National News Items - February 2005

Aramark to Launch Line of Innovative Wearables

Montclair , NJ , January 11, 2005 (Company Release) - Broad Street Licensing Group announced today that WearGuard-Crest, a division of Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel Inc., has entered into a licensing agreement with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) to produce a complete line of innovative chef apparel for restaurants, hotels and other food service outlets.

Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel is a subsidiary of Aramark Corporation, which is also a leader in providing food and facilities management services to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and international and domestic corporations.

Through this partnership, Aramark will work closely with the CIA to introduce coats, jackets, hats and eventually footwear that combine the latest in fiber technology, new fabrics and moisture management. The CIA’s Master Chefs will offer design improvements to help create apparel for the food services industry that is fashionable, comfortable, durable and competitively priced.

“We are pleased to announce that the designer element has now entered the restaurant trade," said Carole Francesca, president of Broad Street Licensing Group. "Chefs want to wear comfortable, quality garments or outfit their staffs in apparel that makes a fashion statement. Aramark is one of the first uniform manufacturers to take such aggressive steps to meet this trend.” Francesca added that Aramark’s design team will be working closely with the CIA to not only innovate with designs and features, but to test the garments at the CIA's Hyde Park , NY campus.

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America has trained more than 36,000 chefs and foodservice professionals. Based in Hyde Park, NY, and with a branch at Greystone, in St. Helena, CA, its graduates include TV celebrities Rocco DiSpirito, Sara Moulton, Anthony Bourdain and Michael Chiarello; world-class restaurateurs such as Todd English, Alfred Portale and Dean Fearing; and chain restaurant leaders such as Roy Yamaguchi of Roy's Restaurants, Cameron Mitchell of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, and Steve Ells, founder of Chipotle Mexican Grill.

For further information, contact Bill Cross, Broad Street Licensing Group, 973-655-0598 x12.

Judge OKs Dan River Reorganization

Richmond, VA, January 21, 2005 (reported by Stephanie Stoughton, AP) -- A bankruptcy judge has approved Dan River Inc.'s reorganization plan, setting the stage for the textile company's emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

"During the bankruptcy proceedings, we have restructured the company both organizationally and financially to meet the challenges of today's global textile competition," said Joseph L. Lanier Jr., chief executive of the Danville , Va. , company.

The reorganized company will be much leaner. It has closed facilities and eliminated hundreds of jobs in Virginia , North Carolina , Georgia and Tennessee . But it will face an industry under assault by low-cost foreign competition.

The U.S. textile and apparel industry has lost more than 350,000 jobs since January 2001. Now, it faces a flood of imports from China due to the expiration of international quotas on Jan. 1.

The National Council of Textile Organizations says China is exporting pants, shirts, underwear and other apparel at 76 percent below U.S. producer prices. It claims the Chinese government has helped its textile industry through currency manipulation and billions of dollars in direct subsidies.

In court filings, executives said they hope to grow the company's core offerings, which include bedding and apparel fabrics, and speed up production.

Despite the competition overseas, executives think there is still a demand for domestic apparel textiles. And by shortening production and delivery times, Dan River says it can respond faster to changing fashion trends and to customer schedules.

Dan River also touted some of the things it does well, such as pioneering its "Bed-in-a-Bag" package that includes comforters, sheets and pillowcases. It expressed pride in its work developing new fabric styles and designs, and developing finishes that resist stains and control odor.

But Lloyd Wood, spokesman for the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition in Washington , said the company faces tough challenges. Domestic textile manufacturers that focus on home fashions products like bedding -- as Dan River does -- have increasingly been forced to serve the small "replenishment" market, supplying big retailers that temporarily run out of products, he said.

Deluxe to Sell PremiumWear, Inc.

St. Paul , MN , January 21, 2005 (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- Deluxe Corporation announced today that it is seeking a buyer for its apparel business. With a history dating back to 1886, PremiumWear, Inc. (formerly Munsingwear®) is a prominent designer and supplier of apparel and accessories to the promotional products and golf industries. Deluxe acquired PremiumWear as part of the New England Business Service, Inc. (NEBS) acquisition in June of 2004.

Deluxe stated that it has retained the investment banking firm of Goldsmith-Agio-Helms to advise them on the sale of PremiumWear. Parties interested in discussing this opportunity should contact Mr. Ed Villeneuve at 310-551-4111 or Mr. David Iverson at 612-339-0500, both of Goldsmith-Agio- Helms.

About Deluxe

Deluxe Corporation, through its industry-leading businesses and brands, helps financial institutions and small businesses better manage, promote, and grow their businesses. The Company uses direct marketing, distributors, and a North American sales force to provide a wide range of customized products and services: personalized printed items (checks, forms, business cards, stationery, greeting cards, labels, and shipping/packaging supplies), promotional products and merchandising materials, fraud prevention services, and customer retention programs. The Company also sells personalized checks and accessories directly to consumers.

For more information about Deluxe, visit http://www.deluxe.com .

Elbeco Appoints Dennis Wilson as New VP of Sales

Reading, PA, January 25, 2005 - Elbeco is proud to announce the creation of the new position of vice president of sales to more rapidly realize its most important 2005 strategic priority: to drive growth through building a world-class sales organization.

Dennis Wilson, outstanding leader with over fifteen years of senior-level sales and marketing management experience, is delighted to fill the newly-created role. In this new organizational role, Wilson will be directly responsible for championing Elbeco's growth initiatives and enhancing its organizational competency in consistently improving customer relationships and performance capabilities.

Prior to joining Elbeco, Wilson held various upper level sales and marketing positions with leading Fortune 500 and mid-size organizations, mostly in the diversified industrial manufacturing sector. More recently, Wilson was the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Handy & Harman's Specialty Wire Division. His expertise in sales management and development, market expansion and channel development serve as a strong foundation and springboard for growth for Elbeco. Additionally, Wilson has demonstrated strength in linking people, process and performance initiatives to build superior customer service and championing a "customer first" culture.

Headquartered in Reading , PA , Elbeco manufacturers an extensive selection of standard and custom public service uniforms, including top-quality corporate dress and knit shirts, best-in-class uniform shirts and trousers, and rugged waterproof-breathable police outerwear. The company provides uniforms for several public service sectors, including law enforcement, corrections, fire service, transportation, emergency medical, security, and the US postal service. With five domestic Union-represented manufacturing facilities, located in Reading , Meyersdale and Frackville , PA , Galion , OH and Warsaw , MO , Elbeco employs over 500 workers, proud to remain Made in the USA .

For further information, visit http://www.elbeco.com

Galls Dramatically Expands Public Safety Product Selection

Lexington , KY , January 3, 2005 (Company Release) – Galls has added more than 300 new products to the equipment and apparel it offers to the public safety market, bringing its total number of items carried to approximately 6,000. Galls customers include law enforcement, fire fighters, EMTs and military personnel. “Every year, more than 1 million men and women rely on Galls for the equipment they need to do their jobs and serve their communities,” says Gary Christensen, president of Galls. “We have significantly expanded our selection to better meet the variety of these customers’ needs – whether they serve a small town or a large metropolis, whether they are looking for state-of-the-art equipment or the best value to fit the realities of their budgets.”

New items include several products available exclusively from Galls: Several new tactical flashlights, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals, offer a variety of features such as 80 lumens of brightness and lithium batteries for more power. Different flashlights offer different grips to make them more comfortable for maneuvering. And new LED+ warning lights offer the latest in warning technology, providing light that is more intense and has a wider angle.

New items in the apparel line include a high-visibility traffic vest that can be customized with an agency’s or department’s name; Galls neoprene gloves with Kevlar® lining for extra protection against cold, rain and sharp objects; and Galls spandex/nylon/leather gloves, which provide a comfortable fit and increased range of motion and dexterity.

New offerings in footwear include a waterproof lace-to-toe ST zipper boot; a waterproof quarter boot; and a no-metal-zipper boot. Several new options are also available for women, including a women’s no-metal-zipper boot, a women’s tactical boot, and a women’s high-gloss oxford.

A new Galls personalized StreetPro™ gear bag features removable Velcro® hard panels for a bag that fits an individual’s needs with additional sturdiness and stability. A new crowd control bag has wheels for easier toting and a waterproof bottom. Both bags can be customized with lettering to identify an agency or department.

All new products are available through the Galls January catalog. The company’s entire selection of equipment and apparel also can be ordered through its customer service center at 800-477-7766 or 859-266-7227, and most items can be ordered through its Web site, www.galls.com

J.A. Uniforms Launches Hospitality Industry Collection

Miami , FL , January 24, 2005 , (Company Release) -- Spurred by heightened demand for stylish, yet durable, hospitality apparel, J.A. Uniforms today launched its all-new Hospitality Collection for 2005. The entire lineup boasts high quality, washable fabrics capable of retaining their shape and professional appearance even after multiple washings. Competitively priced, the uniforms are elegantly appointed without sacrificing comfort or durability.

“The collection covers a breathe of styles,” said JA Uniform owner and collection designer Alexander Arencibia. “There is everything from fresh, custom designs to contemporary looks and classically styled apparel. It’s a marriage of smart styling and durable materials.”

Established seven years ago, JA Uniforms is based in South Florida and manufacturers the Hospitality Collection in its Miami factory. JA Uniform counts short turn-around time, competitive pricing and industry-leading customer satisfaction among its hallmarks.

For further information, visit www.jauniforms.com or call 305-549.2038

Pages Don Uniforms for the 1st Time

Mississippi , January 15, 2005 (as reported by Emily Wagster Pettus, AP) - No more miniskirts for the girls. Not even the possibility of open collars for the guys.

Pages in the Mississippi Senate are wearing uniforms for the first time this year: Khaki pants for either sex or at least knee-length khaki skirts for the girls; white or light-blue shirts; and blue-and-red ties. Boys are required to wear navy blue sport coats. Blazers or navy blue sweaters are optional for the girls.

Some lawmakers say the updated dress code for the teenage workers is an effort to make pages easier to identify, while others frankly acknowledge it's an attempt to discourage peekaboo fashions that had become more prevalent in recent years.

"Everyone dresses the same. Everyone's equal. Everyone looks spit-shined," said Sen. Dean Kirby, R-Pearl, who happened to dress almost like the pages one day this week.

"No one's ever said anything to me, but I noticed some of them may have dressed inappropriately in the past," Kirby said. Pages take a week off from school to run errands for legislators, from delivering stacks of bills to fetching cold sodas during debates.

Dress codes for pages have been in place for as long as anyone can remember. The young people were required to dress like they would to go to church or to a nice restaurant.

While most abide by the conservative-attire rules, some have displayed the influence of midriff-baring stars like Britney Spears.

"There are a lot of people in my generation who don't know how to dress in public," said 14-year-old Helen Turner of Jackson , who paged this week.

Each chamber sets its own operating policies, and the House Rules Committee discussed page uniforms but opted not to require them this year. Speaker Pro Tempore J.P. Compretta, D-Bay St. Louis, said the House will evaluate how the policy works for the Senate before discussing it again before the 2006 session.

Some House members were worried that pages couldn't afford the uniforms, Compretta said.

The Senate spent about $250 to buy ties, which pages turn in at the end of their week's work.

The students provide their other clothing. Senate Secretary John Gilbert said the Mississippi uniform is similar to those being worn by pages in many other states.

Claire Killen, a 17-year-old Brandon High School senior who paged in this House this week, said she doesn't think uniforms are a good idea. As for what pages should wear?

"Nothing provocative. Just something classy and conservative," said Killen, who followed her own advice in a black pantsuit and oversized pearls.

Darwyn Coach, an 18-year-old senior, wears a uniform at the private Piney Woods School in south Rankin County and said he enjoyed seeing his fellow Senate pages dress alike.

"I like wearing a tie," Coach said with a grin.

New Uniforms Will Allow County Inmates To Change Their Stripes

Bellefonte, PA, January 16, 2005, (as reported by Erin Nissley, Centre Daily) - Centre County Prison inmates will soon sport new, striped uniforms, reminiscent of those once worn by chain gangs.

Featuring wide black and white horizontal stripes and the words "Centre County Prison" stamped in red across the back, the new uniforms were purchased about a month ago, said prison warden Martin Kovacs. The county will begin to phase out the orange jumpsuits that were standard issue at the prison.

The cost of the new uniforms is about the same as the old ones, Kovacs said.

Similar striped uniforms are used at county prisons across the state, Kovacs said, including the Cambria County Prison, where Kovacs used to work. Robinson Textiles, based in California , was the lowest bidder.

The renewed popularity of the striped uniforms, said Robinson Textile sales representative Pam Hurt, is more linked to "instant visibility" than to any retro vibe. "It helps officers do their job and make sure everyone is in their proper place," Hurt said Friday. "I've worn them at (trade shows), and when you walk across a crowded room in one of those uniforms, people do double takes."

Centre County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Exarchos said he hadn't given much thought to the uniform change. "The warden has the latitude to have a dress code," Exarchos said. "They're prisoners, and they need to be identified. We can't put them in business suits."

The striped uniforms will be one of many types that inmates may wear in the new prison, slated to open in late spring. Different-colored uniforms will denote the classifications of various inmates, Kovacs said, including what stage of the judicial process they are in and what sort of job they have in the prison.

"The uniforms will serve as instant classification," Kovacs said.

Asked what the inmates think about their new look, Kovacs said, "I haven't heard any complaints so far."

Exarchos, who has heard only a handful of comments about the new uniforms, said they're not intended to be "punitive or degrading."

"If someone don't like the new uniforms, the best way to avoid them is to stay out of jail," Exarchos said.

“Super Sunscreen” Could Protect Those In Uniform from Attacks

Pittsburgh , PA , January 17, 2005 , (as reported by Jennifer Bails, Pittsburgh Tribune) - Imagine a thin coating that could be sprayed on military tanks and uniforms to protect troops from chemical and biological attacks.

University of Pittsburgh researchers Alan Russell and Bhalchandra Lele have developed a "super sunscreen" that could make this homeland security dream a reality.

Many scientific studies have been published about a naturally occurring substance called titanium dioxide breaking down organic matter in conjunction with the sun's ultraviolet rays.

Once activated by sunlight, titanium dioxide is so powerful that the U.S. Army is interested in using it to destroy anthrax, other disease-causing bacteria, and chemical and biological agents.

"Titanium dioxide is known to be very good at destroying things you don't want around," said Russell, a surgery professor who directs Pitt's McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine on the South Side.

But the Army doesn't just want to ward off chemical or biological attacks. It wants to know what it is killing, when the bad stuff appeared and how much was present, Russell said.

About four years ago, the U.S. Department of Defense commissioned Russell and his colleagues to invent a "smart" biosensor that could answer these questions while titanium dioxide decontaminates. But a fundamental problem emerged. "If titanium dioxide kills everything, how can you protect the (biosensor) from being killed, too?" Russell said.

The "super sunscreen" described in the Jan. 10 issue of the journal Biomacromolecules, a publication of the American Chemical Society, solves this quandary.

The so-called sunscreen consists of an antioxidant joined with a chemical that can absorb UV light, called a UV absorber. This combination protects the biosensor from both titanium dioxide and the harmful effects of sunlight.

Here's how it works: Because of the UV absorber, fewer light rays can reach the titanium dioxide. This means the titanium dioxide produces fewer highly reactive free radicals -- charged atomic particles used by titanium dioxide to carry out its clean-up mission.

Consequently, the UV absorber makes the biosensor less susceptible to attack by titanium dioxide and free to do its own detection job for longer.

n addition, the antioxidant protects the biosensor from oxidative damage by the sun, which causes skin to burn, iron to rust and plastics to turn yellow and crack.

For the sunscreen to work, the UV absorber and the antioxidant must be tied together in a single molecule that is attached to the biosensor, rather than floating freely in a soup of chemical ingredients, Russell said.

"We wanted to know whether the distance between the protective agent and the (biosensor) protein makes a difference," Russell said. "It turns out the answer was yes -- and it was a really big yes."

Russell and Lele were able to double the life span of the biosensor by combining the antioxidant and the UV absorber in one molecule.

Now that the Pitt researchers have discovered how to protect a biosensor from the indiscriminate attack of titanium dioxide and the negative effects of sun, work on the protective coating can proceed, Russell said.

"This is definitely a good advance," said Stephen Lee, chief of organic chemistry for the Army Research Office. "Previously, proteins did not have stability in coatings with the presence of titanium dioxide. Now, we can study the entire system to see how effective it is at providing protection from hazardous chemicals, including chemical warfare agents."

A final year remains on the $5.6 million grant for this project awarded by the Army Research Office.

YKK Opens Integrated Fastening Concepts Center

Marietta , Georgia , January 25, 2005 , (Company Release) - YKK Corporation of America announced today that its subsidiary, YKK (U.S.A.) Inc., has created an entirely new concept in customer-oriented, high-tech facilities. Called the “Integrated Fastening Concepts Center” (IFC), the new operation is scheduled to open this week in downtown Los Angeles and will be dedicated to showcasing YKK Group’s core competencies and global capabilities to existing and potential customers across industries and product lines from fasteners to architectural building products,

Says Brian Powell, YKK USA Business Development Manager who has led the development and now the unveiling of the IFC: “Our mission is to create a unique atmosphere where customers and potential customers from many different industries can preview YKK and its global capabilities in both traditional and non-traditional applications. Through this venue we hope to provide a positive environment promoting collaborative exchanges that will lead to new and healthy partnerships. The goal is the discovery of end-to-end solutions that build brands.

“It is our hope that, in addition to establishing a favorable image of YKK across many industries, the IFC will generate a desire as well as a vehicle for customers to partner with us and to discover never-before-imagined solutions to a wide variety of fastening challenges.”

Powell added, “Last Fall, YKK USA officially opened our Anaheim Training Center (ATC). With its purpose of facilitating continuous learning by YKK employees through interactive “E” technologies, the ATC provides an environment where employees can attend seminars and learn via hands-on activities about our newest fastening products. Now, the IFC will enable us to extend our high-tech marketing approach directly to customers.”

For more information, contact Brian Powell at YKK USA 714-701-1200.