2007’s Top Distributors

5. Geiger (www.geiger.com), Lewiston, ME

As it did last year, Geiger once again emerged as the No. 5 seller on this year’s Top 50 list. Reporting an impressive growth in promotional product sales of 27.8 percent from the previous year, an increased dollar amount of $37.5 million, Geiger’s annual promotional product sales for 2006 totaled $172.5 million.

According to Jo-an Lantz, executive vice president of promotional products, in 2006, Geiger grew more than 25 percent, following a more than 10 percent growth in 2005. Lantz said it is the company’s growth from its existing sales force, its supplier relationships and acquisitions that played major roles in its success.

Like all progressive distributorships, Geiger, under the watchful eye of Gene Geiger, president and CEO, has beefed up its technology. “Our technology investments have exceeded $2 million for several years,” noted Lantz. Some of its most notable investments include: Geiger Studio, an online art storage system that allows sales partners to catalog and store their artwork for prospects; integrated Web sites that introduced the company’s proprietary Decorate on Demand apparel programs; and Geiger Help Desk, which provides computer technical support services to the company’s sales representatives and associates.

Touted as being the largest privately held, family-owned and managed distributorship in the industry, Lantz predicted Geiger’s future. “The Geiger brand will be the best brand in the industry, respected by suppliers, proudly worn by [our sales representatives] and employee associates, and well-respected by customers and prospects in our markets,” she said.

When asked what is required for today’s distributors to be successful, Lantz added, “We need to have a culture of discipline and a culture of ongoing education to improve and invest in the right technologies to support our businesses.” It is precisely Geiger’s discipline, ongoing education and commitment to new technology that puts it in the top ranks among distributors year after year.