(Editor’s Note: PromoWire by PPAI Media is a running digest of news releases and updates submitted from organizations around the promotional products industry. PPAI Media edits these only slightly, including for length, and will consider newsworthy entries from any member organization.)

September 28, 2022

Gemline Obtains FCS Chain-Of-Custody Certification

Gemline, a leading promotional products supplier announced today that they have received FSC Chain-of-Custody certification (SCS-COC-008926) from the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), which further bolsters the Company’s CSR/ESG leadership position within the promotional products industry. FSC Chain-of-Custody certification traces the path of products from forests through the supply chain, verifying that FSC-certified material is identified or kept separated from non-certified material throughout the chain. Gemline went through a rigorous auditing process in order to receive this certification. Their verification was performed by SCS Global Services, a leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. This is in addition to the certification Gemline earned last Summer, to become part of the Sustainable Business Leader Program, which is part of the Sustainable Business Leader Network, a nationwide organization that is committed to building a stakeholder-driven sustainable economy.

FSC is an independent, non-profit organization that has established a certification system to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. Chain-of-Custody is the path taken by raw materials harvested from FSC -certified sources through processing, manufacturing, and distribution until it is a final product ready for sale to the end user.

Gemline sought FSC Chain-of-Custody certification as a result of its commitment to sustainability and its partnership with Out of the Woods®, which commenced in January 2022. Out of the Woods specializes in reusable bags and insulated coolers made from Supernatural Paper™, which use tree cellulose sourced from responsibly managed forests, and are FSC®-Certified (FSC® C153080).  Gemline expects to announce other FSC®-Certified partner initiatives in the future.

“Gemline is deeply committed to its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts and to expanding our offering of sustainable solutions across the marketplace. As we continue to develop more eco-centric products and partner with eco-conscience brands, we felt it was important to obtain our FSC Chain-of-Custody certification,” said Frank Carpenito, President of Gemline. “The Chain-of-Custody process ensures that the FSC-certified products acquired by end users are coming from responsibly managed sources. We look forward to providing our distributor partners with more certifiably sustainable product solutions in the months and years to come.”

September 28, 2022

iPromo Announces Two Senior Additions To Its Team

iPromo, the market leader in promotional products, corporate gifting, and company store solutions, today announced two senior additions to its team.

Cody Sanderson has been named Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Sean Sullins joins the company as Executive Vice President of Sales.

iPromo develops and implements powerful branded merchandising solutions for its clients, including a number of Fortune 500 companies. They are a two-time Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Privately Owned Companies in America award winner as well as a 2021 Best Places to Work honoree.

September 28, 2022

Pop! Promos Pushes Industry Boundaries with New Collection of Pantone Matched, Bespoke Leather Goods

Pop! Promos announces today the launch of its first-ever collection of Pantone matched leather goods: Wilson & Reilly™, named after the best friends-turned-co-founders of Pop! Promos; Sterling Wilson and Erin Reilly.

Wilson & Reilly™ features a range of of luxurious, full grain leather desk products (notebooks, mouse pads, key rings, and coaster sets), and pouches (Dopp Kits, flat pouches, gusset pouches, and coin pouches), all Pantone matched to a brand’s exact color and debossed to create sophisticated, yet subtle customization with a retail feel.

The launch of this collection of PMS matched leather products pushes Pop! Promos’ Rapid Import model into higher-priced executive gift categories. “We’re thrilled to go upmarket launching the industry’s first PMS matched leather line,” said Wilson. Wilson & Reilly™ leather products are something I’ll use every day and I can't wait for our customers to try them!”

Pop! Promos is redefining what custom means in the branded merchandise world by establishing and leading the rapid importer category. With a product line that features full-color and Pantone matched products with thousands of decoration options and no stock issues, Pop! Promos offers distributors the ability to step away from single-color, single imprint products, and offer their clients something that was manufactured with their brand DNA inside.