Founded in 1996 and based out of a 250,000-square-foot facility in Michigan, Mercury Promotions & Fulfillment (PPAI 261357, D10) lands itself on the inaugural PPAI 100 list as a company with tremendous recent growth and core mission that focuses on responsible decision making.

As part of a corporate diversity initiative, the distributor created a First Tier Program to expand its ability to support diversity and broaden the economic and growth prospects for minorities and women.

After almost 70 years in business, Los Angeles-based distributor Jack Nadel International rebranded itself as simply Nadel (PPAI 107145, D12) to better reflect its evolution from a promotional marketing firm to a full agency of talent and brand promotion. “It used to be about positioning the merchandise; now it’s about sharing your story – culture, ethics, sustainability, community, financials, etc.,” says Debbie Abergel, Nadel’s chief strategy officer. For example, the company dedicates a section of its website to sharing its sustainability efforts, from taking pledges to cut emissions by half, working with freight carriers to offset carbon emissions and earning a 2023 EcoVadis Silver Medal, which the company says is “just the start” as it aims for platinum certification.

Don’t let the name fool you – San Diego-based National Pen (PPAI 107176, D12) offers a broad range of promotional products via Pens.com and its global network of facilities across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. With a special focus on small businesses and personal service, the company offers a one-year quality guarantee and expert guidance from its customer care team. National Pen also gives back to communities around the world, from donating face masks during the pandemic and writing instruments to schools to partnering with local charities to donate food, clothing and other needed items. The company has also committed to become carbon neutral by 2040 by reducing energy consumption and emissions, as well as other green initiatives.

Over the past 30-plus years, Toronto-based Genumark (PPAI 266066, D11) has served its clients with a range of promotional merchandise and corporate apparel. And its work hasn’t gone unnoticed, it has earned a “Best Managed” designation by Canada’s Best Managed Companies program for more than seven years.

Genumark has also invested in becoming a more environmentally responsible organization. It recently earned its B Corporation certification, is tracking its carbon offsets, is working with B Corp and NetZero suppliers, and will soon be auditing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. The company has gone as far as providing sustainability education for its staff, a commitment to professional education that’s reflected in its relatively high number of employees with CAS, MAS and MAS+ certifications.