News

HALO (PPAI 106462, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 2 distributor, has announced that Jim Hilt has been named as the company’s new CEO. He will succeed Marc Simon, who is retiring after 25 years of leading the Sterling, Illinois-based firm.

• The transition will occur over the course of August and Hilt’s tenure as CEO will be effective September 2.
• Hilt comes to HALO from Asset Marketing Services, where he served as CEO for two and a half years. He was instrumental in the company’s sale to A-Mark Precious Metals.

“HALO is a strong, innovative company and a clear leader in the industry,” says Hilt. “That reputation is built on trusted partnerships with clients and suppliers, along with a commitment to creating amazing brand products and experiences that impact people every day.

I’m excited to join such a talented team, support our people-first sales approach and drive new opportunities for growth.”

Jim Hilt

Incoming CEO, HALO

“I’m excited to join such a talented team, support our people-first sales approach and drive new opportunities for growth.”

Hilt’s other leadership positions include stops at:

• Shutterfly
• Express
• Barnes & Noble
• Sears Holdings
• IBM

HALO Branded Solutions is a portfolio company of TPG. According to Scott Gilbertson, a partner at TPG, the decision to bring in Hilt following Simon’s retirement was made to ensure a new step was taken in the company’s development.

RELATED: HALO Receives ‘Capital Infusion’ Through Strategic Refinancing

“Jim is a proven leader with the vision, executional discipline and customer focus to build on HALO’s strong foundation,” says Gilbertson. “We are confident he will drive the next stage of growth and deliver even greater value for our clients, account executives and partners.”

‘Honor Of My Career’

Under Simon’s leadership, HALO grew to soaring heights, achieving more than $1 billion in annual sales. The firm has been a leader in the industry while following Simon’s guidance.

• HALO received 2025 PPAI 100 High Marks in Revenue, Growth, Professional Development, Responsibility, Innovation and Online Presence.

“Serving as CEO of HALO has been the honor of my career,” says Simon. “I’m proud of the growth we’ve achieved, the innovation we’ve embraced and the culture we’ve built. HALO is well positioned for continued success, with a talented leadership team and an extraordinary group of account executives and employees.”

Serving as CEO of HALO has been the honor of my career.”

Marc Simon

Outgoing CEO, HALO

Gilbertson expressed his gratitude for having Simon take HALO to the position that it now holds in the promo industry.

“We are fortunate to have been Marc’s partner, grateful for his exceptional leadership and deeply appreciative of his many years of dedicated service and lasting impact on HALO,” says Gilbertson.

Written by: Jonny Auping

Published with Permission from PPAI

Gildan Activewear (PPAI 250187, Platinum) will acquire Hanesbrands, which operates in the promotional products industry as Hanes (PPAI 191138, Gold), for $2.2 billion, the companies announced on Wednesday.

• Gildan is PPAI 100’s No. 7 supplier.
• Hanes is PPAI 100’s No. 57 supplier.

Glenn J. Chamandy, president and CEO of Gildan, said the transaction will double revenues and allow both companies to expand their portfolios beyond activewear and basic apparel. Including debt, the transaction values Hanesbrands at about $4.4 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported.

“Further, our state-of-the-art, low-cost, vertically integrated platform will be utilized to enhance efficiencies and drive additional innovation,” Chamandy says. “We’re excited for the next stage of growth and remain focused on supporting our customers and continuing to drive long term shareholder value.”

We’re excited for the next stage of growth and remain focused on supporting our customers and continuing to drive long term shareholder value.”

Glenn J. Chamandy

President/CEO, Gildan

Home Base

Gildan says that the acquisition will immediately add to its adjusted per-share earnings, and that the deal is expected to result in at least $200 million of annual run-rate cost synergies within three years of closing.

• Gildan added that it intends to initiate a review of strategic alternatives for Hanesbrands Australia, which could include a sale or other transaction.

Following the close of the deal, which is expected in late 2025 or early 2026, Gildan’s headquarters will continue to be located in Montreal and the combined company will maintain a strong presence in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, according to the press release.

“As part of Gildan, HanesBrands will benefit from an even stronger financial and operational foundation that will provide new growth opportunities, helping to power further innovation, a broader product offering and greater reach across channels and geographies,” says Bill Simon, chairman of Hanesbrands’ board of directors. “We’re confident that this transaction and the next chapter with Gildan is the right next step for HanesBrands and will honor and build on its long history for the benefit of all our stakeholders.”

As part of Gildan, HanesBrands will benefit from an even stronger financial and operational foundation that will provide new growth opportunities.”

Bill Simon

Chairman, Hanesbrands

Rocky Road

Hanesbrands suffered a $95.6 million dollar loss in 2023 and then sold its Champion brand to Authentic Brands Group in 2024. The sale was completed last October.

It has also been a tumultuous couple years for Gildan, which has dealt with internal strife that’s taken various shapes and included numerous sagas. Most recently, former board directors sued the Montreal-based apparel supplier for allegedly failing to pay them deferred compensation following their mass resignations last year.

Despite the trials and tribulations that both firms have experienced in recent years, the acquisition represents a massive merging of two of the most well-known apparel brands in the branded merchandise industry.

Common Acquaintance

Furthermore, the firms share a common acquaintance in promo, having inked exclusive partnerships with S&S Activewear, PPAI 100’s No. 2 supplier.

• Just last week, Gildan announced an agreement that grants exclusive wholesale distribution rights of its American Apparel brand in the U.S. market to S&S Activewear.
• Additionally, in Canadian markets, S&S Activewear will now be the exclusive wholesale distributor of Gildan’s portfolio of brands, including Gildan, Comfort Colors, American Apparel and Champion.
• Only two months earlier, HanesBrands announced an agreement that made S&S the exclusive supplier of the Hanes brand in the North American printwear channel.

Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear, weighed in on Gildan’s acquisition of Hanes immediately following the announcement.

This combination brings together two companies that share our deep commitment to customers, backed by highly reliable supply chains and a strong focus on sustainability, quality and product innovation.”

Frank Myers

CEO, S&S Activewear

“This combination brings together two companies that share our deep commitment to customers, backed by highly reliable supply chains and a strong focus on sustainability, quality and product innovation,” Myers told PPAI Media. “Together, we’re confident it will create new opportunities for the market and enable us to drive the evolving needs of our industry.”

Toby Whitmoyer, chief commercial officer of S&S Activewear, added, “Gildan’s manufacturing excellence and Hanes’ retail brand power make for a compelling combination – one that will bring fresh ideas, enhanced products and new opportunities for growth.”

Written by: Jonny Auping & John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

PPAI has named the slate of candidates for its incoming Board of Directors class, due to serve the promotional products industry’s leading nonprofit trade association from January 2026 until 2030.

The two-person slate includes Joseph Sommer, founder and CEO of Whitestone – ranked the No. 34 distributor on the 2025 PPAI 100 – and Bruce Barnet, chief operating officer of Charles River Apparel, which is PPAI 100’s No. 39 supplier for 2025.

Sommer and Barnet were nominated to the slate following evaluation by the Leadership Advisory Committee, vetting by the Elected Directors Nominating Committee and ultimately, approval by the sitting PPAI Board of Directors. Each group consists of member volunteers.

The election to approve the slate begins August 25 and closes August 29. Each PPAI member company’s voting contact is eligible to cast an up-or-down vote for the candidates. Voting will be done electronically, and a new 2025 username and password will be emailed to the voting contacts when voting opens.

• A candidate must receive majority approval among votes cast to be named to the Board of Directors following The PPAI Expo 2026.
• The two board seats represent replacements for the expiring terms of Andrew Spellman, CAS, of Therabody; and Chris Anderson of HPG.

Also set to roll off the board in January is Lori Bauer of iPROMOTEu, who had served in the Board’s at-large seat, a two-year appointment.

To fill the slot, the Board has appointed Samantha Kates, president of Quebec-headquartered Spector. Her two-year term will begin in January 2026 and expire in January 2028. Spector ranked as the No. 18 supplier in the 2025 PPAI 100.

About Joseph Sommer

Joseph Sommer

Founder & CEO, Whitestone

Since launching the fully remote branded merchandise agency from his one-bedroom Manhattan apartment in 2013, Sommer has grown Whitestone into an award-winning global firm with more than 75 employees across four countries and a client roster that includes some of the world’s most influential brands.

Under his leadership, Whitestone has expanded through strategic acquisitions in the U.S. and Canada, achieved over 400% growth since 2020, and launched the RISE Initiative – an ambitious sustainability program that includes 1% for the Planet membership, EcoVadis certification, and science-based emissions reduction targets.

A “classic entrepreneur,” Sommer is no stranger to deep consideration of the industry among fellow leaders. His annual “meeting of the minds” in Las Vegas has become one of promo’s most anticipated gatherings for sharing experiences.

About Bruce Barnet

Bruce Barnet

Chief Operating Officer, Charles River Apparel

Since joining Charles River Apparel 13 years ago – first as CFO and now as COO – Barnet has been instrumental in driving strategic growth, operational advancement and brand development.

During his tenure, the company has worked to streamline internal operations, expand its global supply chain, embrace sustainability, implement transformative technologies and develop a positive culture rooted in giving back through its social impact initiative, Charles River Cares.

With more than 30 years of experience in financial and operational leadership, Barnet has held executive roles in both privately held and publicly traded companies across a variety of industries. He also founded and sold a supply chain business that served promotional products clients and branded merchandise buyers.

About Samantha Kates

Samantha Kates

President, Spector

Kates oversees sales, customer service, marketing and product development at Spector. A seasoned executive with a passion for driving transformation, building high-performing teams and elevating brand experiences, she oversees sales, customer service, marketing and product development.

With more than two decades in the promotional products industry, she has held senior leadership roles at suppliers, distributors and business platforms, including Charles River Apparel, iPROMOTEu and commonsku.

She joined Spector in 2022 as chief sales officer and was promoted to president in 2024.

The PPAI Board of Directors

Along with those directors whose terms are set to expire in January, the PPAI Board of Directors currently includes Regional Relations Committee delegate Kara Keister, MAS, of distributor Social Good Promotions, Dan Pantano of supplier S&S Activewear, Danny Rosin of distributor Brand Fuel, Erin Reilly of supplier Pop! Promos, Zack Ottenstein of distributor The Image Group, Kate Alavez of distributor PromoShop and supplier representative Mark Gammon. Denise Taschereau of distributor Fairware serves as Board Chair.

Written by: Josh Ellis

Published with Permission from PPAI

ePromos Promotional Products (PPAI 212648, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 27 distributor, has announced the appointment of Joel Satin as chief financial and operating officer.

Satin brings over two decades of experience in financial planning, operational strategy and commercial leadership within the consumer products and entertainment sectors.

“Joel’s deep expertise in financial operations, strategic execution and team leadership will be invaluable as we continue to expand and innovate,” says Marc Puglisi, CEO of ePromos. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to our leadership team.”

Joel’s deep expertise in financial operations, strategic execution and team leadership will be invaluable as we continue to expand and innovate.”

Marc Puglisi

CEO, ePromos

Satin’s Background

Satin has worked for well-known brands like WWE, the NBA and Eastman Kodak, where he drove a 170% increase in global retail sales and led the company’s brand licensing division to new heights.

• At WWE, he led financial planning and business analysis for core commercial divisions, including consumer products, live events and digital media.
• As founder of a consulting firm, he worked with his clients in partnership with global brands such as NBCUniversal, Mattel and Crayola.

“Joel is a proven leader with an impressive track record and a strong reputation for improving operating models, leading teams and driving business performance,” says Todd Bold, CRO at ePromos.

“Joel brings an incredibly diverse background from various industries to ePromos, which we believe will complement our existing teams as we innovate and move the business forward. We are confident Joel will be an excellent addition to our team, and we look forward to his knowledge and insights impacting our people and company.”

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

Two of promo’s largest supplier footprints have agreed to a partnership.

Gildan, PPAI 100’s No. 7 supplier, has reached an agreement that grants exclusive wholesale distribution rights of its American Apparel brand in the U.S. market to S&S Activewear, PPAI 100’s No. 2 supplier.

“S&S has always been a strong advocate of American Apparel, and we are confident that this partnership will broaden customers’ access to the brand and further position American Apparel as the timeless, iconic choice for customers,” says Chuck Ward, chief operating officer at Gildan.

With S&S’s ability to grow within the promo market in the past year alone, the company expresses confidence in the opportunity to leverage its resources to help Gildan’s already established brand reach more customers.

We are proud to be the exclusive distributor of American Apparel products.”

Frank Myers

CEO, S&S Activewear

“We are proud to be the exclusive distributor of American Apparel products,” says Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear. “By leveraging our scale, industry-leading technology and deep customer relationships, we’re committed to delivering the brand’s full product line across our nationwide network.”

• Additionally, in Canadian markets, S&S Activewear will now be the exclusive wholesale distributor of Gildan’s portfolio of brands, including Gildan, Comfort Colors, American Apparel and Champion.

‘Creativity And Cultural Relevance’

Gildan had faced more than a year of unrest amid disputes between the company’s board of directors and leadership team.

• Most recently, former board directors sued Gildan following another prolonged leadership struggle.

S&S Activewear, on the other hand, has been growing, including in Canada.

• In 2024, S&S made big news when it acquired alphabroder.

According to Toby Whitmoyer, S&S’s chief commercial officer, Gildan’s brand will only strengthen S&S’s ability to deliver for its customers and grow within the market.

This brand has always stood for creativity, and cultural relevance, values that deeply resonate with today’s buyers.”

Toby Whitmoyer

Chief Commercial Officer, S&S Activewear

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with Gildan and continue to drive sales for the American Apparel brand,” says Whitmoyer. “This brand has always stood for creativity and cultural relevance, values that deeply resonate with today’s buyers.

“With our national reach, deep inventory and service-first mindset, we’re ready to support the brand and deliver more value to our customers.”

Written by: Jonny Auping

Published with Permission from PPAI

On the same day Happy Gilmore 2 hit Netflix, Callaway’s Odyssey brand dropped a limited-edition replica of Happy’s legendary hockey-blade putter – complete with bent shaft, oversized grip and a headcover that looks like it was stolen from a high school locker room.

It retails for $499.99, which felt steep until it sold out in under 15 minutes and started flipping online for more than double. The price may be wrong, Bob, but the demand was straight off the tee.

If you’re not a golfer, go ahead and skip to the next paragraph. Or just nod politely while pretending to know what any of this means.

The specs? It’s built with a 44-inch shaft, a 57-degree lie angle, 0-degree loft and a 21-inch grip – ideal for an arcing stroke or just flinging it down the fairway in frustration. The putter features a black stepless steel shaft and a black stainless-steel head, fitted with Odyssey’s legendary White Hot urethane insert in the primary hitting area, plus additional inserts in the heel and toe for extra feel and forgiveness.

USGA legal? Hard no.

Avid golfer and NBA star Steph Curry tried it out, taking part in the “Happy Putting Challenge” to see how many putts he could sink in 30 seconds. The outcome? Let’s just say the ball was too good to go to its home.

While it may look like something you’d bring to a fight in a beer league hockey game, it’s built like a true Odyssey. The brand’s reputation for premium putters means even a joke club has to meet its visual and quality standards, which required actual R&D to ensure it performs like a real club, not just a prop.

“It’s a case of ‘If we’re going to do this, we want to create something we’re truly proud of,’” Nick McInally, vice president of global marketing at Callaway, told The Wall Street Journal. “We’re going to make sure that nobody can create a better-performing hockey stick putter.”

Callaway didn’t stop at the putter, though. It released matching Chrome Tour balls printed with classic one-liners like “It’s all in the hips” and “Tap tap taparoo,” ensuring that even your worst shots could be blamed on Happy instead of your appalling swing.

And the best part? Golfers don’t hate it. It has been well received by players who care about specs and slapstick, and resale prices are already pushing four figures. Nostalgia sells. Adam Sandler sells harder. And the putter was surprisingly embraced by people who take the game way too seriously, proving once again that 90s-core merch doesn’t have to make sense – it just has to hit the right memory.

For a sport that pairs whispering with light day-drinking, the Happy Gilmore putter fits right in. It’s a beautifully dumb reminder that fun still moves product, and this one found the sweet spot between collector hype and midlife-crisis-disguised nostalgia.

Written by: Sarah Luna

Published with Permission from PPAI

Irving, Texas-based supplier BirdieBox (PPAI 799707, Standard-Base), which provides kitting, decoration, fulfillment and on-site storage, has undergone a makeover.

After experiencing instability and organizational strain that impacted customers, vendors and employees, the firm says an existing institutional investor has taken active ownership and is leading the company forward.

Spring Hollis, CEO of Star Strong Capital, a private investment firm that BirdieBox partnered with last year for a capital raise, has become the interim CEO of the supplier.

“We’re not starting over – we’re starting stronger,” Hollis says. “We believe in this brand’s mission, its people and its potential. Our team has the expertise and appetite for the challenge that turnarounds demand. BirdieBox has a great product – it simply lacked the stewardship to deliver with excellence. That changes now.”

We’re not starting over – we’re starting stronger.”

Spring Hollis

Interim CEO, BirdieBox

New Chapter

As part of this transformation, BirdieBox now operates under BirdieBox Holdings. The company has also made key leadership and operational staffing changes to support a more stable and high-performing future.

• The firm has tapped co-founder and former chief strategy officer Michael Myers to help shape its next chapter.

“BirdieBox was a special place… built on a foundation of client trust and an unwavering quest to craft the perfect user experience,” Myers says. “Somewhere along the way, those things became secondary. It’s time to return to the principles of transparency, integrity and execution that once had this company on a fast track to greatness… and this is the leadership team to do just that.”

It’s time to return to the principles of transparency, integrity and execution that once had this company on a fast track to greatness.”

Michael Myers

Co-Founder, BirdieBox

With new investment and leadership, BirdieBox aims to enhance fulfillment systems, stabilize timelines and improve project delivery across every touchpoint.

“This is more than a relaunch,” Hollis says. “To the clients who’ve stuck with us, and to the ones giving us a fresh look, we’re here to demonstrate the enduring value of personalized gifting experiences.”

Written by: Hanna Brookshire

Published with Permission from PPAI

PPAI has announced the appointment of Christopher Cheney as its new chief operating officer – a newly created role for the Association and a significant step in its ongoing transformation, which began with the hiring of President and CEO Drew Holmgreen in December.

Christopher Cheney

COO, PPAI

The addition of Cheney finalizes Holmgreen’s executive team, which also includes Chief Revenue and Experience Officer Ellen Tucker, MAS, CAE, and Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Ralston, who joined PPAI earlier in July.

Cheney officially begins his new role on July 28, bringing with him promotional products market experience and more than 20 years of senior leadership across multiple industries, including workforce engagement, supply chain, financial services, manufacturing and healthcare.

He most recently served as Chief Operating and Human Resources Officer at promo solutions provider C.A. Short, where he led the transition of the privately held firm into a scalable SaaS-based model – combining platform innovation with a client-centric service approach.

At PPAI, Cheney will oversee the human resources, finance and technology departments. He will report directly to President and CEO Drew Holmgreen, who says the Association is “absolutely thrilled” to add Cheney following an extensive search.

“Christopher has been deeply connected to this industry for over 20 years, and his reputation as a strong culture builder and exceptional leader speaks for itself,” Holmgreen says. “He understands the heart of this community and the joy our industry creates globally. With Christopher on board, we’re solidifying an already incredible executive team – one that’s fully focused on serving our members, elevating branded merch and shaping the future of this industry together.”

He understands the heart of this community and the joy our industry creates globally. With Christopher on board, we’re solidifying an already incredible executive team – one that’s fully focused on serving our members, elevating branded merch and shaping the future of this industry together.”

Drew Holmgreen

President & CEO, PPAI

Cheney has longstanding familiarity with the Association and the industry, having led promo companies and attended The PPAI Expo in the past.

“As I took a closer look, I was genuinely impressed by the breadth of services, marketing resources and educational opportunities PPAI offers – far more extensive than I previously realized,” Cheney says.

He says he recognized an opportunity to align his experience in business transformation and scalable growth with PPAI’s strategic direction.

“My first step will be to roll up my sleeves, immerse myself in the day-to-day and engage directly with staff and members to gain a true understanding of the operations, people and challenges,” he says. “Only then can we identify what actions are needed to deliver the outcomes PPAI is striving for.”

In a new role for the Association, Cheney sees his job as one focused on “Service & Business Excellence.” He says that includes:

• Delivering superior service
• Treating people with the respect and attention we’d expect ourselves
• Offering technology and solutions that drive real value
• Modernizing capabilities and operations
• Continuously refining business practices and policies

“By focusing on these principles,” Cheney says, “members will experience a more responsive, efficient and value-driven association – one that’s built to support their success now and into the future.”

Cheney lives in the Fort Worth area with his wife and daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, woodworking and fishing, and is a proud supporter of Texas Christian University sports.

Written by: Josh Ellis

Published with Permissionfrom PPAI

Vantage Apparel, a leading provider of premium apparel and award-winning decoration services, is excited to announce the addition of 4 bold, new patch decoration options to its growing collection of in-stock headwear.  With fashion-forward styles and versatile decoration capabilities, Vantage continues to meet the rising demand for headwear as a go-to brand expression tool that combines both style and lasting comfort.

According to the Advertising Specialty Institute’s (ASI) State of the Industry 2024 study, caps have evolved far beyond their utilitarian roots, ranked as the 4^th top revenue category in the industry.  Today, branded headwear is one of the most in-demand promotional products, double as both a fashion accessory and a walking billboard.  Whether worn on the golf course, at a festival, on a job site, or in everyday casualwear, custom branded caps are everywhere – and for good reason.

“Headwear offers universal appeal as a one-size-fits-all solution, making it ideal for company stores, giveaways, events and uniform programs,” said Lauren Monnier, Director of Merchandising at Vantage Apparel.  “With Vantage’s deep stock and wide style range – from classic truckers to modern snapbacks and the new, cozy bucket cap – brands can easily find the perfect fit for their audiences.”

Vantage’s new patch decoration styles give distributors a fresh way to add texture, detail and bold impact to every cap, available with a 48-piece minimum.  New patch deco options include:

• Woven Patches: Perfect for intricate details and vibrant colors, offering a smooth, high-definition finish.
• Faux Leather Patches: Add a touch of premium sophistication and rugged elegance with a subtle, yet impactful, branded statement.
• Sublimated Patches: Ideal for full-color, photo-quality detail that help intricate designs stand out.
• Classic Embroidered Patches: For a timeless, textured look that conveys quality and tradition.

Each patch is heat-applied for durability, finished with either a clean laser-cut edge or a classic merrowed stitch border, and designed to fit on any non-mesh cap, from 5-panel to 6-panel.  Patches can be custom-designed in a wide range of intricate shapes and sizes, with a maximum imprint area of 2.5” x 3”.

“As brands look for more impactful and wearable ways to express their identity, headwear continues to rise as a top performer,” said Rob Watson, CEO of Vantage Apparel. “Our new patch options give customers fresh, premium ways to tell their brand story—with style, speed, and scale. Whether it's a small business, global brand, or anything in between, a great cap connects people to the brand in a tangible, lasting way.”

To learn more about Vantage’s Clutch headwear collection and NEW patch capabilities, along with a host of award-winning deco options like DTF, Embroidery, Screen Printing and Laser Applique, contact your Vantage Regional Account Executive or email Sales at sales@vantageapparel.com.

Portable chargers are one of the most popular products in the branded merchandise industry, but they’ve been the subject of massive recalls recently due to issues with a major Chinese manufacturer.

Last month, China revoked or suspended 3C certifications from multiple battery-cell suppliers, including Apex (formerly known as Amprius), a lithium battery manufacturer based in Wuxi, China. Since then, Apex has halted production and is currently under investigation for unauthorized material changes to battery-cell components, Yicai Global reported.

Although the cells reportedly weren’t UL-certified (meaning they were unsafe for consumer use), they were still installed in products marketed as compliant.

Companies Affected

The following companies have issued recalls:

• Anker has recalled more than one million power banks after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received 19 reports of the Anker PowerCore 10000 overheating, leading to fires or explosions.
• Romoss pulled around 490,000 units off popular digital retail sites.
• Baseus recalled about 55,000 portable chargers after receiving 76 reports of incidents.
• NEWDERY recalled its ZHX PB22 model chargers after a CPSC safety warning. It had nine reported incidents, including a fire with $2 million in damage.
• Casely recalled nearly 430,000 Power Pods in the U.S. after 51 heat related incidents.
• Around 27,500 iWalk Magnetic Wireless units were recalled after 15 incidents, including 10 burn injuries.

CH Ong, a seasoned executive in the battery market, says these recalls reflect rising global expectations around lithium battery safety.

“If the industry now internalizes rigorous process control, deeper design safety buffers and stronger supplier governance as baseline practice – not crisis response – then this may be remembered not as a failure, but as the turning point,” Ong said in a LinkedIn post.

Promo Perspective

It’s important to be ready to handle potential recalls when offering certain products. Even with known and reputable brands, the possibility of a recall will remain.

Last year, at PPAI’s Product Responsibility Summit, a panel was held discussing how to handle the possibility of being ordered to recall a product and the steps that need to be taken.

• In that situation, complying with the CPSC is absolutely critical, but the next priority is being intentional with messaging surrounding the recall.

“It’s important to move fast, but it’s also important to move smartly,” said Neal Cohen of Neal Cohen Law.

“You need to control everything, especially what the person says,” added Rick Brenner, president of Product Safety Advisors. “Yes, you want to be empathetic and show concern, [but] there should be a very disciplined and scripted response of what they can say, and the escalation process of who does what next.”

Written by: Hannah Brookshire

Published with Permission from PPAI