over $200 million in capital expenditures to automate nearly all of its facilities using PopPick, the robotic fulfillment platform. Robots pick and bring the product to workers, who stay in place and prepare it for shipment. The result? “We’ve found that our employees are happier, more engaged, and our safety has improved,” Whitmoyer says. And, of course, robots improve order accuracy and create efficiency that delivers on the bottom line, which is meaningful to stakeholders. Companies at this sort of size are investments, not passion projects. Greater margins mean reinvestment and theoretically even greater revenues, margins and valuations. Pricing has, of course, been a consideration, too. Whitmoyer says the success of the merger isn’t contingent on higher prices. Out In Front During our interview, I tell Myers that, at least for this year, S&S will not rank as the PPAI 100 No. 1 supplier. SanMar maintains the lead, largely on the strength of its estimated $600 million revenue edge. He’s not at all bothered. And later, at the reception, he tells me that he hopes he made it clear that industry leadership is truly the goal, not just multiplied sales. “Honestly, I don’t wake up every day like, ‘I want to be No. 1 as measured by revenue,’” Myers says. “We want to do and provide something different. And if that means we are No. 2 in the revenue of the industry, then so be it. But I know we’ll be No. 1 in the industry if we are No. 1 in the hearts of our customers.” Fitting of the strategy that has helped S&S rise to its current status, he hopes the merged company – under whatever brand is decided – can enable customers themselves to grow the industry pie. When Myers first went to work at S&S in 2009, the company still took orders by fax machine. To him, that change is emblematic of the evolution S&S has tried – and will continue to try – to encourage. “When I say I view us as the industry leader, I don’t mean it necessarily in size,” Myers says. “I mean in terms of pushing the envelope of what the industry is. We all need this market to grow. We need to help.” Ellis is the publisher & editor-in-chief at PPAI. See how the strongest suppliers lead our industry: Visit ppai.org/ media/ppai100/suppliers 44 • JUNE 2025 • PPAI Must Read | Suppliers
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