(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.)

September 26, 2022

Brand Fuel Earns B Corporation Certification

Brand Fuel, a brand merchandising agency that offers ecommerce merchandising, brand experiences and focuses on sustainability, announced that it has officially become a Certified B Corporation. The “B” in B Corp stands for “Benefit for All,” emphasizing five central stakeholders: workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. Brand Fuel joins the growing movement of over 5,000 Certified B Corporations from 158 industries, across 85 countries including companies like Patagonia, Allbirds, New Belgium Brewing, Cotopaxi, Bombas, Tentree, Ben & Jerry’s and friends at Fairware.

“Our work as a B Corp will be our guidepost for everything. From hiring practices to the responsible sourcing of sustainable branded merch and everything in between. This part of our journey as a B Corp will be a mixture of effort, education, dedication, patience, consistency, humility, focus, making hard but important choices and even having some fun. We are truly honored to join this global movement. And we intend on doing all we can to elevate our industry and its reputation along the way,” said Brand Fuel’s co-Presidents Robert Fiveash and Danny Rosin.

Certified B Corporations believe it’s time to expand how success is measured in the business world. B Corps voluntarily meet high standards for social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. As a B Corp, Brand Fuel will measure and manage the impact of its business on its amazing staff, community and the environment with as much commitment as it manages and monitors its financial success. Brand Fuel has been actively working towards its B Corp certification for almost a decade. This recognition marks its continued investment in volunteerism, responsible sourcing, high ethical standards, DEI initiatives and a commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

More Information

B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

Accompany USA Recalls Ceramic Mugs With Cork Bottoms

According to the CPSC, Accompany USA has recalled the product Ceramic Mugs with Cork Bottoms. The coffee cup can crack or break when hot liquid is poured into it, posing a burn hazard. The ceramic mugs are white with cork bottoms. They measure about four inches high and four inches wide.

Accompany USA has received one report of the mug breaking after hot liquid was poured into it. No injuries have been reported. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled ceramic mugs and contact Accompany USA to receive a full refund.

The product’s recall number is 22-228.

Facilisgroup Hosts Industry Leaders For A Women In Leadership Event

Facilisgroup, a leading software-as-a-service company and partnering community within the promotional products industry, welcomed executive members from top distributors and suppliers to its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri for a Women in Leadership Event on September 19-21.

“We joined Facilisgroup in 2015 for the platform, but the blessing is the community,” said Perfect Promotions CEO Joan Charbonneau. “I could not run my business without the support of this amazing community. After spending a few days with strong, intelligent women, I am refreshed and ready to tackle the fourth quarter and plan for 2023.”

Event sessions covered topics that were valuable to the industry and/or women in leadership:

  • Tips to empower and mentor entrepreneurial women
  • Work-life balance in a world of shifting priorities
  • Kitting and fulfillment best practices
  • Employee incentive and recognition opportunities
  • Success stories with an entrepreneurial operating system (EOS)

Beyond the educational components, attendees had time to relax and get to know each other with a trip to a winery and local restaurants.

“Facilisgroup’s community makes me feel included and recognized as a valuable partner,” said HPG Chief Revenue Officer Trina Bicknell. “I was honored to be a part of the event to share ideas and build relationships with industry leaders.”

Facilisgroup President Ashley McCune said, “This event’s mission was near and dear to my heart. As a woman in leadership myself, I wanted to create a space for us to gather and discuss the value we bring to our industry, our teams, and each other.”

As much as each attendee learned, they taught one another too. They left in high spirits and with plenty of momentum to keep their post-event motivation high: each attendee collaborated on action plans for 2023 business planning so they can immediately pursue their roadmap for success. 

Koozie Group Promotes Brian Lynch To VP of Supply Chain

Koozie Group is pleased to announce the promotion of Brian Lynch to Vice President of Supply Chain.

In this role, Lynch reports directly to COO Blair Hawley. His responsibilities include overseeing the Supply Chain Planning and Logistics function of the company. Lynch has over 15 years of experience at Koozie Group, serving most recently as the Director of Corporate Quality.

“Brian has a deep knowledge of our business because of his many roles in plant management and continuous improvement,” Hawley said. “I am confident Brian will turn his transformational powers into action and reinvigorate the Supply Chain Planning and Logistics functions he now oversees.”

Lynch assumed his new role on Aug. 29.

TravelChair Announces Women-Owned Business Accreditation

TravelChair is proud to announce our women-owned business accreditation through Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). WBENC is a leading non-profit organization that helps women-owned businesses by creating partnerships and opportunity. Now considered the gold standard, this endorsement is sure to open many doors for TravelChair.

TravelChair has been a woman-owned business since opening its doors in 1984 but was finally able to receive accreditation for it in 2022. We are proud of TravelChair's history, as it helped get us reach this huge milestone and nearly 40 years of business, friendship, and cherished memories! We thank you for joining us on this journey.

September 22, 2022

Ennis Announces Appointment Of Chief Operating Officer And Chief Revenue Officer

Ennis, Inc. announced today that Mr. Wade Brewer has been appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Terry Pennington has been appointed as Chief Revenue Officer. Mr. Brewer and Mr. Pennington will continue reporting to Keith Walters, Chairman, President and CEO of Ennis. Ennis, Inc. is the parent company of suppliers Independent Printing & Packaging (PPAI 111993, S2), Folder Express (PPAI 354129, S1) and Admore, Inc. (PPAI 111144, S10)

Mr. Brewer brings a total of 38 years of print industry experience to the Chief Operating Officer position. He has served as Ennis' Director of Manufacturing since 2021 and before that, held the title of Business Unit Director for nine years, helping manage all of the company's 50+ production facilities. Mr. Brewer started his printing career in 1984 at Transkirt as a Senior Product Manager and played an integral part in developing their pressure seal products. Mr. Brewer has also previously held management positions at Ward Kraft, Cenveo, and PrintXcel. During his time with Cenveo, he held the title of Director of Manufacturing and Vice President of Operation – Documents division, where he oversaw 11 different plants, all of which are a part of Ennis today.

Mr. Pennington served in various senior and executive management roles in the printing sector for 26 years before joining Ennis, Inc. in 2006. Mr. Pennington was initially responsible for 15 Ennis printing facilities until 2010 when he assumed Vice President of Sales. As V.P. of Sales, he was responsible for managing the company’s Regional Sales Managers and supporting the sales efforts of Ennis' 35,000 independent distributors. Mr. Pennington is a part of the acquisition team that has helped the company diversify the company’s product offerings including envelope manufacturing over 10 years ago. He has played a role in expanding the company’s sales of labels, tags, and commercial print during his tenure by acquisition or new product offerings.

Keith S. Walters, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer noted, “Both Mr. Brewer and Mr. Pennington have proven themselves to be of tremendous value to the company within their respective roles. We are pleased to have these two new officers with such deep industry experience and knowledge helping lead our company.”