ACS Affiliate Services says nine new affiliates have joined its community: A2Z Specialty Advertising (asi/128470), Brand Builder (asi/556108), Brand & Standard (asi/556113), Burns Mailing and Printing Inc. (asi/150837), Corporate Branding (asi/556004), J&L Printing and Promotional Products LLC (asi/233309), Maples Ad Specialties LLC (asi/556109), My Tribe Print & Promo (asi/556106), and The SWAGHag (asi/556114). “The addition of nine new affiliate partners this year underscores our commitment to expanding our vibrant community,” said Kirk Ross, executive vice president of ACS Affiliate Services. Part of Altitude Group and a subsidiary of AIM Smarter, ACS Affiliate Services delivers financial support, personalized marketing strategies and back-office assistance to distributors.

Outdoor Cap Company (asi/75420), a Top 40 supplier, announces that Jamie Jeter, head of sales, promo, has been selected for this year’s Women in Business Best in Class Award given by the NWA Business Journal. The 10th annual Women in Business issue features 10 business leaders from Northwest Arkansas.

Laser Light Engraving (asi/66455) says it’s experiencing phone issues. Email sales@laserlighteng.com to get in touch.

Rupt Ventures, the venture arm of supplier Rupt (asi/84203), has invested in Swanky Badger (asi/90303), a supplier of unique and sentimental gifts founded in 2014 by Mark Hanratty. This is Rupt Ventures’ third investment; the firm previously invested in Sweeter Cards (asi/90354) and Desk Plants (asi/49451). Executives said that Rupt Ventures has a focus on sustainability and meaningful customer experiences, seeking to partner with firms that have strong growth potential and that look to make a positive impact. “Swanky Badger epitomizes the core values of Rupt Ventures – innovation, speed, and entrepreneurial excellence,” said Rupt CEO Jason Lucash. “Mark Hanratty's vision and dedication to creating meaningful gift experiences with no minimum align perfectly with our mission.”

A Minuteman Press (asi/377000) franchise in Clinton, NC, with more than 19 years in business was named to the 2024 President’s Club as a new member for achieving more than $1 million in gross sales in 2023. “We’ve previously had year-over-year growth in some years and persevered through others,” said Andrey Schulte, owner. “At the beginning of last year, we sat down and set our goals. I said, ‘We’re going to do it this year’ because I knew we had the ammunition to get to that $1 million mark.”

American Solutions for Business (ASB, asi/120075), a Top 40 distributor, announced that the following suppliers are now integrated into the company’s proprietary ecommerce platform via PromoStandards: Top 40 firms alphabroder (asi/34063), Cutter & Buck (asi/47965), Garyline (asi/55990), Gemline (asi/56070), Goldstar (asi/73295), Hit Promotional Products (asi/61125), Koozie Group (asi/40480), PCNA (asi/66887), S&S Activewear (asi/84358), SanMar (asi/84863), and Starline (asi/89320), as well as Raining Rose (asi/80489), Storm Creek (asi/89879) and St Regis Group (asi/84592).

STAHLS’ (asi/88984), which specializes in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of heat printing technologies, recently held its biannual Global Meeting in Dillingen, Germany. Coming from four continents, more than 40 members of the company’s leadership team attended. The meeting focused on enhancing product quality standards, patent protection, and other initiatives designed to benefit heat printing technology customers worldwide. “Our global company meeting underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation and quality assurance throughout all our manufacturing processes,” said Carleen Gray, CEO of STAHLS’ and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people.

Twintech Industry (asi/92357) donated more than $34,600 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, as part of its ongoing commitment to help fight food insecurity in its local community. The supplier donates a portion of the proceeds from power bank sales to the food bank. “Their support helps us provide essential nutrition to food-insecure children and families across Los Angeles County,” said Michael Flood, president of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

American Solutions for Business (asi/120075), a Top 40 distributor, has been awarded a Vizient contract for documentation and workflow management. Vizient, a provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company, has a customer base that represents more than $140 billion in annual purchasing volume. American Solutions for Business’ agreement with the company includes core products such as custom forms, printing, labels, envelopes and filing.

Proforma (asi/300094), a Top 40 distributor, has added Lona Carson, owner and CEO of Mixed Promotions, to its network of distributor owners. Carson, who has 24 years of industry experience, said she’s thrilled to join Proforma. “With Proforma’s resources, specifically their e-commerce solutions, I am confident Mixed Promotions will achieve record milestones,” Carson said.

Orbus Visual Communications (asi/75209) has added an array of new products to its lineup, including Vector Fast Frame collapsible SEG frames and light boxes; Hybrid Pro modular kits and counters designed to promote and display merchandise; new economy banner options ideal for events and promotions; new dimensional and channel lettering in a variety of materials, finishing, lighting and mounting.

Vantage Apparel (asi/93390), a Top 40 supplier, has hired Diana Fernandez as e-commerce revenue manager. Fernandez previously worked at Vantage as a marketing manager. In her new role, she’ll be spearheading initiatives to enhance customer experience, optimize sales channels and maximize revenue growth. “Her expertise and passion for excellence align perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional products and services to our valued customers,” said CEO Rob Watson.

Quinn (asi/80288), a Hanover, PA-based supplier specializing in flags and signage, has added print and soft signage finishing equipment, including large-scale digital printers to increase the company’s domestic production capacity. “With these new technologies, we can further our focus on speed, efficiency and quality, enabling us to meet our customers’ needs for quicker turnaround and large order fulfillment,” the company said. Quinn also has an existing mass production facility outside of the U.S., which the Hanover facility will complement.

Whitestone Branding (asi/359741) has joined Reciprocity Road, an alliance of 13 promo distributors across the U.S. and Canada that has a focus on philanthropic endeavors. “Reciprocity Road felt like a natural fit for Whitestone based on its values, a solid commitment to giving back and the collective spirit to do good,” said Joseph Sommer, president of Whitestone. “We felt incredibly honored and grateful to be selected as the 13th group member and are eager to contribute and make meaningful connections with the distributor and supplier partners.”

Royal Apparel (asi/83731) in Hauppauge, NY, announced that it is lowering its prices, which was made possible by sustainability initiatives at its domestic vertical production facilities. Among the advances are lean production systems that allow the supplier to create new styles from previously wasted materials and more fully use each roll of fabric. The supplier also notes that it has upgraded its warehouse lighting systems with motion-senor LEDs, significantly reduced its energy consumption and waste production, and invested in water conservation technology and eco-friendly dyeing processes. “Our goal is to deliver high-quality, sustainable American-made apparel at prices competitive with international markets,” said Morey Mayeri, CEO of Royal Apparel. “We believe our customers shouldn’t have to choose between ethics and affordability.”

Promotional Products Professionals of Canada (PPPC) and PromoKitchen, an independent group of industry professionals that offers education, mentoring and networking, have entered into a strategic partnership. “PPPC is pleased to be teaming up with PromoKitchen to shine a brighter light on their mentorship program so our members can take advantage of this great opportunity to elevate their business game and grow their networks,” says Paul Wieleba, president of {WE} Promotional Advertising and PPPC board chair. Ashley Colautti, board chair for PromoKitchen, calls the move “a significant step towards driving further growth in the PromoKitchen ecosystem.”

Proforma (asi/300094), a Top 40 distributor, has added John and Lisa Geyer of J. Geyer Advertising to its network of industry professionals. Owners of a multimillion-dollar business, the Geyers said they joined Proforma to streamline operations, enhance productivity and deliver value to clients. “We believe that Proforma’s technology infrastructure will provide the duo with the tools and resources they need to stay ahead of the curve in today’s rapidly evolving market,” said Steven Hillegass, product manager for Proforma.

PCNA (asi/66887), a Top 40 supplier, has added the 34-oz. Klean Kanteen Rise Food Box (1034-44) to its offerings. The oven- and microwave-safe container is made of certified 90% post-consumer recycled stainless steel with an electro polished interior, and has an airtight seal. PCNA already offers nine Klean Kanteen drinkware styles.

NC Custom (asi/44900), a Top 40 supplier, welcomes Tamasin and Leslie Ashby of Your Promo Rep as the company’s multi-line representation for Southwestern Ontario. The Ashbys are “beyond excited,” adding “with [our] reputation for delivering top-quality promotional products and exceptional customer service, [we’re] so proud to be a part of the NC Custom team and can’t wait to help elevate the brand.”