By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Last month, the launch of a new line of eco-friendly products made entirely of U.S.-made materials was a strategic business shift for Grand Rapids-based Baudville. The company, an employee recognition and award firm, normally sources its products globally to serve its 400,000 customers worldwide.
The new line, dubbed g-thanks, specializes in thank-you gifts that recognize day-to-day achievements of employees or associates. The gift selection includes travel mugs made from PolyLactic Acid, a recycled-paper notepad that doubles as a mouse pad, and note cards of birch veneer.
“Other recognition companies are set up to recognize five years, 10 years, etcetera,” says Kristy Sherlund, vice president of product development, “but Baudville designs day to day recognition. These products are for managers to recognize employees every day, or peers to recognize peers. We wanted the products to be really beautiful things with the simple message of ‘Thank You.’”
Baudville’s in-house product development department created all 10 gift items with the focus that they be made from recycled materials, or be recyclable or consumable, and that all materials would be sourced within the United States. Baudville turned to local printers for all the printing needs and contracted with a tree farm in Rockford to produce the birch veneer for the note cards.
“We wanted to differentiate the product line so it tells the eco story,” Sherlund adds. “Our business lends itself to a very global perspective, but this line we determined had to be made in the U.S. as part of our sustainability initiative to support local commerce. We really wanted to capitalize on it.”
Source: Kristy Sherlund, Baudville
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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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