BDA, Logomark Are First Industry Members To Complete QCA Audit
Woodinville, Washington-based distributor Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, Inc. (UPIC: BENS0002) and Tustin, California-based supplier Logomark (UPIC: logomark) have become the first two companies to successfully complete a third-party audit of their compliance programs and practices in order to achieve accreditation with the Chicago, Illinois-based organization Quality Certification Alliance (QCA).

"Companies that successfully complete the process will find themselves among a select group of suppliers that can offer safer products and peace of mind," says Trevor Gnesin, Logomark president and QCA founding member. "They will improve operations, gain efficiencies and solidify competitive advantage."

The QCA Seal of Approval is granted to companies that complete an independent third-party audit and comply with stringent standards that are based on a combination of state and national laws, international standards and industry-accepted best practices that are recognized for their strength and effectiveness by QCA members, the promotional products industry and end-user clients.

"We've seen too many cases in the promotional products industry where product safety is compromised for cost or time savings, and it must stop now," says Jay Deutsch, CEO of BDA. "It is our hope that QCA accreditation will be the first major step in creating a sea change in the industry and holding companies accountable for the products that end up in consumers' lives."

Read more about the QCA accreditation process.

Big Frey Promotional Products Affiliates With Boundless Network
Northbrook, Illinois-based distributor Big Frey Promotional Products (UPIC: bigfrey) is the latest company to join Austin, Texas-based distributor Boundless Network (UPIC: Bound784).
has joined the company.

"Seth Frey [founder of Big Frey] is a thought leader in the promotional products industry. I truly believe that Boundless' technology and infrastructure will enable Big Frey to become an invaluable partner to its clients, " says Boundless Network President Jason Black.

Frey most recently incorporated social media tactics to further engage his client base and create a strong virtual presence.

"Working with Boundless, we are able to integrate our social media strategy with Boundless' customer technology platform," he says. "The combination of these key tactics will certainly strengthen our existing relationships and attract new business."

Facilis Group Adds Cedric Spring
To Partner Group
St Louis, Missouri-based Facilis Group has added St. Charles, Illinois-based distributor Cedric Spring & Associates (UPIC: CEDR0001) to its group of partners. Facilis Group encompasses a national organization offering web-based IT and management solutions for promotional products companies.

"We are executing on an aggressive growth strategy in our region," says Randy Spring, president of Cedric Spring. "We believe that the Facilis business model will help us grow our business and profitability. The Facilis model provides great efficiency in the way we do business. The Facilis model will also help us consolidate our buying efforts to focus on the top vendors and products in the industry."

Visions Awards Acquires
Heritage Creations USA
Celina, Ohio-based supplier Visions Awards (UPIC: VISIONS) has added Hudson Falls, New York-based Heritage Creations USA (UPIC: heritcre) to the Eighth Floor family of companies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Heritage owners Jerry Zukowsky and Brian Blackburn will continue with the Eighth Floor team to further expand and grow the product line.

"Heritage is a perfect extension for us," says Dave Willis, president of Eighth Floor, LLC, parent company of Visions Awards. "We have a proven formula for integrating companies that fit our strategy for growth. By streamlining Heritage's operations, offering a unique product selection and consistently delivering quality products, we allow our executives to focus on building solid customer relationships."

Vermont Gift Ban Now Includes Medical Device, Biological Firms
Last week, the Vermont gift ban designed to limit pharmaceutical industry influence over the healthcare industry became even broader in scope when Gov. James Douglas signed into law S. 48, which expands the gift and disclosure legislation approved in May.

The new law eliminates an exemption from disclosure for trade secrets, brings medical device and biologics companies under its coverage, and totally bans the provision of free meals to healthcare providers, according to news reports.

Keep CPSIA Deadlines Top Of Mind
The summer may have just begun but compliance deadlines set by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) are still rolling out.

Beginning this month, watch for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to publish a notice of acceptable laboratory accreditation procedures pertaining to ASTM F963. This concerns surface coating materials that don't include lead. The CPSC is also expected to issue a study in August on X-ray technology effectiveness and alternative methods.

On August 14, compliance with updated lead limits begins. Lead content in children's products can be no more than 300 ppm, and lead in paint and other surface coatings is limited to 90 ppm. Also on this date, the CPSC will develop a rule related to lead in children's products that provides guidance concerning what product components or classes of components will be considered inaccessible.

Manufacturers of children's products will also be required to place permanent tracking labels on products and packaging by August 14.

For more information on CPSIA and compliance deadlines, visit PPAI's Product Safety page.

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This week on the Industry Show, there's help on the way from the Small Business Administration, and new supplier Pacific Goast Golf gets a mention.

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 19 is the submission deadline.

Share Your Sports Campaigns With PPAI
Do you work with a professional sports team? Be it baseball, basketball or badminton, PPAI's public relations team is putting together a collection of really unique sport campaigns and would love to hear about yours. Send your best examples to Erica Edwards, PPAI communications coordinator, 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038.

A distributor asks: "For years I've been putting 50 percent down on an order and paying the balance when the products arrived. Now this supplier wants me to pay 100 percent up front. Should I just consider this a sign of the times and comply, or should I take my business elsewhere?"

What's your answer? E-mail answers along with your name, title and company name to Question@ppai.org by June 30 for possible inclusion in the September 2009 issue of PPB magazine.

Fishing For New Clients? Drop Your Line In Fresher Waters.
If you've had the same clients with the same needs for many years and those fish aren't biting as often, perhaps it's time to discover who's making the most of the tough economic climate. Emerging or perpetually successful markets, and the companies that make up these sectors, should be moved to the top of your prospect list.

Bosses, Are You Tough Enough?
Getting tough with employees and taking charge of decision is what Jim Muehlhausen, CPA, author of The 51 Fatal Business Errors and How To Avoid Them, calls being a benevolent dictator, and he recommends this strategy to any small business that wants to survive.

Rejected
Have you ever put all your manpower and creative energy into a sales presentation only to suffer a crushing defeat when prospects choose someone else over you? As tempting as it is to tuck your tail between your legs and make a hasty retreat, the right thing to do is to seek information on what went wrong so you can grow from the rejection and move forward.