TradeNet Publishing Inc. employs about 115 people in Gardner, where it produces promotional products used in specialty advertising in a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility. Its busiest time of year are the months leading up to the holidays, when companies plan their end-of-year gift giving.

TradeNet prints logos, calendars and other graphics onto products such as business cards, refrigerator magnets and erasable boards. Other products include bookmarks, bumper stickers, coupons, greeting cards, I.D. tags, table tents and picture frames.

The company was founded in 1986 in the kitchen of Tom Mertz’s Iowa home and has become a national supplier of erasable boards and refrigerator magnets.

TradeNet has been named as a Distributor’s Choice award winner by the Advertising Specialties Institute and has been recognized numerous times by the Promotional Products Association International as a Star Supplier.

Southwest Johnson County Economic Development Council named TradeNet as the Business of the Year in 1996. The company maintains a commitment to serving the community, including being recognized by the Gardner Edgerton School District for providing posters, event programs, art supplies and other support to the schools.

Tom Mertz is president and CEO, and Steve Hale is director of marketing of TradeNet at 1200 Energy Center Dr, Gardner, KS 66030. They can be reached at (913) 884-7300.