The future starts now. For the first time ever, PPAI is unveiling its ranking of the leading suppliers and distributors in the promotional products industry through the research-backed, statically driven PPAI 100.

As a nonprofit, member-driven trade association with a mission to be the voice and force the advance the marketplace, PPAI is committed to highlighting the best in the business and in the process shedding a light on the practices that make promo's leading companies so strong. 

Unlike other industry rankings, PPAI 100 considers far more than revenue. While 2022 sales make up the largest share of the scoring matrix, other key factors include revenue growth since 2019 and the industry's faith in each company (SAGE Rating for suppliers, credit rating for distributors. Crucial elements for industry progress, responsibility and innovation are also included. The strength of firms' workforces is taken into account through professional development participation, as is employee happiness, and each company's marketing clout is scored through its online presence.

The program's full findings will be revealed in the coming days, weeks and months as we roll out benchmarking data on how the leaders measure up to business key performance indicators, as well as their technology and corporate social responsibility tactics. PPAI 100 aims to help businesses of every size understand what they need to do to compete at the highest level and create progress for the branded merchandise medium as a whole. 

       SEE MORE:

• More Data, More Value: The Power Of PPAI 100
• Making The List: How PPAI 100 Was Created
• PPAI 100 Scoring Categories: What's Behind The Rankings?
  
  

Read on to see which industry suppliers staked a spot on the first annual PPAI 100, and click through to each company to see what makes it strong, as well as the categories for which it earns high marks – a ranking among the best of the best. The 50 distributor companies earning a spot on the first annual PPAI 100 will be unveiled on June 27 in PPAI Newslink. 

Supplier No. 1 | SanMar
2022 Revenue: $3.7 Billion (estimate)
Three-Year Trend: +51%

Supplier No. 2 | S&S Activewear
2022 Revenue: $2.15 Billion
Three-Year Trend: +62%

Supplier No. 3 | alphabroder
2022 Revenue: $2.0 Billion
Three-Year Trend: +18%

Supplier No. 4 | Hit Promotional Products
2022 Revenue: $611 Million
Three-Year Trend: +23%

Supplier No. 5 | Gemline
2022 Revenue: $151.5 Million
Three-Year Trend: +63%

Supplier No. 6 | Next Level Apparel
2022 Revenue: $340 Million (estimate)
Three-Year Trend: +51%

Supplier No. 7 | PCNA
2022 Revenue: $857.3 Million
Three-Year Trend: +5%

Supplier No. 8 | HPG
2022 Revenue: $269 Million
Three-Year Trend: +31%

Supplier No. 9 | SnugZ USA
2022 Revenue: $112.5 Million
Three-Year Trend: +96%

Supplier No. 10 | Koozie Group
2022 Revenue: $319.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +3%

Supplier No. 11 | Cap America
2022 Revenue: $76.8 Million
Three-Year Trend: +73%

Supplier No. 12 | Hirsch
2022 Revenue: $44.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +83%

Supplier No. 13 | Starline
2022 Revenue: $57.9 Million
Three-Year Trend: +68%

Supplier No. 14 | Showdown Displays
2022 Revenue: $103.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +13%

Supplier No. 15 | Ariel Premium Supply
2022 Revenue: $90.4 Million
Three-Year Trend: +27%

Supplier No. 16 | Goldstar
2022 Revenue: $57.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +12%

Supplier No. 17 | Vantage Apparel
2022 Revenue: $79.7 Million
Three-Year Trend: +187%

Supplier No. 18 | NC Custom
2022 Revenue: $77.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +27%

Supplier No. 19 | Logomark
2022 Revenue: $106.7 Million (estimate)
Three-Year Trend: +8%

Supplier No. 20 | Edwards Garment
2022 Revenue: $99.6 Million
Three-Year Trend: +8%

Supplier No. 21 | Peerless Umbrella
2022 Revenue: $36.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +50%

Supplier No. 22 | Gold Bond
2022 Revenue: $50.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: -9%

Supplier No. 23 | BAG MAKERS
2022 Revenue: $61.1 Million
Three-Year Trend: +7%

Supplier No. 24 | Innovation Line
2022 Revenue: $95.3 Million (estimate)
Three-Year Trend: +54%

Supplier No. 25 | Outdoor Cap
2022 Revenue: $65.1 Million
Three-Year Trend: +14%

Supplier No. 26 | Tekweld
2022 Revenue: $48.2 Million
Three-Year Trend: +23%

Supplier No. 27 | OTTO International
2022 Revenue: $52.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +70%

Supplier No. 28 | BEL Promo
2022 Revenue: $46.0 Million (estimate)
Three-Year Trend: +12%

Supplier No. 29 | Terry Town
2022 Revenue: $31.5 Million
Three-Year Trend: +32%

Supplier No. 30 | Garyline
2022 Revenue: $64.7 Million
Three-Year Trend: +20%

Supplier No. 31 | Sun Coast Merchandise
2022 Revenue: $109.5 Million
Three-Year Trend: +12%

Supplier No. 32 | ADG Promotional Products
2022 Revenue: $68.4 Million (estimate)
Three-Year Trend: +31%

Supplier No. 33 | Powerstick
2022 Revenue: $13.2 Million (estimate)
Three-Year Trend: +17%

Supplier No. 34 | STORMTECH
2022 Revenue: $57.1 Million (estimate)
Three-Year Trend: +21%

Supplier No. 35 | BamBams
2022 Revenue: $18.6 Million
Three-Year Trend: +2%

Supplier No. 36 | Perry Ellis International
2022 Revenue: $30.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +12%

Supplier No. 37 | Ball Pro
2022 Revenue: $19.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +46%

Supplier No. 38 | Gildan Activewear
2022 Revenue: $251.2 Million
Three-Year Trend: +12%

Supplier No. 39 | Incentive Concepts
2022 Revenue:$45.7 Million
Three-Year Trend: +12%

Supplier No. 40 | 3M Promotional Products
2022 Revenue: $98.2 Million
Three-Year Trend: +11%

Supplier No. 41 | Staton Corporate & Casual
2022 Revenue: $159.1 Million
Three-Year Trend: -7%

Supplier No. 42 | Pro Towels
2022 Revenue: $15.7 Million (estimate)
Three-Year Trend: +12%

Supplier No. 43 | The Magnet Group
2022 Revenue: $99.6 Million
Three-Year Trend: -19%

Supplier No. 44 | Charles River Apparel
2022 Revenue: $45.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: Flat

Supplier No. 45 | Moderne Glass
2022 Revenue: $31.7 Million
Three-Year Trend: Flat

Supplier No. 46 | Maple Ridge Farms
2022 Revenue: $11.2 Million
Three-Year Trend: +20%

Supplier No. 47 | Spector & Co.
2022 Revenue: $47.1 Million
Three-Year Trend: -5%

Supplier No. 48 | Greater Pacific
2022 Revenue: $38.7 Million
Three-Year Trend: +34%

Supplier No. 49 | Admore
2022 Revenue: $19.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +25% 

Supplier No. 50 | Cutter & Buck
2022 Revenue: $72.0 Million
Three-Year Trend: +6%

Published with Permission from PPAI

Gold Bond  introduces a new Green Gallery line of sustainable products designed to promote environmental consciousness and sustainability. Plus, for every order received from the line, one to 10 trees will be planted through its partnership with One Tree Planted, a nonprofit organization that plants trees around the world.

“We are proud to support One Tree Planted’s remarkable reforestation efforts through our Green Gallery line,” says Britney Godsey, chief revenue officer. “By partnering with One Tree Planted, we are taking a significant step towards fulfilling our commitment to life on land and promoting a greener future. We encourage our distributor clients and their customers to join us in supporting this worthy cause.”

OrderMyGear has teamed up with Sports Inc. in a multi-year, renewed partnership, making it the official technology provider of the sporting goods buying group.

Under this agreement, OMG remains Sports Inc.’s preferred provider of online team stores and group ordering for members, offering a seamless platform to streamline team gear ordering processes. This extended collaboration will enable team dealers within the Sports Inc. network to leverage OMG's cutting-edge technology, empowering them to expand their digital presence and provide unparalleled convenience to their customers.

With its vast network of Sporting Goods Retailers and Team Dealers, Sports Inc. is the largest team buying group in North America. From humble beginnings at seven outdoor stores, Sports Inc. now has more than 200 accounts with OMG.

Koozie Group has promoted Phil Gergen to chief information officer, effective June 1.

Gergen has been with Koozie Group for 20 years, most recently as senior vice president of technology. Under his leadership, the company has introduced industry-leading technologies that support first-in-class customer service.

In his new role, Gergen will lead the digital, technical and IT systems teams to continuously improve the customer service experience, increase the company’s integrations with its customers and align the organization’s digital tools and presence.

He has also been involved with PromoStandards since its inception and currently serves as treasurer.

The resumption of in-person interactions with congresspeople was a welcomed return on Thursday during PPAI’s Legislative Education and Action Day, held live on Capitol Hill for the first time since 2019. But the industry’s talking points on the day also had a familiar feel.

As LEAD’s name suggests, the first objective is always to inform senators and representatives about the size and importance of the promo industry. It represents a $25 billion sales market in the U.S. and employs roughly half a million Americans. Of the industry’s 38,000 companies in the U.S., some 98% are considered small businesses.

Beyond those important figures for representatives to understand, the industry’s advocates drilled down on four primary talking points that have been vital to the industry going back to L.E.A.D. 2022 and earlier. Along with reading material on PPAI’s positions, volunteers left sample products with representatives and their staffs, including Promotional Products Work branded tumblers, hand sanitizer and more.

A mix of regional association representatives from industry companies of all sizes and types, as well as PPAI staffers, L.E.A.D. participants brought up the same key messages in each meeting.

Promotional Products Work

Promotional products are the most cost-effective, memorable and longest-lasting form of advertising, participants told their representatives. The same marketing medium legislators use as part of their election campaigns can make a profound difference in the lives and businesses of constituents. Included in the message:

• Promotional products are ranked the No. 1 most effective form of advertising to prompt action across all generations.
• According to PPAI’s most recent Consumer Study, 88% of people remember the advertiser on a promotional product, and 85% of recipients do business with the advertiser on a promotional product.

Country Of Origin Labeling (COOL) Online Act

The nature of this industry’s complex supply chains and quick orders make compliance with the COOL Online Act (S. 1421) practically impossible. PPAI understands the importance of traceability. The Association has numerous resources available to help its members conduct their own supply chain mapping. However, adhering to these requirements poses challenges relating to dual sourcing, diversifying global supply chains, and fluctuating supply chains.

• It is common for a single SKU number to be applied to multiple products found in different countries, especially in the case of apparel where the same shirt may be dual sourced based on various size or color preferences.
  
  

The Industry’s Ask: We appreciate the bipartisan spirit and Congress’ intent to increase visibility into supply chains. PPAI understands and supports transparency as well. We have been educating our members about supply chain mapping and traceability. However, PPAI asks Congress to provide for the flexibility to identify multiple countries of origin for unfinished products sold online.

Independent Contractors

In this industry, salespeople willingly and intentionally choose to be independent contractors instead of employees. Promotional sales consultants have the ability to be their own boss, run their own business, and control their own destiny.

We’re not in the gig economy and we take no issue with a majority of the PRO Act (H.R. 20). Our only concerns with the bill involve the ABC test and the broad definition that classifies all workers as employees. Unlike the members of the gig economy on which similar labor law proposals have focused, the relationship between independent contractors in the promotional products industry and their distributors is mutually beneficial for both parties.

The Industry’s Ask: Uniformly applying the worker reclassification provisions, or ABC test, will have a devastating impact on tens of thousands of jobs and businesses in the promotional products industry, depriving them from earning an income. Our industry is not the focus of the proposed policy change, therefore, we request an exemption.

Global Value Chains

Most of our products’ value is added domestically in pre‐production and post‐production

• Production overseas of the base inputs is where the least amount of value is added. Although some promotional products are manufactured overseas, once in the U.S., these products are decorated and sold by American workers, and used to promote American goods and services.
• At least half of the value of our products is added in the U.S. by American workers. A recent study commissioned by the S. Global Value Chain Coalition found that the U.S. adds as much as 75% value to the final retail price for apparel made overseas.
  
  

The Industry’s Ask: Please keep the unique needs and interests of the promotional products industry in mind when considering legislation that impacts the success of our industry, for example trade policy that unintentionally raises costs for small businesses and consumers.

Written by: Josh Ellis

Published with Permission from PPAI

Facilisgroup recently hosted its highly anticipated Platinum Elite Trip at the luxurious Secrets Moxché resort in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

• The event brought together nearly 70 exceptional salespeople, several top suppliers and members of the Facilisgroup staff and their guests for five days and four nights in tropical paradise.
• The gathering of top performers (who combine for over $150 million in annual sales) created an environment of shared knowledge and collaboration, empowering participants to take their businesses to new heights.

Published with Permission from PPAI

After donating more than $17,000 to 4 Paws for Ability in 2022, IMAGEN Brands announces that it is continuing its sponsorship through the end of 2023.

• One percent of stock plush sales will be donated to the organization when customers use reference code PLUSHGB23.
• 4 Paws for Ability is an organization that has placed more than 1,500 highly specialized service dogs with those in need since 1998. Their dogs help veterans, children and other individuals with autism, diabetes, epilepsy, mobility issues and more.
• As a result of its ongoing support, IMAGEN Brands was able to sponsor and name a litter of puppies born on April 28 that will become highly trained service dogs for the organization.

Published with Permission from PPAI

In a new partnership between The St Regis Group and TUMI, St Regis will become a supplier for a select range of TUMI premium bags, backpacks and luggage in Canada and the U.S.

“TUMI is a cherished international brand, and we are thrilled to introduce their line of products to our customers,” says Richard Firkser, president and CEO of the St Regis Group. “TUMI brings exceptional quality and high-performance products to our growing collection of bags, backpacks, and now luggage.”

Published with Permission from PPAI

HALO hosted its national sales meeting – Breakthrough Summit 2023 – on May 21-24 at the iconic Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

More than 600 industry professionals attended the event. Highlights included small group Impression Sessions with key HALO preferred suppliers, training on HALO’s exclusive sales tools and a trade show with 166 of HALO’s Preferred Suppliers exhibiting.

HALO CEO Marc Simon, says, “This was a highly successful week, where our sales team, suppliers and staff came together to celebrate, renew our sense of community, and grasp the power of HALO’s tools and services. Whether they were one of our first-time attendees, some of whom were brand-new to HALO, or one of the 149 million-dollar plus producers with decades of HALO experience, attendees left energized and prepared for a big second half of the year.”

Published with Permission from PPAI

Kaeser & Blair has announced promotions within its leadership team to propel the company for future growth.

Scott Baker has been appointed chief operating officer. Baker began his career at Kaeser & Blair in 1998 and has been responsible for building and managing the technological infrastructure of the systems. Baker has been instrumental in developing operational policies and has been involved in all internal departments with a vision for the future state of the operation.

Liza Sachs has been appointed chief revenue officer. Sachs has been in the promotional products industry with suppliers and distributors since 1996. With her extensive background, she has the ideal vision of what is needed to ensure a successful partnership for the future growth of Kaeser & Blair. She began her career with Kaeser & Blair in 2022 as director of sales and has expanded the role and will now oversee all sales, marketing, publications and supplier relations. 

Published with Permission from PPAI