BIC Rejects Subcontracting Offer,
Will Move Atchison Ops To Florida
After meeting with employees at its Atchison plant last week, Clearwater, Florida-based supplier BIC Graphic USA (UPIC: BIC) is sticking with its decision to close the Kansas facility in July and consolidate operations into its operations in Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Atchison-based employees had proposed a subcontracting option following the planned closure of the Atchison facility in July 2009.

"We gave the proposal serious consideration and comprehensive analysis but found that it is not cost effective in today's marketplace," says Nicolas Paillot, general manager. "Like many other industries and sectors today, the promotional products industry is facing unprecedented challenges and we must take these difficult steps to consolidate operations and reduce costs."

BIC Graphic USA announced on May 5 it would close the Atchison facility, which will result in 88 layoffs. All affected full-time employees will receive separation packages. The facility closing is expected to be completed by July 10.

ePSA Board Approves UPIC
As Alternative Identifier
The ePromo Standards Alliance (ePSA) Board of Directors has approved the UPIC identifier as an acceptable alternative ID for use in ePSA Open Standards trading. The board acted on a recommendation from ePSA's core group. Trading members of the ePSA community can now route order communications with a UPIC identifier or a DUNS number. Either will ensure the order information is routed appropriately through the ePSA trading network.

"Acceptance of the UPIC identifier for ePSA trading further enhances the usefulness of this non-proprietary code," says Steve Slagle, CAE, PPAI president. "ePSA's open standards and UPIC can now work hand in hand to promote an efficient process for electronic trading."

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Father And Son Team Up To Start New Golf Supplier Company
Industry veterans Hugh and Mark Hobbs have launched Culver City, California-based supplier Pacific Coast Golf. The company is the result of the father and son team seeing a need for a full-service promotional golf supplier on the West Coast.

"It is interesting how timing always remains the essential key when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities," says Mark Hobbs, president and CEO. "My father and I analyzed the potential for creating a West Coast golf supplier in January during The PPAI Expo. We made a few calls to friends who manufacture golf products, and within two weeks PCG was officially incorporated.

"It is truly my honor to have the opportunity to work with my father again," he adds.

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Proforma Executive Business Services Merges With Barry Roberts, Inc.
St. James, New York-based distributor Proforma Executive Business Services (UPIC: PROFP104) has merged with East Meadow, New York-based distributor Barry Roberts, Inc. (UPIC: BARRY). Barry Roberts will join the organization as vice president of marketing and will continue to work with his existing customers.

"We have had a long working relationship with Barry Roberts, Inc., and both companies share a common customer-centric philosophy and dedication to providing exceptional products and services," says Charles Janosick, founder and president of Proforma Executive Business Services.

"Charles Janosick and his team are professionals and I am certain that our combined experience will allow us to capture even more market share," says Roberts.

USB Group Opens Personal Care Promotional Products Division
West Palm Beach, Florida-based The US Branding Group, LLC (UPIC: USBRAND) has launched its COSMICARE™ Antibacterial Personal Care Promotional Products Division. These products are FDA-compliant and manufactured in a registered facility, says Cory Williams, director of technology and product development for the line.

"Members of our staff and management have been pioneers in personal care products since the early 1990s," says Williams. "With swine flu making headlines, the timing seems right to make our health and wellness items available to the promotional products market."

Walch Affiliates With Zebra Marketing
Kimble Walch of Mobile, Alabama-based Printed Impressions, LLC (UPIC: Print790) has affiliated with Memphis, Tennessee-based Zebra Marketing Corp. (UPIC: ZEBRAMC). Walch will continue to work in Alabama as a sales account executive in the Zebra Mobile office.

Lennarson, PPAI Set Newscaster Straight On Promotional Products
Last week, the NBC affiliate in Indianapolis, Indiana, aired a story that scrutinized state government spending, and promotional products were caught in the crosshairs. PPAI worked with its public relations firm to draft a message sharing the power and purpose of promotional products on behalf of Board Chair Sherri Lennarson, MAS, and sent it to reporter Bob Segall. Additionally, the Association contacted members in the station's viewing area to let them know of the proposed action and posted the message on the station's blog.

Lennarson tells PPAI, "Bob Segall called me back. He left a very nice message and indicated my e-mail included ‘points well taken.' He also went on to say he's had a fair amount of feedback from promotional distributors and would like to visit more."

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BIC Graphic Moves Hines
To Marketing Role
Brigid Hines has moved to the marketing department at Clearwater, Florida-based supplier BIC Graphic USA (UPIC: BIC) after two years as a BIC sales rep.

iPROMOTEu Adds New Affiliates
Wayland, Massachusetts-based distributor iPROMOTEu (UPIC: IPRO9320) welcomed 15 new distributor affiliates last month. Click here to see the full list.

New Century Direct
Expands Sales Coverage
Santa Fe Springs, California-based supplier New Century Direct Promotional Products (UPIC: NCDPROMO) has hired Joe Eberz of Joe Eberz And Associates for sales coverage in the Great Lakes region. Eberz covers Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

One 2 One Marketing Welcomes Thorman As VP, General Manager
Burnsville, Minnesota-based distributor One 2 One Marketing, Inc. (UPIC: ONE20001) has hired Dave Thorman as vice president and general manager. Thorman and Elaine Grundhauser, president, will share overall management duties.

Thorman will work with company stores, sales and safety incentive programs and recognition programs to manage and develop new business opportunities.

Prior to joining One 2 One, Thorman held senior management positions at St. Paul, Minnesota-based supplier Brown & Bigelow (UPIC: BB1896), Jostens, Inc. and Carlson Marketing Group.

Pro Towels Redefines Staff Roles
To Enhance Customer Service
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based supplier Pro Towels Etc. (UPIC: PROTOWEL) has redefined the positions of some of its staff, who now serve as regional contacts for the supplier's newly designed sales and service structure, ProService.

Denise Attaway will cover the Midwest, Christine Brewton will cover the Southwest, Mark Daubenspeck will cover the mid-Atlantic and West Coast, Leighanne Scott will cover the Northeast, and Bob Vogel will cover the Southeast.

Southern Plus Expands
U.S. Coverage With New Reps
Hartwell, Georgia-based supplier Southern Plus (UPIC: southpls) has added Robert Collins, Del Kahan and Debra Stone of Collins & Associates, and Wayne Taziri of Tazmark Inc. to its sales force.

The Collins team covers California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Taziri covers Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

The USB Group Hires New Sales Reps
West Palm Beach, Florida-based The US Branding Group, LLC (UPIC: USBRAND) has hired several multi-line sales reps to work throughout the United States:

·D. Alan Christopher, MAS, of Austin, Texas-based DAC Marketing (UPIC: DAC-MKT), covers Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas
·Joe Eberz of Akron, Ohio-based Joe Eberz & Associates covers Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and western Pennsylvania
·Pat Kiddoo of St. Louis, Missouri-based Kiddoo Promo covers Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska
·Jeff Kubitschek of Maple Grove, Minnesota-based Triple Play Sales Group, LLC (UPIC: TRIPLEPL) covers Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin
·Todd Loehr of Roswell, Georgia-based Loehr Marketing, Inc. (UPIC: loehr1) covers Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee
·Bill Wilkey of Grayslake, Illinois-based Midwest Incentives covers Illinois
·Cheryl Winterhalter of Sarasota, Florida-based CW Group (UPIC: CWGroup) covers Florida

Vernon Company
Welcomes Martin To Its Team
Newton, Iowa-based distributor The Vernon Company (UPIC: Vernon) has hired Lisa Martin, MAS, of Benzamar, Inc. as an account executive in its central region.

Martin is a 26-year industry veteran and comes to Vernon from another large, national distributor. She will maintain the Benzamar, Inc. corporate identity while representing Vernon.

Journalbooks Donates
To Women's Shelter
Charlotte, North Carolina-based supplier Journalbooks (UPIC: journals) has donated $2,000 to the Cabarrus Victims Assistance Network (CVAN) Battered Women's Shelter in Concord, North Carolina.

The donation provides for six weeks of shelter at CVAN, which supports women and children in Cabarrus County. Last year the organization provided services to 1,223 women and children.

Bodek And Rhodes' Booth Themes Touted In Tradeshow Publication
EXHIBITOR Magazine featured Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based supplier Bodek and Rhodes (UPIC: ULTRACLB) in a March article touting creative, successful booth themes.

"I'm delighted to see that our exhibits are being held up as some of the best," says Mike Rhodes, president. "We've got one of the most innovative sales and marketing teams, and each year they strive to deliver a key message in a fun, memorable new way."

Bodek and Rhodes' themed tradeshow exhibits began in 1998 when Mary Ellen Pahlka, MAS, director of marketing communications, initiated the "Dirt Cheap" campaign, which included pre-show mailings and tie-ins (One was a postcard highlighting "dirt cheap tees" with a bag of soil stapled to it.) to reinforce the message in a fun, memorable way.

Geiger Participates In Small Business Round Table
The Lewiston Sun Journal in Maine reported earlier this month on a round table meeting between Gov. Olympia Snowe and business leaders from around the state. The meeting focused on the federal stimulus package and its benefits, as well as other federal actions affecting the business community.

Gene Geiger, of Lewiston, Maine-based distributor Geiger (UPIC: geiger) participated in the round table and told Snowe and others that he has been frustrated by federal legislation being filed based on "knee-jerk" reactions to political pressure--specifically product safety legislation.

"If I am selling an order of pens to the Montello school, it can't be done because the pen has lead in it; if I sell it to the [Parent-Teacher Organization], it's to adults, so it's okay," he said at the meeting. "It's all well-intentioned, but it's a knee-jerk reaction. No one has died from eating the end of a ballpoint pen."

Snowe told attendees she would relay the local concerns to Karen Gordon Mills, the newly appointed SBA administrator.

Submit Your Best Pet Products
In a salute to the four-legged furry, the September issue of PPB features the latest products to pump up any pet promotion. We're looking for brushes, carriers, collars, leashes, food dishes, food scoops, beds and pillows, and toys and treats. If you have the products that get tails wagging, send descriptions and high-resolution images to Audrey Sellers by June 12 for possible inclusion.

Step It Up With Activewear
The September issue of PPB magazine gets a move on fitness trends with a sporty collection of performance fabrics, yoga pants, track suits, tanks and shorts. To get your activewear in the running, e-mail Audrey Sellers apparel descriptions and high-resolution images for consideration. June 12 is the submission deadline.

Share Your Creative Campaigns
With PPAI
Have you just completed a campaign you feel is truly unique, or are you in the middle of wowing clients with a stellar program? Your clients may be big-box companies, prestigious universities, well-known local organizations or even convention and visitors' bureaus. Send your best examples to Erica Edwards, PPAI communications coordinator, 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038.

A Lifestyle Of Lounge
Forget meeting up with friends at the bar--lounging at home is a hipper way to hang out. Lucky for your clients, loungewear has come a long way from plain white boxers and t-shirts. Now you'll find styles that are just as suitable for ordering in Chinese food with pals as they are for curling up solo with a good book.

A Symphony Of Spa Products
The spa industry is an alluring one, growing an average of 20 percent annually, according to the International SPA Association. Last June, there were more than 18,000 spas in the United States, more than 32 million active spa-goers and more than 300,000 total employees. So what makes it a prime market for promotional products? Its sheer scope.

The Many Layers Of A T-Shirt Lover
Working on the theory that peeking into a person's t-shirt drawer is akin to glimpsing into his or her past, Bowling Green, Kentucky-based distributor BlueCotton (UPIC: bluecott) surveyed 1,000 of its online customers asking, "What favorite, sentimental old t-shirts do you still own?" The answers spilled out like laundry out of a hamper.

A distributor asks: What is a good way to motivate salespeople and help them stay positive in these tough economic times?

What's your answer? E-mail answers along with your name, title and company name to Question@ppai.org by May 29 for possible inclusion in the August 2009 issue of PPB magazine.