, State Farm Insurance and Golf Channel.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
It has forced us all to be more creative than ever before.
- Helm Promotions
(asi/223630)
Highland Park, MI
Promotional Products Sales: $22.1 million
Workforce: 273
Years in Industry: 33
Privately Held
Dennis Gusick, president/CEO
Bob Malkiewicz, vice president, sales & marketing
Helm was established in 1943 and entered the promotional merchandising business in 1970. In addition to its office and warehouse in the Detroit area, it has a sales office in Orange County, CA. Helm offers sourcing, creative design, e-commerce, warehousing and fulfillment. Its specialization is company-store programs for Fortune 1000 companies. It won Ford Motor Co.’s 2000 Marketing Excellence award.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
Long-term clients have remained loyal to our organization and have helped take us through a tough economic time. That loyalty is the cornerstone of our business and will be used to fuel growth in 2003 and beyond.
- Barker Specialty Co. Inc.
(asi/132690)
Cheshire, CT
Promotional Products Sales: $21.8 million
Workforce: 100
Years in Industry: 36
Privately Held
Gerry Barker, president
Barker’s roots are in 1947, when Rudolph Pick showed Herb Barker a Curvex ruler – a ruler printed on a venetian blind slat – and proclaimed product marketing would be the wave of the future. After years of road selling, Barker built an office/showroom and warehouse in 1966. Barker offers on-premises engraving, pad-printing and hot stamping. Four full-time artists and three webmasters allow it to handle complete catalog fulfillment programs.
What is one positive element in dealing with clients in today’s challenging economy?
The increasing level of competition, such as every candy, food and giftware dealer, as well as the introduction of trophy dealers, embroiderers, printers, etc. to the promotional products business has brought about a very positive element. Customers are increasingly confused with today’s proliferation of catalogs and ideas and are also very disappointed
in the low level of customer service provided by many of these new entrants. As a result, they’re thrilled to work
with a dedicated promotional products professional like us.
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