Top Ten Reasons Why Promotional Products Distributors Fail
Kay Kotan is a published author and the founder of Independence, Missouri-based You Unlimited. She knows of many promotional products distributors (PPDs) who were not able to make it in the industry. Here are her top ten reasons why promotional products distributors fail:

Unisource to Distribute NewPage
Headquartered in Norcross, Ga., Unisource Worldwide—a leading distributor of paper, packaging and facility supplies—announced plans to offer the NewPage coated digital product line in all markets in the United States.

PIA/GATF Center for Lean Practices Assists Printers
Pittsburgh-based Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) formed the Center for Lean Practices to assist the graphic communications industry with the implementation of Lean Manufacturing. The Center provides consulting, training, publications and a speakers’ bureau specifically for the printing industry.

Verso Paper Provides Grant to Expand FSC Certification
Verso Paper, Memphis, Tenn., announced it is providing a $100,000 grant over two years to the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands (TCNF) to expand participation in the organization’s Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) group certification program.

Workflow Management and Enterprise Acquisition Merger
New York-based Workflow Management—one of the nation’s leading providers of managed print and promotional product services—and Enterprise Acquisition announced that WF Capital Holding, the parent of Workflow, and Enterprise have signed a definitive merger agreement for $669 million. In addition, Workflow also has signed agreements to acquire additional businesses in the marketing services and promotional products industry, which may be completed prior to the closing of the merger with Enterprise. The current management of Workflow will remain in place to run the combined company after the merger. Workflow’s initial and largest shareholder, Perseus LLC, will stay invested in a significant part in the transaction.