Helm Join's QCA's Distributor Advocacy Council

Quality Certification Alliance (QCA), the promotional products industry's only independent, non-governmental accreditation organization, announced that Helm has joined the Distributor Advocacy Council.

QCA, founded in 2008, created the Distributor Advocacy Council (DAC) in 2012 to recognize the fact that compliance solutions are best done as a collaborative effort between suppliers and distributors. QCA, in partnership with the DAC, is raising the bar for solutions to provide supply chain transparency, and answer the increasing amount of questions from Fortune 100 companies about product safety and quality.

Helm, founded in 1943 originally as a trade publication bindery, has over the years expanded into branded merchandise, fulfillment and related support services while also establishing itself as the nation's largest provider of factory-authorized automotive service and owner manuals. Becoming the twelfth member of the DAC is a key next step in its evolution.

"Our company and service offerings have evolved considerably", said Justin Gusick, Helm COO. "We feel it's our responsibility to offer customers safe, high-quality promotional products produced in a safe and socially responsible way."

"Purchasing from QCA-accredited suppliers is one more way we can ensure safe products", added Ryan Gusick, vice president of Helm. "We have made significant advances internally with new technology, new programs, and new capabilities to efficiently and effectively support our customers. We're excited now to be a part of the DAC, and a part of this game-changing movement for the promotional products industry."

Jeffrey P. Jacobs, executive director of Quality Certification Alliance, said, "When Helm re-branded a couple of years ago, they added the tagline, 'Beyond The Box.' The choice to improve a design or a process because it makes something safer is important and something we're all committed to. That's going 'Beyond The Box,' too. Helm is a key addition to our group."

QCA is recognized by members of the Distributor Advocacy Council as the industry standard. Its mission is to elevate the standards by which firms that import and/or manufacture products are consistently delivering safe, high quality, socially compliant and environmentally conscientious merchandise. Together the Distributor Advisory Council and QCA-accredited suppliers are forming a new level of collaboration in this industry-changing effort, which is effectively the only way to ensure supply chain transparency and control.

For more information, visit www.qcalliance.org.