October 10, 2018

Promo Distributors Brace For Hurricane Michael

Temporary business closures, evacuations and potential lost sales are among the issues with which industry professionals are contending.

By  Christopher Ruvo

Promotional products firms in the path of Hurricane Michael were scrambling early this week to prepare their businesses for the massive storm, which was expected to slam into the Florida Panhandle Wednesday as a Category 4 storm before weakening and advancing heavy rain through parts of Georgia, the Carolinas and even Virginia. Life threatening storm surge, extensive wind-related damage, beach erosion, tornadoes and widespread power outages were part of the harrowing forecast.

Data shows that there are approximately 200 ASI-listed promo companies that could endure hurricane-force winds and rains given Michael’s projected path as of this writing. Most of those businesses are distributors.

Tallahassee, FL-based KT Creative (asi/246179) is among them. Owner Katie Reeves said Tuesday that she was shutting up shop and evacuating because her business is in the storm’s direct track. “We will be working remotely for our clients as needed,” Reeves told Counselor. “We don’t anticipate sales being impacted at this time, but will know more after the storm.”

Hurricane Michael is a dangerously powerful storm. If your company has been impacted, please notify us at feedback@asicentral.com.

Meanwhile, Emily Davila and her team at Who Dey Printing & Embroidery (asi/355771) in Panama City, FL were working feverishly Monday and early Tuesday to prepare as best they could. That concerted effort included prioritizing orders with firm deadlines over the next couple weeks. Later, it entailed elevating equipment off the floor to protect against water damage in the event floodwaters stream in.

Emily Davila, Owner Who Dey Prints & Embroidery (asi/355771).

Davila gave an assessment of the potential economic impact on her business. “Sales may be affected as some of our orders have hard deadlines for events or people cancelling events they previously planned on having shirts for,” she said. “We may also see an increase of sales after the storm from all our contracting clients and other businesses who will have plenty of work due to storm damage. We have a few carpet cleaners/water removal companies so they may need more staff shirts, or promo items.”

Still, the work would have to wait. Concerned for her employees, Davila closed up shop early afternoon Tuesday so the workers could prepare and evacuate. She was expecting to be closed through Friday. “I am paying all my employees during the closure,” Davila said. “I want them not to worry about work and money. I want them to focus on about keeping their family safe.”