Leed's

In honor of Earth Day, Pittsburgh-based Leed’s, a Polyconcept North America company, announced it has donated one tree for each full-time employee. This effort builds upon the company’s EcoSmart platform launched in November 2007, where a tree is planted through American Forests—a nonprofit tree planting organization based in Washington—for every EcoSmart imprint order placed. Leed’s donations have been earmarked for planting projects in North America. Between the trees planted on behalf of Leed’s employees and those generated from EcoSmart orders, there have been a total of 2,407 trees planted since November 2007. “Not only do we feel good about manufacturing recycled products,

Pittsburgh-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America, the second largest supplier within the promotional products industry, responded to a slowing economy by unveiling Gusto!, a product line designed to help distributors provide products that fit end-users’ shrinking promotional budgets. According to Jeff Brown, vice president of product development and marketing, “We wanted to introduce products that are inexpensive, not ‘cheap.’ Each Gusto! item has bang for its buck with clever designs and Leed’s level of quality.” Created with unexpected features that offer unexpected performance, the gadgets span a variety of uses from self-mailers that come in a ready-to-mail envelope to computer-compatible desk accessories.

Pittsburgh-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America and the second-largest supplier within the promotional products industry, hired Frank Weissert as the business development representative handling Texas, Okla. and Ark. Weissert has more than five years experience in direct consultation sales and more than 10 years in general sales. Previously an inside sales representative with Davison, a Pittsburgh-based design house for corporate and individual’s product ideas, he is familiar with new product development efforts and has worked extensively with corporate clients. Weissert looks forward to applying his sales knowledge to the promotional products industry and is excited to work with Leed’s midwest customers. As

Philadelphia-based Promo Marketing magazine, the source of product and marketing information for distributor sales professionals, announced the finalists for the 2008 Supplier Excellence Awards. The Excellence Awards are the industry’s objective standard for supplier achievement and will honor winners in more than 30 categories, spanning the range of promotional products. “The entire Promo Marketing staff is very excited to have the Excellence Awards underway,” said Matthew Barnes, publisher of Promo Marketing. “We’re pleased to offer distributors an objective platform to recognize their best supplier partners.” Nearly 200 finalists have been chosen. Voting is currently taking place and will continue through May 30 to determine

New Kensington, Pennsylvania-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America and the second largest supplier within the promotional products industry, continues to build and reinforce its existing international supply chain relationships by voluntarily taking part in the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. C-TPAT is a voluntary initiative between government and business to strengthen and improve international supply chain and U.S. border security. Some of the benefits to C-TPAT members are a decrease in the number of shipments that require inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and priority processing at the border, both of which, for Leed’s, results in

Pittsburgh-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America, hired a regional sales manager for the Wisconsin territory and a regional sales manager to represent Leed’s in the Wash., Ore., and Idaho regions. The company also adjusted the sales structure by reassigning roles within the customer service model. Luke Hensler began representing Leed’s as the regional sales manager in Wis. in February. Hensler is an 11-year veteran to the promotional product industry, having joined Leed’s from Hartwell Apparel, Hartwell, Ga. In 2008, Hensler was elected as the president of the Promotional Product Association of Wisconsin. Shelley Stewart will join the Leed’s team on March

Pittsburgh-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America, the second largest supplier within the promotional products industry, announced a multi-year extension to its 2005 agreement with High Sierra, based in Vernon Hills, Ill. Jeff Brown, vice president of marketing and product development at Leed’s, explained that, “High Sierra has been an extremely successful brand for us. The product line is in high demand because it supports American’s active lifestyle. The functionality and durability of the products appeal to a wide range of corporations.” Starting in 2005, Leed’s carried 29 High Sierra products and since has almost tripled its offering. “Our partnership with Leed’s has

This January, New Kensington, Pennsylvania-based Leed’s received recognition from the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), Promotional Product Professionals of Canada (PPPC) and the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), along with acknowledgement from distributors. The company not only received recognition from the associations, Leed’s accepted close to 15 awards from distributor customers, including Supplier of the Year from eCompany Store, Brandvia and Promo Depot. Geiger handed Leed’s the title of Star Supplier and PeerNet Group listed Leed’s as a Premiere Partner. Leed’s also received the Merit Award from Corporate Express, is considered a Top Supplier by IpromoteU, and received the Long Board Award from

Pittsburgh-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America and the second largest supplier within the promotional products industry, announced it will expand its sales team based on recent sales growth by hiring three regional sales managers, Kristen O’Leary, Sandy Damjanoski, and Rick Jeronimus; two new business development representatives, Brian Anderson and Jason Fularz; and an inside sales manager, Chuck Helden. In addition, they will be hiring Dave Lassman as the new vice president of operations and making several changes to the sales structure. Rick French, currently the regional sales manager for southern California and Nevada, will be moving to the east coast

Pittsburgh-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America and the second largest supplier within the promotional products industry, awarded a lucky 2007 PPAI Expo attendee a luxury vacation worth $20,000. Tammy Wilmsmeyer from Elite Promotions in Springfield, Mo. won the trip and recently traveled with her husband Brian across Italy stopping in Florence, San Gimignano, Venice, Siena, and Rome. Wilmsmeyer commented, “We saw beautiful sites, amazing history, gorgeous Tuscan landscapes, stayed in glamorous five-star hotels, ate incredible food (over & over & over again) and even wonderful dining experiences at famous restaurants and sites. It really was a once in a lifetime experience.” Abercrombie