Founder Tom Mertz launched TradeNet Publishing (PPAI 113162, Gold) at his Iowa home’s kitchen table in 1986 with a laminator and an X-ACTO knife. The company quickly grabbed a foothold in the promo industry and Mertz later relocated it to its current location in Gardner, Kansas. Since then, the company, which specializes in erasable boards, refrigerator magnets, calendars and notepads, has grown to more than $15 million in revenue last year. It offers products in 34 categories with 48-hour production on most products.

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