PPB March 2019

Imprint Engine Powers Forward The distributor uses a tech-forward approach to drive creative solutions. by Danielle Renda T he creative forces behind Imprint Engine don’t view their customers as “clients”— they see them as strategic partners. The St. Louis Park, Minnesota-based distributor has been growing rapidly—192 percent annual revenue growth between 2015 and 2017— which they attribute to their tech-forward approach and uncompromising dedication to their “partners.” “We wanted to create an end-to-end solution for our customers that was a true partner relationship as opposed to a vendor-client relationship,” says the company’s Zach Sussman. And their efforts are being recognized, having landed big-name clients like Target, Facebook, McDonald’s, Delta, Budweiser, Uber and most recently, CBRE. The company, which was founded in 2012, grew out of a need that was fueled by frustration. Founding partners Travis Veit and Caleb Gilbertson were disappointed by the lack of quality distributors available, so they sought to create their understanding of the “modern” distributor while incorporating their enriched backgrounds in marketing, logistics, technology and procurement. The company added Sussman as a third partner and gradually built a diverse team of enthusiastic employees whose creativity powers Imprint Engine’s vision. “Diversity is the biggest driver of our creativity,” Sussman says. Having had the experience as clients seeking a distributor partnership, Imprint Engine maintains the client’s point Travis Veit (left) and Caleb Gilbertson (center) are the founding partners of Imprint Engine, later joined by third partner Zach Sussman. Impr i n t Eng i ne 90 | MARCH 2019 | THINK