In business, everything hinges on faith. Faith in the products and services we buy, in the vendors and customers we work with and faith that everyone will hold to the agreements we make. In short, faith in each other, and that’s why Industry Faith is such a big part of PPAI 100’s assessment of industry companies.

Industry Faith plays such a significant role in PPAI 100 because industry leaders agree that both suppliers and distributors must trust in a business partner’s ability to meet their obligations. For distributors, that means paying the bills on time. For suppliers, PPAI 100 uses SAGE Ratings.

Befitting the professionalism within the promo industry, numerous distributors earned high marks for Industry Faith in their PPAI 100 ranking. Each got there their own way. PPAI Media surveyed some the practices and philosophies behind their Industry Faith leadership.

ePromos Promotional Products (PPAI 212648, Platinum) – the No. 30 distributor in the 2024 PPAI 100 – points to its leadership team of experienced industry veterans, many of whom have worked on both sides of the promotional products industry, and their prioritization of strong partnerships. 

“For years I was on the supplier side of the promo industry,” says Marc Puglisi, CEO of ePromos. “Today, as a distributor, I see how my background has confirmed the importance of meaningful collaboration between suppliers and distributors. By working together, we can provide the best value and experience to our end users. It’s an attitude the company says flows from the top down and employees at every level prioritize distributor/supplier collaboration.”

Leadership's diversified background is also cited by Proforma, (PPAI 196835, Platinum) – the No. 3 distributor in the PPAI 100 – as a driving factor behind its high marks in Industry Faith. 

"Some of the key management philosophies and business principles at Proforma are enhanced by the fact that several key stakeholders of the executive team have an extensive background in finance," says Vera Muzzillo, CAS, CEO of Proforma. "With a strong grasp of cash flow importance, we prioritize maintaining a robust positive revenue stance year after year and ensure on-time payments to vendors to support our supply chain. This provides us with a significant competitive edge.”

Now in its second year, in response to industry feedback and to hone its position as the leading industry benchmark, PPAI 100 has undergone several revisions and updates from 2023. In 2024, the distributor scoring in the Industry Faith category is now based on its PPAI Credit Profile, powered by Forius, an organization that offers objective and comprehensive credit reports for the promotional products industry.

“We are very proud of our high score,” says Puglisi. “This score is a direct result of the respect and partnerships we maintain with our suppliers. The incredible dedication of our accounting team is led by our controller, Stephen Cembrinski, who works tirelessly to ensure we continually honor our commitments on the invoicing and billing side of our business. We honors our commitments by utilizing custom NetSuite-saved searches to monitor DPO and ensure its staying within its terms with each supplier. Additionally, the accounting team actively communicates with suppliers to resolve issues ensuring there are no misunderstandings as to when payments will be issued.”

Digital Transformation And Industry Faith

For both companies, folding the latest technology into their operations has proven pivotal in ensuring they earn the faith of their clients and the industry.

"We prioritize client satisfaction and retention, understanding that trustworthiness is essential to maintain this value," Muzzillo says. "Therefore, fiscal responsibility remains a top priority. A huge part of what helps us do this is leveraging technology and efficiencies. We innovate and adapt to changing market dynamics and actively seek new opportunities for sustained financial growth.”

Financial management at ePromos has benefited from its PromoStandards adoption, the company says. Puglisi adds, “Without industry partnerships and creating faith within the industry, we would not be able to grow and succeed. The entire ePromos team has tremendous respect for our supplier partners and all those within our industry. We look forward to continued collaboration as we finish our digital transformation and work to innovate within our industry.”

Muzzillo says, "Our commitment to continuous improvement drives us to constantly refine our practices and processes. In essence, we strongly believe that our financial acumen, dedication to client satisfaction and commitment to innovation position us for ongoing success in the ever-evolving business landscape of the print and promotional products industry.”