Mary Jo Tomasini and her sister Paula Wygonik need to seriously consider changing the name of their business to Cutting Edge instead of Competitive Edge. Their rapidly growing enterprise has taken another bold step today in announcing their acquisition of a promotional products firm in Grand Rapids.
Competitive Edge, the premier promotional agency located on Red Arrow Highway in Stevensville, which serves multiple industry sectors including universities and major corporations has announced the acquisition of the business of Gaslight Promotions of Grand Rapids. Led by its founder, Terry Powers, Gaslight has provided premium services to the Western Michigan market for a decade.
Mary Jo Tomasini, as CEO and Founder of Competitive Edge, says, “Terry and his team are a natural fit for us,” and adds, “We share the same culture, and both focus on loyalty, trust, creativity and innovation to provide an exceptional customer experience.”
Terry Powers says, “When I met the Competitive Edge leadership team, it was clear that both companies operated with a like-minded approach. I am excited to be able to bring CE’s resources and technology to Gaslight clients as well as the Grand Rapids market.”
As President of Competitive Edge, Paul Wygonik says, “Terry’s team will continue to operate out of their Grand Rapids office,” and notes, “Our philosophy is personal service, to be as close to our customers as possible, and to provide each office with full access to our technology and the many resources of our headquarters’ team in Southwest Michigan.”
Combining the expertise, experience and technological tools from both offices will serve customers well in their advertising and branding initiatives. Clients will have access to thousands of promotional products, focused on their marketing goals. They will also have immediate 24/7 access with a comprehensive and easy-to-use online ordering resource, including access to order history, the ability to create immediate online proofs, and direct communication with their customer service representatives.
Competitive Edge has expanded its brand throughout the country, with the opening of a satellite office last year in Denver, Colorado. According to Tomasini, what attracted the organization to have a stronger presence in its home state, primarily Grand Rapids, was the explosive growth the metropolitan area has experienced in the last decade. It is consistently on the top lists for business growth of corporate and entrepreneurs, housing, and innovation, and Tomasini has always been on the cutting edge of her industry even serving as the head of her industry’s top trade organization.
Competitive Edge is one of the largest full-service promotional product distributors in the United States. The business was started in a basement by Mary Jo, and today employs 27 people. Always mindful of developing a successful business within the promotional products industry, Ms. Tomasini and Competitive Edge have been the recipients of many awards locally, regionally and nationally, including the Best Places to Work for several years, the 2019 Cornerstone Chamber Small Business of the Year and the 2019 Promotional Products Association International Gold Pyramid Award in client programs.
