Promo Marketing Top 50 Distributors

Promo Marketing's Annual Top 50 Distributors List is very much a representation of a current pervasive cultural theme: change. Whether the many changes of ’08 are good or bad overall is a matter of perspective, but certainly it’s safe to say this year was more eventful than most.
Within our industry, we saw the formation of the PhRMA and CPSIA regulations, and products made with BPA pushed nearly to obsolescence by public opinion. Organics and green products continued their boom, and USA-made items gained ground from the political and financial climate.

The industry was also impacted by global happenings. The crippling gas costs last year were difficult enough, but once they fell back to normal, the housing, banking and auto industries began their collapse. Tougher times seemed to bring more mergers and acquisitions than in prior years, some of which, like Staples Promotional Products’ buying Corporate Express Promotional Marketing, are sure to alter the industry’s playing field. The recession, however, was not the financial Armageddon some were predicting. Five months into ’09, signs of recovery are already apparent, like the stock market crawling back to life or slightly shrinking unemployment numbers.

The economy being the dominant topic in most industry conversations these days, Promo Marketing asked the top ten distributor companies their thoughts on the recession, both in terms of weathering losses and making gains. Their answers provide encouragement and insight into the future of our industry, and act as remind us of its continued significance and vitality.

1. Proforma
    Cleveland, OH
    www.proforma.com
    Principals: Greg and Vera Muzzillo,co-CEOs

PM: What has been your company’s strategy for coping with the recession?

G&VM: [Proforma] owners have the ability to serve their clients with the printing items that they use on a daily basis such as business documents, catalogs, direct-mail pieces, etc., which give them the ability to thrive even during a challenging economy. For every dollar spent on promotional products, nine dollars are spent on print, which makes the printing segment practically recession-proof. In addition, our owners operate as a full-service agency providing clients with innovative ideas and total project management. This allows us to compensate for staffing shortages resulting from any employee reductions that our clients
have made.

PM: What is one of your best memories of starting out in the industry, either an early success or something more personal?