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.

Illinois-based Overture Promotions (PPAI 288541, D11) sums up its two-fold dedication to imagination and meticulous supply chain control with the slogan “creative control freaks.” The company follows a quality control process with 14 checkpoints and employs multiple cybersecurity measures, including annual audits. Overture’s corporate social responsibility initiatives include employee resource groups supporting company culture, diversity and safety. An employee-led Green Team drives the company’s sustainability initiatives, from recycling of boxes and batteries to ensuring that overseas sources are certified for product safety, social accountability and environmental stewardship. The company also supports various charities and maintains an “Overture Family Fund” to provide grants to team members in need.

Distributor Kaeser & Blair (PPAI 103148, D12), headquartered in Batavia, Ohio, has been in operation for almost 130 years. The company was founded in 1894 as the Cincinnati Printing and Paper Products Co., in Cincinnati, and changed its name when Dutch Kaeser and Bill Blair acquired it in 1923. Members of the Kaeser family continue to lead the company today.

With more than a century in business, Kaeser & Blair and the independent salespeople it supports have built a strong reputation in the promotional products industry. And its attitude towards career educational helped the company earn high marks in PPAI 100 for its professional development.