The Kanata Group (PPAI 111063, Silver), PPAI 100’s No. 97 supplier, has announced the appointment of Edward Huang as vice president of sales.

Formerly the vice president of sales and operations at SRG’s Promobilia division, Huang brings with him a strong track record of leadership, strategic insight and a passion for driving growth, the company says. With deep experience in building high-performance sales teams and cultivating long-term client relationships, he’s well-positioned to help lead Kanata into its next phase of expansion.

“Edward’s addition as vice president of sales is a great step forward for The Kanata Group,” says April Chu, president of The Kanata Group. “We’re fortunate to have him on board and excited to work with him as he applies his expertise to drive our company’s growth.”

Pilot Corporation of America (PPAI 112712, Standard-Plus) has announced it will be implementing a price increase of up to 7.2% on all purchase orders shipping on or after October 1.

“In recent years, our business has faced rising costs in plastic materials, steel, chemicals, petroleum, labor and transportation,” the company says. “In 2024, Japan’s Producer Price Index reached a 30-year high at 122.6. We’ve taken steps to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs to minimize customer impact. It is no longer possible for us to fully absorb the inflationary cost pressures we have been experiencing. Therefore, we must pass through a portion of these impacts.”

Pilot says it will continue to diligently monitor the shifting tariff policies and will stay in contact with any further price adjustments that may be necessary.

PCNA (PPAI 113079, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 5 supplier, has announced a new partnership with ONIX, a manufacturer of pickleball paddles, balls and accessories.

Through this collaboration, PCNA will offer four ONIX pickleball paddles and sets exclusively for the U.S. market:

• Onix Recruit Composite Pickleball Set (1801-03)
• Onix Recruit Beginner Pickleball Set (1801-04)
• Onix V2 Pickleball Paddle (1801-01)
• Onix V3 Pickleball Paddle (1801-02)

“ONIX’s commitment to the game is proven by its investment in technologically advanced equipment that is innovative and dependable,” says Liz Haesler, global chief merchandising officer at PCNA.

“By adding four ONIX products to our sport/fitness assortment, we’re ensuring that our distributors have the highest performance options available. Pickleball is continuing to experience rapid growth in the U.S. and has become the fastest-growing sport in the country. Thus, we are proud to provide high-quality, in-demand products in this space – elevating branding on the court.”

Proforma (PPAI 196835, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 3 distributor, has officially launched ProMatch, a software program that screens and matches acquisition and sales professional candidates with Proforma distributor owners.

• ProMatch uses sophisticated algorithms and a user-friendly interface to streamline the process of identifying and engaging qualified individuals.
• Acquisition candidates and sales professionals are screened based on key criteria, including location, experience level and many other relevant factors.

“The launch of ProMatch marks a pivotal moment in our journey of innovation and growth,” says Brian Carothers, CIO at Proforma. “By harnessing the power of technology, we’re enabling our Owners to expand their networks, thrive in a dynamic marketplace, and drive business success like never before.”

SRG (PPAI 230188, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 17 supplier, has received a Silver rating from EcoVadis for 2025.

“This recognition reflects our ongoing dedication to environmental stewardship, ethical business practices and responsible sourcing across our operations,” the company said.

• EcoVadis rated SRG’s carbon management as “Advanced,” noting its comprehensive GHG emissions tracking, alignment with global standards and third-party data verification.
• SRG also earned the highest scores in Environment and Sustainable Procurement, underscoring its investments in energy consumption, training initiatives and sustainable supply chain policies.

Advertise America (PPAI 219846, Silver) has announced its designation as an Official League Licensee for the United Soccer League.

• The USL partnership encompasses men’s, women’s, preprofessional, academy and youth leagues and teams throughout the USL ecosystem.
• Through this collaboration, Advertise America will provide promotional merchandise, custom branding solutions and revenue generation strategies to enhance fan, sponsor and community engagement.

“We’re honored to be named an Official League Licensee of the United Soccer League,” says Candy McCullers, president and CEO of Advertise America. “As a woman-owned enterprise, Advertise America is especially proud to partner with a league that is elevating the women’s game through the launch of the USL Super League.”

After nearly a century in business, Howard Miller (PPAI 114170, Standard-Plus) has announced plans to wind down its manufacturing operations.

• Production is expected to continue into the fourth quarter of this year, with the third-generation, family-owned Michigan business remaining open into 2026 to sell its inventory.

“We are incredibly disappointed to have reached this point in our journey,” says Howard J. “Buzz” Miller, grandson of the company founder who now serves as president and CEO. “For nearly a century, we have manufactured clocks, custom cabinets and other furniture designed to enhance the lives of our customers at home. We’ve been blessed with an incredible workforce of skilled craftspeople and professionals who enabled our company to grow and prosper for decades.

“But in recent years, a convergence of market influences beyond our control brought us to this point. Furniture sales are closely linked to the health of the housing market, which is struggling. This has been compounded by inflation and rising interest rates. Our business has been directly impacted by tariffs that have increased the cost of essential components unavailable domestically and driven specialty suppliers out of business, making it unsustainable for us to continue our operations.”

• Miller said the company has been working with an investment banker to market itself but has been unable to find a buyer.
• Howard Miller would still entertain offers from an interested buyer.