Spotlight On Stran
Continuous Improvement in Action 🚀
When we say that continuous improvement is one of our core values, we mean it. And last month we had the chance to lean into that value with action.
We sent our team to the Facilisgroup Summit for two days of on site learning and connection.
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Facilis is one of our major industry partners; it’s interface is how we place orders, coordinate with suppliers, and track the performance of our programs.
Kaliope Zecy and Hannah George attended the Facilsgroup Summit to get a closer look at the behind-the-scenes of Facilis; how the system works, where it's headed, and what changes are coming down the line. While our clients may never see the world behind the curtain of order processing, this experience and knowledge allows us to anticipate challenges, leverage new tools, and get even better at supporting our clients.
They also spent time with people across the industry, including the Facilis team itself, trading notes on what's working and what isn't. We believe in the value of in person connection, and take any opportunity we can to get in the room with our trusted parteners.
Stran sends people to events like this because staying current on the tools behind our programs is part of the job, not an occasional extra. Kali and Hannah came back with a better handle on a system we rely on every day, and that's worth the trip on its own.
Product Picks:
Back to Business 💼
Summer may not be over, but routines are starting to shift. Whether your audience is heading back to the office, back to campus, or simply back into a busier season, the right products can help ease the transition.
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Sport-Tek Phenom Full-Zip Hoodie
As mornings get cooler and schedules start filling up, a good layer goes a long way. The Sport-Tek Phenom Full-Zip Hoodie features a clean silhouette, soft spacer-knit fabric, and plenty of stretch, making it just as comfortable in the office as it is at an outdoor event.
It's a natural fit for team apparel, company stores, and employee gifts—an easy layer that works across seasons and occasions without feeling tied to a single event.
Nike Commute Backpack
Back-to-business season means carrying a little more, and the Nike Commute Backpack is ready for it. With a padded laptop sleeve, expandable water bottle pocket, detachable accessory pouch, and organized storage throughout, it's designed for days that don't always follow the same schedule.
Whether it's part of an onboarding program, executive gift, or company store, the Nike name and versatile design make it a product recipients will be happy to carry wherever the workday takes them.
Industry News
Counselor Top 40 Rankings 🏆
The ASI Counselor Top 40 list was just released, and we're proud to share that we jumped two spots, from No. 23 to No. 21, our highest ranking to date.
Click the + to learn what's behind the move 👇
Each year, ASI's Counselor Top 40 ranks the largest promotional products distributors and suppliers in North America based on verified annual revenue.
We landed at No. 21 on the distributor side this year, moving up two spots from No. 23 and marking our highest ranking to date.
This year's climb comes on the back of more than 6% sales growth, fueled by several new enterprise programs coming on board and a recent acquisition folded fully into how we operate.
For Andy Shape, our President and CEO, "new" sums up the year: new clients, new capabilities, and new ways of operating, including a growing use of AI in how we work. Alongside that shift, our team took on a run of complex projects across e-commerce, inventory, and fulfillment.
"We're committed to becoming true industry experts by building deeper knowledge across our clients, suppliers, and internal teams," Shape adds, "so we can better serve our partners and continue to lead in the market."
The ranking is a nice marker, but it's a byproduct of that work: bigger, more complex programs handled well, new capabilities added, and a team that keeps investing in getting better at the job.
From The Blog
Make Better Connections With Custom Kits
Gifting feels personal right up until you have to do it for 500 people by Friday. This month's blog breaks down how custom gift kits solve that problem, and why the trick isn't the packaging. It's the system behind it.
