PF Concept CEO named ASI International Person of the Year 2017

Ralf Oster, CEO of PF Concept, has been named as the Advertising Specialty Institute’s International Person of the Year 2017.

This award honours Mr Oster’s attitude and successful leadership of Europe’s biggest supplier of promotional products.

Mr Oster joined PF Concept as CEO in 2012, during a period in which the promotional product market had undergone a double-digit decline for eight consecutive years. He immediately took and implemented tough decisions which turned things around for the company.

Mr Oster said: “An essential thing I realised was to not postpone difficult decisions. It’s people who make everything successful. Stay humble, believe in yourself and work to get management and sales aligned. You always need to give your team a vision that builds a picture of the future. Once they have that, they’ll always go the extra mile for you without you even asking.”

Gene Colleran, CEO of Polyconcept Global, PF Concept’s parent company, said: “Ralf’s team continues to find ways to fuel our customers’ growth, delivering creative branding solutions on high-quality merchandise.”

Mr Oster continues to steer PF Concept towards a successful future. Developments include a very effective system for improving sustainability and compliance in production of the company’s portfolio, which results in better caring for planet and for people through better work conditions.

The ASI, which is the largest promotional product industry’s membership organisation in America, presented the awards at a gala held in Chicago on Thursday, July 13.

The other award winners were:

• Person of the Year: Henrik Johansson, CEO of Boundless
• Supplier Entrepreneurs of the Year: Jason Lucash and Mike Szymczak, founders of Origaudio
• Distributor Entrepreneurs of the Year: Shaun Lichtenberger and Chris Sinclair, co-owners of Brand Blvd
• Supplier Family Business of the Year: Charles River Apparel
• Distributor Family Business of the Year: Midwest Promotional Group
• Distributor Woman of Distinction: Shamini Peter, COO of Axis Promotions
• Supplier Woman of Distinction: Cindy Bergler, president of Express-A-Button
• Technology Executive of the Year: Eric Shonebarger, chief information officer of Hit Promotional Products
• Marvin Spike Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul Lage, president and CEO of Gill Studios
• Bess Cohn Memorial Humanitarian Award: Philip Koosed, president of Bamko