Tekweld (PPAI 266346, S4) – ranked the No. 26 supplier in this year’s PPAI 100 – has announced it will be taking over the sales and marketing for Pioneer Line products within the U.S. promotional products industry.

Under the arrangement, Pioneer Balloon (PPAI 113823, S7) will continue to produce and print balloons sold by Tekweld while focusing on manufacturing and distributing balloons through its other sales channels.

“Tekweld is a recognized leader in customized promotional items for trade shows, including sanitizer, drinkware, bags, acrylic items and more,” says Scott Slade, CEO of Tekweld. “We can now improve the customer experience by also offering table covers, tents and other promotional products our customers need not only for indoor and outdoor events, but also for advertising at car dealerships, festivals and more. In addition, we’ll further increase market share by offering custom printed AdRite and Qualatex latex and Qualatex Microfoil balloons throughout the promotional industry.”

“This alliance capitalizes on the strengths of both companies going forward,” Dan Flynn, CEO of Pioneer Balloon. “We’re truly excited to be part of this great partnership with Pioneer Line powered by Tekweld. This team will ensure the highest quality products and service to our promotional products distributors.”

Ray Rodriguez, who stepped down as vice president of sales and marketing for Tekweld in June and launched supplier consultancy 5P Promo in July, was instrumental in bringing Tekweld and Pioneer Balloon together.

“I feel like I have come full circle as Pioneer Line was one of the first lines I picked up to represent when I had my repping firm back in the ‘90s,” Rodriguez says. “I'm truly excited about bringing these two premier lines together to form a strong sales and marketing one-two punch in the promotional industry.”