In the end, fallout from the tragic train derailment in East Palestine, OH, was too much to overcome and Maggie Guglielmo had to sell the promo business she loved.

Still, she believes Wristbands America has found an ideal new owner in Arch Promo Group, whose company portfolio already features other supplier firms such as Gemini Industries (asi/56100), Drum-Line (asi/50873), StrombergBrand Umbrellas (asi/89955), TKCups-Sorg’s (asi/88200), ProRose (asi/79933), and F&H Ribbon.

A smoke cloud rises after authorities released chemicals from a train derailment in East Palestine, OH, earlier this year.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not released. All of Wristbands America’s equipment and order history have been relocated from its former home in East Palestine, OH, to Gemini Industries, a union facility in Roxana, IL, where operations will restart in early September. Wristbands America provides USA-made silicone wristbands to the promotional products industry.

“I am very pleased to pass Wristbands America onto Arch Promo Group and Gemini Industries,” said Guglielmo. “Gemini is an exceptional supplier with a great reputation for selling Made-in-the-USA products, which is what I was looking for to keep Wristbands America growing.”

'1,000% the Result of the Train Derailment'

Wristbands America was founded in 2005 in Kentucky. Guglielmo owned the business for four years. The company relocated to East Palestine, OH, in 2019.

In February 2023, a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in the Buckeye town of about 5,000 people near the Pennsylvania border. Wristbands America was less than a mile from the crash site. The derailment and subsequent so-called “controlled release and burn” of toxic chemicals caused a host of problems for Guglielmo and Wristbands America, impacting everything from inventory to the facility the business operates in.

“My production manager Ruth and I especially want to thank the clients we served for the last four years…We’ll miss everyone.” Maggie Guglielmo

Ultimately, the impacts – which ground Wristbands America’s operations to a halt – were too much for the small business to overcome. Guglielmo had warned in February the repercussions were severe enough that the company could close for good but she was able to connect with an eager buyer in Arch Promo Group to keep the brand alive.

“The sale was 1,000% the result of the train derailment,” Guglielmo told ASI Media. “My production manager Ruth and I especially want to thank the clients we served for the last four years…We’ll miss everyone.”

Nearly six months after a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, the cleanup effort goes on with no end in sight https://t.co/DOXZHGdy4W

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 24, 2023

East Palestine, OH, is continuing to deal with impacts from the February train derailment, as this article from The Wall Street Journal details.

Guglielmo isn’t calling it quits on promo though. She’s been in the industry for 42 years – was even profiled by ASI Media earlier in 2023 in a feature on “Promo Lifers” – and has worked on both the supplier and distributor side of the business. Going forward, she reckons she’ll be low-key active as a distributor.

“You never retire out of this industry,” she has said.

Another Acquisition for Arch Promo Group

According to Arch Promo Group executives, the acquisition will enable Gemini to offer both adult and child-size American-made wristbands in more than 15 colors once new inventory is received over the next month or two. Arch expects the wristband line to be back in full operation in September, offering both screen-printed and debossed bands with “Made in the USA” molded right into the band. 

On this Promo Insiders podcast from ASI Media recorded last year, Steve Ehlert of Arch Promo Group discusses the firm’s expansion.

“We are excited to grow our portfolio of products and services with the addition of Wristbands America,” said Arch Promo Group’s National General Manager Steve Ehlert. “We’re excited to offer another American-made item to our product line, and we’re committed to continuing on with the same dedication as Maggie.”

Arch Promo Group’s expanding line of products includes keytags, air fresheners, magnets, award ribbons, cups, napkins, reusable barware, calendars and journals. A division of St. Louis-based Confluent Holdings, Arch entered the promo industry in 2016 with the acquisition of Gemini Industries. The company’s profile has risen significantly over the last year-and-a-half amid a run of headline-grabbing acquisitions, including Drum-Line, StrombergBrand and ProRose.