Simplex Promo

Dan Engel

Owner

Concord, Ontario

PPAI# 674210 UPIC: S674210

How did your company get its start? 

We started this company in 2009. We moved into promotional products after some things I saw while traveling stuck in my head. I went to China with a friend and got a look at the laser engraving industry there. I had done some custom laser engraving work before so I was familiar with it. I also drove through Arizona and Utah and saw that every gas station had flashlights for sale.

We had equipment designed for industrial cutting—we cut a lot of plastic for display and signage purposes—and we used that in our work with the promotional products industry.

We like it that we are smaller rather than bigger in terms of SKUs. People get that you can specialize in your niche and be really good at what you do.

What led your company to enter the promotional products market?

The person I went with to China was in the industry so I was aware of it and saw an opportunity. I wanted to apply the same model with past businesses to this industry. I started small and believe in doing as much as I can by yourself. We don’t charge any setup fees. My background is in business development and I believe in differentiating yourself as a company and not just on a product level. Along with the right products, you need the right service.

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

A couple of months ago one of our clients called us. Their car had broken down in the dark and the flashlight that we’d given them as a sample was of great help. Flashlights, multi-tools, they have a lot of functionality and use. That reflects well on an advertiser.

Why did you join PPAI?

We are going to The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas and we became a member in order to exhibit. I should have done it before.