PPAI has announced its board officers for next year. These new roles will go into effect following The PPAI Expo 2027 in January.

• Zack Ottenstein, president of The Image Group, PPAI 100’s No. 66 distributor, will assume the role of PPAI Board Chair in 2027.
• Mark Gammon, senior vice president of sales at PCNA, PPAI 100’s No. 6 supplier, has been named Chair-Elect.
• Samantha Kates, president of Spector & Co., PPAI 100’s No. 24 supplier, has been appointed Vice Chair of Finance Services.
• Current PPAI Board Chair Danny Rosin, CAS, co-owner and co-president of Brand Fuel, PPAI 100’s No. 42 distributor, will serve as Immediate Past Chair.

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“The branded merchandise industry is changing rapidly, and PPAI is fortunate to have leaders like Zack Ottenstein, Sam Kates and Mark Gammon investing their time and expertise to serve and guide the way forward,” Rosin says. “Their complementary strengths in strategy, finance, operations, innovation and relationship-building will position the Association to shape its future.”

PPAI is fortunate to have leaders like Zack Ottenstein, Sam Kates and Mark Gammon investing their time and expertise to serve and guide the way forward.”

Danny Rosin, CAS

PPAI Board Chair

Fresh Perspective

Both Gammon and Kates are looking forward to bringing something new to their positions.

“This industry has provided opportunities for so many of us, and I see this role as a chance to give back by serving our members, strengthening relationships and helping position our industry for its next generation of growth,” Gammon says.

Zack Ottenstein

Incoming PPAI Board Chair

One of his biggest goals is to inspire young professionals to pursue careers in the branded merchandise industry by creating relationships with colleges and universities.

“If we continue to invest in education, embrace innovation and work together with a spirit of collaboration, the future of the branded merch industry is incredibly bright, and I’m excited to help be part of that journey,” Gammon says.

If we continue to invest in education, embrace innovation and work together with a spirit of collaboration, the future of the branded merch industry is incredibly bright.”

Mark Gammon

Chair-Elect, PPAI Board of Directors

Kates has spent almost 30 years in this industry running sales teams, marketing teams and now a business. “When I read the numbers, I’m reading them through the lens of someone who has to turn insight into action,” she says.

“After all, financials can feel abstract if they’re not connected to real operating decisions. [If I can] help the Board and our members see the numbers as a tool for driving the business forward, that’s the contribution I want to make.”

Both Gammon and Kates aspire to grow PPAI’s impact and reach amongst the industry.

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“Our greatest asset isn’t the products we create – it’s the people behind them,” Gammon says. “If we continue to invest in education, embrace innovation and work together with a spirit of collaboration, the future of the branded merch industry is incredibly bright, and I’m excited to help be part of that journey.” 

Kates hopes to demystify finances for PPAI members. “This role, to me, is about making sure the financial side of PPAI feels connected to the real businesses our members are running every day,” says Kates. She also encourages feedback so she can better serve the industry. “If you have thoughts on what would make this organization more useful to you, please tell me. That’s how this works.”

If you have thoughts on what would make this organization more useful to you, please tell me. That’s how this works.”

Samantha Kates

Vice Chair of Finance Services, PPAI Board of Directors

Kates says that PPAI members are dealing with tariffs, channel pressure, consolidation and uncertainty about what the next few years will look like. With that in mind, the question she keeps coming back to isn’t “Are we healthy today?”

It’s “Are we set up to keep serving members well through whatever comes next?”

“We have to be thoughtful about where our revenue comes from, careful about reserves and honest about the risks ahead,” Kates says. “If you’ve ever looked at a Board update or a financial report and thought ‘I don’t really know what that means for me,’ I hear you. I want to help change that.

“This role is about making sure the financial side of PPAI feels connected to the real businesses our members are running every day. If you have thoughts on what would make this organization more useful to you, please tell me. That’s how this works.” 

Written: Hanna Brookshire

Published with Permission from PPAI

BamBams, a leading supplier of innovative promotional products known for delivering game changing branded merch is proud to announce the exclusive launch of THE SHOEZIE™ COLLECTION at the ASI Chicago Show.

As the exclusive licensed supplier for the ASI and PPAI promotional products industry, BamBams will manufacture and distribute THE SHOEZIE™ COLLECTION, bringing distributors a unique new product that blends sports, celebration, and brand engagement into one memorable experience.

Crafted in Texas from premium double insulated foam, SHOEZIE™ Beverage Insulators are available in Low-Top and High-Top styles to fit 12 oz. cans, slim cans, and most bottles. Both styles are fully customizable—choose from ready-to-go designs or create a custom look for sports marketing, corporate gifting, retail, fundraising, events, and promotional campaigns.

The collection also features SHOEZIE SMART™, an optional NFC chip embedded in the sole that connects users to websites, videos, social media, promotions, event information, donations, registrations, and more with a  simple tap. No app. No charger. Just tap.

"We're not changing what a beverage insulator does, we're changing how people experience it," said Dan Taylor, CEO of BamBams. "By combining creative design, premium functionality, and optional smart technology, THE SHOEZIE™ COLLECTION transforms an everyday beverage insulator into a product people will use, keep, and remember."

ASB has partnered with Kirk Ross as a consultant to help expand and strengthen its distributor partner network. Working closely with ASB's leadership team, Ross will focus on fostering meaningful distributor relationships and supporting continued growth within the ASB family. Drawing on nearly four decades of industry experience, extensive relationships, and a consultative approach, he will help identify new opportunities, strengthen distributor partnerships, and expand the ASB family.

Ross began his career in the promotional products industry with Awardcraft in 1988. Throughout his 38-year career, he has developed deep expertise in senior leadership, sales growth, organizational development, and operations. His experience includes 22 years on the supplier side, 14 years on the distributor side, and two years representing multiple product lines, giving him a well-rounded perspective across every facet of the promotional products industry.

“Kirk and ASB have had a close relationship for a number of years during his time in our industry,” shared Justin Zavadil, CEO and President of ASB. “He has an incredible reputation, and we are so pleased he’s made the decision to work directly with us to help grow the American Family."

"I am truly grateful and excited to partner with ASB in this consulting and growth-focused role,” said Ross. “Their leadership, internal culture, and longevity are unparalleled. By leveraging my industry knowledge and long-standing relationships, I look forward to helping expand ASB's distributor network and welcoming new sales partners into the ASB family."

Terry Town (PPAI 230911, Gold), PPAI 100’s No. 33 supplier, has announced the promotion of Matt Bitran to CEO.

Founder Sy Ereren, who has served as president of the San Diego-based company since its launch in 1988, will transition to chairman of the board, where he will continue to provide strategic guidance and support the management team.

[Matt’s] leadership, integrity and deep understanding of sales, marketing and production make him uniquely qualified to lead Terry Town.”

Sy Ereren

Founder/Chairman, Terry Town

“I have complete confidence in Matt,” Ereren says. “His leadership, integrity and deep understanding of sales, marketing and production make him uniquely qualified to lead Terry Town. Together with our outstanding team, he’s well positioned to build on our success while continuing to deliver the quality and service our customers have come to expect.”

A 31-year veteran at Terry Town, Bitran’s most recent role was director of sales.

I’m truly humbled to be able to lead such a wonderful team towards Sy’s vision.”

Matt Bitran

CEO, Terry Town

“I’m truly humbled to be able to lead such a wonderful team towards Sy’s vision,” Bitran says. “Sy built an exceptional company with a culture centered on innovation, quality, lasting customer relationships and an incredible winning team. I look forward to building on that foundation, expanding our product offerings and continuing to earn the trust of our distributor partners every day.”

Terry Town specializes in towels, blankets, robes, bags and travel/home gifts. The firm prides itself on its embellishment capabilities, such as edge-to-edge sublimation, screen printing and embroidery.

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

PCNA (PPAI 113079, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 6 supplier, has announced the appointment of Josh Militello as CEO.

Effective July 13, Militello will succeed Neil Ringel, who is retiring after more than seven years of leading the New Kensington, Pennsylvania-based company. Ringel will remain actively involved as an advisor and member of PCNA’s board of directors.

Ringel tells PPAI Media that this transition is taking place from a position of strength, adding that PCNA is experiencing a strong 2026 and continues to outperform the industry based on supplier growth data from PPAI Research.

“Leading PCNA has been the privilege of my professional career,” Ringel says. “I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished together and grateful for the dedication, resilience and passion of our employees.

Leading PCNA has been the privilege of my professional career.”

Neil Ringel

Exiting CEO, PCNA

“Over the past several years, we’ve assembled an exceptional leadership team, strengthened our portfolio of brands, modernized our technology platform, diversified our supply chain and built a clear long term growth strategy through our Fans First Customer Experience Plan. I’m incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished and believe the company is exceptionally well positioned for the future.”

After more than 30 years leading businesses, including nearly eight years leading PCNA, Ringel says it simply feels like the right time to make this transition. In addition to remaining involved as a member of Polyconcept’s board and as an advisor, he plans to dedicate more time to serving on outside boards, advisory work, mentoring leaders, and, just as importantly, family and friends.

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“As I retire from the day-to-day responsibilities of leading PCNA, I do so with tremendous confidence in the future of our company and genuine excitement for what’s next, both for PCNA and for my next chapter,” Ringel says. “Josh is an exceptional leader, and I couldn’t be more confident in his ability to lead this company forward.”

Militello’s Background

Militello has spent nearly three decades leading consumer products, branded goods and go-to-market organizations.

Most recently, he served as president of Dometic Mobile Cooling, where he led the global Dometic, Igloo and Cool Gear brands. Prior to Dometic, he served as senior vice president of Igloo Products and held senior leadership roles with Masco Cabinetry, Bang & Olufsen America, HoMedics, Coleman and Lava World International.

“We’re excited to welcome Josh, a customer-centric leader with a track record of growth,” says Jesse Ge, managing director at Charlesbank Capital Partners, an investor in PCNA. “We look forward to supporting Josh and the PCNA team as they continue to grow and innovate in their industry.”

I’m looking forward to getting to work with this team and continuing to build something our customers and partners can count on.”

Josh Militello

Incoming CEO, PCNA

What drew Militello to PCNA, he says, is the quality of the business Neil and the team have built – the brands, the relationships and the people.

“I’ve spent my career in businesses where staying close to the customer is what drives growth, and that’s exactly how I intend to approach this role,” Militello says. “I’m looking forward to getting to work with this team and continuing to build something our customers and partners can count on.”

Ringel’s Impact

Upon manning the helm of PCNA, Ringel abbreviated the name Polyconcept North America because of negative connotations with Poly – among other possibilities, it could be associated with polymers (the chemical compounds that make up plastic). It didn’t tell the sustainability story that the company has developed into an ethos.

When Ringel first arrived, the company sold 19 products that it called eco-friendly. It now sells over 600 through the ProudPath channel, in the meantime reducing its overall product offering to eliminate items it considers likely to be thrown away.

Neil and the team have built a great business at PCNA – an industry leader with marquee brands, loyal distributor relationships and a commitment to operational excellence.”

Jesse Ge

Managing Director, Charlesbank Capital Partners

Under his leadership, PCNA has reported record employee engagement, with response rates as well as Glassdoor and Indeed ratings exceeding its targets. The company has also tackled potential issues in the workplace by implementing fair-chance/second-chance employment measures and employee resource groups.

• In 2024, PCNA launched Givee Select, an online store platform aimed at improving gift giving.
• Last year, the company also became the exclusive supplier and decorator of new Stanley 1913 products in the branded merch industry, expanding its reach with a high-demand retail brand.

“Neil and the team have built a great business at PCNA – an industry leader with marquee brands, loyal distributor relationships and a commitment to operational excellence,” Ge says. “We’re deeply appreciative of Neil’s leadership over the years and look forward to continuing to partner with him on the board.”

Before joining PCNA, Ringel spent 23 years at Staples, where he held various executive roles with responsibility over the salesforce, digitization and mergers and acquisitions activity, as well as oversight for the Staples Promotional Products business.

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

ASB (PPAI 101656, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 11 distributor, has announced the promotion of President Justin Zavadil to CEO. His father, founder Larry Zavadil, will transition from his role as CEO to chairman of the board.

While stepping away from day-to-day executive responsibilities, Larry will remain focused on the company’s culture and people. He will also continue serving as president of Canadian Solutions for Business.

“My dad has built and nurtured an incredible culture,” Justin says. “We listen to our customers, treat everyone with kindness and always ‘do the right thing for the right reason.’  I couldn’t have had a better mentor and role model.”

We’ll always do what’s in the best interest of our stakeholders and what’s needed to be the last company standing.”

Justin Zavadil, President/CEO, ASB

Larry launched American Solutions for Business in 1981 and has grown the Glenwood, Minnesota-based company into one of the largest employee-owned distributors of branded merchandise. After 45 years at the helm, he’s ready for the next generation of leadership to step up following extensive succession planning with ASB’s board of directors.

“I’m so proud of Justin’s transition to CEO and president of ASB,” Larry says. “It’s been our vision for quite some time, and over the past year specifically, Justin and I have worked closely with the board to ensure a seamless leadership transition.

“As I step into my role as chairman, I look forward to continuing to add value to the American family while supporting Justin and our leadership team. I’m excited to continue working alongside Justin to preserve the culture that has made ASB so special while helping it evolve for the future.”

I’m excited to continue working alongside Justin to preserve the culture that has made ASB so special while helping it evolve for the future.”

Larry Zavadil, Founder/Chairman, ASB

Justin has been in leadership roles at ASB for 18 years and has served as president for nearly a decade.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue to drive our culture forward,” Justin says. “As long as I’m here, that direction won’t change. We’ll always do what’s in the best interest of our stakeholders and what’s needed to be the last company standing.”

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

Sock Club, the Austin-based custom sock manufacturer known for fully knitted branded merchandise made in the USA, today announced the addition of custom grip socks to its product lineup. The new off ering pairs fully custom knit artwork with anti-slip soles, giving brands, studios, healthcare organizations, and wellness companies a functional and highly branded option for environments where traction matters.

“Unlike printed or sublimated socks where designs are applied to the surface of a blank sock and may stretch, fade, or distort with wear, Sock Club's grip socks are fully knitted, meaning the artwork is woven directly into the fabric using yarn,” said Chloe Tabler, VP of Marketing. “The result is a more durable, premium product that looks intentional and holds up through normal wear and washing.”

Grip socks are particularly well-suited for Pilates studios, yoga studios, barre studios, physical therapy clinics, hospitals, senior care programs, wellness retreats, and athletic recovery spaces. A Pilates studio might sell them at the front desk or include them in new member packages. A hospital might use them for patient comfort, staff appreciation, or fundraising. A wellness brand might package them in launch kits, subscription boxes, or infl uencer mailers.

Custom grip socks are available starting at a 120-pair minimum per design. Standard production is 15 business days from design approval, plus shipping. There are no setup fees, design fees, or rush fees. Design support is included with every order. Custom branded packaging is also available for retail, gifting, or launch kit applications.

Leadership rarely allows time to slow down. But this week in San Diego, senior executives from across the branded merchandise industry are doing exactly that – stepping away from day‑to‑day execution to focus on long‑term direction, shared challenges and the future of the channel they collectively shape.

Those conversations are unfolding at the 2026 PPAI North American Leadership Conference, which opened Tuesday and concludes Thursday. The event is being held at one of the country’s most historic hotels, The US Grant, where roughly 180 distributor, supplier and services provider leaders are gathered for peer engagement and strategic content examining how the industry must evolve in a fast‑changing world.

“For me, NALC is really about connected communities, but focusing that time on strategic thought leadership,” says Kate Alavez, president of distributor PromoShop and a PPAI Board member. “Whatever we’re doing in this room is looking forward to elevation of the industry. Discussions are around where we want to be in one, three, five, and even 10 years, and how our organizations are doing that collaboratively to make sure that we’re mindful of our employee values, our organizational needs and the growth opportunities we have.”

For me, NALC is really about connected communities, but focusing that time on strategic thought leadership.”

Kate Alavez

President, PromoShop

That long‑range lens is shaping a program that acknowledges rapid technological change – particularly around artificial intelligence – while repeatedly returning to more enduring leadership questions around trust, governance and intentional growth.

Kicking Things Off

The event opened Tuesday evening with a reception and exclusive preview of the 2026 PPAI 100 at Snapdragon Stadium.

In a nod to the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaders from the 40 leading supplier and distributor firms each received a customized soccer ball displaying their ranking.

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The full 2026 PPAI 100 list will roll out publicly later this month, with suppliers announced Tuesday, May 19, and distributors unveiled Tuesday, May 26.

Trust, Ethics And Leadership Under Pressure

Conference sessions began Wednesday morning with an opening keynote from Tyler Shultz, an entrepreneur and whistleblower of would-be health innovator Theranos, which crumbled amid massive fraud. His presentation underscored the consequences of leadership failures and the enduring value of trust.

Drawing from his experience as a young employee at Theranos, Shultz walked attendees through the rise and unraveling of one of Silicon Valley’s most notorious corporate scandals, examining issues of corporate governance, business ethics and organizational culture tensions. His message resonated beyond the tech world, offering cautionary lessons for leaders navigating innovation, growth expectations and emerging technologies.

As enthusiasm around AI and automation continues to accelerate across industries, Shultz’s story served as a reminder that innovation absent accountability and ethical clarity can carry long‑term costs.

Repositioning Merch In The Marketing Mix

Later Wednesday, the conversation shifted from leadership caution to strategic opportunity during Making Merch Part Of The Marketing Mix, a fireside discussion moderated by PPAI Board Chair Danny Rosin and featuring Julie Schnidman, vice president of alliances at the American Marketing Association, and Cayce Myers, a public relations author, professor, thought leader and board member of the Public Relations Society of America.

The discussion explored how branded merchandise must evolve to earn a more intentional role within integrated marketing and PR strategies.

MORE | PPAI Strategic Plan: Reaffirming Mission To Elevate The Branded Merchandise Industry

“It’s a million‑dollar question,” Schnidman said, when asked how the industry can become more thoughtful and meaningful in marketing campaigns. “It really is about how you’re positioning merchandise to marketers. Are you just talking about your products and your solutions, or are you talking about the business impact and the values, and how it can function to extend and build your brand in a sticky way?”

Schnidman emphasized intentionality as both a theme of the conference and a differentiator for branded merchandise when positioned effectively.

“We live in this very fragmented social, online landscape,” Myers said. “There is, I think, a real desire for that interconnection and for that interpersonal connection…. There’s a lot of opportunities for things like AI in terms of research and audience segmentation and being able to understand what resonates with what group, and how do you reach these people and communicate?

“But there’s also, I think, a reverse side of that, where it is trying to return to some of these older practices that may be lost in the digital shuffle, where we want to come together, we want to have relationships, and we know that there’s value added in that.”

The session reinforced a recurring message throughout NALC: Moving merchandise from a tactical execution to a strategic asset requires clearer articulation of business impact, brand values and long‑term return.

From AI Theory To Real‑World Decisions

Across multiple sessions on Wednesday and into Thursday, speakers and panelists examined how innovation is reshaping workflows, organizational culture and leadership expectations throughout the industry.

Wednesday sessions pushed discussions beyond abstract AI theory toward practical decision‑making. The focus consistently returned to governance, clarity and alignment rather than adopting technology for its own sake.

Additional programming scheduled for Thursday addresses broader economic and operational pressures, including the state of the economy, PPAI’s forthcoming Global Economic Study conducted by Oxford Economics, and responsible supply chains. Executive‑level roundtable discussions and devoted networking time allow leaders to compare strategies.

While innovation featured prominently throughout the agenda, many conversations ultimately circled back to leadership itself, particularly how executives navigate uncertainty that increasingly feels structural rather than temporary.

“Global destabilization, I believe, is here to stay,” says Frank Carpenito, president and CEO of supplier Gemline, who is attending his first NALC. “I don’t think we’re suddenly going to have calmness around the world. I don’t think we’re going to have calmness in our supply chain. So, I think that’s a big task for everybody.”

I don’t think we’re suddenly going to have calmness around the world. I don’t think we’re going to have calmness in our supply chain. So, I think that’s a big task for everybody.”

Frank Carpenito

President & CEO, Gemline

Industry Support And Looking Ahead

Numerous industry companies contributed to the success of the 2026 North American Leadership Conference, supporting programming designed to challenge, connect and prepare leaders for the work ahead.

As sessions conclude Thursday, NALC once again reaffirmed its role as a space for industry leaders to engage honestly with complexity – not simply to react to change, but to shape the future of branded merchandise with trust, intention and shared responsibility.

Numerous industry companies contributed to the success of the week’s event. View the 2026 NALC sponsors.

Written by: Josh Ellis

Published with Permission from PPAI

S&S Activewear (PPAI 256121, Platinum), PPAI 100’s No. 2 supplier, has announced the launch of ApparelSoft IQ, a proprietary intelligence layer designed to anticipate customer demand, optimize inventory decisions and improve how the business operates at scale.

• An intelligence layer is the tier in your enterprise stack in which humans and agents collaborate to reason about, query and act on your data, according to Kyle Langham, an engineer-turned-data executive at DFINITY.

ApparelSoft IQ has been in production for more than six months, driving out-of-stock levels to the lowest in company history, S&S Activewear says.

The tool is focused on demand forecasting and inventory optimization – one of the most complex challenges in the business – while designed to expand intelligence and automation across the entire ApparelSoft platform over time.

Having deep and reliable inventory is the most fundamental thing we can do for our customers.”

Frank Myers

CEO, S&S Activewear

“Inventory planning has been near and dear to my heart since my first day at S&S,” says Frank Myers, CEO of S&S Activewear and a member of the PPAI Board of Directors. “It was the first project I worked on with our Chief Transformation Officer, Brian Beale, back in 2009. We believed then, and know now, that having deep and reliable inventory is the most fundamental thing we can do for our customers.

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“ApparelSoft IQ is a milestone in that journey and a testament to what happens when long-term commitment meets the tools of today.”

Anticipating Demand

Developed by S&S Activewear’s data science team, ApparelSoft IQ combines more than 35 years of the Bolingbrook, Illinois-based firm’s historical data with information from alphabroder, which was acquired in 2024.  

• By applying machine learning directly to this data, ApparelSoft IQ generates highly accurate purchasing recommendations and inventory positioning decisions, the firm says.

We’re not just reacting to demand; we’re anticipating it and positioning inventory ahead of it.”

Josh Clark

COO, S&S Activewear

ApparelSoft IQ is built into S&S Activewear’s proprietary ApparelSoft ERP platform, which powers its e-commerce experience, customer tools and distribution network. As a result, its insights translate directly into action across the supply chain, from vendor purchase orders to inventory transfers between distribution centers. The goal is to ensure faster response times, more efficient allocation and more consistent product availability.

RELATED: S&S Activewear: Into The Big Room

“This starts with a highly sophisticated forecasting system built specifically for the blank apparel industry,” says Josh Clark, COO at S&S Activewear. “We’re not just reacting to demand; we’re anticipating it and positioning inventory ahead of it. That allows our customers to operate with more confidence and less disruption.”

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

The leading supplier in branded merchandise is getting even larger.

Late Monday, BELLA+CANVAS (PPAI 304892, Silver) announced it had entered a “definitive agreement” with SanMar (PPAI 110788, Platinum) that would see the Issaquah, Washington-based apparel giant take ownership of BELLA+CANVAS while preserving it as a distinct and independent brand.

PPAI Media has confirmed the announcement with sources close to SanMar.

Executive Vice-President Megan Spire will retain her leading role at BELLA+CANVAS.

Founded in 1992, BELLA+CANVAS has become known in the industry for its fashion-driven basics, such as T-shirts and hoodies. SanMar is the largest apparel supplier in branded merchandise, driving an estimated $4.1 billion in 2025 revenue. It has ranked No. 1 among PPAI 100 suppliers since the inception of the measurement of industry leaders in 2023.

“As the fashion leader in the industry, BELLA+CANVAS has earned the trust and respect it holds today,” says SanMar President and CEO Jeremy Lott. “Our commitment is simple: Give BELLA+CANVAS the focused ownership and resources it needs to keep doing what it does best and to deliver even more of what the market expects from this exceptional brand.”

Our commitment is simple: Give BELLA+CANVAS the focused ownership and resources it needs to keep doing what it does best and to deliver even more of what the market expects from this exceptional brand.”

Jeremy Lott

President & CEO, SanMar

Headquartered in Los Angeles where it bases its dye and cut operations, BELLA+CANVAS has two additional distribution facilities in Nevada and Maryland.

According to the announcement, BELLA+CANVAS will be “maintaining the creative autonomy and clear point of view that have always defined the brand.”

“BELLA+CANVAS has always operated with a simple conviction: The people who print, decorate and sell our products deserve the best blank apparel in the world,” Spire says. “That belief is not changing. With focused ownership and additional investment behind the brand, we will be able to bring more newness, more innovation and an even stronger commitment to the partners who make BELLA+CANVAS what it is while staying true to who we’ve always been. I have never been more excited to lead this brand.”

Megan Spire

Executive Vice President, BELLA+CANVAS

Departing the company in the change of ownership are Danny Harris and Marco DeGeorge, who co-founded BELLA+CANVAS as a garage screen printer in 1992. Their apparel empire also includes billion-dollar retail brand Alo Yoga.

Harris and DeGeorge cited the importance of finding the right owner for BELLA+CANVAS in an acquisition, mentioning SanMar’s family-owned structure.

• “SanMar believes deeply in this brand and is uniquely positioned to support its growth through inventory depth, service, and operational excellence. The BELLA+CANVAS legacy lives on, and I can’t wait to see what comes next,” Harris says.
• DeGeorge says: “We know SanMar will be exceptional stewards of the brand and of the BELLA+CANVAS team who continues to shape it today.”

While BELLA+CANVAS has maintained privacy over its blank and decorated apparel revenue, the company is among the largest sources of wearables in the industry. As recently as 2023, it employed more than 700 people across its facilities and boasted nearly 1.5 million square feet of operations.

Written by: Josh Ellis

Published with Permission from PPAI