Quinn (asi/80228) is in the flag business – but not typically the country-flag business. The Hanover, PA-based supplier specializes in custom work, putting company logos and other artwork onto flags, banners, trade show displays, signage and more.

Quinn has been using its manufacturing equipment to produce Ukrainian flags.

But a few weeks ago after Russia invaded Ukraine, orders started rolling in for Ukrainian flags, with members of the community eager to show a visible, tangible sign of support.

“It caught us off guard,” said Bruce Kolbrener, executive vice president of sales at Quinn. “It’s not a product we typically make here.”

When Quinn does get orders for stock flags, the supplier usually turns to other flag makers for supplies. But, said Kolbrener, all of those companies were “severely backlogged by weeks or months” for Ukrainian flags.

A completed Ukrainian flag from Quinn.

So, rather than turn people away, Quinn decided to use its custom equipment to make the flags in-house. On Thursday, March 10, Quinn’s equipment was printing Ukrainian flags “pretty much all day,” Kolbrener said.

He added: “As fast as we’re printing them, they’re going out the door. We’re kind of filling a need.”

So far, Kolbrener said, distributors are reaching out on behalf of “pockets of communities” with significant Ukrainian-American populations. Homeowners associations, builders and other local clients are asking for the flags. Though there haven’t been many calls yet from corporate clients looking for Ukrainian flags, Kolbrener says he thinks that demand won’t lag far behind. “It seems to be building up,” he added.

Since Quinn started making Ukrainian flags, the company has been contacted by a number of local media outlets, featured on television and in the newspaper – and the exposure has, in turn, driven demand for the flags.

“It’s a way we can show support,” Kolbrener said, adding that he has replaced the St. Patrick’s Day garden banner at his own home with a Ukrainian flag.

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