PPAI.ORG/MEDIA 08.26 Discover how PPAI-member solutions providers can enhance your business efficiency and address critical needs. Help Needed P. 10 ERP Roulette P. 16 Solutions Spotlight P. 26 PPAI Magazine's NEW LOOK p. 22 Solutions Center Inside The PPAI
Visit our booth at the PPAI Expo January 2027 Learn more at speartek.com Industry knowledge and experience to build B2B websites that meet Supplier specific needs Flexible product pricing including min qty, qty price breaks, and customer specific pricing A solution for Suppliers that serve different markets (Promo, Gift/Resort, Direct to Consumer) Integrations to automate order administration and inventory updates B2B Ecommerce Solutions for Suppliers Flexible checkouts that support credit cards, budgets, purchase orders and any customer specific order reference Support for multiple user types within a single online store Integrations to Accounting / ERP, 3rd party fulfillment, and end client systems Custom site builds to better match your client brand Responsive and accessible tech support A true technology partner that improves the profitability on corporate programs Company Store Solutions for Distributors speartek.com PPAI Member Since 2006, PPAI #313211
4 From PPAI The Power Of Partnership Voices 10 Your Business You Aren’t Great At Everything 12 Responsibility The Knowledge Network CONTENTS VOLUME 50, ISSUE 06 ERP Roulette: A Merch Firm’s Costly Search For The Perfect Fit While Illinois-based distributor Show Your Logo continues to search for the right system, its peers push ahead with tech upgrades. 16 Solutions Spotlight We shine a light on the top providers of the industry. 26 Inside The PPAI Solutions Center Vetted and verified PPAI-member solutions providers can enhance your business efficiency and address critical needs. 22 16 26 22 08.26 • AUGUST 2026 • 3 Cover Art: Artistdesign.13 / Shutterstock.com
08.26 From PPAI Ellen Tucker, MAS, CAE, Chief Revenue & Experience Officer The Power Of Partnership EVERY INDUSTRY needs specialists. These are the professionals and organizations that step in with expertise, technology and capabilities that help everyone else perform at a higher level. They may not always be the most visible part of the business, but their impact is undeniable. Branded merchandise is no different. For years, PPAI has proudly served distributors, suppliers and business services providers that each play distinct roles in helping brands connect with audiences through promotional merch. But as our industry has evolved, so has the network of partners that supports it. Today, solutions providers have become an essential part of that story. They help businesses embrace new technologies, navigate complex regulations, strengthen cybersecurity, recruit talent, improve operations, analyze data, optimize logistics and solve countless challenges that didn’t exist even a decade ago. In many cases, they provide specialized expertise that allows companies of every size to compete more effectively and grow with confidence. That’s why we’re dedicating this special digital issue of PPAI Magazine to celebrating this important member community. Solutions providers don’t simply offer services. They expand what’s possible. For a growing distributor, the right outsourcing partner can create efficiencies that free up more time with clients. For a supplier, an expert safety and compliance partner can unlock new opportunities in an increasingly complex landscape where clients need receipts throughout the supply chain. For organizations across our ecosystem, outside expertise often provides access to capabilities that would be difficult or cost-prohibitive to build internally. The result is a stronger, more resilient industry. At PPAI, we often talk about the importance of community. That community extends far beyond buyers and sellers. It includes the innovators, consultants, technology partners and strategic advisers who work alongside our members every day to help them succeed. Their contributions deserve recognition not simply because of the services they provide, but because of the confidence they inspire. Great partnerships allow businesses to move faster, think bigger and focus on what they do best. As you’ll see throughout this issue, solutions providers are helping reshape how our industry operates. They’re introducing new technologies, streamlining workflows, enhancing customer experiences and preparing businesses for challenges that continue to evolve. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt throughout the marketplace. At the same time, this issue serves as a reminder that innovation rarely happens in isolation. The strongest organizations are those willing to collaborate, learn from experts and recognize that growth often comes through partnership. That philosophy reflects PPAI’s own approach. Our role is to power lasting connections, bringing members the knowledge, relationships and resources they need to thrive. Whether that’s through education, networking, research, advocacy or introductions to trusted partners, our goal is to help every member build a stronger business. To our business services members, thank you for the expertise, creativity and commitment you bring to this community every day. Your work strengthens not only individual businesses, but our industry as a whole. We’re proud to recognize your contributions in these pages, and even more excited about the role you’ll continue to play in shaping what’s next. Solutions providers don’t simply offer services. They expand what’s possible. 4 • AUGUST 2026 •
SPONSORED CONTENT Building A Team Of Top Talent DCX hires and trains the right talent for your team, freeing up management to focus on the business. IMAGINE PITCHING A POTENTIAL CLIENT who can unlock major new revenue for your business – but lacking enough team members to take on the added work. That’s where DCX steps in. Founded in 2020, DCX helps businesses scale quickly by matching and training highly qualified, full-time, remote global talent. Today, with 2,200 Philippinesbased employees on board, the company manages the staffing needs for nearly 550 promo clients. PPAI recently met with industry veterans Craig Dunlap, CEO/founder of DCX and Stephen Musgrave, senior VP of sales, to learn more about DCX’s concept and approach. Craig, tell me a bit about your background in promo and why you started DCX. My background started the day I was born. My father was a distributor for more than 40 years before he sold his agency, Case Dunlap, to Omnicom. A friend and I started our own distributorship, Meyer Dunlap, in 2010. We had good account managers, but they were inundated with too much work to take on new accounts. It’s hard to find good people and there’s a special skill to do account management in promotional products. We went overseas to find people to support our good team members here in the U.S. The idea was never to replace anybody but to provide support. We built up a team in the Philippines. I trained them and had a lot of success. A light bulb went off in my head. I realized what we do has nothing to do with cost cutting and everything to do with value creation. When you have that mindset, it’s all about growing and bringing more value to your business and your client. I took hold of this idea of bringing value to promo companies who might not have ever considered it. What type of company does DCX typically work with? Usually, it’s companies at a turning point, like I was at Meyer Dunlap. You have more business coming in than you can handle. Or, you’ve got the right people in place but could bring in more business with more people. We can hire any role but in promo, the bulk is for sales assistants and pre-sale support on the distributor side, customer service for suppliers and distributors, plus accounting staff and graphic designers, too. Stephen, why is DCX so different from other outsourcing companies? First and foremost, we get the best talent in the Philippines. They’re backed by our amazing U.S. team – specialists in recruiting and folks with long careers in promo. We really know how our clients’ businesses work – we use that knowledge to build training programs for distributors and suppliers, because a strong foundation in how promo works is key to helping clients grow. In promo, the best way to differentiate yourself is how you do the work – the care, the culture and the detail. It’s at the heart of DCX too – in how we provide easy access to talent for smaller companies, and, for our enterprise clients [those hiring more than 25], in how we structure a team with management support built in. What does the future look like for DCX? We’re six years in with 2,200 team members in the Philippines. We’re proud to see them spanning entire companies, from data entry up to senior manager roles. That’s the power of people having a real impact. For the future, we’re building more support for larger companies and finding new ways to use our people, culture and industry expertise to help everyone grow. • AUGUST 2026 • 5
SENIOR DIRECTOR, MEDIA, RESEARCH & PUBLIC AFFAIRS Josh Ellis JoshE@ppai.org DEPUTY EDITOR John Corrigan JohnC@ppai.org SENIOR NEWS EDITOR Jonny Auping JonnyA@ppai.org MARKET ECONOMIST & SENIOR MANAGER, RESEARCH Alok Bhat AlokB@ppai.org PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER Rachel Zoch, CAS RachelZ@ppai.org RESEARCH COORDINATOR Shiella Aparis ShiellaA@ppai.org ART DIRECTION SPARK Publications SPARKpublications.com 704-844-6080 ADVERTISING MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT MANAGERS Connie Brazil Nick DiNicola Luke Huebsch Heather Mangold Mark Rykojc PPAI.org/account-managers ADVERTISING CONTACT Danah Dean 972-258-3031 DanahD@ppai.org PRESIDENT & CEO Drew Holmgreen, CAS 888-I-AM-PPAI CHIEF REVENUE & EXPERIENCE OFFICER Ellen Tucker, MAS, CAE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Renae Ward CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Melissa Ralston, CAS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Christopher Cheney DIRECTOR OF SALES Michele Schwartz, CAS DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY John Twist DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY & SUSTAINABILITY Elizabeth Wimbush, CAS DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Jessica GibbonsRauch, MAS SENIOR DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES Eliana White BOARD OFFICERS CHAIR OF THE BOARD Danny Rosin, CAS Brand Fuel IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Denise Taschereau, CAS Fairware CHAIR-ELECT OF THE BOARD Zack Ottenstein The Image Group VICE CHAIR, FINANCE SERVICES Mark Gammon PCNA BOARD MEMBERS REGIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE DELEGATE TERM EXPIRING 2027 Kara Keister, MAS Social Good Promotions AT LARGE DIRECTOR Samantha Kates Spector TERMS EXPIRING 2027 Frank Myers S&S Activewear TERMS EXPIRING 2028 Erin Reilly Pop! Promos TERMS EXPIRING 2029 Mark Gammon PCNA Kate Alavez PromoShop TERMS EXPIRING 2030 Joseph Sommer Whitestone Bruce Barnet Charles River Apparel PPAI HEADQUARTERS 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038-3526 Phone: 888-IAM-PPAI (426-7724) www.ppai.org, pubs. ppai.org READER RESOURCES SUBSCRIBE TO PPAI MAGAZINE: Subscribe online at pubs.ppai.org or send your name, title, company name and mailing address, along with phone and fax, to PPB Subscriptions, 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038. Or phone in your subscription to 972-258-3019. Include payment with your order. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted, along with checks. Additional member subscriptions are $58 for PPAI member companies (U.S.), $70 (Canada and Mexico) and $75 (international). Nonmember subscriptions are $72 (U.S.), $82 (Canada and Mexico) and $92 (international). Please allow four to six weeks for start of subscription. ADVERTISE IN PPAI MAGAZINE: Download a media kit with rates and specs for all PPAI print and digital publications at media.ppai.org, or call 972-258-3019 or email mediasales@ppai.org. Promotional Products Association International 6 • AUGUST 2026 •
PROCESS PICK PACK SHIP Canada Mexico Brazil France United Kingdom The Netherlands India Germany Australia Egypt China Singapore Japan Israel USA WWW.XPEDITEFULFILLMENT.COM Global Order Fulfillment, Print On Demand, And Kitting E-Commerce Company Stores Kitting Warehousing Shipping Customs Compliance Global Print On Demand USA Locations MASSACHUSETTS ALABAMA ARIZONA CALIFORNIA COLORADO CONNECTICUT DELAWARE FLORIDA GEORGIA IDAHO ILLINOIS INDIANA MARYLAND MICHIGAN MINNESOTA MISSOURI NEW HAMPSHIRE NEW JERSEY NEW YORK NORTH CAROLINA OREGON PENNSYLVANIA TENNESSEE TEXAS UTAH WASHINGTON WISCONSIN sales@xpeditefulfillment.com International Locations PROMOTIONAL MARKETING FULFILLMENT EXPERTS SINCE 1993 Mexico Brazil France United Kingdom The Netherlands India Australia Egypt China Singapore Japan Israel ILLINOIS MARKETING FULFILLMENT EXPERTS SINCE 1993
YOUR BUSINESS p. 10 IDEAS TO ADVANCE THE MARKETPLACE 08.26 Voices Patricia C. Adams / Shutterstock.com THE KNOWLEDGE NETWORK Behind responsible businesses stand experts willing to lend a hand for the greater good. page 12 RESPONSIBILITY • AUGUST 2026 • 9
You Aren’t Great At Everything Growth often stalls not because you’re missing talent, but because you’re reluctant to borrow someone else’s By Michele Schwartz, CAS IF YOU’RE AN ENTREPRENEUR, admitting you need help can feel a little like admitting defeat. You built the company. You landed the first clients. You figured out accounting through YouTube, designed your own website, learned just enough Excel to be dangerous and somehow became the IT department, the HR department and the janitorial staff. That’s entrepreneurship. It’s also a terrible long-term business strategy. One of the biggest differences between businesses that plateau and businesses that continue growing isn’t intelligence, effort or even revenue. It’s humility. Growing companies understand a simple truth: They don’t have to own every capability. They just have to own the customer relationship. For years, many of us have measured success by how much we could do ourselves. We took pride in being indispensable. We answered emails at midnight. We became experts in tasks we never intended to master simply because hiring someone felt expensive or outsourcing felt risky. But every hour you spend wrestling with bookkeeping, cybersecurity, digital marketing or freight negotiations is an hour you’re not spending where your business creates the most value. Every business has a core competency, and everything else is overhead. That doesn’t mean those functions aren’t important. In many cases, they’re absolutely critical. It just means they don’t necessarily have to belong to you, and your time could be better spent elsewhere. Large companies figured this out long ago. In most cases, it’s part of how they become large companies. eamesBot / Shutterstock.com 10 • AUGUST 2026 • Voices | Your Business
They use agencies, consultants, managed IT firms, logistics partners, recruiting firms, legal specialists and marketing experts because those organizations spend every day becoming exceptional at one thing. Small businesses often believe they can’t afford that luxury. I’d argue they can’t afford not to. The math isn’t as simple as comparing a consultant’s invoice to an employee’s salary. The real calculation is opportunity cost. What happens when your website goes six months without updates because nobody has time? What happens when accounting slips behind? Or when cybersecurity becomes tomorrow’s problem? What are you doing spending Friday afternoon editing social media videos instead of talking with clients? Those costs rarely appear on a balance sheet. They show up as slower growth. One of my favorite leadership questions is deceptively simple: What work can only you do? If you’re the owner, maybe it’s developing client relationships, setting strategy or coaching your sales team. If you’re spending significant time on work that someone else could perform better, faster or more consistently, you’re probably investing your time in the wrong place. That’s where external partners become less of an expense and more of a force multiplier. Notice I didn’t say “vendors.” The best outside experts don’t simply complete tasks. They expand your capabilities. A good managed IT partner doesn’t fix computers. They reduce downtime. A marketing agency doesn’t post on LinkedIn. They help generate awareness while you’re selling. A virtual assistant doesn’t answer emails. They give you back hours you can spend with customers. A fulfillment partner doesn’t ship boxes. They allow you to scale beyond what your own operation could comfortably handle. Of course, this requires letting go of a little ego. Nobody starts a business dreaming about delegating pieces of it to someone else. There’s real satisfaction in being capable. But capability isn’t the goal. Capacity is. The businesses that grow aren’t necessarily the ones with the smartest owners. They’re the ones whose leaders understand where they create the most value and have the discipline to stop doing everything else. That creates leverage that is crucial for any business trying to serve at scale. Your clients don’t care whether you personally updated your CRM or designed your latest social graphic. They care that you solved their problem. As this issue explores the growing ecosystem of solutions providers serving the branded merchandise industry, don’t think of them as companies selling services. Think of them as companies selling capacity. Because every business eventually reaches a point where the next level of growth doesn’t come from working harder – it comes from realizing you don’t have to work alone. Schwartz is director of sales at PPAI. The math isn’t as simple as comparing a consultant’s invoice to an employee’s salary. The real calculation is opportunity cost. • AUGUST 2026 • 11 Your Business | Voices
The Knowledge Network Behind responsible businesses stand experts willing to lend a hand for the greater good. By Elizabeth Wimbush, CAS A MISCONCEPTION about sustainability and compliance is that successful companies have all the answers. They don’t. The companies making the most progress are often the ones asking the best questions – and knowing where to find trusted expertise when new challenges emerge. This matters now more than ever. Product safety requirements continue to evolve, especially at a state level. Environmental regulations are becoming more complex (here’s looking at you, Europe!). Customer expectations around responsible sourcing, transparency and circularity continue to rise. At the same time, businesses are expected to move quickly and confidently through it all. No individual, and frankly no single company, can be an expert in every corner of sustainability and compliance. That’s why responsible business has become a team sport. Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an incredible network of professionals who generously share their expertise with the branded merch industry. Many of the experts members hear from at PPAI’s annual Responsibility Summit, who volunteer their time to participate in Product Responsibility Action Group regulatory roundups, or who helped shape the framework behind PPAI’s Product Safety Aware education program are also PPAI business service members. The same is true of PPAI’s Sustainability Action Group, whose members regularly provide strategic direction, challenge assumptions, review new resources and help ensure that PPAI’s sustainability work reflects the practical realities our members face every day. Patricia C. Adams / Shutterstock.com 12 • AUGUST 2026 • Voices | Responsibility
While many of these organizations provide consulting, testing, legal, certification or technology services as part of their businesses, what stands out isn’t simply the expertise they offer, but the willingness to invest that expertise back into the industry. That distinction matters. The conversations happening in PRAG aren’t sales presentations. SAG discussions aren’t about promoting individual solutions. Responsibility Summit speakers don’t come to deliver product demonstrations. Instead, these groups create space for practitioners with different perspectives to tackle shared challenges, debate emerging issues and help the entire industry make betterinformed decisions. We’ve seen this firsthand as new regulations continue to emerge around the world. Whether discussing PFAS restrictions, extended producer responsibility, evolving chemical regulations, forced labor requirements, digital product passports or product safety expectations, these experts regularly help translate complicated developments into practical guidance that businesses can actually use. For many members, those conversations become an early warning system. Instead of discovering a regulatory change after it affects a customer or shipment, they’re hearing about it months in advance, understanding what it means and having the opportunity to prepare. That’s an advantage that’s difficult to measure but easy to appreciate. It’s also a reminder that responsibility isn’t built through competition alone. Some of the industry’s most meaningful progress happens when competitors – suppliers, distributors and business service providers – come together to solve common challenges. The same collaborative mindset is becoming increasingly important within individual businesses. No matter your company’s size, it’s worth asking: • Where do we consistently turn for trusted guidance? • Are we building relationships before we urgently need them? • Do we have access to expertise in the areas where our customers are asking the most questions? • Are we taking advantage of the knowledge that’s already available through our industry community? Those questions often matter more than trying to become experts in everything ourselves. PPAI’s Solutions Center exists to help members connect with organizations that specialize in areas like sustainability, responsible sourcing, testing, product safety, regulatory compliance, certifications and supply chain services. Many of these organizations have spent years contributing to the industry’s collective knowledge through committees, educational programming, peer review and events long before a member ever engages them professionally. As Responsibility Summit approaches this fall, I’m reminded that one of our industry’s greatest strengths isn’t simply the expertise that exists, it’s the willingness to share it. Responsible business is moving too quickly for any of us to navigate alone. Fortunately, we don’t have to. Sometimes the smartest move isn’t having every answer. It’s knowing where to find them and being part of a community that’s committed to sharing them. Wimbush is PPAI’s director of sustainability & responsibility. Responsibility isn’t built through competition alone. Some of the industry’s most meaningful progress happens when competitors – suppliers, distributors and business service providers – come together to solve common challenges. • AUGUST 2026 • 13 Responsibility | Voices
SPONSORED CONTENT Make Global Feel Local How a Local Merch Business Turned into a Global Provider The Nearly Missed Deal. A distributor who had never shipped outside the US before was called by their biggest client. A global rebrand. 90 countries. 65,000 items. Simultaneous delivery. They had 48 hours to say yes or no. International shipping means classifications, compliance, potential customs holds, duties, and penalties. A different set of regulatory rules in every market. Most distributors simply don’t have the infrastructure to say yes to a brief like this. The Global Opportunity “We are seeing a rise in large corporations requesting fulfillment capabilities to global locations, especially with off-site events,” says Eben Vorster, TecEx MD. Large corporates prefer dealing with a single vendor for local and international projects. They also don’t want to handle the import hassle or take on the associated entity risk. They want one relationship, one point of accountability, and one delivery. However, shipping internationally comes with a range of complexities. “In essence, every distributor would require their own in-house compliance team to be able to manage international shipments at scale,” says Vorster. For many distributors, not only is this often not feasible, but it is also unnecessary. Each category of shipped item has its own classification and, with it, a suite of compliance and regulatory requirements that vary from border to border. Merchandise often gets stuck in customs due to misclassification, mislabelling, or unknowingly breaking regulatory requirements. This not only results in launch delays but can also put your company at risk of financial penalties. Not only will this impact your bottom line, but it can damage your relationship with your client. The Brief 90 countries 65,000 items Simultaneous delivery “We had to work backward from the deadline to get all the country-specific requirements in place. We worked with the distributor to determine which items to choose so that we would avoid not being able to import some or getting some stuck in customs”. TecEx managed the entire project, from customs clearance and international regulatory compliance to payment of duties and taxes across all 90 markets. Every item arrived. No shipments were held. The rebrand launched on schedule.” “Ninety countries, 65,000 items, one deadline, and not a single shipment stuck in customs. Partnering with TecEx means you never have to turn down a deal. You have a partner to support you on all global orders so you can become the single vendor your clients need,” says Menachem Wolf, Head of Promotional Goods at TecEx. From Local to Global TecEx removes the hurdles of international shipping. Operating across 200 destinations, TecEx can manage the entire project, from customs clearance to international regulatory compliance, to duties and taxes. For promotional products distributors, that means one thing: you can say yes to any brief, anywhere in the world, and deliver. Make the move from local to global with TecEx. Menachem Wolf promogoods@tecex.com Artistdesign.13 / Shutterstock.com The N A dist outside their big countrie delivery or no. Intern classific customs differen market. have the brief lik The G “We a corpora capabili especial Eben Vo Large single ve projects handle t associat relation and one internat of comp “In es require team to shipmen many di not feas Each its own suite of requirem border. in custo mislabe regulato results i Artistdesign.13 / Shutterstock.com 14 • AUGUST 2026 •
STORIES TO KEEP AND USE 08.26 Must Read SOLUTIONS SPOTLIGHT Shining light on the top providers of the industry page 26 Phruet / Shutterstock.com ERP ROULETTE p. 16 INSIDE THE PPAI SOLUTIONS CENTER p. 22 • AUGUST 2026 • 15
16 • AUGUST 2026 • Must Read | ERP Roulette PPAI innni-shutterstock / TsoyMariya / Shutterstock.com
• AUGUST 2026 • 17 ERP Roulette | Must Read ERP Roulette: A Merch Firm’s Costly Search For The Perfect Fit While Illinois-based distributor Show Your Logo continues to search for the right system, its peers push ahead with tech upgrades. By John Corrigan PPAI
18 • AUGUST 2026 • Must Read | ERP Roulette Show Your Logo has spent five years and hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to transition to a new enterprise resource planning system. Every time the Oswego, Illinois-based company comes close, an issue arises, and the process is abandoned. Coming out of the pandemic, the firm had a contract ready with an industry-specific ERP provider only for the latter to refer Show Your Logo to a non-promo-specific ERP provider. Uncomfortable with the last-minute switch, the firm backed away and signed up with a different company. After 70% of the system was built, Show Your Logo leaders realized there were flaws. “They spent 30 minutes doing a demo, and we said no, that doesn’t work,” recalls Steve Brungart, general manager at Show Your Logo. “They asked what we wanted it to do, and we spent the next two hours explaining it. After the call, I told our owner how amazing it was that they took all these notes and could make this happen. “A half hour later, the head guy from the ERP provider called and said all the things we asked for are going to break the system. So, we backed out of that, too.” Third time wasn’t a charm, either, as a breakdown in communication between both parties resulted in Show Your Logo leaving a glitch-filled system that half of its sales reps had been using for six months. Brungart later learned that the ERP provider fired its chief technology officer at about the same time his firm was having issues. “I wish I would’ve known because I would’ve been more patient,” he says. While Brungart continues to shop around, Show Your Logo has been relying upon the same system for the past 13 years. Although it does everything “reasonably well,” Brungart says it hasn’t been updated since the firm has been on it, and it doesn’t tie into any other application. “With our current ERP, I can’t get a database with my customer’s name, contact name and email address,” he says. “I’m fearful because, especially with software, if you don’t innovate, you die. I don’t know any big players on it, so if there isn’t one on it, who’s going to keep this thing going? “But I’m scared to pick up the project again because I’ve been burned so many times.” Growing Trend Branded merchandise companies use ERPs to streamline operations and integrate core business functions. These systems centralize data for inventory, order processing, customer relationship management and accounting. With the complexity of custom product orders and tight deadlines, ERP systems enable merch firms to scale, enhance customer service and stay competitive. Previous systems, many of which had been in place for decades, had become outdated. As merch firms’ needs evolved and the pace of technology – spurred by the rise of AI – accelerated, business leaders realized they had to make a change to remain competitive in the marketplace. Los Angeles-based PromoShop spent the first half of 2024 migrating to an ERP system, which included a fully integrated buildout for absorbing invoices and information through universal data feeds into its on-premises QuickBooks environment. PromoShop also expanded its partnerships and programming to facilitate one-click purchasing, implementing low/no-touch features for quick and seamless ordering. Aside from AI applications, ERP implementations and upgrades were the most cited IT-related developments among 2025 PPAI 100 companies. PromoShop spent Q3 2024 focused on integrating finance processes and optimizing workflows for automation while taking a deeper dive into e-commerce platforms and their integration in Q4.
• AUGUST 2026 • 19 ERP Roulette | Must Read “We opted for a layered tech stack instead of a single ERP solution model to match solutions to specific problems,” says Kate Alavez, MAS, president of PromoShop and a member of the PPAI Board of Directors. “Our strategy is based on the belief that the industry will continue to evolve in the data space, necessitating a multi-tiered solution with foundational data exchanges that benefit the entire supply chain.” Illini/Altco wanted to move toward greater digital connectivity, including the ability to eventually support PromoStandards integration, which is something that requires a modern ERP as its foundation. “Our proprietary system lacked the flexibility and remote accessibility we needed to support our growing operations,” says Sabrina Wilt, director of product development and marketing at Illini. “Overall, we needed a platform that could evolve with us and meet today’s business expectations.” Illini, chose business services member NetSuite, one of the most popular ERP systems in the world. Since implementation, Wilt says the firm has seen improved reporting, more accurate data and much better visibility across departments. “The system’s ability to adapt to evolving workflows has created real value for our team and our customers,” Wilt says. ePromos Promotional Products, which consistently receives High Marks in Innovation, also chose NetSuite because it met many critical requirements, including industry tool integrations and built-in sales functionalities. “We sought a platform that would boost our sales team’s productivity by simplifying the ordering process, allowing them to focus more on selling rather than navigating a complex, multi-step order entry system,” say ePromos co-owners Marc Puglisi, CEO, and Christine Puglisi, chief marketing officer. Since implementation, ePromos has realized significant improvements in both sales and operations, particularly in managing orders and quotes, and its data storage capabilities have been enhanced, according to the duo. Moreover, the ability to integrate with previously incompatible tools has dramatically improved cross-departmental processes, resulting in greater overall efficiency. “The platform’s flexibility allowed us to customize the out-of-the-box solution to align closely with our organizational style and operational needs, making it an excellent fit for our business,” the duo says. Meanwhile, The Magnet Group’s previous ERP system was a combination of two purchase packages and a home-grown application. Although they served the company well for many years, the architecture of those systems didn’t translate well into an e-commerce business environment, according to CIO Jonas Temple. As a result, the Alpharetta, Georgiabased firm selected Odoo as its new ERP. “We’ve streamlined the technology stack required to support our business and folded numerous ‘silo’ applications into Odoo,” Temple says. “Because of its capabilities, we’ve eliminated paper job packets that would be carried from one department to another. “We’ve rolled out a new website generated by our Odoo environment and now host our ERP in the cloud so a power loss at our main data center doesn’t take the entire company down. We’ve also automated product data feeds to PromoStandards and SAGE. “I could go on and on…” ‘Real Learning Curve’ Of course, as Brungart attests, ERP transformations can be challenging. Typical headaches include high upfront costs, complex customization needs and timeconsuming data migration. Plus, organizations often face employee resistance due to changes in workflows, which can require extensive training. “If your business is complex, and ours definitely is, then understand this: Nothing in your organization will be untouched,” says Todd Pottebaum, MAS+, president of Quality Resource Group and the 2026 recipient of the PPAI Distinguished Service Award. As part of an agreement reached in 2022, PPAI members receive preferred pricing on new subscription services and are offered networking opportunities with fellow NetSuite users.
20 • AUGUST 2026 • Must Read | ERP Roulette The Minneapolis-based company has also implemented NetSuite. But it has been a “real learning curve” for staff, Pottebaum admits. “One of the biggest lessons for us has been the importance of change management,” he says. “I once heard a phrase that stuck with me: ‘Everyone wants change, but no one wants to be changed.’ That sums up ERP transformation pretty well. “You’re not just learning a new system. You’re learning a new language. Some people adapt quickly, while others need more support and reinforcement. And you have to plan for both. That said, we’re starting to see the payoff: better accuracy, faster turnaround, less reliance on tribal knowledge and more streamlined workflows that create a better experience for both our clients and our employees.” Fortunately for Morris Magnets, its NetSuite implementation was “smoother than anticipated.” Jamie Gamez, vice president of the Monroe, Washington-based company, says the process began in October 2024 and went live six months later. In addition to an elevated customer experience with real-time updates on orders and a more accurate view of inventory, Gamez expects NetSuite will improve administrative tasks by reducing unnecessary redundancy and provide access to live data analytics of operations. “The tools for our sales team are highly anticipated as well,” Gamez says. “With customer expectations evolving around delivery times and communication touchpoints during the life of an order, we want the ability to continue delivering the five-star service we’re known for.” Versa-Tags says Durst Lift ERP will provide a payment portal as well as overall customer portal for uploading artwork and approving proofs. The biggest issue with the Missouri-based company’s previous ERP was that it wasn’t print specific. “We’re a graphics printer and we were using a general ERP, which didn’t allow us to create workflows that were intuitive to the normal processes for any graphics printer,” says Nathan Garden, president of Versa-Tags. “You must find an ERP that works for you – not the other way around. It should automate workflows and make information for customers more transparent and easier to find.” Jeremy Bayness, chief technology officer at BAG MAKERS, agrees. “Don’t get locked into overly rigid systems that don’t allow you to customize the software to meet your own company goals,” Bayness says. “Do your due diligence to find the right fit for your exact needs.” BAG MAKERS upgraded last year to a new version of SAP ERP with automatic data archiving that will not only prevent future data creep but also enhance the user experience. “Make sure to have buy-in from your employees on why the switch is occurring by offering them insight into the process,” Bayness says. “You also want to make sure you dedicate more time than you think will be needed for user acceptance training to work out all the bugs before even considering a go-live date. While that may drive your upfront implementation costs up, it will save money in the long-term by having a fully functional system when your team flips the switch.” Tips For Choosing An ERP The universal advice for considering a new ERP or an upgrade is to do your homework. You can’t just jump into it – it’s a lengthy process that demands preparation, commitment and patience. “Audit your real pain points first,” says Martin Olsina, executive vice president of operations at Spector & Co. Because Spector & Co.’s legacy ERP was running on a release that was more than 10 major versions behind, Olsina says it created a bevy of pain points, such as hardware integrations, user experience, data handling, reporting, process automation, regulatory and security concerns. After exploring a full re-platform to a new ERP, Olsina says leadership concluded that the development and change management costs “Everyone wants change, but no one wants to be changed. That sums up ERP transformation pretty well.” — Todd Pottenbaum , MAS+, president of Quality Resource Group
• AUGUST 2026 • 21 ERP Roulette | Must Read outweighed the benefits, so the firm pivoted to the upgrade option – the latest Macola release with Synergy and Event Manager applications. Olsina says the benefits are plentiful: • lower total cost of ownership • real-time operational visibility • API ready architecture • process automations • regulatory compliance and security • fast user migration/adoption without business disruptions “You have to separate ‘platform change’ from ‘process change’ and negotiate longterm support up front,” Olsina says. Echoing that sentiment is Colleen LeYanna, senior director of customer engagement at Edwards Garment, which switched to Microsoft Dynamics 365. “Remember you are making the change for a reason,” she says. “Be open to and seriously consider business process changes. Let your new system work for you and challenge every ‘we’ve always done it this way’ answer – this will help reduce customizations.” LeYanna encourages firms to have a dedicated team – comprised of both internal staff and vendor partners – that has the bandwidth to make the project successful. After all, identifying what to build, testing and fixing bugs is time-consuming. “Don’t drink from a fire hose,” LeYanna adds. “Have a gradual approach to processing in the new system on day one and forward. Make sure there’s a detailed cutover plan and call out every action. Each department needs to highlight the dependencies.” Phil Gergen, chief information officer at Koozie Group, emphasizes the importance of focusing on the data. “It seems obvious, but taking the time to make sure your data is right will make the project go much smoother,” Gergen says. Koozie Group brought all its orders into a single ERP system (Oracle eBusiness Suite), ensuring consistency across its entire product portfolio. “Make sure you don’t lose what makes you unique when moving ERPs,” Gergen adds. “Lots of ERP implementations are designed to have you follow the ERP process, but if you lose what your customers like about you, it can have unintended consequences that overshadow the benefits of updating your ERP.” ‘So Many Options’ As his search continues, Brungart says he’s seen demos from at least nine ERP providers. He hopes to find one that can do the basics (“order entry, order follow up, CRM, a little accounting”) well and has the option of connecting with other software through APIs. “The big software packages aren’t for us because they’re just too clumsy,” he says. “Yes, they can do everything, but it takes too many clicks, or it’s done in a weird way.” Inspired by his peers, Show Your Logo’s Brungart says PromoShop’s layered tech stack appeals to him. “It really goes against what most everyone else is doing, but it seems the most flexible approach,” he says. “Business practices and customer needs are evolving quickly in recent years. Being adaptable while maintaining a cohesive tech environment makes a lot of sense to me.” Ultimately, Brungart hasn’t come any closer to finding the perfect fit for Show Your Logo, but that hasn’t deterred him. He understands the importance of an ERP in today’s competitive landscape. “Every distributor and supplier have slightly different needs and goals,” Brungart says. “Add in the complexity of ordering and making customized products for end users, and it’s no wonder there isn’t a one-size-fits-all software for the industry.” Corrigan is deputy editor at PPAI. “Make sure you don’t lose what makes you unique when moving ERPs. Lots of ERP implementations are designed to have you follow the ERP process, but if you lose what your customers like about you, it can have unintended consequences that overshadow the benefits of updating your ERP.” — Phil Gergen, chief information officer at Koozie Group
22 • AUGUST 2026 • Must Read | Inside The PPAI Solutions Center PPAI
• AUGUST 2026 • 23 Inside The PPAI Solutions Center | Must Read Djjeep_Design / Khakimullin Aleksandr / Shutterstock.com Inside The PPAI Solutions Center Vetted and verified PPAI-member solutions providers can enhance your business efficiency and address critical needs. By Arianna Johnson As the branded merchandise industry’s largest not-for-profit trade association, PPAI is guided by our 15,000 members to create solutions, provide resources, share information and lead. So, when suppliers and distributors needed assistance with finding ways to navigate shipping challenges amid supply chain disruptions or with testing their products to make sure they’re labeled in compliance with Proposition 65, the Association stepped up to help. After all, the promo industry is constantly evolving, and it’s vital to stay on top of issues that weren’t around last decade or even last year. Launched in 2023, the PPAI Solutions Center is the go-to place for members to find a fix for a variety of business problems. Vetted and verified PPAI-member solutions providers can enhance your business efficiency and address critical needs through cutting-edge software, sustainability certifications, logistical support and more. The solutions are divided into 20 categories, and each section contains a list of credible companies handpicked for their excellent service. “The PPAI Solutions Center was created to empower our members by connecting them with trusted, verified providers who can help solve their business challenges,” says Connie Brazil, channel development manager at PPAI. “Whether it’s software solutions, sustainability certifications, logistical support or other critical needs, this resource ensures our members have access to the right tools and expertise to grow and thrive in the industry.” And PPAI members are taking advantage of the Solutions Center for various needs. “It was great to see instant inquiries from our ad in the PPAI Solutions Center,” says Max Dunn, president of Silicon Publishing, which offers software solutions for the branded merchandise industry. “It has helped grow awareness of our real-time virtual proofing software.” PPAI
24 • AUGUST 2026 • Solutions Categories Each of the categories in the Solutions Center serves a specific business purpose. These include: Artwork Services: Aesthetics are key to the branded merchandise world, and these companies help unlock creativity, from proofs to graphics and design software tools. Communities: When we work toward common goals, everyone benefits. These associations and groups bring business and people together for greater results. Consulting: Many PPAI member solutions providers offer consulting for technology, marketing, administrative or sales needs. Credit Services: Credit services providers give merch firms back-office capabilities that let them keep their focus on their clients. Decorators: Decorators give branded products the look and pop that brands want in order to stand out. Digital Marketing: Several PPAI member solutions firms offer digital marketing assistance. Industry companies use these valuable resources to punch up their online presence. ERP: Enterprise Resource Planning software systems help run an entire business, and many service firms are tailoring them for branded merch companies. Equipment & Machinery: PPAI-validated providers of equipment and machinery can assist suppliers and distributors alike with the industrial tools to operate at scale. HR & Development: These solutions providers can help companies with recruitment and employee engagement, as well as HR policies and procedures. Insurance: Businesses need a variety of insurance solutions to support their operations. These PPAI-member business services firms are here to help. Kitting & Warehousing: Several business services firms offer kitting and fulfillment solutions that deliver valuable opportunities to merch companies. Multi-Line Reps: Multi-line representatives can be important partners for companies looking to grow and reach new markets by acting as sales representatives on their behalf. Online Stores: Digital storefronts or company stores can be an important channel of long-term business for distributors with residual sales and lifetime value. Orders Management: A growing merch business is bound to run into issues tracking its flow of orders unless it has an organized order management system. Outsourcing: Outsourcing allows companies to fill gaps in their workforce with top talent. These PPAI-member business services firms help make that happen. Product Safety & Compliance: Product safety, sustainability and compliance are of the utmost importance, and these services can offer assistance. Product Search: Product search solutions make millions of promotional products available to find at the click of a mouse. Product Components: From signature colors to hardware expertise, offering the highest quality products for clients can require partnering with the right services. Shipping: PPAI-member business services firms can help merch companies overcome a wide range of shipping and logistics challenges. Must Read | Inside The PPAI Solutions Center
• AUGUST 2026 • 25 Software: The right software and applications can pay off big for a business. These PPAI-member business service providers can help. Sustainability: Clients increasingly desire assurances that the products our members source are good for the planet. PPAI members offer solutions. A different category is spotlighted in each Thursday’s edition of PPAI Newslink. How To Use The Solutions Center Whether you want to improve your company’s productivity or target high-priority needs, the Solutions Center is the place to find partners. Here’s how it works: • Identify the problem area your company needs to focus on. • Go to the Solutions Center section of the PPAI website and select one of the categories your need falls under. • Scroll through the member companies listed in that category. Each company shows a listed description, PPAI member tier and all the solutions categories they serve. After you’ve decided which company to use, click the tab and you’ll be brought to the company’s PPAI page, which lists more details about the firm. Toward the bottom of the page, you’ll find a “Learn More” tab, which will take you to the company’s official website. You can then get in contact with the firm from there. “The industry needed this,” says Andrew Spellman, former chair of the PPAI Board of Directors and vice president of corporate markets for Therabody. “The PPAI Solutions Center is the go-to destination to find the right resource for your business needs. Having member services firms that understand our industry makes a huge difference in our success.” Johnson is a content manager at PPAI. “It was great to see instant inquiries from our ad in the PPAI Solutions Center, which offers software solutions for the branded merchandise industry. It has helped grow awareness of our real-time virtual proofing software.” — Max Dunn, president of Silicon Publishing Inside The PPAI Solutions Center | Must Read
26 • AUGUST 2026 • Must Read | Solutions Center Guide Solutions Spotlight Shining light on the top providers of the industry Phruet / Pillow leaf / Shutterstock.com
• AUGUST 2026 • 27 Solutions Center Guide | Must Read Vetted and verified PPAI-member solutions providers can enhance your business efficiency and address critical needs through cutting-edge software, sustainability certifications, logistical support and more. No matter the problem, your solution is here.
28 • AUGUST 2026 • Artwork Services These verified PPAI-member business services partners help merch companies move from proof to print with confidence. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN a crisp logo and a blurry mistake often comes down to expert artwork services. Rebuilding low-resolution files, correcting colors and sharpening layouts ensures that every product looks professional and accurate. Distributors rely on specialists to convert logos into production-ready files and streamline communication with suppliers and decorators. Suppliers depend on clean art, mockups and templates to keep production moving. In both cases, precise file preparation helps orders flow smoothly from approval to fulfillment. Artwork teams maintain organized digital libraries of approved brand assets, making reorders simple and protecting consistency. Accurate files and consistent colors safeguard brand integrity across campaigns. Outsourcing layout adjustments, vector cleanup and color correction helps prevent errors and ensures that every file meets brand standards before production. A reliable team saves time, reduces rework and keeps clients satisfied. Strong artwork support doesn’t just protect logos – it protects reputations. When files are accurate, colors are correct and designs print as intended, brands look their best in every campaign. See more on these business services providers and many more. Visit PPAI.org/solutions. ployaung / Summit Art Creations / Shutterstock.com Must Read | Solutions Center Guide
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzU4OQ==