INDUSTRY NEWS

Norwood Plans To Consolidate Some Manufacturing Operations
Indianapolis, Indiana-based supplier Norwood Promotional Products (UPIC: NORWOOD), a subsidiary of BIC Graphic USA (UPIC: BIC), said today it plans to close its San Antonio, Texas, facility and consolidate operations into its Redwing, Minnesota, facility and other existing Norwood locations. In addition, the supplier will relocate the support functions in its Indianapolis office to Clearwater, Florida.

The San Antonio site employs 345, who will be given first consideration and relocation assistance for open positions at Norwood and BIC. Norwood finance, marketing, IT, legal and human resources functions in the Indianapolis office will be moved to the corporate offices in Clearwater. The 99 employees will be offered a relocation package to aid them should they choose to move.  

Read more here.

Corvest SPV Announces Sale Of Company, Layoffs
Largo, Florida-based multimillion dollar Corvest SPV, parent company of Adva-Lite (UPIC: Advalite), Toppers (UPIC: TOPPERS) and It’s All Greek To Me (UPIC: GREEK), plans to lay off 201 employees by April 17, according to a company notice received by the state on Monday. The supplier, which is privately owned, also announced a tentative sale of the company.

Corvest  reported its layoffs on the state's WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) list of larger-scale job cuts that are required to be disclosed by the state. Companies are required by law to notify the state when it expects a mass layoff.

Read more here.

Bay State Specialty Acquires Pressalite
Supplier Bay State Specialty Co. (UPIC: BAYSTATE) based in Lakeville, Massachusetts, has acquired Pressalite (UPIC: PRESLITE) located in West Chicago, Illinois, in an asset purchase. Terms were not released, but all operations of Pressalite will be moved to Lakeville, says Joel Moore, president of Bay State.

Pressalite is a manufacturer and decorator of keychain flashlights that were developed by Paul Chabria almost 30 years ago and currently features a new LED Squeeze Lite. The Pressalite operation will retain the current contact numbers.

Safeguard Unveils Web-Based Training For Its Network
Dallas-based Safeguard Business Systems, Inc. (UPIC: SAFE0003) is launching a new web-based learning system for its nearly 300-member distributor network this week at its North American Business Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas.

Designed as a one-stop shop for product, sales and technology training, the program currently gives individuals within Safeguard’s distributor franchise network access to more than 100 on-demand learning activities, with more activities planned throughout 2010.

Read more here.

Pegasus Printing Merges With Vanguard Direct
New York-based distributors Pegasus Printing (UPIC: Pegasus) and Vanguard Direct (UPIC: VDirect) merged, according to Scott Keiser, owner of Pegasus. The merger occurred on January 19 and all employees of Pegasus were moved to Vanguard. No financial information was disclosed.

Andrew Philips/Millennium Leather Offers Loyalty Program
Teaneck, New Jersey-based supplier Andrew Philips/Millennium Leather (UPIC: MILL-LEA) is offering preferred status and rewards to distributors who sign up for its new loyalty program. The tiered program offers rewards based on the level of sales attained in 2010. Benefits include special pricing, discounted set-up and rush charges, free sample kits, a self-promo allowance and a rebate.

Hartleigh Creations And GMB Sign Marketing Agreement
Hartleigh Creations (UPIC: STARLITE), a supplier based in Porter Ranch, California, will represent GMB Specialty Foods of San Juan Capistrano, California, in the promotional products industry in an exclusive marketing agreement.

Hartleigh will offer  private labeling of GMB’s specialty foods, which include 100 gourmet items including mustards, marinades and cooking sauces, pestos and dressings, fudge sauces, chutnies, pepper jellies and other products.

Proforma Adds Major Distributors Stanley Fine And Michel Egnal
Cleveland, Ohio-based distributor Proforma (UPIC: PROFORMA) has added Carrollton, Texas-based multimillion dollar distributor Fine Incentives Inc. Fine Co-Founders Stanley Fine and Michel Egnal will be co-owners of Proforma Fine Incentives.  
Proforma Fine Incentives, Inc. has developed a growth strategy utilizing the Proforma major accounts and e-commerce teams to continue to expand its business, which specializes in providing logoed apparel to national retail chains through company stores.

With the backing of Proforma’s expanded product offering, including printing and multimedia services, Fine and Egnal predict to increase sales from $3 million to $7 million within the next three years.

Premier Group Offers $1,000 Scholarships
Arlington Heights, Illinois, distributor Premier Group (UPIC: PREMP003) has established the Premier Group Scholarship for Academic Achievement for Premier Group member companies employees or their children.

Winners of the two $1,000 scholarships will be announced at the Premier Group Annual Meeting in Sarasota, April 8-10.

R.S. Owens Adds Phil Simms All-Star Iron Team Award Used At Super Bowl
In collaboration with an East Coast distributor, Chicago, Illinois, supplier R.S. Owens & Co. Inc. (UPIC: RSOWENS) manufactured the new Phil Simms All-Star Iron Team Award, which was awarded to 19 players and coaches at this year’s Super Bowl pre-event. The award is a modern version of the previous award, which was in the shape of an old-fashioned iron and represented Simms’ passion with ironing and “crease free” uniforms.

This award is the same shape, with a base and body fabricated from metal and electroplated in bright silver. The handle is hand cast and electroplated as well, with an etched front plate, including a medallion and Simms’ name and number attached to the front.

REGIONAL NEWS

RAC Board Holds Powwow Over Strategic Planning
PPAI’s Regional Association Council (RAC) board met February 19-21 at PPAI Headquarters in Irving, Texas, for a strategic planning and training meeting with the Association’s regional relations group.

“The Regional Association Council is now 10 years old,” says Michele Packard-Milam, CAE, director of member and regional relations at PPAI. “The first five years were about regionals uniting together. The next five years, through the affiliate program, were about regionals uniting with PPAI. We are now entering the next phase where regionals can succeed through synergy by sharing their best practices and essential skills.”

Read more here.

GCPPA Celebrates 25th Anniversary With Membership Push
The Gold Coast Promotional Products Association (GCPPA) in south Florida is celebrating its 25th anniversary with special events tied to an increase in membership.

“One of the biggest things the regionals are having trouble with is membership,” says GCPPA President Bob Hechler. “We have a pretty active social calendar this year to draw them in.”

The next event will be GCPPA’s Annual Winter Trade Show, which has grown from less than 25 tables at a Holiday Inn back in 1985 to 125 tabletops and booths at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center this year. The show will be held March 3.

Read more here.

PPAI NEWS

PPAI Puts Industry Research Video On YouTube
PPAI has just released a new research video on YouTube. Based on independent research from the 2009 PPAI study “Effectiveness Of Promotional Products As An Advertising Medium,” the video can be used as a distributor sales tool when meeting with end buyers. It shows customers that promotional products not only work, but resonate with the recipient, translating into a high return on investment.

“People Love Promotional Products,” delivers facts highlighting the American consumer’s fascination with promotional products. The video can be uploaded to company websites and social media channels, presented during sales meetings and used to educate customers and staff.

View the video here.

For more industry research information, go to www.ppai.org/research.

Don’t Miss OrderTrax² Webinar On February 25
PPAI will offer a free 30-minute webinar at 2 pm CST, February 25, that will show how OrderTrax² can help your business. OrderTrax² is the next generation of order management and communications software for the promotional products industry developed by PPAI. The order communication system enables all purchase orders and communications from trading partners to be tracked electronically on a single website.

OrderTrax² has processed more than 1.3 million transactions since it was launched in March 2009. One free seat on the OrderTrax² network is now a standard offer for all PPAI members.

Click here to register. 

For more information on the system, go to www.ordertrax2.com.

Women’s Leadership Conference: Get The Discount Before It’s Gone
An early-bird registration discount of $75 is still available for PPAI’s Women’s Leadership Conference, July 26-29, at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Dallas. Second and subsequent registrants from the same PPAI member company are $475 during early-bird registration, as well. These discounts are available only until February 28.

For additional information or to register for the event, click here. To learn more about PPAI’s professional development premier event sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Free Webinars Offered On Independent Contractors, Tracking Labels
PPAI's free webinar on independent contractor issues at 1 pm CST on February 24 is still open.

John Satagaj, PPAI’s legal counsel, will present best practices to make an informed decision on whether to engage an independent contractor or hire an employee. Join the free 60-minute PPAI webinar here.

Another free webinar on product safety tracking labels will be held on March 3 at 1 pm CST. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requires tracking labels for products intended for children ages 12 and younger. Susan DeRagon, associate director for toys and premiums with Specialized Technology Resources (STR), will offer guidance on best practices in tracking labels and how to stay in compliance with this requirement.

Register here.

Join LEAD For March Trip To Washington, D.C.
There are still a few openings available to join the Legislative Education & Action Day (LEAD), the first legislative day for the promotional products industry, which will be held March 23-24 in Washington, D.C.

Thirty promotional products professionals will join PPAI staff to educate Congress on industry-critical issues as well as on the power, impact and job-generating value of promotional products.

The event is open to any promotional products professional who wants to participate. For more information on LEAD, contact Anne Lardner at 972-258-3041 or AnneL@ppai.org, or Hope Tackaberry at 972-258-3047 or HopeT@ppai.org.

PPB Newslink Has New Editor
Teresa McUsic has been named the news editor of PPB Newslink. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, McUsic has worked for major daily newspapers including the Tulsa World, Dallas Times Herald and Fort Worth Star-Telegram, as well as consumer medical magazines Cure, Heal and Baylor Innovations. McUsic welcomes your news and can be reached at TeresaM@ppai.org or 972-570-3242.

PPAI LAW

PPAI Looks For Safety Incentive Program Research
PPAI is looking for examples of safety incentive programs from member companies to build its case representing the industry before the federal government. Some agencies are concerned that safety incentive programs might encourage individuals to fail to report on-the-job injuries in order to earn the incentives linked to the programs.

While there is no legislation or regulations linked to this scrutiny, PPAI wants to be prepared to respond quickly and effectively. If your company has any statistics, case studies or programs that will help PPAI bolster the argument that safety incentive programs, when properly and professionally executed, can make workplaces safer, contact Anne Lardner, senior manager, public affairs for PPAI, at 972-258-3041 or AnneL@ppai.org.

PEOPLE NEWS

Best Promotions Makes Staff Changes
Sherman Oaks, California-based distributor Best Promotions, Inc. (UPIC: BEST) has hired Leslie Shepherd as an account executive, Valerie Bennington as executive assistant, Maggie Sahakian as a production coordinator, Jenna Peak as a research and sales assistant, and Gisella Torres as receptionist.

Jornik Updates Production Crew
Stamford, Connecticut-based supplier Jornik Manufacturing Corp. (UPIC: JORNIK) has hired Dana Serra as production manager, Shane Cross as warehouse manager and Rota “Nicky” Enkelejdi for the silk screening department. 

ACCOLADES

Altobelli Advantage Named In Top 500 Business List
Rogers, Minnesota-based distributor Altobelli Advantage, Inc. (UPIC: aa2004) has been selected as one of the Top 500 emerging businesses in the U.S. by DiversityBusiness.com, a multicultural business website. The companies on the Div500 range in revenue from $20 million to more than $2 billion and represent the nation’s top multicultural earners. More than 650,000 businesses were invited to participate in the 10th annual business survey.

Hub Pen Recognized As Top Supplier By Newton Manufacturing
Braintree, Massachusetts, supplier Hub Pen (UPIC: HUBPEN) was ranked as a top supplier by Newton, Iowa, distributor Newton Manufacturing (UPIC: NEWTON). Hub received the award at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. Newton chooses its top suppliers based on their product quality, timely response to service needs, sales volume and ability to provide unique sales advantages.