Chris Faris, like many distributors, didn’t expect the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) to rise again.

However, as the delta variant drives a surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the United States, indoor mask mandates are being reinstated, even if you’re vaccinated. In July, ESP searches for “masks” were up 41% over June – the first increase in PPE searches in several months. In this episode of Promo Insiders, Senior Writer John Corrigan talks with the CEO of Beverly, MA-based Boost Promotions (asi/142942) about preparing for the return of PPE in the promotional products industry.

Podcast Chapters
1:20: Not surprised PPE is coming back
6:48: Employees back in the office
7:24: Mandatory vaccines
8:24: Leadership lessons learned during the pandemic
10:58: Navigating supply chain disruption
17:20: Hiring challenges

In 2020, Boost Promotions successfully pivoted to PPE at the dawn of the pandemic, inking contracts with state and local governments to deliver face masks and hand sanitizer to front-line workers and those in need. This time around, though, Faris doesn’t plan on being as proactive because many of these agencies are already stocked up. “The demand for PPE isn’t going to be what it was in 2020 because infrastructures and supplies are already very prevalent now,” Faris says.

“Because we’re onboarding new clients literally every month, I’m focusing on the future.” – Chris Faris, Boost Promotions

Also in this podcast, Faris discusses how his company has been navigating the unprecedented supply chain disruption, universal hiring challenges and the lessons he’s learned as a business leader during the pandemic.