If you’re a procurement person like me, you’ve probably run into that weird, random category at trade shows or supplier directories: “Other Products.” Back when I first started sourcing, I’d skip over that section, assuming it was just a catch-all for stuff no one else bothered to name. Then a client hit me with a last-minute request—they needed custom foam inserts for their electronic product packaging, plus reusable silicone bottle caps for their swag, and a tiny batch of stainless steel cable ties for a temporary rig in their warehouse. All three landed in “Other Products,” and suddenly I realized this category isn’t a joke—it’s the lifeline for filling gaps that niche product lines don’t cover. Other Products
Let me break down real examples from the market that I work with every day, because I’m one of the suppliers that sits right in that “Other Products” space (no fancy brand name, just a small team that solves random, urgent needs). First up, industrial workwear accessories. You might think workwear is just jackets and gloves, but no—think heavy-duty magnetic wristbands for holding nuts and bolts, heat-resistant kneepads that slide over regular jeans, and even logo-engraved ID tag holders that clip to hard hats. A construction company I work with didn’t want to buy a whole new set of workwear just for custom branding; they ordered 500 of our ID holders and 200 magnetic wristbands, both labeled “Other Products” because they don’t fit under “Workwear” or “Tools” on most supplier lists. That’s the thing about this category: it’s for things that cross lines.
Next, retail point-of-purchase (POP) display add-ons. Stores want to highlight products but don’t always have big budgets for custom displays. I’ve supplied tiny, portable shelf talkers with adhesive backs (no assembly needed), mini acrylic sign holders for endcaps, and even reusable plastic hanging tags that attach to clothing racks—all under “Other Products.” A local skincare chain needed these for their holiday pop-up, and they told me they couldn’t find these exact small, versatile items in any dedicated display supplier catalog. So they went to our “Other Products” line, and boom—problem solved. No extra fees for custom sizes, just what they needed right when they needed it.
Then there’s packaging accessories that don’t fit standard boxes or labels. I’m talking about custom foam inserts for fragile items (not the generic foam padding you find on Amazon), water-activated tape dispensers that are handheld for small batches, and even eco-friendly paper strapping that’s a cheaper alternative to plastic for shipping light goods. A tech startup that makes small smart watches came to me because their original packaging supplier only did big, rigid boxes. They needed foam inserts that fit exactly their watch’s charging dock, plus custom-sized paper labels that matched their brand colors—all of which were listed as “Other Products” in our catalog. The best part? They didn’t have to commit to a huge order; we do small runs, which is another big win for anyone working on tight timelines.
Wait, let’s not forget office and event swag that’s not the usual pens or mugs. I’ve supplied custom silicone phone wallet grips, foldable fabric tote bags that fit in a pocket (so they’re actually useful, not just a throwaway), and even mini portable USB fans for outdoor events. A marketing agency I work with ordered 1,000 of these phone grips for a college campus promotion, and they said every other swag supplier only offered the same old branded items. Because these don’t fit under “Promotional Products” (most suppliers categorize that as pens, mugs, tech accessories) they fall right into “Other Products.” That’s why so many businesses rely on this space—for stuff that’s unique enough to stand out without the cost of a custom product line.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: “Why not just go to a specific supplier for each of these?” Let’s be real—coordinating with 3 different suppliers for wristbands, sign holders, and foam inserts means 3 different minimum orders, 3 different shipping times, and 3 different invoice processes. That’s a nightmare for anyone short on time or budget. As an “Other Products” supplier, I handle all of these categories under one roof, so clients only have to place one order, one minimum order quantity (and we keep those low—like 100 units, not 1,000), and one delivery date. Last quarter, a retail client saved $400 just by ordering their display add-ons and packaging supplies from us instead of two separate suppliers. That’s the value no one talks about.
Another example: DIY and home improvement small parts. Think heavy-duty zip ties that are longer than standard ones, adhesive hook-and-loop strips for mounting shelves, and even weather-resistant sticker labels for outdoor tools. A homeowner? No, a property maintenance company that handles 20 apartment buildings—they needed these to fix window screens and label utility boxes. They ordered from us because they couldn’t find these exact parts in a big home improvement store, and since they’re categorized as “Other Products,” we can adjust sizes or add custom logos without the price hike that comes with niche hardware suppliers. We did a custom run of logoed hook-and-loop strips for them last month, and they said it’s cut down on the time their staff spends labeling utilities by 15 minutes per building. Small changes add up.
Wait, let’s get specific about what makes this category different from other “catch-all” sections. A lot of suppliers use “Other Products” as a dumping ground for leftover inventory, but that’s not what we do. We actually scout for these under-the-radar items—working with small manufacturers who make specialized stuff that big suppliers ignore—because we know how often businesses need them. For example, we found a maker of heat-resistant glove liners that fit under work gloves, which most workwear suppliers don’t carry. A food processing plant that handles hot food trays needed these liners for their staff, and they couldn’t find them anywhere else. We added them to our “Other Products” line, and now that plant is a repeat client. That’s the kind of stuff that doesn’t get a fancy category name, but it’s essential.
I’ve also seen this category save startups that are launching new products without the budget for full custom manufacturing. A friend who makes portable Bluetooth speakers came to me—they needed custom rubber feet (to keep the speaker from sliding on wet surfaces) and a small batch of printed warning labels for the battery compartment. Both were listed as “Other Products” in our catalog, so they could order just 200 of each, no extra fees. If they’d gone to a speaker manufacturer, they would’ve had to order 10,000 units of the feet and labels, which was way more than they needed. That flexibility is what makes this space so important for small businesses.
Now, I want to be clear: this isn’t just for small businesses. Big corporations use “Other Products” too. A automotive parts company I work with needed custom cable ties that can handle high temperatures under the hood, and they couldn’t find them in their usual suppliers. They ordered from us because we had exactly what they needed, and since it’s “Other Products,” we didn’t make them jump through hoops for a custom run. They told me it saved their team 2 weeks of sourcing time, which is massive for a company that has to meet production deadlines every month.
So why do so many people sleep on “Other Products”? Because it’s not sexy. It’s not the latest gadget or the coolest fashion item. But it’s the stuff that makes every day work—from the wristband a construction worker uses to hold a bolt, to the sign holder that makes a store display stand out, to the foam insert that keeps a small electronic product safe. If you’ve ever had a last-minute need that no supplier could fill, chances are it would’ve landed in this category.
I get it—sourcing can be frustrating. You’re scrolling through pages of products, looking for exactly what you need, and half the time the categories don’t make sense. That’s where we come in. We’re the “Other Products” supplier that actually listens. If you’re a procurement manager, a small business owner, or anyone who needs that random, specific item that doesn’t fit a fancy category, hit us up for a chat. No awkward sales calls, no hidden fees, just what you need to get your project done. It doesn’t matter if you need 10 units or 10,000—we’ve got you.
Thermal Imaging References:
- Small Business Administration. (2023). "Procurement Gaps for Niche Products: The Role of Diversified Suppliers." Small Business Trends Report.
- Global Trade Review. (2022). "Catch-All Categories in Industrial Sourcing: Value Beyond Labeling." Supply Chain Insights.
- National Retail Federation. (2023). "POP Display Trends for Small Retailers: Flexible, Low-Cost Solutions." Retail Operations Review.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2022). "Workwear Accessories for Construction: Niche Solutions for Employee Safety." OSHA Technical Brief.
- Packaging Digest. (2023). "Eco-Friendly Packaging Accessories: Small-Batch Solutions for Startups." Packaging Industry Report.
Shenzhen Detyl Optoelectronics Co., Ltd.
Address: 4th Floor, Building 3, Factory, No. 20, Second Industrial Avenue, Tangxiayong Community, Yanluo Street, Bao’an District, Shenzhen
E-mail: sales@detyl.com
WebSite: https://www.detyl.net/
