PPB August 2019

are our backbone. We have put more emphasis on developing an inside sales team to offer personal support for product solutions and consultative support with our distributors. Our outside sales team, both company reps and multi-line reps, know what our inside teams can and need to do, so that frees them up to make sure they have time to really work with and listen to our customers. This assures we have the best pulse on how to help make business happen together. When there is a problem with an order, our quality assurance team understands what is essential: determine if time is of the essence, take care of replacing/reacting first and worry about whose fault it is later. We have always been aggressive in product compliance testing and attend the PPAI Product Responsibility Summit annually to continue to monitor standards and to assure we are complying with the most current regulations. As a smaller supplier, relatively speaking, we have the ability to be flexible and more responsive. And we wouldn’t be who we are, and in this position, if it weren’t for our production team and our outstanding production manager who truly understands who pays the bills—and that is our distributors. Our goal with every call and every order is “if we can’t meet the specific requirement, offer the options available and find a solution.” —— AWARD OF MERIT —— $20,000,001-$35,000,000 —— SUPPLIER STAR —— Insights from Paul Lage, MAS, president Years in business: 23 Primary product category: We have 15 major categories; primary lines are drinkware, writing instruments, tech and business-related items. Company philosophy on communication and customer service: We will communicate any way, any time and provide immediate answers for our customers. Some of our communication is proactive and we provide tools for our customers, so they can seek out their own answers on our website. How it keeps product and packaging offerings fresh and in-demand: We manage category teams to evaluate products and trends. We follow up with sampling a variety of groups to validate and provide input as we prioritize new product launches. Why it excels among industry suppliers: Customer service! We care about our customers and we want them to have a positive experience every time we get the opportunity to interact with them. We truly embrace the attitude of “Whatever It Takes” in everything we do. —— AWARD OF MERIT —— $35,000,001 - $50,000,000 —— SUPPLIER STAR —— Insights from Mark Godsey, CAS, president Years in business: 71 Primary product category: Writing instruments, golf accessories and drinkware Company philosophy on communication and customer service: We view our customers as extensions of our Gold Bond family and pride ourselves on crafting an experience that makes them feel as though they are working within a tight-knit, family-style community. Each phase of the rendezvous is methodical and each step in the process is crafted for the most convenient encounter possible to provide more than they expect—because we’re family. How it keeps product and packaging offerings fresh and in- demand: We consider ourselves the self-made understudy to the most impeccable trend hunters in the world. We are forging our exclusive and staple selections based on the most up-to-date trend analysis and client feedback. We consider our customer feedback as the best building blocks for tactical assessments on how to make regular items sensational whether in features, services surrounding the item or marketplace ideation. Why it excels among industry suppliers: We have a large variety of decoration methods that are accommodating to any brand, a social media presence that has won several awards and in-house construction on one-of-a kind bundles that are comprised with only the client’s needs in mind. We don’t just offer promotional FEATURE | PPAI Pyramid: Supplier Stars 24 | AUGUST 2019 |