The History of
Hodges Badge Company

2020s

COVID, and other matters of interest.

2020 was undoubtedly a year filled with challenges for everyone. Not only did we face the difficulties of operating a business during the Covid pandemic, but it was also a year marked by a profound sadness within the Hodges family. We mourned the loss of our beloved Jim Hodges, who remained an active and vital member of our board until his passing. Jim's legacy will forever be cherished and admired.

On a brighter note, in 2022, we proudly introduced our second cold foil printing press, revolutionizing our ability to produce custom foil-printed ribbons with remarkable efficiency. By harnessing digital technology instead of labor-intensive metal typesetting, we significantly reduced the time and effort required. Furthermore, we invested in new machinery for rosette assembly, ribbon cutting, and button making. Despite the low unemployment rate, we managed to streamline our operations and maintain productivity with our existing workforce.

Building upon our successes, we installed a third cold foil machine in 2023, effectively eliminating printing as a bottleneck. In doubled down on our commitment to sustainability, commissioning a huge upgrade to our solar power systems. Today, we are proud to generate almost all of our power renewably, thanks to over 1,300 solar panels. As far as we know, we are the only awards company with this level of commitment to the environment.

Allow me to conclude by sharing some timeless wisdom from Jim Hodges himself: "As I reflect on our accomplishments, I am struck by one particular truth. Only one significant idea that propelled the growth of Hodges Badge Company was mine—the Winter Sale. Almost everything else was a result of listening, expanding upon, or encouraging somebody else's ideas. To foster growth in a company, all it takes is a willingness to listen to good ideas and ensure that the best ones are acted upon."

Jim Hodges