Lawrence, Massachusetts-based Gemline (PPAI 113948, S11) has entered a strategic, long‐term partnership with Atlanta, Georgia-based based Newell Custom Writing Instruments. Gemline is the first supplier partner to offer the Paper Mate® and Sharpie® brands to the promotional products industry in the U.S. Gemline notes that this partnership expands its presence in the sizable writing instrument product category, adds to its growing portfolio of premium brand partners and increases Newell’s reach in the industry.

“We are proud to add the iconic Paper Mate and Sharpie brands to our expanding brand portfolio by partnering with one of the largest writing instrument companies in the world,” says Frank Carpenito, president of Gemline. “Known for tried-and-true quality writing instruments, we are confident that our customers will share in our enthusiasm as we continue to provide them with more branding solutions than ever before.”

Jonathan Isaacson, chairman and CEO of Gemline, adds, “The addition of Newell Custom Writing Instruments to our expanding retail brand portfolio is a huge win for Gemline as we strive to significantly increase our market share in the writing instruments category. We were one of the first suppliers to pioneer retail brand partnerships in the early 2000s, and they continue to fuel our company growth with our distributor partners as end customers demand more branded promotional products.”

Jen Cleveland, senior sales manager of Newell Brands Writing Division, says, “We are thrilled to launch a partnership with Gemline. It was important to choose a partner with a solid reputation in the industry that will help expand our reach and grow brand awareness of Paper Mate and Sharpie within the promotional products industry. We are confident Gemline will help us achieve our growth targets.”