International
News
- November 2005
Japan, September 30, 2005 (Kyodo News) - Sportswear manufacturers are making
inroads into the corporate uniform market by using know how gleaned from making
sports uniforms.
Mizuno Corporation, the nation's largest sporting goods
manufacturer, has developed a fashionable yet functional
uniform for those whose jobs involve a fair amount of repetition,
including fast-food workers and deliverers.
The uniform employs special draping used for the shoulders
and sleeves of judo and table tennis uniforms. "We
gave priority to mobility and reducing fatigue for salesclerks," said
Tetsuro Yamada, deputy director of Mizuno's corporate customer
department.
Ringer Hut Co., an operator of a chain of noodle restaurants,
said Mizuno's uniform has been well received since it started
using it in March. "It does not lose shape through
long wear, and the shirttail does not pop out when serving
bowls of noodles," Ringer Hut spokesman Yuko Terashima
said.
Ringer Hut plans to adopt Mizuno's uniforms for all 10,000
of its workers by early next year.
Osaka-based Mizuno branched out into the uniform business
in 2002, using high-performance fabrics designed to keep
wearers comfortable in the summer and warm in the winter.
Since then, the company has delivered uniforms to more
than 50 companies, including major transport company Sagawa
Express Co. and Duskin Co., which operates the Mister Donut
chain.
Mizuno expects sales from its uniform business to reach
about 5 billion yen, or 4 percent of total domestic sales,
in fiscal 2005, which ends next March. It plans to double
that to 10 billion yen in 10 years.
Meanwhile, Tokyo-based Phenix Co., one of the nation's
largest skiwear manufacturers, began marketing Deoseam
outerwear and underwear in May. The company claims its
Deoseam products reduce odor created by perspiration.
Phenix, hit by slumping skiwear sales, is being rehabilitated
under guidance from the Industrial Revitalization Corporation
of Japan . It is depending on Deoseam to help it get back
on its feet.
Sample products tested by mountaineers and professional
photographers have received favorable responses. Camouflage
uniforms made of Deoseam are also being tested by the Ground
Self-Defense Force.
"The GSDF personnel loved the uniforms because they
do not smell even after several days of military training," said
Naoya Iwasaka, Phenix's sales manager.
The company has already sold about 30,000 camouflage
uniforms to the Self-Defense Forces.
The company has set up a project team to develop corporate
uniforms, expecting Deoseam uniforms to be in good demand
mainly at fast-food chains and delivery companies.
Bahrain, October 13, 2005 (AME Info) - Since Bahraini
Saudi Bank has designated 2005 as the year of '“Inspiring
Confidence,“ Mr. Khalid S. S. Shaheen, CEO of BSB,
has joined hands with the bank's senior management and
staff to enhance the corporate brand image through various
measures geared towards achieving excellence in customer
service. Among them was the launch of the bank's uniforms.
Now all customer service & sales representatives will
be wearing the uniforms in the distinguished BSB's colors.
Mr. Kartick Kumar Misraa, senior manager of retail banking at BSB added that
he is launching a series of customer-oriented improvements to enhance the bank's
friendly image and declared “the staff uniform is part of our new initiatives
and commitment to providing our customers with professional, standardized service
that will exceed their expectations.' Mr. Kartick also added that, “the
new uniforms will be applied throughout the entire BSB branch network.”
Mr. Mohammed Bushehri, manager of human resources and administration, stated
that “the new uniforms will not only reflect the staff's or the bank's
image, but will also affect behavior; boosting moral and improving efficiency,“ adding
that “from a human resources angle, corporate clothing is a vital tool
in the motivation of staff.”
New Zealand, October 7, 2005 (Thread) - Bold patterns,
loud colors and the high hemlines of some of Air New Zealand's
previous uniforms have been put aside in favor of muted
earth colors and a design intended to last the national
carrier for many years to come.
The new Zambesi collection was unveiled at a gala event
in Auckland last night and came after 18 months of workshops
with staff, focus groups and consultation. Zambesi's Neville
Findlay says a lot of people put a lot of effort into the
uniform and everyone is proud of it.
The collection of some 20 items includes for female staff,
trousers for the first time, a wrap and a special uniform
for women pilots.
The Koru design is incorporated into the wrap and men's
shirt. Merino wool is used for jackets, tops and trousers.
Ties are optional for men.
The colors are understated and described as teal, greenstone
and schist, but on the whole, grey appears as the theme.
The military style hats for cabin crew, hemlines just below
the knee and grey tones are reminiscent of the war, while
other aspects such as the wrap bring a flair to the ensemble.
Mr. Findlay says the collection is intended to be as
timeless as possible as Air New Zealand wants a uniform
that will last for many years to come.
The collection completes changes brought in as part of
the airline's new long-haul service and will be worn by
airport and Travelcenter staff in addition to cabin crew
|
