Uniform Industry Awards: Get 'em, Use 'em and Brag About It

Let’s face it, winning an award is good for the ego. It beats a pat on the back. It’s significantly better than getting a phone call saying thank you, or a letter or email, although these actions should be performed routinely as well. Receiving an award that recognizes the excellent work you’ve done, or the outstanding service you’ve performed, or the superior design you’ve created has benefits far beyond a thank you.

To start with, awards received by businesses generate buzz, which promotes the products and services you offer.

The uniform industry uses awards in a variety of ways to successfully promote the industry and companies involved in the business. Here are some examples:

UNIVATOR Awards

UniformMarket News Magazine is excited to announce its first editor’s choice awards, slated for January 2005. Called the UNIVATOR, the awards are designed to showcase the efforts by uniform companies to advance their business through innovative strategies. It is the only awards program that puts the focus squarely where it belongs – on the manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of uniforms.

“The uniform market is saturated with commodity products. Manufacturers and dealers that can position their products and services in such a way as to stand out from the crowd deserve to be recognized,” said Jackie Rosselli, managing editor for UniformMarket News Magazine.

The awards will be given to companies showing an innovative approach to their product line or the launch of a new product or line. There may be new technology involved that advances the quality or functionality of a uniform garment. There may be a twist on a product that has been used in uniform programs for decades that is now promoted in a fresh, interesting manner.

For more information about the UNIVATOR Awards, or to submit your company for consideration, click here for online enrty form.

Image of the Year Awards

The National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD), offers several award programs in which members may participate. One such program, the Image of the Year Awards, honors the wearers and suppliers of career apparel. An independent panel invited to judge entries grants the Image of the Year award annually. Winners include both large industry leaders and smaller regional uniform companies.

Ilene Rosen of Hamburger Woolen Company is the current chairperson of the Career Apparel Institute for the NAUMD, which organizes the Image of the Year Awards. “Winning an Image Of the Year award can provide some great publicity for the company winning as well as for the manufacturers who supplied the apparel,” according to Rosen. “Winners are featured in trade publications such as “Made To Measure” magazine.  Local media have also published articles on the winners and the awards.”

All winners are honored at the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors’ annual convention. The winning programs are recognized as part of a show at the opening breakfast ceremonies. The winners and suppliers are presented with a plaque and a statue and the winning entries are displayed at the convention itself.

"It's always refreshing for me to see members include and refer to their Image of the Year award winning pictures and statuettes in their catalogs, magazine articles and media releases.  Members are encouraged to contact the NAUMD offices for any help that they might need in joining our cast of "celebrity" winners,” said Bernard J. Lepper, executive director of the NAUMD.

The Image of the Year awards recognize the creative side of uniform designs by showing the practical application of trends, fashion, and design functionality at its best. 

“The Image of the Year awards spotlight the best of all those challenges faced by the manufacturer. They present a serviceable uniform for the end user, and maintain the brand recognition that the customer desires in creating a uniform program,” said Donna Pierson, director of communications for the NAUMD.

The 2004 Image of the Year Award winners are featured online at Made To Measure Magazine. To read the story click here.

To see all the 2004 Image of the Year Award Winners click here, or to submit your uniform program for consideration for 2005, click here to join the NAUMD and submit your entries.

Manufacturer-Issued Awards

Some uniform manufacturers are issuing awards themselves. In particular, the practice can build significant brand loyalty among garment end users. This helps the manufacturer and the dealer who represents the lines.

Cherokee Uniforms designs and manufacturers healthcare apparel. The company developed the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Awards that honor healthcare professionals who have touched the lives of others. The firm gives away vacations as a top prize. They also provide a $1,000 medical wardrobe featuring the products of Cherokee Uniforms and Rockers footwear.

"The winners represent the immense dedication, compassion and skill that healthcare professionals demonstrate everyday," said Michael Singer, president and CEO of Cherokee Uniforms. "Their remarkable stories provide a glimpse into the extraordinary impact that nurses and other non-physician healthcare professionals have on the patients they serve. By sharing these incredibly touching stories with the public, we aim to increase respect for this often under-appreciated industry and inspire others to join this vital profession."

To see the 2004 winners and read about the award, visit the Cherokee website.

5.11 Tactical manufacturers uniform apparel for law enforcement and others. The company has taken a lead position in organizing an award based on a competition among the end-users, and potential end-users, of their apparel.

The 5.11 Challenge is an international law enforcement shooting competition hosted in Big Horn County , Montana , by Dan Costa, president and CEO of 5.11 Tactical Series, makers of innovative and functional uniforms and tactical clothing. Co-sponsors of the 5.11 Challenge include PoliceOne.com, Remington, Glock, DuPont, Bianchi, Blackhawk, Blackwater, Magnum, Aimpoint, Surefire, and Strider Buck. The National Rifle Association is providing technical support. American Police Beat, Law Enforcement, Police Magazine, and Tactical Response were media sponsors for 2004.

For more information about the 5.11 Challenge visit the website.

Tell Everyone

Whatever side of the award your company finds itself, giving the award or receiving, the most important factor is to tell everyone about it. Awards offer companies the opportunity to remind customers how valuable a provider you are. Awards can be used as door opener for soliciting new business. Awards can inspire your employees to excel, innovate and grow.

Never entered an awards program before? Why not cast your company in the starring role by entering this magazine’s UNIVATOR Awards, which is currently underway. Send us your best ideas, and let us tell the world about it. December is the deadline for entries.