September New Member Spotlight PhotoNicolas Santorineos

General Manager

Granger Balloons

Montreal, Quebec

PPAI# 674108 UPIC: GRANGER

How did your company get its start?

Our company is more than 60 years old. My grandfather started it in his garage in 1952. Printing, exporting, importing, making sales; he did everything. When my father came into the business, he brought in a lot of new technology. He has a patent in the U.S. for a semi-automatic silk-screen printing process for balloons that he invented.

Today we have a young and dynamic team, and we continue to pursue new technologies and refinements. Our latest machinery can print 3,000 balloons an hour. In my grandfather's day, one machine could barely print 500 balloons per day!

What led your company to enter the promotional products market?

With balloons, you won’t find a promotional product that’s cheaper in cost and has a bigger impact. It’s publicity. Businesses put their name on a balloon and the people they give them to walk around with them and everyone can see it.

What's your favorite thing about being in the promotional products industry?

Being able to sell in volume. Distributors bring the right connections to produce big runs. I want them to be aware that we are working to produce in the best products in the market, and we’re doing it here in North America.

Why did you join PPAI?

My father used to be a member of a number of associations. In talking to other suppliers, we became interested in becoming part of PPAI. We’re growing, bringing in new technology, and we want to build our business in the U.S. And we want to find good people to work with. The right fit. I want to make sure that we work hard for people who respect that we work hard.