For 25 years, CHH Engraving has built its business around a simple idea: the best promotional products are the ones people actually keep.
From engraved awards and branded apparel to customized drinkware and sustainable gifts, the Agawam, Massachusetts-based company has spent a quarter century helping businesses, colleges, nonprofits and community organizations tell their stories through products designed to last.
Under owner John Barber, the company has grown from a small engraving shop into a regional promotional marketing business serving clients across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and beyond.
This year marks John’s 25th anniversary as owner of CHH Engraving, a milestone he sees as both a business achievement and a reflection of the relationships the company has built over time.
“When people receive something useful and meaningful, they remember it,” he says. “That’s what promotional marketing is about. It’s not a commercial that disappears in 30 seconds. It’s something that stays with people.”
CHH Engraving traces its roots back more than 30 years, when educator Charles H. Heyl began engraving name badges and awards in his basement workshop. John purchased the company in January 2001 after spending years in promotional product sales and learning the industry from the ground up.
At the time, the business was largely focused on trophies and plaques.John saw an opportunity to expand into a broader world of customized promotional products — items that could help organizations market themselves, recognize employees and strengthen community connections.
Over the years, CHH Engraving has evolved alongside the promotional products industry itself. Advances in printing and decorating technology now allow businesses to create highly customized products ranging from embroidered apparel to full-color drinkware and photo-quality towels.
John says the company’s approach has remained rooted in consultation and customer service.
“We listen first. A nonprofit has different needs than a university or a local business. Our job is to understand what message they want to send and help them find the right product to communicate it.”
One project John recalls involved creating a wall calendar for a credit union featuring photographs submitted by members highlighting local scenery and landmarks. The calendar became both a marketing tool and a celebration of community identity.
“It became something people looked forward to every year,” he says.
Sustainability has also become an increasingly important focus for the company. John points to products such as Refresh Glass — drinkware made from recycled wine bottles — as examples of how promotional products can combine branding with environmental responsibility.
“If a product is functional and people use it every day, that contributes to sustainability. It’s not something that gets thrown away.”
The company now offers products made from recycled metals, reclaimed materials and environmentally conscious fabrics as clients increasingly seek sustainable options for branding and recognition.
John believes promotional products also carry a deeper local message, particularly for small businesses and organizations trying to maintain visibility in their communities.
“We are here, we are your neighbor, your Chamber member, your supporter. Promotional products help reinforce those connections.”
Community involvement has long been part of CHH Engraving’s identity. The company participates in local events, sponsors school and youth programs and has offered apprenticeships to young people interested in learning the trade.
That commitment reflects John’s background in community organizations and service work before entering the promotional products industry. He says those experiences shaped his belief that businesses should be active participants in the communities they serve.
As CHH Engraving celebrates its 25th anniversary under John’s stewardship, the company continues adapting to changing technology and customer demands while maintaining its emphasis on craftsmanship and personal relationships.
“The possibilities for personalization are growing every year, John says. “But at the end of the day, it still comes down to helping people make meaningful connections.”
CHH Engraving Inc.
430 Main St., Agawam, Mass.
Phone: 413-789-2041
Email: Sales@chhengraving.com
Online: CHHengraving.com
“We are here, we are your neighbor, your Chamber member, your supporter. Promotional products help reinforce those connections.”