National News - March 2005

Dan River Out of Bankruptcy Protection

Richmond, VA, February 14, 2005 (AP, as reported by Stephanie Stoughton) – Textile Manufacturer Dan River Inc. emerged from bankruptcy protection today, saying it would find niches in an industry facing growing threats from low-cost foreign competition.

Known for developing innovative fabrics and pioneering the "bed-in-a-bag" package now widely available at major stores, Dan River re-enters the marketplace as a much leaner business after shuttering facilities and cutting hundreds of jobs across the Southeast.

Barry F. Shea, the company's new chief executive officer, said in a statement that the last 10 1/2 months had been difficult. But he said the company now has an expense structure that will help it become "a leader in the competitive home fashions and apparel fabrics markets" it serves.

In court filings, Dan River officials have said they want to grow core products, such as bedding and apparel fabrics, and speed up production and delivery to respond faster to fashion trends and customers' needs. The company also has expressed pride in its innovations, including development of fabric finishes that resist stains, fight germs and control odor.

"The company emerges from Chapter 11 with a renewed vitality and an unwavering commitment to create value-added products," Shea said.

But industry and trade experts have predicted a difficult future for Dan River. Since 2001, the U.S. textile and apparel industry has lost more than 350,000 jobs. That downward spiral is likely to continue with the recent expiration of international quotas - which is expected to result in a surge of imports from China, they say.

Dan River's troubles forced it to close factories and eliminate jobs in Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. The company now employs 3,100, down from 5,400 at the beginning of 2004.

The company filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2004 but emerged in less than a year.

Dan River's reorganization plan was approved last month by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia, where the company is incorporated. Ableco Finance LLC of New York is providing a credit facility up to $120 million.

As part of the changes, Shea, formerly chief financial officer, replaced Joseph L. Lanier Jr. as chief executive. Lanier remains chairman of the board of directors.

The company had previously stated that it planned to issue new shares of common stock that could trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the Nasdaq Small Cap Market. But Dan River now says it expects to de-register its common stock, which had traded over the counter, and cease to be a public reporting company.

"The unsecured creditors that own a majority of the stock prefer to be private," said Scott D. Batson, Dan River's chief financial officer.

The company estimates it had $436.6 million in sales in fiscal 2004, down from $477.5 million a year earlier, according to a court document. The company anticipates profits in the next three fiscal years.

New Reflective Roll Goods Brochure Highlights 3M TM Scotchlite TM Reflective Materials

Cranston, RI, February 17, 2005 (Company Release) – Metlon Corporation released today their new four page, full color Reflective Roll Goods brochure which features samples and product information on 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material distributed by Metlon Corporation. Day and night contrasting photos depict applications of the reflective material used in consumer and ANSI/ISEA 107 compliant work apparel. The same fabrics are used in both photos to illustrate clearly the effectiveness of the reflective material in increasing nighttime visibility and safety in each application.

Reflective roll goods can be incorporated into any garment and used effectively in a variety of styles. Products include heat transfer reflective films, marking films with pressure sensitive adhesive, reflective fabrics for sew-on applications, high gloss trim, and vest trim materials. Photographed samples are numbered within each category, and there is a listing of available colors for each. In addition, there is a reference to the website which offers details and technical information, plus a downloadable pdf of the product files.

Metlon offers ANSI/ISEA 107 compliant 3M TM Scotchlite TMReflective Material, meeting the compliance guidelines designed to improve worker visibility during the day, in low light conditions, and at night. A close-up photo of a construction worker in day and night contrast highlights typical applications of sew-on reflective in vest trim and pressure sensitive reflective on plastic cones. Some of the most common applications are law enforcement, firefighting, construction, and airport tarmac personnel.

Metlon Corporation, well known for its custom slitting capabilities, references its ability to slit many of these materials to special widths and lengths.

Metlon Corporation, located in Cranston, RI, is a distributor of 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material. They are also specialists in custom slitting with the ability to slit material to special widths and lengths as small as .008”. For a complete selection of products including further information on ANSI/ISEA 107 compliance, visit www.metlon.com

Designer Richard Tyler Unveils Delta's New Look

Atlanta, GA, February 5, 2005 (USA Today) - Regal red wrap dresses, tailored jackets with sexy silhouettes and subtle gold accessories headlined designer Richard Tyler's new collection at New York Fashion Week — and the chic statement left many wanting to dress like Delta Air Lines flight attendants.

Delta's new uniforms shared the catwalk with Tyler's couture gowns Friday, as the Los Angeles-based designer previewed a fresh look for the airline's 20,000 employees. The sleek outfits even had some guessing whether they were part of the Delta line or belonged with the eveningwear.

"They're not like uniforms, they're so fashion-worthy," Tyler said. "They're pieces you could buy. They're classic, beautiful, what fashion should be."

Delta commissioned Tyler last year to give its current uniforms a makeover. The struggling carrier views the uniforms as a way to boost morale among employees and customers after it lost $5.2 billion last year and barely avoided bankruptcy.

Delta's low-cost subsidiary, Song, had Kate Spade design its flight attendants' uniforms, and Stan Herman lent his style to pilot uniforms for carriers such as United Airlines, Jet Blue and the defunct Eastern Airlines.

Company officials would not disclose the price tag for Tyler's makeover, but research and development for new uniforms typically breaks down to about $1,000 per employee.

The outfits were designed for employees who deal directly with customers, including flight attendants, gate agents, ticket agents and workers in its Crown Room Club airport lounges.

Compared to Delta's more casual uniforms designed in 2001, Tyler's look is "more professional, more elegant, more long-lasting, and more timeless," said Patrice Miles, Delta's vice president of consumer marketing.

In February, he showcased red taffeta wrap dresses, a black reversible hooded coat, a double-breasted dress in navy stretch wool and his personal favorite: a cabin service apron tailored to look like a halter dress.

"The colors will pop. It's midnight navy. A bold red. Platinum and gold," Miles said.

She added that the pieces will have a final test for fit and durability before the uniforms are distributed to employees early next year.

As Police Impostors Multiply, Efforts Rise to Dress Them Down

 New York , NY , February 10, 2005 (Christian Science Monitor, as reported by Ron Scherer) - It's never been easier to be a cop - all it takes is a credit card and a computer.

Wannabe police can buy uniforms, badges, nightsticks, even rank on the Internet, or maybe from a friendly store that stocks police duds. While some impersonators buy the products as a gag, others are using it to fool Jack or Jill into thinking he or she is about to be arrested or questioned. And occasionally, those fake badges are part of a robbery scheme or worse - in Colorado a young coed was raped and murdered after stopping for some flashing blue lights.

Law-enforcement officials worry that the public will lose respect for the police. And in the wake of 9/11, there are also concerns that terrorists may pose as authorities to infiltrate secure areas. The problem is attracting the attention of both local and national officials.

"It's something that strikes a chord in people. Everyone likes to think the police are who they say they are, and it becomes disquieting if they are not," says Joseph Estey, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the police chief of Hartford , Vt.

New York 's public advocate has called for tougher laws in the Big Apple, which currently prescribes a fine of $100 - less than a parking ticket - and not more than 60 days in jail for unlawful use of uniforms or emblems. "I'm calling for the state to increase penalties for the sale of police uniforms," says Betsy Gotbaum, the public advocate, who points out that under current state law the sale is considered a misdemeanor.

Last year, both Arizona and Colorado made it a felony to impersonate police officers. And Congress may soon be looking at new legislation that would regulate the sale of fake badges.

Currently, it doesn't take much work to look like the law. Chief Estey point out that anyone can buy a flashing yellow light and swap the lens for a blue one. "You can go to Kmart, buy a dark uniform often worn by maintenance workers, add a dark tie and patch, and look like a police officer," he says.

 From a seller's point of view

Dave Glettner of Dave's Patches says many of his customers are collectors or even police officers. Recently, he says it has become more difficult to sell his products on eBay, which he says won't allow badges. He is wary of group sales, and, cognizant of 9/11 issues, he has refunded money to people "whose name sounded a little too fishy."

Five years ago, Congress tried to cut down on the sale of such paraphernalia by passing new legislation. But Rep. Anthony Weiner (D) of New York says, "There are loopholes in the bill so big you can drive a truck through them."

For example, the legislation includes exemptions for theatrical purposes so shows such as "NYPD Blue" and "CSI" can look realistic. There is also an exemption for collectors like Mr. Glettner.

"But the biggest exemption is for recreational use," says Representative Weiner. "When you go on the Internet and click to buy, you agree that the purchase is for recreational use, which eliminates legal liability."

Weiner tried to tighten the rules at the end of last year. Now, he's hoping to get his legislation through this year.

One issue is that many buyers of badges are police officers themselves. They buy the replicas, which are slightly smaller, because the punishment for losing a city-issued badge can be several days' pay. "It does make sense to have an exemption for the officers," says Weiner, who hasn't figured out how to do this without adding significantly to the paperwork.

 Recent incidents

Despite attempts to try to stem the tide, people keep posing as police officers. Last month, on Long Island , there were two separate robberies, one of which included a murder, by men posing as police officers.

But in a possible warning to other wannabes, in December a man who was allegedly impersonating a police officer in Parma , Ohio , pulled over a woman supposedly for driving erratically. But the woman was a detective who called for backup.

Now, the man, Michael Gustafson, faces five counts ranging from impersonating a police officer to receiving stolen property. He could not be reached for comment, but news reports quoted him as saying he was just trying to pull over an erratic driver.

 UniformMarket would like to hear from readers regarding this story? Are there are realistic ways to cut down on police impersonators? Have you had incidents in your own businesses? Email us your stories and comments at info@uniformmarket.com

Uniforms Make Identifying Caregivers an Easy Task, Says GSMC

Texas, February 3, 2005, (East Texas Review) - When walking through the halls of many healthcare organizations, it is easy to be confused about an individual’s role in providing care, due to the brightly designed and colored scrubs that many healthcare providers wear. Good Shepherd Health System is making identification of patient’s caregivers easier with a new color-coded uniform policy that is designed to differentiate between positions based on uniform style and color. The new dress code, which debuted in January, is part of Good Shepherd’s ongoing commitment to service excellence.

“The personal appearance of our employees significantly contributes to the community’s impression of Good Shepherd Health System,” said Melanie Jernigan, director of Human Resources at Good Shepherd.
“The new dress code raises the bar for employees and allows Good Shepherd to show the community the professional standards expected within the organization.”

Healthcare professions at Good Shepherd will now be identified by the color of their uniform as follows: Nurses, navy and/or white; Certified nurse aides and nurse care techs, light blue; Laboratory, maroon; Surgery, blue; Medical imaging, royal blues; Respiratory therapy, Hunter green; Therapists, professional attire with a white lab coat, or navy shirt with khaki pants; Nursing directors, managers and supervisors, navy and/or white or professional attire with a white lab coat; Social services, bright pink; orderlies, charcoal gray; Environmental services, khaki and black uniform; Food services, purple.

The goal of Good Shepherd’s new uniform policy is to provide consistency throughout the organization and assist patients with identifying the individuals caring for them.

Syracuse, NY, February 11, 2005, (Central New York Business Journal, as reported by Kevin Tampone) - Lewis Uniform Company, LLC, a Syracuse–based distributor of employee uniforms, is getting ready to move part of its business to a new location.

The company’s blue-goods division, which provides uniforms for firefighters, police officers, and paramedics, will move to 325 Butternut St. The white-goods division, which distributes uniforms for nurses and restaurants, will remain at Lewis’ current location at 626 N. Salina St., about a block away from the new building.

Betty Wiese, Lewis Uniform’s owner and president, says she decided to move the blue-goods division to improve service for clients and to help keep shipping costs down. The new location has 12,000 square feet, compared with 4,000 square feet at the current location.

The expanded space will let Lewis keep more uniforms in stock, providing greater selection for customers. It also will reduce the number of orders it places with its suppliers. The savings on shipping costs will help the company to avoid raising prices, Wiese says.

“It’s more instant gratification for our clients,” she says. “We’ll have a lot more options for them available right away. We used to have to order constantly to keep up with demand, because we just didn’t have enough room. We’ll have a lot more warehousing space now.”

Lewis Uniform provides uniforms for hundreds of organizations throughout Central New York, including the Syracuse Police Department; professional fire departments in Syracuse, Oneida, Broome, and St. Lawrence counties, as well as fire, security, and ambulance personnel at Syracuse University. The company also provides uniforms for volunteer fire departments and postal workers.

The white-goods division, started about 18 months ago, is doing well, Wiese says. The division can provide nurses’ scrubs for about $10 a pair. Most of the company’s competitors charge about $20, she says.

Lewis Uniform buys scrub lines that have been discontinued. The company then passes those savings on to customers. “They’re all first-run, high-quality stuff,” Wiese says. “They’re just not going to be made anymore, so we can’t guarantee that the same things will be here two weeks from now.”

The option often appeals to home-health-care nurses, Wiese says. “They don’t always get paid a whole lot, unfortunately” she says. “This can help them save a little money.”

Lewis Uniform also owns its building on North Salina Street. The company has been on Syracuse’s North Side since 1957. It has annual revenues of $800,000 to $900,000, Wiese says.

Milford Police Uniforms, Cruisers Undergoing a Makeover

Milford , CT , February 10, 2005 (New Haven Register, as reported by Meggan Clark) - When the Milford Police Department pulls you over, the department wants you to know it. To that end, Milford ’s trademark bright blue cruisers will be replaced with black and white cruisers over the next few years, starting with two that are already on the road.

The department unveiled a black and white cruiser, reminiscent of old crime shows, and a drunken driving enforcement sport utility vehicle on Wednesday. Officers also showed off new uniforms and new badges everyone soon will be sporting.

"It’s more or less going back to tradition," police spokesman Officer Vaughan Dumas said.

It’s a tradition, however, that Milford never had. Dumas said he’s researched back to the 1940s, and Milford officers never drove black-and-whites. Before the current bright royal blue with white lettering, the cruisers were navy blue. There have also been some unusual colors over the years, such as red.

Officer Christopher Musante, a member of the Police Department committee that selected the new uniforms, cruisers and badges, said the committee was going for "a classic look, so you know what you’ve got.”

Similarly, the navy blue uniforms and the new, pared-down badges featuring the city seal were intended to make it easier to identify officers, Musante said.

Sgt. Jeffrey Matchett, police union president, said changes in uniforms and cruisers have been "very well received" by officers.

The department will acquire nine more new cruisers this year and will have fully replaced its blue fleet within about three years, Dumas said. Meanwhile, Dumas said, the public should keep in mind that a Milford officer driving a black-and-white cruiser is "not an imposter."

"We wanted the community to recognize the fact that we’re changing our appearance," he said.

Springfield, IL, February 3, 2005 (Pantagraph, as reported by Phil Davidson) - Top Illinois Democrats are looking into measures that would prevent people from fraudulently obtaining airline pilot uniforms over the Internet.

The inquiry by state and federal officials is based on a report that said it was easy to obtain uniforms without providing proof that the person worked for an airline.

The report sparked fears of potential security breaches at the nation's airports.

At the federal level, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Barack Obama, both Illinois Democrats, asked Congress and the Transportation Security Administration to investigate the easy availability of the uniforms online.

Patti Thompson, communications director with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, said Gov. Rod Blagojevich has asked Illinois homeland security officials to investigate the matter.

Thompson said the state might be able to require Internet vendors doing business in Illinois to get proper identification before they sell the uniforms. "But obviously pilots go from state to state, and so that's also why we need to look at what the federal level is doing about it," she said.

A Chicago television reporter bought a pilot's uniform online without being asked for identification, and it arrived at his door within 48 hours, Durbin and Obama noted in a letter to Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn. Collins chairs the Senate's homeland security committee, and Lieberman is the ranking minority member of the committee.

"Such a stunt, were it pulled by an enemy of the United States, could have led to devastating consequences," the letter stated.