(Editor’s Note: PromoWire by PPAI Media is a running digest of news releases and updates submitted from organizations around the promotional products industry. PPAI Media edits these only slightly, including for length, and will consider newsworthy entries from any member organization.)

March 30, 2023

Stran & Company Reports 48.5% Revenue Increase For 2022

Stran & Company (PPAI 161542, D10) provided its financial reports for the 2022 fiscal year. 

  • The distributor achieved a 48.5% increase in revenue in 2022 over the previous year.
  • This was the product of revenue totaling approximately $59 million. 
  • Stran returned to profitability for the fourth quarter of 2022, generating $18.3 million in the quarter.
  • The company's net income for the three months ended on December 21, 2022 was $903,000 compared to a net loss of $31,000 for the three months ended on December 2021. 

Stran & Company attributes its strong fourth quarter to investments in the business and enhanced sales and marketing initiatives.

  • In 2022, the distributor announced three key acquisitions, along with another announced acquisition in January 2023, which the company believes will continue to bolster its growth. 

"Overall, we believe our growth strategy has resulted in increased revenue, growth in our customer base and geographical expansion, while maintaining a strong balance sheet," says Andy Shape, president and CEO of Stran.

March 29, 2023

BPMA Wins Promo Debate At The House Of Commons

Representing the promotional products industry, the British Promotional Merchandise Association hosted its first in-person debate as part of The Debating Group – a group of trade association members from across the spectrum – and successfully put forth the motion that "Promotional merchandise is the medium which forges the most effective and long-term emotional relationship with its audience."

  • The motion was proposed by the BPMA’s CEO Carey Trevill, supported by Ollie Gilmore, Group Planning Director at advertising agency, VCCP. Opposing the motion was Tony Spong, Lead Consultant for Brand Strategy at expert marketing consultancy, AAR and Alana Ballantyne, Planning Director, also from VCCP. Chaired by Baroness Amanda Sater, herself a former marketer, the debate provided lively discussion and reportedly the longest question and answer session the debate has ever had.
  • The BPMA motion effectively argued that effective communication must connect emotionally with the audience. Presenting the belief that promotional merchandise is the medium which can deliver in a long-lasting, effective and impactful way, Trevill and Gilmore presented a multifaceted argument which helped the listening audience understand the place promotional merchandise holds for consumers.

LarLu Announces New Multi-Line Representatives

LarLu (PPAI 113767, S7) announced the addition of Reisack Sales & Marketing as multi-line representatives in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. 

  • “The Reisack team shares our commitment to customer service and professionalism,” says Joe Durand, SVP of LarLu. “We’re excited for our customers to have a local LarLu representative to help them grow their business!”

March 28, 2023

SAGE Adds Sage Community To Web-Based Supplier Center Portal

SAGE (PPAI 100001) invites SAGE Supplier Advantage Members to join the SAGE Community through its new web-based supplier portal.

  • SAGE Community is an industry-specific, collaborative social network where suppliers and distributors can share news, best practices, ask questions, and connect and engage with other industry professionals, all in one platform.
  • SAGE Community has long been available in SAGE Total Access, SAGE’s flagship distributor tool, for distributors to network with their industry peers. With the addition of the SAGE Community to the new web-based SAGE Supplier Center, it is now open to everyone in the industry.

Tango Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

Tango (PPAI 715520, S1) appointed Grace Liu as its new chief financial officer. As CFO, Liu will be responsible for overseeing the financial operations of Tango, driving growth and profitability, and working closely with the leadership team to develop and execute the company's strategic plans.

  • “We could not be more thrilled with Grace joining our team at Tango,” said Jason Silverstein, president of Tango. “Her unique background across different financial disciplines, as well as her analytical mind, will benefit not just Tango, but her insights will help our partners and customers.”

Navitor (FolderWorks) Acquires Epoly Corporation

FolderWorks (PPAI 261302, S1), a Navitor Inc., company, reached an agreement to acquire Epoly Corporation (PPAI 236203, S5), expanding its product assortment.

  • Epoly provides custom-imprinted folders, envelopes, folios and other document organization products to the promotional marketing industry.
  • “We’re thrilled because Epoly Corporation is so well known in the industry for their product selection as well as their printing and production quality,” says Rick Roddis, business unit president for Navitor. “It’s also a natural product extension for us. FolderWorks serves the same marketplace but is focused on paper-based folders and folios. By teaming up with Epoly, FolderWorks can now offer customers an entirely new range of products that provide the durability and weather-resistant performance of polypropylene.”
  • The business will operate under the Epoly Corporation name and continue to be managed by Tony Milcarsky, founder of Epoly Corporation.