BIC Reports Third Quarter Results
BIC Group announced that net sales for the third quarter were up 4.8 percent from the same period last year and up 5.8 percent for the first nine months. The company's promotional products division, BIC Graphic, reported a sales decrease of 3.4 percent for the quarter and flat revenues for the first nine months.
"Year-to-date results were good, with solid growth in all consumer categories, reinforcing our confidence that we will achieve our 2015 objectives," said Mario Guevara, CEO of BIC. "Net sales growth was well balanced across geographies, with mid-single digit increases in both developed and developing markets, including a good performance in Latin America. In stationery, the back-to-school season sell-out was good in Europe, North America and Mexico while performance in lighters and shavers continued to be strong."
In its BIC Graphic business, the company said it recorded $84 million in third-quarter revenues and $226.2 million in sales through the first nine months of the year. In North America, nine months net sales were impacted by a timing change in calendars (shipments shifted from September to October)," the company noted. "The hard goods segment continued to perform well, thanks to the "good value" proposition, new product launches and BritePix imprinted technology," according to the company.
PromoKitchen Welcomes New Board Members
PromoKitchen, one of the promotional products industry’s 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose mission is to provide education and mentorship in the promotional products industry, has added four new "PromoKitchen chefs" (board members). Among them are Identity Marketing columnists Bill Petrie of brandivate and Aubrey Collins of MediaTree. Also new are Patrick Black of Perfect Imprints and Jon Norris of Starline.
"We are humbled and honored to welcome these four new leaders to the team. Their expertise will allow us to advance PromoKitchen’s reach over the coming years,” said PromoKitchen editor in chief, Charity Gibson.
Hub's Colleen Bibby Receives SAAGNY CSR of the Year Award
Colleen Bibby of Hub Pen company received SAAGNY's Customer Service Representative of the Year award during their 60th Anniversary Celebration in New Rochelle, NY. The award recognizes those who go above and beyond when helping their customers each day.
"We are very proud of Colleen's accomplishment and this well deserved recognition of her hard work and dedication," said Hub customer service manager, Chris Ford.
BIC Graphic Continues to Support Wounded Warrior Project
BIC Graphic continues its support of Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) and announced it has raised more than $200,000 in 2015 for the group. "We've been so pleased by the industry's response to our efforts on behalf of WWP," said Emmanuel Bruno, vice president and general manager BIC Graphic North America. "Our customers continue to support and promote our cause marketing program - we are far ahead of our original guarantee and look forward to the year’s final result."