Counselor Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070) has reached a new milestone in corporate social responsibility: becoming the largest promotional products firm to earn certification as a B Corp.

Counselor Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070) is now a certified B Corp.

This certification, which spans multiple industries and countries, is often considered the most difficult to attain. B Corps are certified by the nonprofit B Lab, evaluated using an impact assessment that measures positive and negative impact both environmentally and socially. Certified companies must meet high standards for verified sustainability performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. The idea is that for-profit companies should be using their businesses to benefit all stakeholders, including customers, employees, communities and the environment.

“Becoming a B Corp highlights Gemline’s commitment to setting a higher standard for corporate responsibility,” Frank Carpenito, president and CEO of Gemline and a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of the most influential people in promo. “We are proud to be the first and only major promotional products supplier to earn this certification, proving that industry leadership and responsible business practices can go hand in hand. As Gen Z and millennials continue to raise the bar for companies and brands they desire to do business with, Gemline is now better positioned than ever to be the CSR/ESG destination of choice for our distributor partners.”

The supplier notes that its B Corp certification extends to Gemline-branded products and three of its house brands: Aviana, Travis & Wells and RuMe.

Gemline’s B Corp certification comes on the heels of it May 2024 reincorporation as a Massachusetts Public Benefit Corporation and a June 2024 announcement that it was adding carbon footprint data to more than 100 of its products.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Gemline into the B Corp community,” said Max Hayes, community growth manager at B Lab U.S. and Canada. “Their commitment to social and environmental excellence clearly demonstrates leadership in responsible business practices.”

Though it’s the largest, Gemline isn’t the first promo firm to become B Corp certified. Counselor Top 40 distributors Leader Promotions (asi/287087) and Genumark (asi/204588) announced their B Corp certification in January and May 2023, respectively. Other promo suppliers with B Corp certification include Botanical PaperWorks (asi/41273), Zusa (asi/99560) and Chameleon Like (asi/44558). Worldwide, more than 9,200 companies have been certified by the B Lab, according to the B Corp website.

The Do-Gooders Directory on ASI Media’s Promo for the Planet page lists other promo companies that have B Corp certification, along with various giveback programs, charitable initiatives and sustainability certifications they’ve attained. In the retail space, notable B Corps include Athleta, Allbirds, Ben & Jerry’s, Seventh Generation, Patagonia and The Body Shop.

Gemline ranked 12th on Counselor’s most recent list of top suppliers, with 2023 North American promotional products revenue of $134.5 million.

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