Since 1929, Spike’s Trophies has been one of the most respected and experienced manufacturing providers of Recognition, Promotional Products, and Signage to businesses, schools, non-profits and organizations of all types and sizes throughout the Delaware Valley and beyond. This year Spike’s moved to a new 24,000 square foot showroom/office/production facility in Northeast Philadelphia, while maintaining its Center City Philadelphia showroom at One Penn Center in the Suburban Station Building, along with servicing customers with outside sales reps and the internet.

Spike’s Trophies will be honored with the Manufacturer Excellence of the Year award at the Chamber’s 30th annual Excellence Awards on Thursday, November 15. The award is sponsored by the Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) . You can register for the awards ceremony here.

We recently asked Spike’s President Keith Baldwin, about the company and what winning the award means to him and Spike’s.

What is your company’s role in the Greater Philadelphia business community?

Our role in the business community would be to provide Recognition, Promotional & Signage needs by assisting companies and organizations…

-Recognize a special achievement
-Commemorate a special event
-Promote a new product or service
-Motivate their employees or associates
-Thank a customer or friend
-Communicate a theme or mission
-Manufacture signage for effective identification
-Create a symbol of success

As a small business, how has your company built a name for itself?

We have built our name by providing our personalized products with speed and dependability.  We are an event driven company, that can not disappoint.  We are also  fortunate to have been in business for over 80 years, which assists us with referrals and word of mouth.  We belong to a number of organizations and network groups in the area.  And, in today’s internet world, we work at our Search Engine Optimization.

What are the benefits of operating a small business in the Greater Philadelphia region?

The Delaware Valley is a close knit community which provides the ability

What does receiving the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturer of the year award mean to you and your business?

It is a great honor to be recognized within your community as one of the best at what you do.  It means that we must be doing something right to be recognized.  It is validation of your hard work.

Why is it important for small businesses to be recognized?

This is our business – Recognition.  The desire for validation is one of the deepest human needs. Everyone wants to know they are a valued member their community, has done an outstanding job or has achieved a certain degree of success in their business.  There are ancillary benefits to the recognition which includes providing opportunities in marketing, public relations and networking to assist your small business in growing.

Who would you nominate for an award next year? Why?

Therm-Omega-Tech, Inc. for Manufacturer of the Year. http://www.thermomegatech.com/ They run a tight manufacturing ship, producing great quality. If you visit them, you would understand the nomination.

What advice do you have for other small businesses operating in the region?

Get out and network.  Meet people, listen and learn.