Our Story
Gemline is On Trend and On Time.
The promotional product industry's premier supplier of bags, business accessories, gifts and writing instruments, Gemline is ranked as the 17th largest industry supplier by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI).
With a full in-house design team and four product launches a year, Gemline is a leader in design innovation, bringing the most cutting-edge and relevant trends to the market. Our product line consists of padfolios, portfolios, gifts, writing instruments, backpacks, sport & travel bags, totes, and coolers as well as high-quality brands featuring bobble, Brookstone, Igloo and Zebra.
Gemline is headquartered in Lawrence, Massachusetts and has an office in Southern China. The company celebrated 50 years in business in 2008 and has over 500 employees worldwide.
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Timeline
1958
Company was founded by promotional products distributor, Samuel Isaacson, and named Gem Giftwares. Traditional logoed products of the time were sold such as pens, calendars, and rulers.
1964
Company is incorporated with headquarters in Lynn, Massachusetts
1974
Company begins successfully importing travel bags from Asia
1976
The company introduces its first of many catalogs
1978
The company opens a new 15,500 square foot office in Swampscott, MA and launches a screenprinting business. At this time, a buying office opens in Taipei, Taiwan
1980
On July 7th, American trade opens with China. Within months, the company starts importing bags.
1985
A new office in Hong Kong opens to provide easy access to Chinese production. The new facility allows for a well-situalted staging area to manage the rest of the company's Asian production
1994
Jonathan Issacson, son of Samuel Isaacson, becomes President and Chief Operating Officer
1997
In January, the Company moves its headquarters to a newly constructed 90,000 square foot office in Lawrence, MA
2001
Following significant growth, the company moves its Hong Kong office into a new 55,000 square foot office in Southern China and expands its headquarters in Lawrence, MA to 155,000 square feet
2008
Company celebrates 50 years in business with over 500 employees worldwide. Expanded product offerings include gifts, Eco-Choice™, writing instruments and niche markets featuring women's, all-weather, and checkpoint-friendly items.
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