News March 12, 2020
Logomark Takes COVID-19 Precautions
The Top 40 supplier has suspended in-office meetings and events, and is having sales and management work from home.
Logomark (asi/67866), a Top 40 promotional products supplier based in Tustin, CA, is temporarily suspending all in-person office meetings and events through the end of April in an effort to protect employees and customers from the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Effective March 16th, all Logomark’s outside sales employees and management will be working remotely from home offices. Daily operations will not, the company says, be affected, as remote employees will have access to Logomark’s internal systems and will continue to be available to customers via phone and email. Employees/management will also be able to conduct webinars and sales meetings using video conferencing software.
“Our number one priority is the safety, health and well-being of our staff and clients,” CEO Trevor Gnesin said in a statement. “We appreciate your continued support and we will continue to work closely with public and private medical experts to ensure we are taking the right precautions as the situation continues to evolve.”
Logomark’s decision comes as the World Health Organization officially declared the new coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced a ban on travel from most of Europe as part of efforts to check COVID-19’s spread in the United States. As of Thursday morning, at least 1,269 people in 44 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., had tested positive for coronavirus, according to The New York Times. At least 37 patients with the virus have died in the U.S.
Concern over the virus’ economic impact has cratered stocks, sending the market into bear territory. The impacts are biting hard in the promo products space, too. Issues include supply chain disruption, inventory issues, rushes on products like hand sanitizers, and event cancellations that are resulting in lost sales for distributors.
Older adults & people with a severe chronic medical condition: Prepare in advance for the possibility of a #COVID19 outbreak in your community. Take extra measures to put distance between yourself & other people to reduce your risk of being exposed. https://t.co/juMv7K6bdZ pic.twitter.com/Z1ZXIrGAjW
— CDC (@CDCgov) March 11, 2020
Logomark’s situation is emblematic of the internal struggle companies across promo are facing: How to keep business going but also protect workers and clients. In February, Logomark suspended all company travel to China, the country where COVID-19 originated and has, to date, experienced the most cases and deaths. Logomark also announced that its staff in China would work from home.
“Logomark has increased precautionary measures at its headquarters in Tustin, CA, installing additional hand sanitizers throughout the building (and) sanitizing high traffic areas and surfaces multiple times per day,” the company said in a statement. Logomark has suspended factory tours until further notice.
With reported 2018 North American promotional product revenue of $104.5 million, Logomark ranks 14th on Counselor’s latest list of the largest suppliers in the industry.