Distributors benefit with free inbound shipping when ordering from S&S and shipping to any Vantage decoration facility

Vantage Apparel, award-winning decorator and industry top source for custom logo apparel, has included S&S Activewear on a program that offers no minimum, free inbound shipping on all brands in the wholesaler catalog to the Vantage facilities located in Santa Ana, California, St. Louis, Missouri, and Avenel, New Jersey.

"The market continues to shift to small orders and faster fulfillment," commented Vantage President, Ira Neaman. "Our embroidery facilities are strategically located across the US and when ordering products through S&S Activewear, on orders as few as one piece, it makes it easier and more cost-effective for customers to get a large variety of brands and products embroidered, and in the hands of their clients, in less time."

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, has promoted Mike Wilkos to National Sales Manager. In this role, Mike will be responsible for all North American promotional sales efforts including management of Vantage’s regional and inside sales teams.

Wilkos joined the company in 2015 as the Strategic Accounts Manager where he was entrusted to grow business relations with the company’s top accounts. Ira Neaman, President of Vantage Apparel commented, “Mike immediately elevated our sales efforts with targeted campaigns and forward-thinking initiatives, especially in the distributor connectivity space.” Neaman continued, “He is a driven professional, with a broad range of experience.”

Mike is an attorney, licensed in New Jersey and New York. Before joining Vantage, Mike practiced law for several years in the areas of government law, employment law, and civil litigation. Mike attended Seton Hall University School of Law, where he served on the Seton Hall Law Review, and prior to that he attended the University of Delaware, from where he graduated magna cum laude.

Mike is a self-taught website and mobile app developer and has created several successful niche business, education, and reference apps that routinely rank on the App Store’s top US charts. He will be sharing his expertise in law and technology as a speaker at the upcoming PPAI Tech Summit.

Mike can be reached at 732-340-3186 or MikeW@vantageapparel.com.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, is proud to welcome industry pro, Christian Brandt as the new Northeast Sales Manager. Christian joins Vantage as an experienced and highly-accomplished sales professional in the promotional products industry having most recently worked for Leeds, where he received several awards from leading distributors, and was honored as the 2016 SAAGNY Supplier Salesperson of the Year. Prior to his position at Leeds, Christian worked for ASI as the Executive Director of Distributor Services where he enjoyed success for over ten years in developing products, managing sales teams and implementing creative solutions for their distributor members.

Vantage President, Ira Neaman commented, “Christian is already in the field assisting customers and working towards filling open sales positions. I look forward to the immediate and positive impact that he’ll have in the region.”

Christian also remarked, “I’m very excited to be involved in this successful management team and for the out-of-the-gate progress we’ve been able to achieve.”

Christian can be reached at 732-570-7547 or ChristianB@vantageapparel.com.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, has hired Neal Young and Coleen Sylvester as Regional Sales Representatives. Neal comes to Vantage after spending 15 years as a Key Account Manager with Sanford B2B winning multiple Top Salesperson awards. He will be responsible for the Texas and Oklahoma territory. Neal can be reached at 732-340-5828 or NealY@vantageapparel.com

Coleen will be taking over Southern California and Nevada and comes to Vantage with a strong background in apparel sales having worked as a Sr. Sales Executive with TravisMathew Golf Apparel and over 18 years at Cutter & Buck as a Regional Business Manager. Coleen can be reached at 732-340-3206 or ColeenS@vantageapparel.com.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, completes first of three planned customer service enhancements by introducing Live Chat powered by Smarter Track as the newest customer service feature on its website. Through this software addition, customer service representatives are able to provide on-the-spot answers and support for order, product and decoration inquiries.

“The immediacy of live chat is a most attractive benefit,” commented Kevin Schardt, Vice President of Customer Experience for Vantage Apparel. “Live Chat has the highest satisfaction levels for any customer service channel available, providing a high level of user comfort via easy access to knowledgeable company representatives.”

With a focus on continuous improvement, Schardt also cited plans to introduce ongoing survey capabilities and for further streamlining of the overall order process.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, has hired Bryan Vaughn, MAS as the Regional Sales Representative for Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky.

He can be reached at 732-882-6273 or via email at BryanV@vantageapparel.com.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, has hired Jeff Kranz as Sales Representative for Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Southern Illinois. Kranz comes to Vantage with an extensive background in promotional apparel sales having worked on both the distributor and supplier sides. Kranz is currently a committee member for the Promotional Products Association Midwest and can be reached at 732-850-8953 or via email at jeffk@vantageapparel.com.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, has expanded its retail brand offering with the addition of Van Heusen.

Vantage selected a classic assortment of button-down shirts for men and women in solid, striped and patterned fabrics. According to Ira Neaman, Vantage President, “Van Heusen is widely-recognized across America with an amazing reputation for providing stylish and affordable dress shirts. The extension gives our customers a broader selection in corporate office wear with the convenience of a single source for decorated, retail-branded apparel.”

To view the Van Heusen styles, visit vantageapparel.com/vanheusen.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, won three awards in the 2014 Suppliers Achievement Award Competition sponsored by the Promotional Products Association International.

Vantage won its 18th consecutive first-place finish with a Gold PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award in the category of Embroidery II with an impressive full-back design for an aquarium exhibit and Silver Awards in the categories of Embroidery I, for left-chest designs, and Screen Printing on Textiles.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, announced that Regional Sales Representative, Kerry Hendrickson received the Northstar Award for Factory Rep of the Year from the Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Products (UMAPP). The award was presented at the UMAPP room show and luncheon. Kerry has an extensive promotional apparel background and has been working with Vantage and Midwest distributors for the last 17 years.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, hosted its yearly blood drive on Thursday, June 13, in support of the Blood Center of New Jersey in East Orange.

More than two dozen Vantage associates participated in the event, helping to raise almost 25 pints of blood. Every three pints of blood collected will be able to save the life of one person in need.

The Blood Center of New Jersey is a statewide blood center providing blood, blood products and hemotherapy services in a coordinated effort with the integrated delivery system of healthcare providers in the state.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, has launched a new custom apparel manufacturing program, SourceOne. SourceOne gives distributor companies an industry-trusted solution for importing apparel and designing custom programs.

Vantage President Ira Neaman commented, “We recognize there are many avenues for sourcing apparel and now, more than ever, believe it’s critical to give distributors access to a reliable and safe sourcing channel.”

SourceOne services include merchandising and design, volume pricing opportunities and overseas decoration. Inquiries can be sent directly to sourceone@vantageapparel.com or team members can be reached via phone at 800-221-0200 ext. 3311.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, won two gold embroidery awards in the 2013 Suppliers Achievement Award Competition sponsored by Promotional Products Association International. Vantage won the PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award in the category of Embroidery I with a detailed left-chest design for a California-based nursery and a second gold in the category of Embroidery II with an impressive full-back interpretation of a service company’s mascot. This year’s win marks the company’s 17th consecutive first-place finish for Embroidery.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, was honored at the Counselor 2013 Distributor Choice Awards with the top spot for Decorated Apparel. This is the sixth consecutive year that distributors have voted Vantage as the best company industry-wide for supplying decorated apparel. Company President, Ira Neaman was on hand to accept the award.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, will distribute Greg Norman Collection to the corporate promotional market in Canada, effective immediately. Built upon a unique combination of performance, luxury and style, Greg Norman Collection is a leading worldwide label of golf-inspired sportswear for men and women. Established in 1992, the brand is inspired by one of the world's leading golf professionals, the man known as “The Shark.”

The exclusive distributor of the Greg Norman Collection to the corporate market in the United States, Vantage will stock a complete product line, consisting of nearly 30 styles, including more than a dozen performance polos available in both basic and fashion colors.

“We are excited to bring such a well-known and highly-valued brand to the Canadian market,” said Ira Neaman, President of Vantage Apparel. “Greg Norman Collection is one of the premier names in fashion and performance. We believe this move will make it easier for our distributor partners in Canada to not only source Vantage’s quality product but also offer a global brand of such high stature.” For sales opportunities, please contact Jeff DePalma, Sales Manager, at JeffD@vantageapparel.com or 800-221-0020, ex. 3122.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, has launched a brand new comprehensive decoration section on its website that highlights its embellishment capabilities.

At vantageapparel.com/decoration, users can browse a full spectrum of logos across all decoration techniques, such as embroidery, screen printing, vintage soft-hand screen printing, laser etching, laser applique, reverse applique and more. Additionally, users can download entire libraries of logos or e-mail a specific example to their customers.

“Good embellishment is all about vibrancy and this new feature on our website showcases that,” said Ira Neaman, President. “Distributors and their customers will get a real sense as to what makes Vantage one of the industry leaders in this area. All in all, we believe this provides an enormous upgrade that will be an instrumental selling tool.”

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, has hired Mark Thieleke as the Sales Representative for North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Western Virginia. Mark is an established promotional sales professional with prior experience representing Vantage Apparel. Thieleke can be reached at 732-850-8965 or via email at markt@vantageapparel.com.

Regional “POD” approach broadens experience base for customers.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, has announced the realignment of its customer service department to establish regional teams or “PODS” to better service its customer base. Each POD includes associates from the Customer Service and FastAnswer teams to handle day-to-day orders and inquiries as well as an Inside Sales and Merchandising Specialist to assist with new project development. The POD environment encourages communication between team members and gives customers the benefit of having multiple associates familiar with their specific account activities.

According to Kevin Schardt, Director of Customer Experience, “The term POD was originally used to represent the physical grouping of team members but quickly became analogous for the company’s continuous focus towards Perfect Order Delivery.” Schardt continues, “To simplify the ordering process, customers will have a single point of contact whether they are working on Vantage goods, Greg Norman and Polo Ralph Lauren orders or contract decoration.”

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel digitized its 400,000th embroidery logo. This impressive milestone was reached with a submission from Los Angeles-based distributor, PromoShop for their client CBS Studios. Vantage digitizes an average of 13, 000 logos a year and produces over 4 million embroidered garments annually in their three company-owned embroidery facilities across the US. They have been recognized numerous times for their excellence in embroidery having won the Gold PPAI Suppliers Achievement award for embroidery sixteen years in a row and the ASI Distributor Choice Award for the #1 Decorated Apparel Supplier five years running. In addition to their award-winning embroidery services, Vantage also offers in-house screen printing, digital printing, laser etching and laser appliqué decoration.

Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, won two gold awards in the 2012 PPAI Suppliers Achievement Awards competition sponsored by Promotional Products Association International and a first place finish in the 2012 ASI Distributor Choice Awards for Decorated Apparel.

Vantage won the PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award in the category of Embroidery I with a colorful left-chest design for an environmental organization and a second gold in the category of Embroidery II with an impressive full-back interpretation of the official artwork of the Kentucky Derby. This year’s win marks the company’s 16th consecutive first-place finish for Embroidery.

For the 5th year in a row, distributors have voted Vantage as the best company industry-wide for supplying decorated apparel. Company President Ira Neaman was on hand at the ASI Show Orlando to accept the Distributor Choice Award for Decorated Apparel.