There was "BIG" industry news this week with 100 year old Newton Mfg, a traditional distributor in Newton Iowa, filing bankruptcy. Newton has been an icon to our industry for as long as I have been associated with the business. Their basic model was very traditional with hundreds of independent sales reps, many "part time" who were allowed to "pick and choose" which orders they sent to them. Over the years their model deteriorated with a lack of fresh recruiting, new ideas and progressive thinkers. The company appears to have simply "withered on the vine". My condolences go out to the many hard working employees and sales people who are now weighing their options, most of whom would not be qualified enough or have the "partner mentality" to sell for our team.  

My point is simple, we continue to work hard to grow our company, learn new ways to go to market and to bring new opportunities to you, our professional sales team. We work hard to qualify great sales team members who are committed to working with us exclusively and to help them qualify great creditworthy clients. Our processes and procedures are in place to protect you, our employees and our awesome supplier partners, from "Newton's Fate". Our credit policies are fair, enforceable and backed by our credit insurance program. We have the financial backing of Proforma a $500 Million Dollar network with access to more than a $25 Million Dollar line of credit, who willingly publishes AUDITED financials yearly. No order is too large for our team or too small for that matter. We are all in a great position to continue to thrive and take full advantage of all of the literally $100 Billion Dollars of opportunity, including promotional advertising, print, technology and multi-media sales. We have the financial clout, the purchasing clout, the collective Industry IQ and quite frankly the "unfair advantage" to continue to grow profitably and conservatively with a solid business plan in place.  

What an awesome industry and Suzie and I could not be more fortunate to have our friends at Proforma, our sales team, our employees and our awesome supplier partners to be on our team as we move forward to achieve our next goal, $50 Million by the end of 2018. A very reasonable 20% growth per year - with more than half that growth coming as a result of helping our existing team members achieve their goals and dreams to grow their sales. Our business was built on the premise that we will all grow together, one great person at a time and to provide all of our employees and sales team members a home where PEOPLE are our greatest asset. We value your opinion every day, not just the first day you sign on.

Let's continue to grow together,

Coach Fred

June "Vendor Days".

The following supplier partners are scheduled for two of our June events. If you need anything from these great partners, please let your Account Executive Know and they will be happy to be your voice, eyes and ears for the meetings.

Tom Couster w/ Evans Manufacturing

Michael Contreas w/ ETS Express

Tom Lukens w/ Pacesetter Awards

Jackie Plante w/ Label Art

John Snodgrass came to us with a challenge and a desire to no longer be his own distributor, he wanted to build his business and have "fun again" doing what he LOVES to do, SELL. Actually, I know John and SELLING is NOT what he does. He is truly an "expert" marketer. He uses his marketing degree and "Purina" management experience to help his clients build their brands and accomplish their marketing goals. He is truly an extension of their marketing department, an agency without the agency fees. He is even a consultant for several of the largest "agency" firms in St. Louis, providing their clients with his expertise in the Promotional Advertising Arena. John's thirst for learning is never quenched. He is the first person to learn different concepts and apply them. At one point he built a "playground" for a Charter School and we billed them for the materials and construction. No wonder John is known as the "Think Tank Commander", check out his signature logo.   

John Brian Snodgrass: Born 6/11/1955 in St. Louis 

Graduated St. Louis University in 1976 with a B.A. in Economics
Ralston Purina: 1976-1987 Purchasing, Customer Service, Brand Management
Eveready Battery: 1987-1989 Marketing Director, Energizer Batteries
Image Design Group: 1989-2009 Contract embroidery/screen-printing/ASI Distributor
Proforma Albrecht: April 2009-present

I have 3 sons: David 37 and spouse Songzi, Daniel 35 and spouse Maribeth, Jeffrey 30 and spouse Melissa.
I have 7 grandchildren Dylan 13, Sofia 10, Samantha 3-1/2, Maria 3-1/2, Dorothy 3, Patrick 1 and Celine 8 months.

After 39 years working and struggling to figure what makes me get up in the morning, I finally discovered a personal marketing plan that is both rewarding and challenging. My career has evolved to this point by trial and error but most recently with the great support of my family, Fred, Suzette and the entire Proforma Albrecht team. My target clients are marketing and advertising companies. I help put them in the ASI business by providing them with consulting and back room product sourcing services. I have a small group of very loyal clients who I love working with and who value my services.  We work in a fun industry and I do what I can with my marketing tools, spread the laughs.