Corporate Promotions Affiliates With Geiger
James Habzda, CAS, vice president of sales and marketing for Lewiston, Maine-based distributor Geiger (UPIC: geiger), and Dale Miller, CAS, president of Atlanta, Georgia-based distributor Corporate Promotions, Inc. (UPIC: CORPRO) have announced Corporate Promotions’ affiliation with Geiger.
“Corporate Promotions is a solid, well-established organization that is a perfect fit with our Geiger family,” says Lorrayne Mancari, MAS, Geiger division manager. “This affiliation enhances our presence in the Atlanta area.”
The affiliation took effect August 24. “We are excited to be affiliated with Geiger,” says Miller. “We look forward to a strong relationship in growing our services with online company stores and more in-depth promotional programs to better serve our clients.”
MARCO Celebrates 50 Years In Promotional Products
Portland, Oregon-based distributor MARCO-Ideas Unlimited (UPIC: MARCO) and 150 guests celebrated the company’s 50th anniversary as a promotional products business on September 24.
Margaret Custer Ford, MAS, began the company in Medford, Oregon, in 1959 and today runs the distributorship with her daughter, Nancy Gudekunst, serving as president. Ford’s son-in-law, Peter, and her grandson, Tom, also work at MARCO.
Opus Solutions Acquires Division Of Jeff Sanders Promotions
Beaverton, Oregon-based Opus Solutions (UPIC: opusppd) has acquired and completed integration of the corporate merchandise division of Beaverton, Oregon-based distributor Jeff Sanders Promotions, Inc.
“With this acquisition, we are able to expand our customer base immediately while continuing to provide outstanding service and support to our existing clients,” says Monte Wood, Opus Solutions president. “Our customers are typically marketing, brand or event managers. Continuing to grow our promotional products offering as part of an entire event solution simply allows us to provide more immediate value.”
JSP sold the promotional merchandise division in order to maintain its focus on producing successful golf events and still ensure the satisfaction of corporate merchandise clients.
“We are thrilled to have found a partner in Opus; we feel confident they will continue to provide our clients with exceptional support for their corporate merchandise needs,” says Jeff Sanders, founder and president of JSP.
SanMar Debuts Dallas Warehouse
Preston, Washington-based supplier SanMar (UPIC: SNMR) recently welcomed more than 500 guests to an open house to check out its new warehouse near Dallas, Texas. The company relocated to the 585,000-square-foot distribution center earlier this year. Visitors toured the new facility and mingled with other attendees at an outdoor barbecue where beef brisket, sausage, beer and wine were plentiful.
The event also included live music from Lone Star Attitude®, raffle prizes and the opportunity to see the new 2009 Holiday Gift Guide and fall products from the 2010 Apparel, Bags & Caps catalog.
“We had a good turnout and a very enthusiastic response from attendees,” says John Lindgren, tradeshow manager. “It was a good time done Texas-style—and a chance to connect with our customers on a more personal level.”
Second Step Advertising Merges With Brad’s Ads, Inc.
Wyandotte, Michigan-based distributor Second Step Advertising merged with Farmington Hills, Michigan-based distributor Brad’s Ads, Inc. (UPIC: BRAD0001). The single company will be known as Second Step.
“I am excited that we have merged into one company, Second Step,” says Al Bates, MAS, owner of Second Step Advertising. “This merger not only broadens our client base, it brings together more than 80 years of industry experience and creativity.”
Bates opened Second Step Advertising in 1975. He is a board member and past president of the Michigan Promotional Professionals Association (MiPPA), in addition to being the organization’s legislative and professional development chairman. He is a life member of the Michigan JCI Senate, a trustee in the Wyandotte Business Association and an ambassador in the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber.
Jess C. Elson, MAS, opened Brad’s Ads in 1985, naming the company after his son, Brad. Elson has served as MiPPA president and as president of the Oakland Executive Association, as well as serving on the board of directors of the Farmington/Farmington Hills Chamber of Commerce and Detroit Executive Association.
Bringing more than 22 years of industry experience to the merger is Brad’s Ads account executive Joyce Cooley, MAS. While active in the Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce, Joyce served on and later chaired the ambassador committee. She sits on the MiPPA board of directors as secretary and public relations/marketing chairperson, and she also played a key role in MiPPA’s receipt of the 2009 PPAI Pyramid Award for Outstanding Membership Drive.
WorkflowOne Earns Three Environmental Certifications
Dayton, Ohio-based distributor WorkflowOne (UPIC: SF00001) has been awarded multi-site, chain-of-custody certifications from three forest certification organizations: the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). The certifications provide third-party validation of WorkflowOne’s environmental stewardship and sustainable business practices.
“WorkflowOne’s customers can now be assured of an unbroken chain of custody from forest to final use, with options for sourcing and distributing either from our own facilities or credentialed trade partners,” says Ernest Miller, executive vice president of operations.
The certifications were awarded to the company as well as its digital and offset print production and distribution facilities in several cities throughout the U.S. WorkflowOne maintains recycling programs for paper, inks, solvents, plastic metal and wood. In 2008, the company recycled 27 million pounds of material, and in the past three years the total amount recycled reached more than 82 million pounds.