Norwood & BIC To Close Wisconsin Facility
Counselor Top 40 supplier Norwood & BIC Graphic North America (asi/40480) announced today that it is closing its Janesville, WI, facility. The site, which was home to Norwood’s Jaffa (asi/63110) brand, will be folded into the company’s Red Wing, MN, facility and the move is expected to be completed by the end of April 2011. A Norwood & BIC spokesperson confirmed to Counselor this morning that the company will still be offering Jaffa-branded products to the market, but they will now be fulfilled through its Red Wing, MN, operation.

Quenten Wentworth, vice president and general manager of Norwood & BIC Graphic North America, said that the company conducted a strategic analysis of its Janesville operation and found that moving their capabilities into Red Wing would improve the customer experience and streamline operational capabilities. “Jaffa is a valued brand for Norwood with a long history of superior product quality and service,” Wentworth said. “The awards and recognition category will still be an important part of our 2011 product selection and beyond. Our intention is to make the transition as seamless as possible for our customers.”

The Janesville manufacturing site currently employs 75 people, and Norwood & BIC say they are offering first consideration and relocation assistance to these people for open positions across the Norwood & BIC Graphic organization. “Our goal continues to be the most cost efficient and customer focused organization in the industry,” said Nicolas Paillot, CEO of BIC APP, the parent of Norwood & BIC Graphic North America. “The decision to close the Janesville site has not been easy and it is not a reflection on the dedication or performance of our employees. We are very grateful for their many years of service.”

Consumer Confidence Hits Five-Month High
Consumer confidence in November reached its highest point since June, easily beating analysts' forecasts and further lifting the hopes of retailers at the start of the holiday shopping season. The monthly index provided by the Conference Board showed consumer confidence climbed to a 54.1 rating last month, up from 49.9 in October. "Expectations, the main driver of this month’s increase in confidence, are now at the highest level since May," said Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's research center. "Hopefully, the improvement in consumers’ moods will continue in the months ahead."

Along with an improvement in overall confidence, the Conference Board reports consumers are also slightly more upbeat about future job prospects. Those expecting fewer jobs in the months ahead declined to 19% from 22% in November, while 16% now believe there will soon be more employment opportunities. This optimism could be a precursor to actual growth, as a separate report this week showed 93,000 private sector jobs were added in November, the majority of them (54%) tied to small businesses. In the last nine months, small businesses have hired back 200,000 workers. 

On the holiday shopping front, this week several major retailers, including JC Penney, Macy's and Abercrombie reported significant year-over-year November sales increases. On Black Friday weekend alone, shoppers spent $45 billion, focusing less on discounters and more on department stores and apparel shops. 

Podcast: Exclusive Laura Bush Interview
The hosts of ASI Radio’s Tuesday Morning Show welcomed former First Lady Laura Bush to the show this week. Bush shared her experiences in the White House, and offered stories about the many charitable causes that she’s involved with. She also provided listeners with ideas for how they can thrive through obstacles and challenges. “Keep your eye on the ball and stay focused,” Bush said during the show. “You have to do everything you can to keep your eye on what the goal is and not be sidetracked by other criticisms or problems that come up.”

Click here to listen to a podcast of the whole interview.

And, don’t forget to join us for our next broadcast on Tuesday, December 7. Log on to www.asicentral.com/radio at 10:30 a.m. ET to listen to the show, and give us a call at (215) 953-4979 to hear your voice on the air.

Holiday Corporate Gifting To Remain Steady
A new study released by ASI shows overall sales of corporate gifts to employees, clients and prospects this holiday season will be similar to 2009. The majority of respondents (60%) plan to spend just as much this year on gifts to employees, while 12% expect to spend more and 31% expect to spend less. In gifting clients and prospects, 59% of respondents plan to spend similarly to 2009, with 14% planning to spend more and 28% planning to spend less. Companies anticipate spending more money, per person, on employees compared to clients or prospects. 

Data shows the most popular employee gifts this year will be gift cards (cited by 40% of respondents) and cash bonuses (30%), followed by apparel (24%), food/beverages (24%) and calendars (18%). On average, companies plan on spending $35.55 to gift each employee. In gifting clients and prospects, food/beverages (32%) were cited as the top item, followed by calendars (25%), gift cards (25%), writing instruments (25%) and desk accessories (24%). Over one-half of respondents (54%) plan on giving a decorated item, usually imprinted with a company logo. On average, companies plan on spending $26.27 to gift a client or prospect this holiday season.

In looking ahead to 2011, 21% of respondents, which were marketing and human resource professionals, plan to spend more on holiday corporate gifts next year, suggesting a modest increase over 2010.

Video Report: News Of The Week
In this episode of Counselor's Industry Update video, we offer analysis of the Black Friday retail statistics and discuss why consumer confidence is at its highest level in five months. Plus, is the CPSC reaching too far with a new online product safety database? Watch the video to find out.

Click here to see the trends and to watch Counselor PromoGram’s Industry Update.

If you have any news you’d like to see covered on Industry Update or in Counselor PromoGram, please send it to newsdesk@asicentral.com.

CPSC Approves Complaint Database
Despite objections from business groups, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to publish an online database of public complaints about a large variety of items, including jewelry and toys. The searchable database, www.saferproducts.gov, will be rolled out in March of next year, and will allow the public to post or read comments. “An informed consumer is an empowered consumer,” said Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the CPSC. “This brings us into the 21st century.”

The establishment of the database was mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, but the CPSC has debated for some time how exactly to manage the website and what information it should contain. The newly passed rules, which were opposed by groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, will allow for comments to be left anonymously, a dramatic change from current policy. “We had the chance to make the database a helpful tool for consumers, but instead it will potentially become just another sink hole for complaints,” wrote Commissioner Nancy Nord, who voted against the rules.

At present, consumers can file complaints against companies with the CPSC, but information is only disclosed by the agency if a recall is ordered. Under the rules of the new database, companies will instead be given a brief period to block complaints that are untrue or involve confidential information. “The reality is that we cannot be everywhere all the time, and we cannot respond to every complaint,” said Commissioner Robert Adler. “I believe this database will increase the agency’s ability to accomplish our mission of protecting consumers.”

Watchdog and trade groups have either applauded or cringed at the creation of the new CPSC site, which is formally named the Consumer Product Safety Information Database. “Consumers will have access to lifesaving information and the agency will more nimbly be able to identify and act upon safety hazards,” said Rachel Weintraub, senior counsel at the Consumer Federation of America. Countered Carter Keithley, president of the Toy Industry Association: “Our primary concern is that information might be provided to the public which is not accurate or which might even be malicious.”

When the database goes live, it will be the first time the CPSC has ever displayed product-related information in a public forum.

New ASI Education Online Course Available
Start working toward achieving your BASI (Bachelor of Advertising Specialty Information) or MASI (Master of Advertising Specialty Information) by taking self-paced, on-demand courses at ASI Education's Online Learning Center. In our newest course, "Eco-Friendly Apparel Facts and Strategies," you'll learn about a variety of eco-truths, key strategies for working with suppliers and customers, and how to sell different eco-categories.  

In The News
Hub Pen Company (asi/61966) has been honored with the Top Ten Supplier Award by Kaesar & Blair (asi/) for the sixth consecutive year.

Leaderpromos (asi/287087) has launched a national affiliate program that offers financial independence for experienced promotional consultants and promotional advertising companies. For more information, visit www.leaderpromos.com/affiliates.

Motivators Inc. (asi/277780) has announced that it will donate an ample supply of food to local charity Island Harvest for the fourth year in a row.

WorkflowOne (asi/333647) has been named Top Distributor of 2009 by Print Professional magazine. The company was recognized as the leader in five out of six key product categories and this marks its fourth year winning the award.

People On The Move
Fields Manufacturing Inc. (asi/54100) announced that it has promoted Andy Bertram to vice president of marketing.

The Leslie Company (asi/67120) has hired Bob Abeel as national sales manager.

ASI SHOW

ASI HOLIDAY PREVIEW TOUR — VISITING FOUR CITIES IN 2011 (JUST ANNOUNCED)
The ASI Show just announced the launch of the ASI Holiday Preview Tour that will visit the greater Los Angeles area (September 23); the greater Toronto area (September 27); Atlanta (October 18) and Philadelphia (October 26) in 2011.

A full-day schedule will allow distributors to participate in free, hot-topic workshops led by industry practitioners from 9 a.m.-11 a.m., spend valuable time with leading suppliers in an intimate tabletop environment from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and network with other ad specialty professionals during a closing reception from 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

Whether it is eco-friendly products, high-tech electronics or fun, seasonal items that your clients are looking for in the all-important fourth quarter, you will find a wide spectrum of choices at the ASI Holiday Preview Tour. For more information about the ASI Holiday Preview Tour, and to register for FREE, visit www.holidaypreviewtour.com.  

Follow The ASI Show on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook today!

The following are the dates and locations for The ASI Show in 2011:
Orlando, January 23-25, 2011
Dallas, February 16-18, 2011
New York, March 22-24, 2011
San Diego, May 18-20, 2011
Chicago, July 19-21, 2011

Plus, don’t miss the ASI Advantages Roadshow, the industry’s #1 traveling show. Visit www.advantagesroadshow.com for the complete schedule and go to www.asishow.com for information on all ASI Shows.