Top 40 supplier IMAGEN Brands, parent company of Crown Products (asi/47700) and Vitronic (asi/93990), announced on Tuesday the appointment of Paul Lage as president. Lage is replacing Lori Kates, who is no longer at the firm. Lage had served for the last eight years as president and CEO of Top 40 supplier Gill Studios (asi/56950).

“Through some friends in the industry, I was approached about a great opportunity for me and my family,” Lage told Counselor. “I thought I could bring some real value to a major brand going forward in my career. I’m just really excited and it’s very energizing to be with this company.”

Podcast

In this exclusive podcast, Paul Lage discusses the latest big move in his distinguished career – and what he has planned for IMAGEN.

The Counselor 2007 Person of the Year and the 2017 Marvin Spike Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Lage has been in the promo industry for 32 years, holding leadership roles at Gill and Norwood (asi/40480).

“We are excited to have Paul join our team at IMAGEN Brands,” said David Walker, president and CEO of IMAGEN Brands’ parent company, EBSCO. “Paul brings a wealth of business experience including years of committed service to the promotional products industry. I look forward to working with Paul and the team at IMAGEN Brands as we continue to invest significantly in this business.”

In his new position, Lage wants to bring focus and direction toward enhancing IMAGEN’s customer experience, from supplier to distributor to end-user. “We’re looking to figure out how we can reduce production times, lower minimums and provide communication and technology support to make sure we’re out in front of all these new and existing trends,” Lage said.

Kates, a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list and Counselor’s 2013 Supplier Woman of Distinction, began her career at Vitronic in 1996 as the company’s controller. “We wish Lori the best as she pursues other opportunities and thank her for her leadership at IMAGEN Brands,” said Walker.

In its most recent listing, Counselor ranked IMAGEN Brands as the 23rd largest supplier in the industry, after the firm reported 2016 sales of $69.8 million. New rankings will be unveiled in July.