4imprint’s (asi/197045) annual sales are growing again.

The third largest distributorship by revenue in the North American promotional products industry increased total global revenue to approximately $787 million in 2021, a rise of 41% over the pandemic-plagued year of 2020, according to a trading update released Friday, Jan. 21.

Since the results are preliminary and unaudited, 4imprint did not release its profit performance. The firm noted that total order count for 2021 was about 90% of the total seen in 2019 – the last year in which COVID-19 wasn’t disrupting the marketplace.

4imprint’s total global revenue in 2019 was $860.84 million, meaning that, while 2021 was a substantial gain over 2020, the company is still not back to pre-pandemic revenue levels.

Unaudited net cash balance at the end of last year was $41.6 million, up from $39.8 million at the end of 2020.

“Even as challenges remain regarding the supply chain, inflationary pressures and the lingering effects of the pandemic, our performance in 2021 further demonstrates the flexibility and resilience of our business model,” company board members said in a statement. “The board is very pleased with (4imprint’s) progress in 2021 and is confident that the qualities embodied in our brand continue to resonate with our customers.”

4imprint plans to release its final, full-year financial results for 2021 on March 16.

4imprint’s performance in 2020 was dramatically affected by fallout from COVID-19, including societal shutdowns and restrictions that choked off some traditional business channels for the firm. The company’s total global sales in 2020 were $560.04 million, down 35% from 2019.

Still, 4imprint began to bounce back toward the end of 2020, and the momentum carried over into 2021. For the half-year concluded at the end of June 2021, the firm’s global sales rose 23%.  

Headquartered in London, UK, 4imprint has its main operations in Wisconsin and produces the vast majority of its sales in North America. The North American market led 4imprint’s rebound in the first half of 2021, with revenue for the six-month period tallying $321.7 million. 

Based on 2020 North American promotional product revenue of $549.9 million, 4imprint ranked third on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry.