SAGE Supplier Spotlight 2024: Where the Name Yorkn Comes From, and a New Markham Warehouse

In September 2024, SAGE checked in with Yorkn for the third year in a row. The full interview is on the SAGE blog. It covered more of our history than earlier features, plus several changes that matter to distributors. Here is our recap.

How Yorkn started

Jake Pan founded Yorkn in 2012 as a one-person business run from a home office. He had moved from China to Canada for university in the early 2000s and completed several degrees, including computer science. A friend who had started working at a promotional products company sparked the idea for a similar business. Jake already had factory connections and a family background in business, so starting was easier than it could have been. 2024 marked Yorkn's twelfth year.

Why the company is called Yorkn

SAGE asked about the name. Jake lives in York Region, Ontario, and he added the "N" to stand for new, a new face in the industry. More than a decade later, the name still reflects how we work: keep adding new products and new ways to deliver them.

More decoration, done in-house

The article highlighted the decoration methods we had added: laser engraving, screen printing, pad printing, digital printing and UV printing. Decorating in-house gives us more control over quality and timing, and lets us suggest the imprint method that fits each product and budget.

Canadian-made products and a new warehouse

SAGE featured a cutting board made entirely from materials sourced in Canada, one example of the Canadian-made products we carry. The interview also covered our new warehouse in Markham, Ontario. Jake shared two goals for the year: keep more stock items in our warehouses in the USA and Canada, and double the team to about thirty people on the way to becoming a top supplier in both countries.

Small orders are welcome

This point was aimed at Canadian distributors. Some of our products ship from overseas, but in-stock items can be decorated in Canada and shipped in small quantities. That helps when a client needs a modest run quickly and a full import order does not make sense.

For your next order

• Landed prices include freight and applicable duties to one location in the USA or Canada, in USD or CAD.
• A free digital proof is included before production.
• Find us on SAGE as US SAGE #69488 and Canadian SAGE #51602, or on ESP and through PromoStandards.

Thank you to SAGE for another great conversation. Canadian-themed products and engraving-friendly favourites are listed below.