Essent client Barker Specialty, one of the top distributors in the promotional products industry, is celebrating 70 years in business.

The award-winning promotional products distributor is a 12-year client of Essent, using the Essent business management system and the Essent SiteBuilder ecommerce platform to help power a business that started with much more modest technology.

"It’s amazing 70 years later not only to continue to carry out their vision, but also to do so with powerful technology tools that hardly could be imagined when my parents founded the company."
- Barker Specialty President Gerry Barker

The Cheshire, Connecticut-based distributor was started around a kitchen table in 1951 by Gloria and Herb Barker, according to PPAI

"It’s amazing 70 years later not only to continue to carry out their vision, but also to do so with powerful technology tools that hardly could be imagined when my parents founded the company. Throughout our 70 years, we have relied on many trusted vendor partners. We are pleased we started working with Essent Corporation over 10 years ago and look forward to continued success,” Barker Specialty President Gerry Barker said.

Essent President Eric Alessi extended congratulations to Barker Specialty noting its ability to look forward, adapt, and try new ways of doing business.

"Barker Specialty has always been a forward-looking company, embracing new technology solutions for better business. Essent has been pleased to be a part of Barker Specialty’s success over the last 12 years, is pleased to congratulate Barker Specialty on its milestone, and looks forwad to being a partner for years to come,” Mr. Alessi said.

Barker Specialty uses the Essent business management system, a fully-integrated system that brings CRM, Sales, Inventory, Fulfillment, Accounting and more together in one platform. Barker also uses Essent SiteBuilder, an ecommerce platform integrated with the Essent business management system.