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.
Moderne Glass (PPAI 112536, S10) was founded in 1968 and purchased by the company’s current CEO/President Tom McKnight in 1978.
Located in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, it decorates and sells drinkware crafted of aluminum, ceramic, glass, plastic, and stainless steel, along with a line of crystal and glass recognition products.
In spite of its relative size, Moderne has made an impressive commitment to training its team in the industry, ranking among the suppliers with the most PPAI professional development certifications on its roster.
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.
Last fall, Hirsch (PPAI 221823, S10) completed an extensive rebranding which included dropping “Gift” from the company’s name and revising the logo and website. The rebrand celebrated the Hirsch’s continuing commitment to bringing retail-branded products to customers. As of year-end, it offered more than 40 brands of promo items in more than 20 product categories.
In May, the 22-year-old family-owned and operated company announced that it had formed strategic partnerships with six more retail brands: Cuisinart, Victor, Gerber, Coleman, Flickr Fire and Blendi. This strategic move highlights the supplier’s continued commitment to filling category gaps outside technology and drinkware by expanding merchandise offerings to new and underserved vertical markets.
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.
Hit Promotional Products (PPAI 113910, S14), an industry leader for decades, is well positioned for strong growth under its second-generation President/CEO CJ Schmidt and a slew of recent promotions and new hires, notably the addition of industry veterans Kim Brockschmidt as VP of business development late last year and Tiffany Tarr as VP of ecommerce in January.
Coming off a very strong 2022, Schmidt told PPAI Magazine in its April’s cover story, that he’s expecting double-digit growth this year.
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.
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.