PromoWire (6/11-6/15): News And Notes From Around The Industry

PromoWire (6/11-6/15)

News And Notes From Around The Industry

S&S Activewear Introduces New Integration For Decorators To Improve Production Speed Through Automation

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Bankers Advertising's Promo Paradise Event Celebrates Company's 130th Anniversary

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Vantage Apparel Participates In Clean Ocean Action’s 41st Annual Beach Sweep

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The Vernon Company Renews 7 College Scholarships

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Cosmos Promos Adds East Coast Regional Account Manager

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PromoWire

S&S Activewear Introduces New Integration For Decorators To Improve Production Speed Through Automation

S&S Activewear (PPAI 256121, Platinum), PPAI’s No. 2 supplier, announced a new integration between its proprietary ZeroTouch production automation technology and Fulfill Engine, a production management and fulfillment platform, aimed at enhancing efficiency for apparel decorators. The integration extends ZeroTouch capabilities to eligible S&S products within Fulfill Engine, reducing manual receiving, sorting and routing tasks. As a result, receiving labor can be reduced by up to 60 percent while supporting faster and more scalable production workflows.

ZeroTouch eliminates manual processes through API order integration and the use of box-level and garment-level QR codes applied at S&S distribution centers. Upon arrival, orders are scanned and routed directly to production zones, improving speed, accuracy and consistency. The solution addresses ongoing industry challenges related to labor-intensive workflows by automating key steps and enabling decorators to handle higher order volumes with fewer manual touchpoints.

The integration builds on S&S Activewear’s broader investment in technology and automation through its S&S Business Solutions suite, which is designed to help customers scale operations without added complexity. “At S&S Activewear, our vision is simple: empower our customers and partners to bring their ideas to life because when they win, we all win,” says CEO Frank Myers. The company reports that ZeroTouch is already in use by major decorators and is supported by its ERP platform and extensive investment in distribution center automation and AI-driven systems.

PromoWire

Bankers Advertising's Promo Paradise Event Celebrates Company's 130th Anniversary

Bankers Advertising (PPAI 101972, Silver) hosted its “Promo Luau: Print. Promo. Paradise.” customer open house, welcoming more than 150 customers to its Iowa City headquarters.

The tropical-themed event featured supplier exhibits, food trucks, giveaways and the latest ideas in branded merchandise. Guests had the opportunity to connect with leading industry suppliers, explore new branding solutions and enjoy a fun and interactive experience.

The event also served as part of Bankers Advertising’s 130th Anniversary Celebration, recognizing the company’s long history of helping customers build brands and connect with their audiences through promotional products.

PromoWire

Vantage Apparel Participates In Clean Ocean Action’s 41st Annual Beach Sweep

Vantage Apparel (PPAI 113235, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No 14 supplier, participated in the 41st Annual Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep as both a statewide sponsor and an active volunteer group, supporting efforts to remove debris from New Jersey’s coastline. The event brought together more than 6,000 volunteers across 40 beaches spanning 130 miles, resulting in the collection of nearly 170,000 pieces of litter. Plastic accounted for 83% of the debris, underscoring ongoing concerns about waste reduction and environmental sustainability.

The company’s involvement aligns with its broader sustainability initiatives, including its Earthwise Collection, which incorporates REPREVE recycled performance fabrics made from post-consumer plastic bottles. Vantage Apparel has also received an EcoVadis Bronze Medal in recognition of its environmental responsibility, ethical business practices and corporate social responsibility efforts. “Through initiatives such as the Earthwise Collection and community partnerships like Clean Ocean Action, we continue to invest in programs that create a positive impact both within and beyond the promotional products industry,” says CEO Rob Watson.

Data gathered during the Beach Sweep helps Clean Ocean Action track pollution trends and advocate for environmental policies. Since its launch in 1985, the program has engaged volunteers for more than one million hours and removed nearly nine million pieces of debris, establishing it as a significant environmental stewardship initiative.

PromoWire

The Vernon Company Renews 7 College Scholarships

The Vernon Company (PPAI 109323, Gold) has announced that it has renewed scholarships for seven college student recipients of its annual William F. Vernon Scholarship program. Each member of the program is a child of a Vernon employee. Scholarship winners received a $1,000 scholarship, renewable for up to four years of their college career. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, test scores, extracurricular activities and overall conduct.

The scholarship renewals belong to the following college students:

Paige Benson, daughter of Mindy Benson. She is currently attending Central College in Pella, Iowa – Area of Study: Communications
Marin Denes, daughter of Kelli Denes. She is currently attending the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa – Area of Study: Mechanical Engineering
Ryan Hubbard, son of Lisa Hubbard. He is currently attending Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa – Area of Study: Mechanical Engineering
Reese Palm, daughter of Vicki Palm. She is currently attending Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa – Area of Study: Early Childhood Education
Jocelyn Parker, daughter of Carrie Meyer. She is currently attending Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa – Area of Study: Neuroscience and Psychology
Maxwell Van Dusseldorp, son of Heather Van Dusseldorp. He is currently attending University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa – Area of Study: Accounting and Finance
Nola Wells, daughter of Mike Wells. He is currently attending California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. – Area of Study: Industrial Technology and Packaging

The Vernon Company established the William F. Vernon Scholarship program in 1975 to recognize and promote intellectual achievement and to make it financially easier for qualifying students to attend college. The company has awarded more than 300 college scholarships since the program’s inception.

PromoWire

Cosmos Promos Adds East Coast Regional Account Manager

Cosmos Promos (PPAI 111334, Silver) has hired Michelle DeMayo as the supplier’s east coast regional account manager. A longtime veteran and advocate for branded, DeMayo brings three decades of experience in the industry.

“Michelle is a natural relationship builder,” says Charles Palko, VP of sales at Cosmos. “Her dedication to client success, combined with her genuine love for this industry, makes her the ideal fit for Cosmo Promos. We’re excited to support her continued growth and leverage her depth of experience to establish a powerful presence on the East Coast and beyond.”