CFgear Journal

As winter rears its ugly head across much of the country, the last thing you would think of in the United States is the start of another soccer season. However, that is exactly what we are doing at CFgear as we have once again partnered with Major League Soccer for their winter meetings. We support the League in many ways including technology, advertising and co-branding, and they do the same for us. In addition, we support many of the teams in a similar fashion as you can see by our exciting new advertisement with MLS. continue

We believe the biggest growth area in 2012 in custom USB thumb drive solutions may come from the photography and hi-resolution imaging industries. From the novice to professional photographer, today’s imaging and photographic professionals demanding storage solutions for thousands of hi-res images need to look no further than CFgear! continue

We just returned from another visit around the world to ensure we keep ourselves and our valued customers one step ahead in the race for the freshest and newest technological advances available. We will be launching several new products including USB hubs, additional custom USB flash drive models, a host of cool new packaging ideas and a revamped custom lanyards business with around 15 different styles, materials and colors to choose from.

I have to say the most interesting part of this trip had to be discussions with our partners on newly created USB flash drive “shell” companies available today. They really opened our eyes to what we have been suspecting for some time. Most are sprouting up in mainland China due to very cheap and available 2nd and 3rd tier flash memory. How do you spot one of these imposter companies which may look like actual USA based operations? They are easy to spot. Here are a few easy ways to know your hard earned money is at risk with these fledgling websites. continue

At CFgear, we are as much about having fun and giving back to the community as we are in being a polished and professional sales and marketing organization.   So when we had the chance to participate in a local bowling for dollars event for charity, we searched high and low around the office and found four of the most decorated athletes of their generation to lead our company on this quest for the championship.  continue

Based on the requests of several existing and potential future clients, CFgear held a roundtable discussion today regarding our current technology capabilities, as well as projects we are presently reviewing for future use. After making the rounds to visit many of our customers in 2010, a repeat request was to hear how others are using technology to promote and execute with more precision and less cost. We led great discussions on topics ranging from supplier locations, fulfillment processes, supply chain risks, and a host of additional topics. To recap three majors points of emphasis from our meeting: continue

We’ve been having some major problems with flooding throughout South Dakota. Many homeowners were asked to leave their homes for the summer and just wait it out. The CFgear staff recently joined other volunteers near Sioux City helping with sandbagging. Last week, when we were there, we were asked if we could bring some flash drives so people could back up their data and photos and take them off site for safekeeping.

Pictured, is Chris Haugen, CFgear’s Director of Community Development, handing a set of flash drives to Dakota Dunes SD resident, Darrick Schubert.

Sioux Falls, S.D., May 17, 2011 — In the past has your school, your band, your church or booster club ever had the desire to put USB flash drives to use, but never had a budget to do so? Today, CFgear is making this opportunity available to one organization per month! For FREE! The Great CFgear giveaway is a program designed to select one person, organization or group to receive 25 free 1GB USB flash drives each month of the contest. Simply enter the contest at www.freeflashdrives.net and write a paragraph or two telling us what you would do with 25 free USB drives and how this could benefit your organization, community or school. Each month, one winner will be selected from all entries received. continue

March 29, 2011: Be sure to read the latest update on the crisis in Japan and it’s impact on the flash drive industry.

March 15, 2011: Since late last week, we’ve all been witnesses to the unimaginable tragedy in Japan and how millions of lives there have been affected. We have partners and colleagues throughout Japan, and, according to them, the impacts will clearly be felt for many days ahead.

These impacts have been felt worldwide, and CFgear is not immune to them. Japan manufactures many circuit boards and components that are important to many of our products, including our USB flash drives. Many overseas suppliers have reported 30-50% increases in the cost of raw materials in addition to many product shortages.

Although some of our USB flash drive products have increased in price, others are stable due to our contingency planning. To ensure your flash drive ordering and fulfillment process is not disrupted, we utilize our warehouse facility located in the United States where we keep large quantities of flash drives. We have many styles and colors of flash drives available to ship today, along with our ability to etch or print your logo to these products.

Thank you for your continued interest in CFgear. We are always here when you need us to be and prepared for whatever challenges come our way. At the same time, our thoughts and prayers are with our friends and the nation of Japan during these trying times.

If you are compelled to help, as we are, please visit the American Red Cross to learn how you can help with the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Sincerely,
Scott A. Van Egdom
President – CFgear

The CFgear creative team is rolling up their sleeves and putting their whirly-gig caps on to brainstorm up a world of wacky, wild yet serious ways to use our custom branded flash drives. If you’ve got some crazy or ingenius idea you’d like to share (no strings attached, please), just leave a comment below and we’ll consider featuring your idea in a post. So go ahead, join us over a cup o’ mocha and get those brain gears whirring into action. continue

Wishing you all a wonderfully merry Christmas! And, if you just happen to bump into Santa, you’d put a grin on our faces if you suggested he go green by using CFgear flash drives for his next year’s gift list.

While we’re at it, I wonder how many flash drives could fit into a stocking? Maybe we’ll have to pop a postcard to the North Pole with one of our famous bulk flash drive deals …

Have a super fabulous Christmas!