Sometimes in order to survive you have to change your entire platform. It’s the ability to change in a timely manner and succeed on your new platform that separates the world of winners from the “also rans.” In the world of Michigan’s Great Southwest, one of those early adapters — and a winning enterprise in every regard — was Premier Promotions/Twin City Engraving. Thanks to their agility in business, the company is marking the incredible milestone of their 80th Anniversary in business this year.
Founded in 1938 by Edward Taylor, Premier Promotions/Twin City Engraving was originally located at 208 State Street in St. Joseph. Some 36 years later, in 1974, the company moved to 1014 Main Street in the city, but only lasted there for five years before relocating to much larger facilities at 1232 Broad Street in St. Joseph in 1979, and that’s where the company continues to thrive to this day. It’s a 20,000 square foot manufacturing facility capable of producing items on multiple platforms.
The company’s original business was photo engraving for the printing industry, which consisted of making plates for printing of photographs in publications. However, when new technology rendered photo engraving obsolete, the company was forced to rethink their platform and they got out of that business and moved into new ventures.
Engraving of plaques and plates started in the early to mid-1970’s and continues to this day. Sign making and display creation have been added along the way as the team helps local businesses create strong identities, wayfinding, and other branding opportunities to boost their products, services and locations. In 1979 Premier Promotions joined the ASI Association and has remained a member ever since, leading the way on innovation and creative promotional ideas.
Premier Promotions also performs embroidery and screen printing, along with a broad array of advertising specialties, banners and signs.
Now when your company is looking for ideas to promote your identity, Premier Promotions can provide you with multiple options through multiple platforms. Inasmuch as many of their products are produced in-house, a quick turnaround is almost always a possibility.
In 1967, Louis Jones, son-in-law of founder Edward Taylor, and partner Florian Beles bought Twin City Engraving.
Jones eventually bought out his partner, and in 1997 he retired and sold the company to his sons, Jeff and Jerry, who continue to run the company to this day with Jeff serving as President and Jerry as the company’s Vice President.
Jerry tells me that his team at Premier Promotions prides itself on quality work and a friendly and knowledgeable staff, and adds, “We are proud to be a part of the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor communities, serving them, as well as all of Southwestern Michigan and beyond.”
Premier Promotions/Twin City Engraving is housed at 1232 Broad Street across from Clementine’s Too at the base of the Broad Street hill near where the street name changes to Langley Avenue.
They are a multi-faceted manufacturing and distribution firm able to supply you with any type of logoed or personalized items for your business or personal use. Items in their stable include things such as: Plaques, Trophies, Awards, T-Shirts, Name Tags, Name Plates, ID Plates, Signs, Banners, Foam Core Prints, Embroidered Clothing of all types, Team Uniforms, Patent Plaques, Engraved Items of all kinds, Screen Printing and much more.
They are also a global supplier of quality ASI promotional items, with more than 3,000 suppliers world wide able to service your advertising goals. Items such as; Golf Balls, Key Chains, Pens, Mugs, Coolers, Frisbees, Lanyards, Totes and much more are available from the team at Premier Promotions/Twin City Engraving.
