today Sutter’s Mill employs 130 people. “I was attracted to the industry because the people I met were very entrepreneurial,” Butler says. Throughout his career, Butler says he’s seen how important promotional products are to companies. “They reflect the image and culture of the company to both its employees and customers,” he says. PPB spoke with Butler to learn more about the acquisition, and how Sutter’s Mill creates solutions for its clients. Becoming a part of BAMKO will… cement the legacy we’ve built here at Sutter’s Mill. We’ve been approached by a lot of folks over the years interested in acquiring our business, but none come close to possessing the culture, capabilities or energy that the BAMKO team is able to infuse into our business. We see where the direction of our industry is headed and BAMKO has proven that it is at the forefront of that change, which is very clearly transforming the future of branded merchandise. While the business side and growth opportunities are so exciting, what excites me most is the opportunity to join forces with such a talented, hardworking and high-character leadership team. The future is extremely bright here at Sutter’s Mill, and I cannot wait to see how we shape that future together. My clients’ biggest problem right now… is getting their projects completed with quality products on time. To do that, you must have inventory, quality decorating and great communication. The more control you have over those [factors], the better. We built our company different than other normal distributors. I keep a significant amount of inventory, and I have decorating machines here. We’ve done that from the very start. By doing it ourselves, we are not dependent on others. We have our own graphics, decorating and shipping. We do everything here. If somebody calls me on a Wednesday, needing 500 pens by Friday, I can get that done. I don’t need to call into the industry. I just pull them out of my inventory, mark them and send them out. For us, the last year played right into our strengths. We connect with our clients by… sending samples out to prospective customers. But we send high-quality samples that Employees work in the decorating section of the Sutter’s Mill Specialties’ facility. An operator positions a glassware item to be engraved. Butler’s Favorite Product This 16-ounce layered ceramic mug is an eye-catcher thanks to the different shades of reactive color clay, providing the ideal background for your client’s custom-engraved brand and logo. This dishwasher-safe mug is an excellent gift for any coffee or tea lover. Sutter Mill’s Specialties www.suttersmill.com | MARCH 2022 | 85 CONNECT
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