Trade Only Rebrands
Business management software and website provider Trade Only has rebranded to Customer Focus, Inc., effective March 1. According to the company, the move reflects Trade Only's commitment to providing innovative web technology solutions to its increasingly global customer base and ensures brand consistency across the entire organization.
Company officials said the rebrand is the positive outcome of the company’s cloud-based solutions gaining more traction in the sign, apparel, and print industries, as well as the original target market of promotional products. Customer Focus was the name of the software company Trade Only purchased in 2005, when it was seeking to expand its offering from websites and product research into full business management solutions.
Philip Shehadeh, VP sales and marketing at Customer Focus, said, "Trade Only is a meaningful name in Europe, where we started out, as it indicates adherence to the supplier/distributor/end-user supply chain, of which this company has always been very protective. However, the term isn’t very common in the United States, so it didn’t have that resonance with what we stood for over here.
Moreover, as we’ve continued to expand into other verticals outside of the promotional products industry, it seems fitting to explore a name that better reflects our company’s overall ethos.”
Julie Henderson, president at Customer Focus, Inc., adds: "Customer Focus isn’t just our name, its our brand – it is truly what we stand for. Essentially, it is our consistent investment in rigorous research and development that allows our team to provide cutting-edge web technology to our customers, allowing them to grow their businesses.”
A short video exploring the company’s history is on the new website www.customerfocus.com.
HanesBrands Withdraws Suit vs. Gildan
HanesBrands has agreed to voluntarily withdraw a trademark lawsuit against Gildan Activewear, though leaving open the door to resubmitting.
The lawsuit was filed Dec. 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of N.C. by HanesBrands. HanesBrands accused Gildan and Gildan USA Inc. of trademark infringement and unfair competition related to Gildan's use of the Tempfx brand for moisture-control apparel products.
Hanesbrands spokesman Matt Hall said Friday the company is "happy to have it resolved." Hall would not comment on how the dispute was resolved, and the legal filing did not disclose the resolution.
Pro Towels Exec Named Ambassador for Economic Development
Jeremy Scott, Pro Towels vice president of operations has been named Abbeville County, SC Ambassador for Economic Development. The Ambassador Award is a special recognition for the exceptional contributions made to South Carolina's economic development efforts and is selected by the county’s economic development organization.
Scott has been with Pro Towels for 15 years. In his position he oversees daily operations, coordinates inventory, and manages the staff in the South Carolina facility.
"It is a great honor for both Jeremy and Pro Towels to be receiving this award," states Kevin Nord, owner of Pro Towels. "Our facility in South Carolina has worked very closely with Abbeville County and the State of South Carolina to generate new jobs and opportunities as we continue to grow."
StrombergBrand Hires Bridge Marketing Services
Dan Pigott, director of sales for The Hudson Valley Umbrella Company, home of StrombergBrand, a family-owned/operated and award-winning umbrella supplier, has announced the hiring of Bridge Marketing Services, to represent them in the Mid-West and Ohio Valley, including KS, IA, IL, IN, WI, MI, MO, MN, NE, ND, OH and SD.
Founded over 30 years ago by Keith Schroepfer, Bridge Marketing Services continues under the leadership of his son, Cory Schroepfer. Bridge's team also includes John Bugele and Richard Schmidt.