When it introduced PPAI 100 earlier this year, the Association aligned the recognition program with the strategic objectives of the promotional products industry.
Revenue growth was a significant part of the equation, but so were several other factors behind a successful promo business, including responsibility.
Leaders in all industries agree that the companies that will attract top talent and increasingly discerning customers in the future are already making positive corporate citizenship a priority. This may be even more important to promo than most industries, in fact.
In the survey used to assign points for the PPAI 100 program, questions ranged from companies’ adherence to sustainability progress and practices, DEI initiatives and product safety.
Below are several supplier and distributor firms who match the average responsibility scores of the industry’s leaders.
New Suppliers Earning High Marks
New York City-based Atlantis Headwear is one of the few suppliers to report that every single product sold in 2022 was marketed as sustainable.
Owatonna, Minnesota-based Black Forest has defined in writing its core commitments to sustainability.
Austin, Texas-based Diamondback Branding has an established give-back program donating a percentage of revenue to a charitable cause.
Not only has the Kansas-based company behind Gill-Line defined its sustainability commitments in writing, it has also built them into its employee code of conduct.
Gordon Sinclair in Valley Stream, New York, has completed a sustainability audit.
ICEMULE Coolers in St. Augustine, Florida, takes processes for responsibility clearly. The company has established an internal team to head up these efforts and made its commitments in writing. Employees take DEI training on a yearly basis.
Cypress, California-based Los Altos Trophy employs staff dedicated to ensuring product responsibility (product safety and compliance such as California Prop 65, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, etc.).
MediaTree in Parsippany, New Jersey, reports that 100% of its packaging is recyclable or reusable and that half of products sold in 2022 were marketed as sustainable.
Dallas-based Opti Print & Fulfillment has established an internal sustainability staff to lead advocacy for eco-friendly efforts.
Moorpark, California-based Picnic Time Family of Brands has invested in solar power or another form of reusable energy at its facilities.
A Certified B Corp based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Raining Rose has extended its giveback programs well beyond its local community. In a unique commitment, it donates 1% of profit to Heifer International, an organization that works in 21 countries around the world to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that guarantee a living income to local farmers.
Toronto, Ontario-based Redwood Classics Apparel reports that 100% of products sold in 2022 were marketed as sustainable.
New Distributors Earning High Marks
Glenwood, Minnesota-based American Diversity employs a person or team dedicated to ensuring product responsibility (product safety and compliance such as California Prop 65, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, etc.).
Moorestown, New Jersey-based Artcraft Promotional Concepts has invested in solar power or another form of reusable energy at its office.
Cheshire, Connecticut-based Barker Specialty is currently waiting for its sustainability audit from EcoVadis or a similar organization to begin.
Bob Lilly Promotions in Garland, Texas, has an established internal sustainability committee, “green team” or individual head of sustainability to lead advocacy for eco-friendly efforts.
Dayton, Ohio-based Boost Engagement has completed a sustainability audit from EcoVadis or a similar organization.
Raleigh, North Carolina-based Brand Fuel, which earned its B Corp certification in September 2022, has an established director of social impact and sustainability.
Findlay, Ohio-based City Apparel + Merch requires employees to participate in DEI training at least twice a year.
Concord Marketing Solutions in Glendale Heights, Illinois, has completed a sustainability audit from EcoVadis or a similar organization.
Hixson, Tennessee-based Flywheel Brands has implemented a comprehensive office recycling program that includes monitoring and reporting.
Lenexa, Kansas-based Grapevine Designs employs a person or team dedicated to ensuring product responsibility (product safety and compliance such as California Prop 65, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, etc.).
Houston-based Graphic Stylus has an established give-back program donating a percentage of revenue to a charitable cause.
Baltimore-based Haymaker Promotions, whose entire workforce consists of women, has an established give-back program donating a percentage of revenue to a charitable cause.
Kite Meeting Management, a woman-owned business in Piqua, Ohio, has defined in writing its core commitments to sustainability.
Richardson, Texas-based Logotology employs a person or team dedicated to ensuring product responsibility (product safety and compliance such as California Prop 65, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, etc.).
Bethesda, Maryland-based Mac Mannes has defined in writing its core commitments to sustainability.
Oakland, California-based MadeToOrder requires employees to participate in annual DEI training.
Portland, Oregon-based MARCO Ideas Unlimited has an established give-back program donating a percentage of revenue to a charitable cause.
Canadian distributor Martket Branding, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, reports that 80% of products sold in 2022 were marketed as sustainable.
A Ton of Graphics in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, requires employees to participate in DEI training every year.
North Georgia Promotions in Alpharetta, Georgia, employs a person or team dedicated to ensuring product responsibility (product safety and compliance such as California Prop 65, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, etc.).
Plymouth, Minnesota-based Quality Resource Group has completed a sustainability audit from EcoVadis or a similar organization.
Oswego, Illinois-based Show Your Logo has invested in solar power or another form of reusable energy at its office.
Memphis, Tennessee-based Signet has implemented a comprehensive office recycling program that includes monitoring and reporting.
Carey, Ohio-based Social Good Promotions requires employees to participate in DEI training at least twice a year.
To The Market in Lexington, Kentucky, reports that every single product sold in 2022 was marketed as sustainable.
