Product Hub July 19, 2018
Promo Firm Partners with ‘Green,’ Socially Responsible Thai Company
Thailand-based SRANN helps rural Thai women learn to grow organically to help create products that are sustainable and natural -- and that can be sold profitably.
In a Nutshell
*Emperor Promos (asi/52371) is offering SRANN’s all-natural insect spray and all-natural bug balm in the North American promotional products market.
*Emperor could soon offer other organic products from SRANN, including soaps and oils.
It’s often said that travel is inspirational.
Boy was there truth in that statement for Steve Peters and Wes Merson.
Steve Peters, VP of Operations at Emperor Promos (asi/52371).
The business partners behind Emperor Promos (asi/52371) were on a trip to Thailand when they discovered an opportunity to bring exciting all-natural products to their customers in the North American promotional products market – and thereby help support good environmental practices and people in rural Thailand.
Emperor Promos is selling this all-natural insect spray from SRANN in the promo market.
It was in the Southeast Asian nation that the principals for Emperor, founded in 2010, connected with SRANN, a Thailand company that helps rural Thai women learn to grow organically to help develop products that are sustainable and natural, and that can be sold profitably to support their families. “We support local people to grow herbs for us using natural methods,” says Slandha Sirasran, founder of SRANN. “This shows them how they can easily create high quality ingredients in their own gardens, without the use of chemicals.”
After learning about SRANN through online research and boots-on-the-ground travel in Thailand, Peters and Merson trekked into the Thai countryside to see the operation firsthand. The trip proved fruitful, opening the door to a new branch of business for Emperor, a supplier that hitherto had primarily specialized in branded electronics/tech products. “They are doing things the right way,” says Peters. “It’s a good set-up where they’re having a meaningful positive impact. They’re passionate about what they do, and so are we.”
Good mission or not, the products still had to be quality for Emperor to consider selling them stateside. SRANN more than impressed on that account. “We had been interested in offering the types of products they provide for a while, and when we found them and saw the quality and learned how they operate, we knew we had the right match,” Peters says.
The “VIP Package,” which includes all-natural insect spray and insect balm from SRANN, is available from Emperor Promos.
A family business whose name means “being happy,” SRANN produces balms, sprays, natural skincare products and cold-process handmade soap from local ingredients, including rainwater, cold-pressed oils and homegrown herbs. Initially, Emperor is offering several items from the SRANN line, including the 100 ML SRANN 100% All Natural Insect Spray and the 100% All Natural Insect Balm in both 10G and 56G kits. There’s also a “VIP” package that combines all three products. All items can be custom-branded for promo distributors’ end-buyers. “Everyone in the office here at Emperor loves the products and is always trying to get more samples to ‘test,’” says Peters. “I’d say that’s the sign of a great product.”
Peters noted that Emperor could start selling additional organic products from SRANN. “We felt that the items we’re currently offering were the best to start with, but we have our eyes on adding soaps and oils too,” he says. Of the soaps, Sirasran has said, “Because there are no chemicals involved in the soap making process, the byproducts do not contaminate the water supply. We also do not test on animals. We try all of our products at home first to make sure they are good for the whole family. Then we know they will be good for you too.”
Secret Garden Yanang & Moringa Soap from SRANN.
Such green, ethically-made products could appeal to a range of distributor end-clients, from any organization targeting eco-conscious and chemical-leery Millennials and Gen Zers, to businesses in the health and wellness field and beyond. “We think there’s a lot of appeal,” says Peters.
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