Florida Governor Visits BIC Facility, Discusses Legislation
Clearwater, Florida-based supplier BIC Graphic USA (UPIC: BIC) hosted Florida Gov. Charlie Crist on July 14 to help provide the governor with a better understanding of the promotional products industry.

During his visit, Crist toured the supplier's facility, and he and BIC representatives discussed current legislation that could threaten the livelihood of the promotional products industry. This legislation defines these items as gifts rather than effective, low-cost advertising vehicles.

"Our goal was to educate the governor about our industry and give him a first-hand look at promotional products and their value as a valuable marketing tool," says Lori Bauer, trade marketing manager for BIC Graphic North America.

Governor Crist also hosted a roundtable discussion with BIC and other local business leaders to discuss current economic conditions and what he could do to support growth.

"During the meeting, BIC managers highlighted the issues surrounding potential bans of promotional products across the country as well as keeping jobs in Florida," notes David Saracino, director of sales for BIC Graphic North America. "Promotional products revenue in the state of Florida alone represents more than $500 million."

ISERVCORP Announces OrderTrax² Deal For Distributors
Irving, Texas-based business services provider ISERVCORP (UPIC: IServCo), a wholly owned subsidiary of PPAI, is offering free OrderTrax² seats for six months to distributors using QuickBooks.

This offer, which ends August 15, includes the QuickBooks plug-in that connects the software to the OrderTrax² network. OrderTrax² is next-generation order communications software that streamlines order processing and maximizes efficiency.

"We are excited to extend this offer to all distributors," says Brian Byrne, sales and marketing executive for ISERVCORP. "The economy has been tough for the industry, and we want to help everyone maximize their business. By using OrderTrax², distributors can communicate with suppliers on one website, eliminating timely manual follow-ups on orders."

Distributors using QuickBooks Pro, Premier and Enterprise editions can sign up for OrderTrax² directly from the website and receive an unlimited number of seats for six months. Distributors who choose to keep the service after the six-month trial period are billed based on the number of chosen seats for the next 12 months.

Jetline Reviewing Current Facility Capabilities, May Cut Jobs
Mount Vernon, New York-based supplier Jetline LLC (UPIC: JETLINE) is in the process of examining additional plant locations to address increased capacity requirements as a result of "double-digit annual growth," according to a news release sent today.

"Our current location does not allow for the scalability needed to address the current and future needs of Jetline and our growing customer base," says company President Eric Levin. "Our business has done exceedingly well in an extremely tough environment--it's essential that we make
this critical investment so that we can continue to provide world-class service to every one of our customers."

Several locations are under consideration and the company expects to make a formal announcement regarding the new facilities in the near future. While it is
expected that staffing levels at the current Mount Vernon location will decrease substantially, overall staffing at Jetline is expected to increase as part of the expansion of operations.

A report by a local paper, The Journal News, said Jetline would close its printing facility in the fall, a move that will eliminate 81 jobs. Jetline did not provide comments for that story.

Visstun Facility Expansion Aids In Recycling Efforts
Las Vegas, Nevada-based supplier Visstun (UPIC: VISSTUN) has expanded its facility with the opening of a new 19,800-square-foot warehouse located across the street from its headquarters.

The space will be used to store raw materials and house the company's sample department and plastic recycling operations. Visstun recycles 100 percent of its waste and scrap generated during the manufacturing process.

U.K.'s Bemrose Hands Calendar Work To CTD Printers, Cuts 30 Jobs
Derby, England-based supplier BemroseBooth has signed a strategic partnership with Middlesex, England-based CTD Printers to outsource the print and finishing requirements of its Bemrose Promotional Products division, which produced the company's range of calendars.

About 30 print staff positions are expected to be cut at BemroseBooth's site in Derby, while another 70 will move to new facilities in Wyvern Business Park.

PPAI Sponsors Preferred Buyer Program At 2009 Motivation Show
PPAI has partnered with the 2009 Motivation Show, scheduled for September 28-October 1 in Chicago, Illinois, to offer the Preferred Buyer Program to distributors.

The program is an exclusive opportunity for qualified promotional products distributors who provide recognition awards, logoed incentives, gift cards and business gifts. In exchange for meeting with key suppliers, eligible distributors receive multiple benefits, including complimentary hotel stays, exhibit hall registration and full-conference registration.

"We at PPAI believe the Motivation Show is an important event for the overall promotional industry, enough so that we continue to exhibit at it and help promote it," says Steve Slagle, CAE, PPAI president and CEO.

"It's the largest single gathering for the branded products companies to meet along with the incentive travel organizations and destinations, and it attracts a variety of resellers like distributors, meeting planners, incentive reps and corporate buyers representing marketing, human resources, sales and executives. For serious promotional consultants it's a great show to attend to see the providers of just about any type of merchandise or merchandise equivalent and travel used for employee engagement, motivation and marketing."

Preferred Buyer applications are due by July 30. Qualified applicants who do not receive Preferred Buyer status will still receive complimentary Exhibit Hall registration, a $20 to $40 value, and a 50-percent discount on the Full-Conference registration, a $145 value.

For more information, contact Program Director Kim Lebel at Klebel@heiexpo.com or 630-929-7937.

Glass America Welcomes Corsetti
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania-based supplier Moderne Glass Co., Inc. (UPIC: glass-am) has named Jason Corsetti as business development manager for Glass America. Corsetti's new post is a hybrid of marketing, product management and sales that focuses on catalog and media production, product research and development and is part of the Glass America sourcing and executive teams.

Corsetti is an 11-year industry veteran who most recently worked at Riverside, California-based supplier Benchmark Industries LLC (UPIC: BENCHMRK).

Jornik Manufacturing Hires Knisley
As Ohio Valley Rep
Stamford, Connecticut-based supplier Jornik Manufacturing Corp. (UPIC: JORNIK) has hired Bruce Knisley of Cincinnati, Ohio-based BK Marketing LLC (UPIC: BK4195) to serve as a multi-line sales rep in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.

The Vernon Company Names Pelzel
To Account Exec Spot
Greg Pelzel has joined Newton, Iowa-based distributor The Vernon Company
(UPIC: Vernon) as an account executive in its central region. Pelzel, an eight-year industry veteran, was previously employed at Denver, Colorado-based distributor L.W. Barrett Co. (UPIC: BARRETT).

Visstun Adds Baker And Williams
To Sales Team
Las Vegas, Nevada-based supplier Visstun (UPIC: VISSTUN) has hired George Baker and Rashaad Williams as sales counselors. They are responsible for cultivating and servicing new and ongoing accounts, building relationships with distributors and helping them make the best product selections to meet the needs of their customers.

Industry Job Listings

Subscribe To PPB Newslink

PPAI Website

PPB Online

PPB Advertising Info

PPB Subscription Info

Washington Report

PPAI LAW

PPAI Product Safety

Promotional Consultant Online

Promotional Consultant Today

Subscribe To
Promotional Consultant

Advertise In Promotional Consultant

PPPC (Canada)

PPAI Membership Info

DailyBoost

OrderTrax²

Emile Henry Earmarks Proceeds For Arthritis Foundation
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina-based supplier Emile Henry USA (UPIC: emileh) has partnered with the Arthritis Foundation to help raise money and awareness to address arthritis. "To help support the foundation, we will donate 10 percent of the proceeds of all Flame-Top cookware purchases on the Emile Henry USA website," says Tara Steffen, national marketing manager for Emile Henry.

The Arthritis Foundation is the largest private, not-for-profit contributor to arthritis research in the world, funding more than $380 million in research grants since 1948.

Green products make the scene this week on the Industry Show.

How Do You Deal With Companies In Bankruptcy?
With new bankruptcy filings being reported within the industry all the time, suppliers and distributors alike must decide whether or not to continue doing business with financially troubled companies trying to get back on their feet. Have you had a good or bad experience with a company after it declared bankruptcy? Do you stay away from such companies at all costs? Let PPB know how you handle this issue in your business and your comments may appear in an upcoming issue.

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 unique sports 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 supplier asks: "I did everything I could to resolve an issue a distributor had with an order, but the distributor still posted a negative comment about my company on an industry website. What is best in the long run, responding to the comments on the site or leaving the matter alone?"

What's your answer? E-mail answers along with your name, title and company name to Question@ppai.org by July 31 for possible inclusion in the October 2009 issue of PPB magazine.

Close-Up: Lori Laufman, MAS
Lauri Laufman, MAS, vice president of Houston, Texas-based distributor Bullpen Marketing (UPIC: BULLPEN), launched her career in the promotional products industry 25 years ago as owner of National Jewelry Company, helping clients such as Exxon and Schlumberger with their service and retirement awards.

Delectable Food Finds
The recession has brought on a sweet tooth for many, according to The New York Times, as people turn to candy to soothe their economic worries. Cadbury reported a 30-percent rise in profits last year while Nestle's profits surged by 10.9 percent, according to public filings. And Hershey's, which struggled for most of 2008, still saw profits increase by 8.5 percent last year.

Wovens That Work
You've heard of dressing for the job you want and even dressing like the boss. Now more than ever, people are taking this workplace guidance to heart and trading in casual office attire for dressed-up duds. This is a smart move, considering that 93 percent of executives link attire with promotion, according to a survey by staffing firm OfficeTeam.