In The News: Spring 2017
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Benson Laundry, Willmar, MN
Bidpress, LLC, Asheville, NC
Robinsons Cleaners, Columbia, MO
Loveland Steam Laundry, Loveland, CO
Robinson’s Cleaners, Columbia, MO
Royalty Cleaning Services, Modesto, CA
Soak It Up, Inc., Ingersoll, ON Canada
Uniform Solutions, Inc., Carrollton, TX
WELCOME NEW SUPPLIER
Regent Apparel
IN THE NEWS
TRUMP BUYS PROMO PRODUCTS
According to ASI, new campaign filings show President Donald Trump spent $2.4 million on T-shirts, mugs, banners and stickers, and another $728,000 on logoed hats during December – a month after he was elected. The purchases continue a trend that began in the early days of the 2016 presidential campaign during which Trump spent far more than other candidates – including Hillary Clinton – on promotional merchandise. Famously, in fact, from June 2015 through September 2016, Trump’s campaign spent just $1.8 million on polling and $3.2 million on his “Make America Great Again” hats, according to published reports.
CUSTOM CAPS FROM CHINA IN 30 DAYS
Cap America introduced a brand new China 30-Day Door-To-Door custom overseas program.
- Low 144 piece per size minimum
- Digital samples ready for approval in only 5 working days
- Your order is delivered in just 30 days after sample approval
CHARLES RIVER APPAREL LAUNCHES COLORS FOR A CAUSE
Charles River Apparel is pleased to announce the Colors for a Cause Program, a Charles River Cares™ Initiative. Colors for a Cause leverages the brand’s number one selling style the New Englander ®, to help create awareness and raise funds for national and local charities.The program launches on February 1st with our Buy New Englander Red to support families in need. With every purchase of the New Englander Red between February 1-March 31st, Charles River Apparel will contribute 10% of the sales to help families in need.To learn more about Charles River Apparel and Colors for A Cause, visit https://charlesriverapparel.com GURTLER FORMS NEW
GURTLER FORMS NEW WASTEWATER DIVISION
Gurtler Industries is pleased to announce that Stuart Davis has joined the company as the director of its newly formed Wastewater Division.With Davis’ expertise and direction, the Gurtler Wastewater Division has a full line of wastewater treatment chemicals that can serve the needs of multiple industries and multiple types of wastewater treatment systems. Davis has extensive experience in the laundry wastewater treatment
Gurtler Industries is pleased to announce that Stuart Davis has joined the company as the director of its newly formed Wastewater Division.With Davis’ expertise and direction, the Gurtler Wastewater Division has a full line of wastewater treatment chemicals that can serve the needs of multiple industries and multiple types of wastewater treatment systems. Davis has extensive experience in the laundry wastewater treatment arena, and is specially suited to lead the Gurtler business unit in this market. Included in the full-service offering will be specialized on-site service and technical support. The new program includes unique technology that can significantly reduce the volume of sludge generated in traditional wastewater treatment programs, thus reducing disposal costs. Gurtler also provides full support for its customers, helping resolve regulatory, environmental, and operational problems. Read part 1 of a 3-part series on Wastewater from Stuart Davis here.
OPRAH LOVE OUR LOGAN
Charles River’s woman logan jacket was featured in Oprah Magazine’s January 2017 “O List.” According to the magazine, “Oprah loves the green shade and removable hood, while Gayle is partial to the monogramming and packable fabric. But they agree on one thing: This jacket’s cinched waist creates a supremely flattering fit.”
SAGE® ANNOUNCES NEW FEATURES
SAGE announces the release of major updates to SAGE website solutions, including SAGE WebExpress Pro™, an advanced content management system and SAGE PromoSearch®, a website addition offering visitors the ability to search the entire SAGE product database. Unlike many generic content management systems, SAGE website solutions are designed specifically for the promotional products industry.
“We are pleased to continue to enhance the capabilities of SAGE Websites to help our customers boost online sales and establish a unique website presence,” said David Natinsky, SAGE president. “We hope our customers will enjoy the new functionality added to our website offerings and take advantage of the many customization options now available.” SAGE is also introducing WebExpress Pro Design Services, a unique offering in which customers can provide feedback and content to a SAGE web designer and then have the SAGE web designer design the site for one low annual fee. Natinsky continued, “I can’t say enough great things about our design services. Everything we do is designed to be do-it-yourself, but let’s be honest. Our customers are very busy and even if they do have the time, web design isn’t necessarily their strong suit. With this service, we do the work and give our customers the awesome website that they want.”For distributors or suppliers not yet utilizing SAGE Websites, full details, pricing information, and demo sites are available at go.sageworld.com/website.
DISTRIBUTOR SALES REACH RECORD
$22.9 BILLIONIndustry distributors grew annual sales by 3.1% in 2016, resulting in a record $22.9 billion in total revenues, according to new data released by ASI. The gains mark the seventh consecutive year of overall growth. ASI’s latest survey also found that distributors increased sales by 3.4% in the last quarter of 2016. Meanwhile, the Counselor Confidence Index, which measures the health of distributor companies, improved slightly in Q4 2016 to 115, from 113 in the previous quarter. This ties Q1 of 2015 for the highest-ever index rating.
2017 COUNSELOR DISTRIBUTOR CHOICE AWARDS WINNERS
Many Universal Unilink Preferred Suppliers are winners of the 2017 Counselor Distributor Choice Awards. These suppliers were featured on an online ballot where industry distributors could vote for their top choice in each category.
Banners & Flags – Showdown Displays
Calendars – Norwood Triumph Calendars
Caps & Hats – Cap America
Decorated Apparel – Vantage Apparel
Electronics – Leed’s
Journals & Diaries – Journalbooks
Keytags & Luggage Tags – Bullet
Luggage & Bags – Leed’s
Markers & Highlighters – BIC Graphic USA
Mats – Logo Mats
Office & Desk Items – Leed’s
Shopping Bags – Bag Makers
Signs & Displays – Showdown Displays
Tech Accessories – Leed’s
Towels & Robes – Towel Specialties
2017 PPAI AWARD WINNERS
PPAI also handed out awards to these Universal Unilink Preferred Suppliers.
IMAGE AWARDS-ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTOR CATALOG
Gold, Towel Specialties
Silver – Showdown Displays
Silver – JournalBooks
Bronze – BIC Graphic USA
Bronze – Prime Line®
SUPPLIER – BRANDING
Bronze – BIC Graphic USA
STAR AWARD $20,000,001 – $35,000,000
Merit – JournalBooks
STAR AWARD $5,000,001 – $10,000,000
Merit – Showdown Displays
STAR AWARD $50,000,001 – $100,000,000
Merit – BAG MAKERS, Inc.
CLIENT SALES & MARKETING AIDS
Gold BIC Graphic USA
EMBROIDERY I
Silver Vantage Apparel
EMBROIDERY II
Gold – Vantage Apparel
MOST CREATIVE PRODUCT – COLLABORATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Gold – BIC Graphic USA
BLOGS/PODCASTS/DIGITAL NEWS
Gold – Prime Line®
SOCIAL MEDIA
Gold – Prime Line®
VIDEO CONTENT
Silver – Prime Line®
Bronze – BAG MAKERS, Inc.
Infinite Laundry