(Editor’s Note: PromoWire by PPAI Media is a running digest of updates from organizations around the promotional products industry. PPAI Media will consider newsworthy entries submitted by any member organization.)

October 11

A Woman’s View Webinar Discusses Customers’ Favorite Promo Gifts

Next week, iPROMOTEu’s (PPAI 218870, D12) A Woman’s View is hosting its free October webinar titled My Favorite Promo Gift – Q4 Customer Panel. All women in the promotional products industry are invited to attend to get to know their customers’ gift preferences, which branded merch they love to give and to receive, and discuss on-trend options for this year’s gift-giving season.

  • The webinar is October 18 from 9:30-10:30 am PT / 12:30-1:30 pm ET.
  • Register here

Storm Creek Launches 2024 ‘Everyday Eco’ Collection

Storm Creek (PPAI 438091, S6) has released its 2024 catalog featuring an array of high-quality, sustainably made products. Here’s what’s new:

  • The company offers an expanded selection of eco-conscious products. By the end of 2024, the company will upcycle upwards of 45 million plastic bottles into sustainable apparel.
  • In accordance with the PFAS regulations starting in 2024, Storm Creek removes all PFAS coatings from outerwear and performance wear.
  • It is also holding 2023 prices heading into 2024, while introducing more sustainable fabrics.

Founder and President Doug Jackson, says, “We believe that our new designs and eco-conscious fabrics will inspire distributors to sell sustainably and educate their customers on the impact they can have. There is no need to sacrifice style for sustainability or sustainability for price.”

October 10

Proforma Ranks No. 126 On Franchise Times Top 400 List

Proforma (196835, D13) has achieved a significant milestone by securing the 126th position on the prestigious Franchise Times Top 400 list. This marks a substantial leap from the company’s 2020 ranking at No. 158.

  • The Franchise Times Top 400 is an exclusive annual ranking of the largest U.S.-based franchise systems by global system-wide sales. The project is the result of a five-month research and reporting effort that leads to the most credible and objective franchise ranking available.
  • Proforma's impressive growth trajectory, increased sales and strategic planning have helped solidified its standing surpassing household names such as Steak ’n Shake, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Dale Carnegie Training. Proforma's sales surged from $540 million in 2021 to $620 million in 2022.

“As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we are not resting on our laurels. We are actively engaged in the strategic planning stages for business development in preparation for 2024,” says Vanessa Edwards, director of business development. “Our focus remains on empowering our distributor owners, sales professionals and their team members, and expanding our network.”

Gemline Empowers Customers With Two New Web Tools

Gemline (PPAI 113948, S11) has released two game-changing web-based sales tools, Kit Creator and Pricing Estimator, developed in response to distributor requests.

  • Kit Creator helps users build and share custom kit options with their customers, internal teams and/or their Gemline sales representative. Users can create custom kits that automatically calculate prices as items are added, removed and decorated. They can also include add-ons like greeting cards and packaging, as well as indicate if they plan to add customer supplied (non-Gemline) items to their kits. Registered web users can see real-time customer-specific pricing, save kits for future reference and submit their custom kit to their Gemline salesperson for review with a single click.
  • The Pricing Estimator, a user-friendly calculator tool located on every product page on the Gemline website, calculates pricing in real-time without having to call or e-mail a Gemline representative. Both guests and registered users can submit their product and decoration selections to Gemline for a quick and accurate quote.

October 3

Kathy Cheng Honored With Procurement Business Advocate Of The Year Award

Kathy Cheng, president of Redwood Classics Apparel (PPAI 696010, IS) is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Procurement Business Advocate of the Year Award by the Canadian Aboriginal Minority Supply Council (CAMSC).

  • The award, presented at the CAMSC Business Achievement Awards Gala 2023, underscores Cheng's exceptional commitment to advancing Supplier Diversity within supply chains, particularly in the promotional products industry and the fashion supply chain.

Cheng, president of the woman-owned and minority-owned certified supplier, says, “I am profoundly honored to receive this recognition for my steadfast, decade-long commitment to advancing diversity within supply chains."