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information between Evans and
its distributor partners. “We have
also invested in a new website
that will give customers real-time
order status tracking information
and inventory availability,”
Vaught adds.
Vaught believes that, in the
future, technology will be the
biggest separator between com-
panies. “Who thought five years
ago that more rides would be
from Uber than taxi cabs, when
Uber doesn’t own any cars? Or
more nights would be spent in
Airbnb rooms than the largest
hotel chain, when Airbnb doesn’t
own any properties? Price and
service will always be the corner-
stone in this industry, but com-
panies that embrace changes in
technology will be the leaders.”
Promo Pete
Creative self-promotion is
another way to stand out in a
business made up of imaginative
marketers. When Evans’s mar-
keting team came up with the
idea of a company mascot,
Vaught was immediately on
board. “The idea originated as an
iconic way to engage customers
at The PPAI Expo. Now Promo
Pete is also a social media sensa-
tion—check him out on our
Facebook page. More than any-
thing, having Promo Pete is just
a way to give a little ‘personality’
to our Evans team. Distributors
recognize him now and look for
his next great offer,” Vaught
explains.
A Winning Team
Vaught has high praise for
his employees and the team
atmosphere they have created.
“Money could replace every piece
of equipment and every item of
inventory we have, but there is
not enough money on the planet
to buy a team like we have at
Evans.”
Company culture takes a
long time to develop—in Evans’s
case, 25 years. Vaught says,
“There are no shortcuts to devel-
oping a successful team like we
have here. I wish I could take
more credit, but this team has
evolved in spite of me. I love this
place.”
Julie Richie is associate editor
for
PPB.
AUGUST 2016 •
PPB
• 25
EVANS MANUFACTURING
Secrets Of Evans Manufacturing’s Success
(According to Alan Vaught)
Consistency
We have been under the same ownership for many years.
Service
We take service very seriously and continue to make changes
needed to stay ahead of our competitors.
Innovative products
We design and purchase products with an
emphasis on ad space and quality. We understand that the minute a
name goes on a product, it is branding someone’s company. We want
that to be a good experience for the end recipient.
Made In The USA
Making more than 50 percent of our products in our
factory means we always have product on hand with a wide color
selection.
In-house Sewing
We can deliver large orders faster and can assure
quality of material and imprint like no one else.
Promo Pete with North Central Senior Account Manager
Jennifer
Thornton
(right) and a customer at The PPAI Expo 2016.
Why Create A
Company Mascot?
1.
Community Outreach
(to attract employees)
2.
Employee Engagement
(to promote a little fun into your cor-
porate culture)
3.
Attract Customers
(to provide a familiar face and photo op at
industry shows/events)
4.
Advertising and Social Media
(to spread your company’s
message. Promo Pete pops up everywhere in print and electronic
media.)