Premier Brands of America Inc., Mount Vernon, N.Y., said it is celebrating “40 years of excellence” as a manufacturer, packager and marketer of private label and branded health and beauty aid products.

Founded as a foot care manufacturer in 1972 by Steven Corsun, president, Premier got its start selling products to shoe repair shops and small chains, the company noted. In the mid-1970s, Premier received a large order from a major retailer that catapulted the business to a new level and established Premier as a firm player in the private label sector.

Adding employees and machinery, Premier expanded its product offerings and customer base. As the retail market changed, the company said it shifted its focus to other sectors, including supermarkets, mass retailers, drug stores and dollar stores.

More recently, responding to the demands of its customers, Premier said it expanded its product line to encompass the offerings of a true “wellness” manufacturer. For example, the company now offers a continuous form of anti-itch spray and an antifungal nail solution.

The company said its lineup now includes more than 125 different products in the first aid, medicated spray, depilatory and beauty categories. Premier’s products can be found in more than 15,000 stores under its house brand label, Premier, and in more than 50,000 stores under its customers’ private label brands.

Innovation, along with a constant focus on quality, service and price, have played a large role in differentiating Premier from its competition and helping it remain a strong, viable company 40 years after its inception, the company noted. Premier said it strives to be not just equal to, but truly better than the national brand, while remaining cost-conscious. Premier said it has moved away from the fast-follower strategy and now employs its own product innovations to enhance its customers’ offerings.

Premier said it will debut many new items, along with updated versions of established products, at the PLMA Private Label Trade Show in November. The company’s booth number is 6711-6714.