Product Hub April 21, 2023
Gemline Forms Partnership With Outdoors-Focused Retail Brand VSSL
VSSL makes utility items for active lifestyles, including products assembled by individuals with intellectual and development disabilities through a collaboration with a nonprofit.
VSSL manufactures modern utility tools and products for the outdoors.
Now, some of the retail brand’s goods will be available from Top 40 supplier Gemline (asi/56070) for sale in the promotional products industry.
The VSSL Mini Stash Speaker (101783) includes a weatherproof Bluetooth speaker and customizable aluminum refill tins in two sizes.
The Lawrence, MA-headquartered supplier announced on April 21 that it has partnered with VSSL. Items Gemline will be selling include a coffee grinder, insulated flask, camp supplies set and weatherproof Bluetooth speaker that comes with aluminum tins for stashing necessities. The supplier said that VSSL “makes ultra-compact, versatile gear kits of essential outdoor supplies, housed in sleek, water-resistant, military-grade, and virtually indestructible ‘vessels.’”
“We are thrilled for the opportunity to partner with such a well-established company and leader in this industry,” Todd Weimer, founder of VSSL, said of Gemline. “VSSL and Gemline align on many levels, and with recent efforts to expand their offerings within the outdoor recreation space, this partnership seems like a great fit.”
Gemline emphasized that VSSL isn’t just about making what the firm described as great products – it’s about supporting good causes, too. In particular, the brand has partnered with Communitas, a nonprofit that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Folks from Communitas assemble VSSL products at the company’s Abbotsford, B.C., warehouse. VSSL has collaborated with Communitas since 2014; over that time, VSSL’s product defective rate is less than 1%.
“At Gemline, we pride ourselves in selecting retail brand partners that are aligned with us in their appreciation for quality and design innovation, as well as their commitment to the community,” said Frank Carpenito, president and CEO of Gemline. “As we look to grow our outdoor recreation-focused product offering in order to keep up with the explosive growth in outdoor participation, this new partnership offers our distributor partners more co-branding opportunities.”
Based on reported 2021 North American promotional product revenue of $127.5 million, Gemline ranked 10th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry. The new rankings are due out in the summer.
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