Dietz & Watson, a Philadelphia manufacturer of meats and cheeses, was capitalizing on the current Eagles excitement in Philly by going around and handing out branded merchandise, as well as special hot dogs called "bird dogs." They have a green bun because, well, go Birds...
Brendan Menapace
HPG, Braintree, Massachusetts, announced today that it has acquired Evans Manufacturing, Garden Grove, California. The two companies made the announcement with a video from the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. "The partnership with HPG represents the culmination of many years of hard work and dedicated service by...
Many questions loom around the print and promo sector. When will inflation slow down? Can suppliers find the materials needed to produce their products? Who will run the equipment? Will orders arrive on time? Are we headed toward a recession? We don’t know the answers, but we do know the industry reacts to the economy...
What does it mean to “wow” a customer? Is it the first impression? Is it creating a promotion that they think about or use long after the event? Is it going above and beyond to make sure you reach the goal? It can be all of the above, actually. Brad Dalton, vice president of sales for MDX Print, Hendersonville, Tennessee, remembers a trade show promotion he...
We spent a little time at the massive PRINTING United Expo doing our favorite show floor activity: wandering aimlessly and trying to get a feel for larger narratives that show where the promotional products and print industries are right now: What are people interested in? What's new? What's exciting? Here are a few takeaways from day one of the PRINTING United Expo show floor...
In the print and promo world, the term "upselling" is a bit of a misnomer that does a disservice to what a distributor does with their customers. Upselling is really just helping both parties add value to their order. Yes, the distributor will get a bigger sale, but the client is coming out with more than they might have known they needed. That, in turn, can create a better impression with the end-user, and everyone wins...
UPS workers are demanding higher pay for tough working conditions, leading up to a contract negotiation next spring before the existing one is set to expire, creating the threat of a strike. A UPS strike isn't without precedent: UPS workers organized a nationwide strike in...
Every hot-dog eater or French fry enthusiast has had to deal with the dreaded ketchup spot on an otherwise clean white shirt. In a new line of apparel, Heinz is actually celebrating those accidents as a decorative piece, framing it as adding "flavor to your fit" with clothes that feature a ketchup spot. It's also appealing...
Tri-Mountain, Irwindale, California, announced last week that it will cease operations "in the near future" after almost 30 years in business. In a release, the company said that its stock, blank inventory will be available on a final sale business through tomorrow. Decorated orders already in the works will...
Stephen Willwerth, president and owner of Willwerth Management and vice president of new business at SVS Marketing, has created campaigns for some of the most beloved intellectual properties in the world, like “Toy Story.” Here’s how Willwerth combined printed and promotional products to bring the excitement...
Vladimir Gendelman, founder and CEO of Company Folders, Pontiac, Michigan, spent much of last year looking at data from more than 6,000 folder orders. The Company Folders team wanted a detailed look at what exactly their customers were buying — what imprint methods they were after, what stock they wanted, what kind of design elements they wanted to include...
Fresh Beginnings, the food gifts supplier based in Valdosta, Virginia, announced in a statement that the company will close permanently on June 30, 2022, after 30 years in business. The company said it will still process orders received by June 14, 2022, and final shipments will occur no later than June 22...
You always want the best for your clients. It’s hard to tell them that a product they had their hearts set on is out of stock, but things happen — especially right now when inventory and lead times can be real bears. That doesn’t mean the campaign is beyond repair. There are so many options to choose from as long as you have the know-how and initiative to call upon other suppliers. Keith Hamilton...
Art Waganheim, vice president of operations for Paitec USA, Davie, Florida, says that people tell him every year demand for pressure seal documents is going to wane because of, well, digital everything. Guess what? It hasn’t. And not only has it not disappeared, it’s increased...
Packaging is a consumer’s first encounter with a brand — and the one most likely to influence purchasing decisions. That’s a nice way of saying whatever houses your client’s product better be on point. It’s not as simple as just slapping a bow on a box. Technology has moved far beyond that...