SanMar (asi/84863), the North American promotional products industry’s largest supplier, is among the best-managed companies in the United States.

That’s according to the Best Managed Companies Program, an initiative orchestrated by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal that recognizes outstanding U.S. private firms and the achievements of their management teams. It’s the second time SanMar has made the list.

Jeremy Lott, SanMar

“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition for all the hard work and dedication of our team,” said SanMar CEO Jeremy Lott, a member of Counselor’s Power 50 list of promo’s most influential people. “As a family-owned company that empowers team members to drive positive change, we are always working to create the most dynamic workplace culture and invest in the long-term future of our employees.”  

To earn the “Best Managed” designation, the U.S. companies had to have revenues of at least $250 million and demonstrate excellence in strategy, execution, work culture and governance/financials.

“Designees propelled their businesses forward and remained true to their purpose and values by investing in their people, creating advantage through digital transformation, taking measurable action on sustainability, and demonstrating their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” read a statement explaining the honor.

SanMar’s estimated nearly $3 billion in revenue makes it promo’s biggest supplier, but it’s more than size that’s established the Issaquah, WA-based firm as an industry leader. The company has also been at the forefront of industry evolutions related to sustainability, corporate social responsibility and supply chain management.

To better serve customers, SanMar revealed in March that it’s establishing a new flagship distribution center for its East Coast operations that will add 1.1 million square feet of capacity for housing and efficiently shipping the firm’s apparel. The supplier has eight additional distribution centers nationwide.

Founded in 1971, SanMar is second-generation family-owned and operated. Based on estimated 2021 North American promotional product revenue of $2.88 billion, the firm ranked first on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry.

By making the U.S. Best Managed Companies list, SanMar joins honorees from more than 46 countries recognized by the program.