News April 16, 2020
Gemline Expands Into Hand Care Category
The expansion comes as the coronavirus fuels increased attention to keeping hands clean to stay healthy and slow the pandemic’s spread.
Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070) has partnered with two personal care brands, Soapbox and Beekman 1802, to offer a range of hand care kits to the promotional products industry.
Announced Thursday, April 16, the partnerships come at a time in which the U.S. is placing attention like never before on keeping hands clean to help stay healthy and slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“We felt the timing was right for our business expansion into the hand care category, allowing us the opportunity to offer our customers a broad selection of hand care kits to help them stay healthy, especially as they return to work and adapt to a new normal in hand hygiene and health standards,” said Gemline CEO Jonathan Isaacson.
Gemline’s collection of Soapbox and Beekman 1802 products currently offers eight hand care kit options. Depending on the option, the kits provide the soap bars and/or lotions in either a brandable pouch or mini-tote.
“Partnering with these trusted personal care brands with a strong retail presence enables us to provide quality products, while continuing to build our brand roster,” said Isaacson.
Founded in 2010, Soapbox offers naturally derived, shea-butter infused personal care products. For each sold, the company donates a bar of soap or contributes to health and hygiene initiatives in communities domestically and abroad. Consumers can track the do-gooding through a “Hope Code” found on all Soapbox packaging.
“We’re proud to partner with Gemline and make our hand/body care products available to a wider audience and grow our mission to bring hygiene essentials and education to those who need it most,” said David Simnick, CEO/co-founder of Soapbox.
Simnick continued: “During these unprecedented times, it’s critical for all of us to work together to not only meet demand for soap products but also support nonprofits serving communities in need. We’re all in this together.”
Founded in 2008 by a writer and a doctor after they took on a farmer and inherited his herd of 100 goats, Beekman 1802 is a goat-milk skincare company. Founders Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell say their products are made cruelty-free and leave the skin feeling clean, nourished and well-moisturized.
“We started making goat milk soaps and gourmet cheeses in 2008 and one thing led to another,” the founders said. “Now we are proud to have over 180 employees.”
With reported 2018 North American promotional products revenue of $104 million, Gemline ranks as the 15th largest supplier in the industry.