U.S. trade relations with Canada have seemed potentially tumultuous of late. President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canadian imports at the beginning of February, only to put a one-month pause on the plan a few days later following a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Amid these developments, S&S Activewear, PPAI 100’s No. 5 supplier, has made leadership appointments to bolster its commitment to the firm’s Canadian division. In October of last year, S&S acquired alphabroder, PPAI 100’s No. 2 supplier.

  • Craig Ryan has been appointed to vice president of commercial Canada, a newly created role within the company.


Ryan will oversee the Canadian market’s strategic direction, including sales operations. Ryan was previously the vice president of sales at alphabroder and was closely involved in company’s integration with S&S following the acquisition.

  • Steven Clune has taken on the role of national director of sales for Canada.



Clune will report directly to Ryan. His focus will be sales efforts throughout the nation and maintaining positive customer experience for the region’s merchandisers, retail brands and decorators.

“This is an exciting time for S&S Activewear in Canada,” Ryan says. “With this new structure, we are reinforcing our focus on the Canadian market and strengthening our ability to serve customers with the best products, service and support.”

A Benefit of the alphabroder Acquisition

According to Toby Whitmoyer, chief commercial officer at S&S Activewear, the supplier’s ability to ensure a strong presence in Canada is part of the holistic domino effect of the strategic, and promo landscape shifting, acquisition.

These investments in Canada are a great example of the benefits we’re already seeing from the S&S acquisition of alphabroder.”

Toby Whitmoyer

Chief Commercial Officer, S&S Activewear

“These investments in Canada are a great example of the benefits we’re already seeing from the S&S acquisition of alphabroder, and we expect to see similar advantages for our U.S. customers as well,” says Whitmoyer. “By combining the strengths of both organizations, we’re enhancing our leadership structure, expanding our capabilities and driving greater value for our customers in this key market.”