May 8, 2024 – Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL: TSX and NYSE) announced it has reached an agreement to issue CAD$200 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (“CDPQ”) on a private placement basis. The notes will bear interest at a rate of 6.0% per year and will mature 5 years from the issuance date. Gildan intends to use the net proceeds of the issuance to fund its common share repurchase program and for the repayment of maturing outstanding debt.

Gildan has agreed to maintain strong local leadership and its global headquarters in Québec for a minimum of 7 years, and has committed to becoming a Global Minimum Taxpayer.

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April 22, 2024 – Gildan Activewear Inc. announced a refreshed Board of Directors that has been thoughtfully constructed based on extensive shareholder engagement. The new Board will guide the Company’s next phase of growth under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer Vince Tyra and ensure the previously announced sale process is conducted in a manner that will benefit all shareholders of Gildan.

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April 11, 2024 – American & Efird Canada Inc., proudly unveils its latest innovation in embroidery supplies with the launch of ACCU-BOBBINS™. These embroidery bobbins, specifically designed with the sided style “L” Tex 16 White, cater to the diverse needs of embroidery professionals.

ACCU-BOBBINS™ epitomizes quality, meticulously engineered to seamlessly integrate with all embroidery machines. Whether you’re a seasoned artisan or a burgeoning enthusiast, these bobbins are crafted to enhance your embroidery experience, ensuring precision, reliability, and superior performance with every stitch.

ACCU-BOBBINS™ joins the esteemed A&E Family of Brands as the newest addition. For more information about ACCU-BOBBINS™ and how it can elevate your embroidery projects to new heights, please contact our dedicated Sales Support team at canada.client@elevatetextiles.com. Experience the difference with ACCU-BOBBINS™ and revolutionize your embroidery journey today.

Please contact Sales Support at canada.client@elevatetextiles.com for more information.

April 4, 2024 – The CSI GROUP is excited to welcome Donna Klaassen to our sales team as a multi-line representative.

Donna was the deserving recipient of the 2023 PPPC Multi-Line Rep Award! Her strategic mindset and attention to detail translate into one-of-a-kind, quality products for her many West Coast clients. Most recently, Donna was the 2021/2022 in-house multi-line rep for HPG Brands. 

“Donna is well-regarded throughout the promotional products industry for her marketing mind, “can do” attitude, and commitment to quality and deadlines”, says Orest Kostecki, VP of Sales for The CSI GROUP. “I am excited to have her talent on our team”.

For over 40 years, THE CSI GROUP (previously known as Canadian Spirit) has been supplying the promotions industry with personalized, low MOQ products, delivered fast from Canadian and US warehouses. CSI’s entrepreneurial spirit has grown the company to include 10 boutique brands, with many products no one else carries. 

I’m excited to offer The CSI GROUP’s premium collections to my clients. Their boutique brands open up a new world of low minimums and customization on a wide range of products!” – Donna Klassen, Founder of Ventura Sales 

Contact donna@venturasales.com and sign up to the Boutique Hub to get curated ideas for your clients.

March 29, 2024 – Augusta Sportswear Brands (“ASB”) and Founder Sport Group (“FSG”) today announced the combined company’s new corporate identity, Momentec Brands, and tagline “Outfitting Moments that Matter.” 

ASB and FSG were recently acquired by investment firm Platinum Equity.

Momentec Brands emerges as a leading supplier of team uniforms, off-field performance wear, and fan apparel tailored for the youth and recreational sports markets.  Momentec Brands will continue its unwavering commitment to provide its customers superior service by maximizing the strength of the two organizations in customer care, distribution and the critical day-to-day “count on us” execution.  Our core objective is to become your easiest partner to buy from, breaking down complexity and making designing and buying even custom uniforms a simple and fun experience

FSG CEO John Anton will serve as CEO of Momentec Brands and ASB CEO David Elliott will serve as Vice Chairman of the company, both positions effective April 1, 2024.

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January 17, 2024 – The 2024 National Imprint Canada Show welcomed 2,622 trade buyers January 12 & 13, an increase of 3.56% from 2023 and 10.17% increase since 2022!

Nearly 110 leading suppliers showcased their newest products to attendees who were eager to kick off their year with newfound knowledge and contacts that can only be gained at Canada’s largest promotional marketing event.

Attendees were effusive in their praise. Post-Show surveys reveal 53.3% rated the Show as Excellent; 34.4% as Very Good and 10.1% as Good

“Attending the National Imprint Canada Show in Toronto was an absolute game-changer! exclaimed Jona Pallasigue of The Intercorp Group. “The event showcased a diverse range of innovative, quality products and services, providing us with invaluable insights and connections. Highly recommended for professionals seeking inspiration, networking, and staying at the forefront of the imprint industry!”

“One of the best shows that I have ever attended!” stated Blair Tremble of Select Apparel, who praised the many new product offerings at the Show.

Tom Armbruster of Unique Embroidery Promotions & Awards said he hasn’t missed a Show in 15 years and added, “This is The Show where we can source everything for our industry. I deal with at least 70 per cent of the suppliers exhibiting there.”

“The Show was full of suppliers who will help move our business to the next level!” said Leslee White-Eye of Antler River Trading Co.

Scott Howard of DORSCOH Creative Designs called the Show: “One centralized opportunity to connect and reconnect with suppliers, and (provide) an ability to enhance our business going forward.”

“This show is a must see!” added Mellia Bloomer of Marchant’s School Sports. “I love seeing everything new that is coming to the industry and being able to get our hands on it first!”

Exhibitors were thrilled as well. “What a great way to kick off 2024! We were really happy with show traffic and quality of conversation on the floor,” said Michelle Merrifield of ASI Canada.

The Robert L. Scott Memorial Award was presented to Sergio Munoz, while Augusta Sportswear Brands was voted as Best Sales Environment and Kailani Sports took Best Booth Design honours.

The biggest winner of all was Merchco Inc.‘s, taking the title as Canada’s Greatest Screen Printer in the RB Digital competition! Everything about the winning design made it a worthy and runaway winner, that attendees at the Imprint Canada Show crowned. The design featured numerous special effects such as suede base, puff base, silver, gold glitter, fluorescent ink and even glow-in-the-dark! The design also had embroidery over some of the screen printed elements, pointing to an impressive attention to detail that Toronto-based Merchco was able to achieve both in the design, execution and packaging, setting an extremely high bar for future competitions.

The Imprint Canada Show will next take place in Montreal and Calgary in September, before returning to Toronto for January 2025. Registration will open in April.

January 12, 2024 – Twiga Solutions has announced an exciting prize running in conjunction with the National Imprint Canada Show!

One lucky attendee can win a one-year lease of a ZSK embroidery machine and coloreel with the option to purchase the units!

*Purchase value of $80,000ENTER HERE: https://twigaind.com/pages/twiga-solutions-contest

1. CONTEST PERIOD: The Twiga Solution Contest (the “Contest”) starts at 12:00:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on January 1st, 2024, and ends on January 19th, 2024, at 11:59:59 p.m. ET (the “Contest Period”).

2. ELIGIBILITY: The Contest is open to all Canadian residents in all provinces, who: (i) have reached the legal age of majority in their province/territory of residence; or (ii) are eighteen (18) years of age or older but under the legal age of majority in their province/territory of residence (each, a “Minor”) and have permission from their parent/legal guardian. The parent/legal guardian must have agreed, on behalf of the Minor and themselves, to be bound by these Official Rules and Regulations (the “Rules”). 

3. HOW TO ENTER: During the Contest Period, users may visit Twiga-solutions.com (twigaind.com) to enter one digital ballot. To obtain a digital ballot, users need to provide their first name, last name, business name, valid email address, business address, and business phone number. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

Full Rules and Regulations: https://twigaind.com/pages/twiga-solutions-contest

January 12, 2024 – The Board of Directors of Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL: TSX and NYSE) (“Gildan” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that Vince Tyra will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer on Monday, January 15, 2024. At the Board’s request, Mr. Tyra has made himself available to move the start date from February 12 to respond to requests to engage early with key stakeholders and bring needed stability and leadership to the Company as it embarks on its next chapter of success.

“When the Board began the external phase of the CEO search back in May of 2023, we knew that scaling the Company in an increasingly complex and competitive environment demanded a hands-on CEO with fresh ideas, deep apparel experience, a keen understanding of manufacturing and expertise in areas like marketing, merchandising and product development. After a robust selection process that evaluated both internal and external candidates, we selected Vince as the next chief executive of Gildan Activewear,” said Donald C. Berg, Chairman of the Board. (more…)

January 9, 2024 – Platinum Equity announced the acquisitions of Augusta Sportwear Brands (“ASB”) and Founder Sport Group (“FSG”). Both companies are suppliers of team uniforms, and off-field performance wear and fan apparel for the youth and recreational sports markets.

Financial terms of the private transactions were not disclosed.

“Youth sports play an important role in society and participation has been shown to provide important psychological and social health benefits,” said Platinum Equity Co-President Louis Samson. “The core market for youth sports apparel and accessories has grown steadily over the past decade, but the ecosystem is highly fragmented and, in many ways, inefficient. We saw the potential to combine two established companies very rapidly and orchestrate a transaction that we believe leverages our unique integration and operational capabilities with the goal of improving those industry dynamics and ultimately bringing to life a better customer experience. (more…)