PPB March 2020

NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT How did your company get its start? All of the research and development of the products we produce came out of the University of Missouri in Columbia. Our technology was originally funded by the military for cooling electronics, and our parent company handles its military and space applications. When I joined the company in 2016, we branched out with a spinoff business focusing on the technology’s—Heatzorb— consumer applications and products. Heatzorb is basically a synthetic bee’s wax designed to melt at a certain temperature. That’s how the Burnout mug got its start. We didn’t want to try and replicate the current drinkware out there. The design work began in 2016 and we launched the physical product in August 2018. When a beverage is poured into a Burnout mug, Heatzorb brings it down to a drinkable temperature by absorbing some of the heat, and the heat is then released back into the drink throughout the day to keep it warm. We’re able to produce our mugs here in the U.S., and each product has a unique serial number that allows customers to register them for a lifetime guarantee. Registration also gives us information that we can use to support customers and better control our quality. What led your company to enter the promotional products market? We had a laser etcher already that was doing the etching on our mugs. People began requesting custom laser etching, including distributors. We thought, ‘Why not?’ We made up a pricing option and joined in. People like new things—even more so, they like new things they can make their own. What’s your favorite thing about being in the promotional products industry? It’s really opened our eyes to the different possibilities these kinds of products have. One of my favorite things is hearing our customers getting excited about our technology and spit-balling ideas as to who it might be for. Our customers are looking for a cool product. They want to wow a client or VIP. Why did you join PPAI? We’ve been involved with various industry organizations for a few years now and while we saw a lot of success, people recommended PPAI to us for the high level of clients and the opportunities available with membership. Michael Merwin Operations Director Burnout Columbia, Missouri PPAI 776973, S1 Registration and Housing Now Open 134 | MARCH 2020 | CONNECT