4imprint (asi/197045), the largest distributor in the North American promotional products industry, increased its total worldwide sales to $860.84 million in 2019, a nearly 17% rise over 2018.

Similarly, after-tax profit leapt more than 21% year over year to $42.71 million. The tally was good enough to generate basic earnings per share of $1.5242, up from $1.2561 in 2018. Diluted EPS for 2019 was $1.5187, an increase from $1.2522.

Paul Moody, chairman, 4imprint

Paul Moody, 4imprint’s chairman of the board, noted that all the sales growth was organic. It represents, he said, 4imprint’s ability to capture market share in the promotional products space.

“2019 was another successful year for 4imprint,” Moody said in a statement. “The board has a clear strategy that delivered attractive revenue growth and met profitability targets in the year, whilst making significant investments in the group’s future.”

Based in London, with its main operations in Oshkosh, WI, 4imprint generated the vast majority of its revenue in North America – nearly $839.3 million. That was up 17% year over year.

Meanwhile, sales in the U.K./Ireland decreased nearly 10% from about $23.86 million in 2018 to $21.56 million in 2019. “Revenue in the U.K., which accounted for 2.5% of group revenue, was less robust as the business faced tougher trading conditions,” such as fallout related to Brexit, 4imprint noted in a statement.

Looking ahead, Moody said 4imprint is on track to reach its goal of $1 billion in revenue by 2022, provided the novel coronavirus outbreak doesn’t seriously hamper supply chains over the long haul or trigger a stark economic downturn.

“Trading results in the first two months of 2020 have been in line with the board’s expectations,” Moody said. “Notwithstanding the fluid situation regarding COVID-19, the outlook for 4imprint is positive.”