PPB August 2020

product lines and often awards have a perceived idea of being a difficult sell or buy. We work with our staff to make sure they walk every customer through the process and make it as easy as possible, so in the future they feel like they have a team member at Pacesetter they can call with any questions.” Dys believes staff training is the key to helping Pacesetter achieve Supplier Star status. “We train our staff on our product line so that they become experts. Whether it’s a CSR or someone in manufacturing, we want them to know all the details of our product,” he says. “We cross- train our staff so that if someone is out sick or on vacation, we can fill in roles to meet deadlines and not slow down the production process. We also encourage our staff to speak up if they see any quality issues with a product or feel that we can create efficiencies in production. We consider everyone family, and if we succeed, we all reap the benefits. If we fail, we pick each other up and work together to see how we can improve so it doesn’t happen again.” $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 Award of Merit Raining Rose, Inc. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Raining Rose is a full-service manufacturer of personal care products. The company has built its strong presence and reputation through the production of high- quality lip balms, sunscreens and hand sanitizers. With third-party audits conducted regularly, their facility is FDA-registered and is one of the few manufacturers certified as a provider of USDA- organic products. Raining Rose is also a Certified B Corporation meeting the highest standards of accountability, transparency and social and environmental performance. “We focus on service, expertise and integrity with an eye on the future and a love for our community and our planet,” says Lindsey Davis, MAS, director of promotional sales. “When we put all these things together and get to work with amazing customers, the end result is nothing short of remarkable.” She attributes the company’s ability to consistently deliver the top-quality service, products, communication and decorating required to earn a Supplier Star to the employees at Raining Rose. “I know I am biased, but we have the best employees. They truly love our products, care about our customers and live the values described above,” she says. $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 Supplier Star HandStands Salt Lake City, Utah Since 1983, HandStands has been a high-quality and innovative source for promotional products, especially tech accessories. Its motto is, “Inspired by you, engineered by us, delivered to your client.” “Our goal has always been to design, develop and market truly innovative solutions for the promotional products market,” says CEO Rodd Steuart. “Beyond that, we remain highly invested in the success of our customers. We’re always asking ourselves, ‘What can we do to serve our customers better?’—and we’re pretty relentless in that pursuit. While we take orders seriously, we try not to take ourselves too seriously.” He says the company places value in every point of contact with the customer. “Regardless of the size of your order or the nature of your call, we will treat you like you’re one of our own. Because we are a professional and principles-based organization, we hold ourselves to a higher standard of innovation, efficiency and customer care.” He adds, “Now that we’re a part of the HPG family, we’re able to do even more for our customers, leveraging the best practices from our other HPG sister companies to make every experience remarkable.” $10,000,001 - $20,000,000 Award of Merit Hirsch Gift, Inc. Houston, Texas Hirsch Gift is a family- owned premier supplier offering more than 750 products—including tech items, executive gifts, drinkware, crystal awards and premiums—and brings more than 25 retail brands into the industry. President Peter Hirsch says the company’s focus on retail FEATURE | PPAI Supplier Stars 18 | AUGUST 2020 |