PPAI 100 is an exclusive, research-backed ranking of the 50 leading distributors and the 50 leading suppliers in the promotional products industry. Companies are scored based on a variety of metrics.
Through a series of acquisitions, HPG (PPAI 110772, S11) has expanded steadily from its founding as a small pen company to the high-profile spot it occupies today as a source not only of writing instruments but also for snacks and food gifts, personal electronics and almost every category of hard goods.
The latest acquisition was in January 2023, when the company announced it had acquired fellow supplier Evans Manufacturing. HPG CEO Chris Anderson noted that Evans’ state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Nogales, Mexico, was a factor in HPG’s decision to acquire the company.
PPAI 100 is an exclusive, research-backed ranking of the 50 leading distributors and the 50 leading suppliers in the promotional products industry. Companies are scored based on a variety of metrics.
For Edwards Garment (PPAI 198530, S11), a lot has changed since the supplier first opened in 1867. Today, Edwards is a global brand, providing a broad assortment of career apparel products and services through the promo industry. The Michigan-based supplier was counted on PPAI’s Greatest Companies To Work For list for 2023.
In late September 2022, the company named 11-year veteran Jose Gomez as its president and CEO. Former leader Gary Schultz became the company’s chairman. Schultz had led the company for more than 20 years.
Gomez says, “I am excited to lead our already very successful teams in the U.S. and Canada, and to continue growing our presence and brands while staying true to our key values of providing great product and great services to our customers.”
PPAI 100 is an exclusive, research-backed ranking of the 50 leading distributors and the 50 leading suppliers in the promotional products industry. Companies are scored based on a variety of metrics.
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023, Garyline (PPAI 112004, S10) claims a spot on this inaugural list despite not earning any “High Marks” as ranking among the elite suppliers in any one PPAI 100 scoring category – a testament, perhaps, to how well-rounded this family business is.
In December 2022, the supplier announced its relocation from New York City, where it was founded in 1963, to Florida. Richard Hellinger, president of Garyline, says, “The new, much larger facility will allow Gary Plastic and its Garyline division of promotional products to add additional facilities, with opportunity to train employees, whether they relocate with our company or new ones, to meet the requirements of our customers and their clients.”
This year, PPAI recognized Garyline with a Silver Pyramid – Supplier Award of Merit.
PPAI 100 is an exclusive, research-backed ranking of the 50 leading distributors and the 50 leading suppliers in the promotional products industry. Companies are scored based on a variety of metrics.
Gemline’s (PPAI 113948, S11) strength begins with its integrated manufacturing and distribution center at the headquarters in Lawrence, Massachusetts. With 350 employees worldwide, it also has a technical center in Southern China providing Supply Chain management functions (product development, sourcing, quality assurance, compliance and logistics) across the region.
The past decade has been one of robust growth for Gemline. Just this year, it has added three new retail brands to its portfolio: VSSL, Out Of The Ocean and New Balance, to complement nine new product partnerships announced since 2021. In September 2022, Gemline earned its FSC Chain-of-Custody certification (SCS-COC-008926) from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – an achievement which bolsters the company’s CSR/ESG leadership position within the promo industry.
PPAI 100 is an exclusive, research-backed ranking of the 50 leading distributors and the 50 leading suppliers in the promotional products industry. Companies are scored based on a variety of metrics.
Gildan (PPAI 250187, S13) remains one of the few apparel manufacturers to own and operate its own facilities and is one of the world’s largest vertically-integrated manufacturers.
Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with an international sales office in Barbados, President and CEO Glenn J. Chamandy, grandson of the founder, has led the company for nearly 30 years.
In January, Gildan’s Climate Change Disclosure Report earned it a place on Corporate Knights’ 2023 Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies for the second consecutive year.
In 2022, Gildan was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for its leading ESG practices for the 10th consecutive year. It is also the first Canadian manufacturing apparel company to tie financing costs to the achievement of ESG targets.
The company contributed more than $2.1 billion in capital investments over the past two decades and has more than 50,000 employees and 30 company-owned manufacturing factories worldwide.
PPAI 100 is an exclusive, research-backed ranking of the 50 leading distributors and the 50 leading suppliers in the promotional products industry. Companies are scored based on a variety of metrics.
Charles River Apparel (PPAI 111644, S10) is known industry wide not only for the quality and broad appeal of its apparel collections, but also for its ongoing commitment to giving back to the local community. Boston-area organizations that have benefitted from its generosity include the Charles River Watershed Association, Meals on Wheels America, Christmas in the City, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Cradles to Crayons and many others.
Founded in 1983 and based in Sharon, Massachusetts, the company now spans three generations. Charles River Apparel has been listed as one of the top 100 Sporting Goods Manufacturers in the U.S., named a top 10 Small Businesses of Massachusetts by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and was awarded Massachusetts Family Business of the Year in 2012.