National News

Company Tied to Style, Success

Milwaukee , WI , December 8, 2005 (Journal Sentinel, as reported by Rick Barrett) - There's an old saying in the neckwear business: In good times, people buy suits and ties; in bad times, they buy neckties to dress up old suits.

That adage has held true for XMI Corp. of Chippewa Falls . It is one of a handful of silk-tie manufacturers left in the United States in an apparel industry that's largely gone offshore.

XMI has found a niche in men's ties that cost $70 to $100 each. It makes about 350,000 such ties a year, each one hand-sewn in Chippewa Falls .

The company and its workers are "a very well-oiled machine," XMI President Jack Khzouz said.

Necktie enthusiasts from across the country visit the company's outlet store in Chippewa Falls . There they can choose from hundreds of colors, patterns and styles of ties made from blends of silk, wool and linen.

"What you want to look for in a necktie is something that's elegant, understated and the best quality you can possibly afford," Khzouz said. "And the sign of a good tie is how it knots. We have been known for having the best knot in the industry. It comes up with a dimple every time."

The roots for XMI go back to the early 1950s in New York . There, a small, family-owned company made expensive men's ties sold in metropolitan clothing stores.

In the mid-1980s, the New York tie factory's owners were ready for retirement. They sold the operations to Bert and Betsy Pulitzer and John and Alison Sazama, who gradually moved the plant to Chippewa Falls .

The original factory remained open in New York until December 1991. John Sazama, who previously worked as a banker, stayed in New York awhile so he could learn about making neckties.

Alison Sazama returned to Chippewa Falls and began teaching women a type of stitch necessary for sewing ties. At first, she worked from the basement of her home.

The company under its new owners was first called Jayart Neckwear. By 1991, the Jayart factory no longer produced anything but the XMI Collection. In 1993, the corporate name was changed to XMI. The acronym stands for 'Extraordinary Marketing Ideas.

With about 100 employees and a Manhattan office, XMI now has nearly $10 million a year in sales. The company has branched into other types of apparel, including women's clothing.

XMI products can be found in 150 specialty stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue , Nordstrom, Von Maur and Parisian. The company's ties aren't the most expensive ones in some stores, but they are close to it.

Silk for the company's ties comes from China , and fabric is woven in England and Italy , but the final sewing is done in Chippewa Falls . "There are a few of us left who have been able to withstand the pressures" of foreign competition, John Sazama said. "We have excellent design capabilities here. It has been easy for other countries to knock off neckties, but the designs are still done better here."

It hasn't always been easy for XMI to be in Wisconsin , especially when the company was new.

"Being in the Midwest , where the apparel business isn't very big, finding conventional financing was a challenge," John Sazama said. "Local banks were not used to dealing with this type of business."

But the company has weathered recessions well, according to John Sazama.

"As a small company, we are able to do a fairly decent business," he said.

Gerald Andersen, executive director of the Men's Dress Furnishings Association, said neckties are making a comeback.

Retail sales of ties peaked in the early 1990s at $1.3 billion, Andersen said. Shortly after, they slumped to about $750 million, as the "casual revolution" in corporate dress codes took over.

"It was a very traumatic period" for the industry, he said. "But now, we are seeing a return to more formal clothes. The necktie business has come back very strongly," to about $1.1 billion in sales this year.

Scrubbugs, A Medical Clothier, Caters To Trendy HealthCare Professionals

Hobbs , NM , December 13, 2005 (PRWEB) -- “When Gayle and I began to develop the idea of selling medical uniforms, we didn’t realize there was any such thing as a stylish scrub. Yet, that’s where its all going,” commented Todd Simper, part of the husband/wife team that runs Scrubbugs.com, a website that sells fashionable scrubs.

“Peaches and Dickies Uniforms, our main lines, are trend-setters. You might as well be shopping for casual wear- for all the color and variety that now exists,” says Gayle Simper. “When we originally got into this business, we didn’t really know how fashion-conscious and forward moving it was,” adds Todd. “The medical uniform and nursing scrubs business is going through some major changes. Uniforms may never make it to the actual diversity in casual or formal wear, but the look is certainly changing and may be beginning to evolve. Medical uniforms used to be known as ordinary whites, but the times are definitely changing.”

She continues: “We love our Peaches uniforms. Their wide range of fabrics, solids and prints of all varieties allow health care workers to truly express an unparalleled freedom of style without in the least compromising its functionality. This is a new way to look and a new way to feel for nursing professionals.”

“Speaking of what’s new, look at the new Dickies line of Suitables, with pinstripes,” mentions Gayle, delighted that her medical uniform business has a hint of fashion. “Some come even with their own handkerchief. And then, how about the new Asiana Collection? How cute can you get?”

“Medicine is still somewhat a man’s world and Dickies has an outstanding men’s collection which includes great surprising scrubs like the camo prints in a camouflage design, which might fit perfectly with the Dickies’ sandwashed cargo pant,” says Todd. “Things have advanced so far that there’s a lot of excitement that Dickies is about to release a new traditional white uniform. It’s like modern fashion discovering the washed-out, torn jeans. It’s now a big deal to go back to the basics.”

Visit www.scrubbugs.com to learn more.

Perfection Uniforms Announces Additions to Salesforce, Product Line

Brentwood , TN , December 1, 2005 (company release) - Perfection Uniforms i s pleased to announce the following addition to its product line:

“NewTraditionSeries” uniforms, featuring VISA System 3 moisture management and the Perfection stretch & support waistband, are now available through Galls, and will be featured in upcoming catalogs.

In other company news, John Hill has joined the Perfection sales team, covering Alaska , Idaho , Montana , Oregon , Utah , Washington , and Wyoming . John has tremendous credentials, and is a superb addition to our national sales force.

The Perfection Uniforms line is distributed nationwide through a select network of full service dealers.

For more info rmation, visit www.perfectionuniforms.com.

City's Clothes Call: Renting's Cheaper

Dallas , TX , December 15, 2005 , (Dallas Morning News, as reported by Emily Ramshaw) - Some Dallas city employees soon will be airing their dirty laundry.

The city council on Wednesday agreed to spend nearly $400,000 to start laundering and renting uniforms for parks employees, as part of a three-year pilot program that the city manager's office is touting as cost efficient.

"I am told – if you believe this reasoning – that it is cheaper to lease the uniforms and have the company wash them" than to buy the uniforms and have employees wash them, said Mayor Laura Miller, who voted for the measure despite her reservations. "It seems to me this is something we don't need to be doing. It's all an experiment."

City manager Mary Suhm said she was as surprised as anyone when she learned from the city's efficiency team that it was cheaper to rent and launder uniforms than to buy them for employees. Last year, the parks department spent $183,000 buying uniforms for the 625 staff members who needed them. Renting and laundering for these same employees costs just $130,000 annually, chief financial officer Dave Cook said.

"It seems counterintuitive," Ms. Suhm said. "But sure enough, it's cheaper."

Aside from the financial implications, the pilot program also has health benefits, the city manager said.

Currently, parks workers own their uniforms and are responsible for cleaning them. Renting the uniforms and providing laundering services will keep zookeepers and pool maintenance employees from bringing chemicals, fertilizers and human and animal waste into their family homes, Mr. Cook said.

And it will ensure that the uniforms of the city's "most publicly visible" employees will "look better and crisper," he said – not that that was a problem before.

"It will keep the uniforms uniform," Ms. Suhm joked.

Under the pilot program, each of the 625 outfitted parks employees will receive 11 rental uniforms.

The program will also fund 500 lockers and 15 group hampers for the parks workers, and will mend tears and holes at no extra charge.

If the program works for the parks department, it could be expanded to other departments, Mr. Cook said. In time, they might even phase mechanics – the dirtiest behind-the-scenes city employees – into such a program.

"It seems too good to be true," said Paul Dyer, parks director. "We're going to find out whether it is."

Fire-Dex Recognized as One of the Fastest Growing Northeast Ohio Companies in 2005

Medina , OH, November 30, 2005 (Company Release) - Fire-Dex, Incorporated has been selected as a Weatherhead 100 winner for 2005.

Fire-Dex’s consistent double-digit growth over the past five years has qualified the company for selection to the Weatherhead 100 list. The Weatherhead 100 is a list of the fastest growing companies in Northeast Ohio , compiled by the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University .

Fire-Dex is celebrating another record year in 2005. Exceptional dealers and staff, implementation of lean manufacturing principles and an attitude of continuous improvement have all contributed to growth and success. The addition of a textile laboratory and the expansion of marketing and sales efforts and staff have all played a part in Fire-Dex’s achievements. Fire-Dex’s ELITE GEAR™ and other new product offerings continue the tradition of quality product offerings.

Fire-Dex, Inc. is a quality manufacturer of protective firefighting clothing and emergency response apparel. We manufacture NFPA compliant structural and proximity turnout gear - featuring the line of Express Gear: "5 styles delivered in 5 days or less." Fire-Dex also manufactures two models of NFPA compliant ParaDex™ EMS gear and is a turnout manufacturer that also supplies premium quality NFPA hoods and gloves.

For additional info rmation, visit www.firedex.com

DuPont and Omniflex Finalize Joint Sales Agreement for Active Layer Film

Wilmington, DE, December 19, 2005, (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- DuPont Engineering Polymers and Omniflex, a leader in the production of non-lubricated barrier, waterproof and breathable films for a wide variety of high-performance applications, announced that they recently finalized a sales agreement to expedite growth of DuPont(TM) Active Layer for use in various performance apparel and other applications.

The agreement brings together DuPont's strong brand recognition and reputation for science-based innovation with Omniflex's well-established experience and solid customer relationships within the key markets that DuPont(TM) Active Layer seeks to serve. DuPont and Omniflex will focus their sales efforts on market segments that are currently using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and coated polyurethane, such as the performance apparel industry, including outdoor gear and footwear, and the health care products industry.

"We see a lot of potential in our partnership with DuPont," said Paul Darby, president of Omniflex. "By combining DuPont's well-known brand and product quality with our expertise, market knowledge and resources we see many opportunities to promote DuPont(TM) Active Layer."

DuPont(TM) Active Layer manages water vapor through a liquid impenetrable yet breathable layer of film of high quality construction that provides exceptional functional performance. Also, the film is recyclable if used with 100 percent polyester fabrics. The properties of DuPont(TM) Active Layer make it an ideal product for a range of applications such as parkas, gloves, hiking boots, fishing gear, mattress covers and surgical gowns.

"Omniflex brings to the relationship a breadth of knowledge within the supply chain and expansive technical expertise," said Linda Marquess, DuPont Active Layer business manager. "Holding an impressive presence within the specialty films industry, Omniflex will enable DuPont(TM) Active Layer to develop across many marketplaces."

Omniflex has been a leader in the manufacture of high-performance, super- thin, TPU and other thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) films since 1994. Headquartered in Greenfield , Mass. , they specialize in the production of non- lubricated barrier, waterproof and breathable films for a wide variety of high-performance applications.

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

Reaching for a Star: Decatur Police Mark 150th Anniversary With Six-Pointed Badge

Decatur, December 3, 2005 (Herald Review, as reported by Ron Ingram) - Decatur police officers are sporting new badges on their uniforms - six-point stars reminiscent of the shields worn by the department's officers a century ago.

The stars will be worn through 2006 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Decatur Police Department, which was founded Jan. 7, 1856 , the same date that Decatur became a city.

Police Chief Mark Barthelemy said the badges are one more step in his effort to increase the pride officers take in their jobs and re-create a bit of the past. He said the recent return to black with white accents for Decatur squad cars was another step in bringing some department history to life.

"I wanted to get them in the officers' hands by Dec. 1 so people could get used to seeing them," the chief said of the new badges.

The new badges have the scales of justice in the middle of the star, a design harkening back to 1911, Barthelemy said. They also will have the words "Decatur Police" and "150th Anniversary" in reversed blue enamel on them, he said.

Department officers from sergeants to the chief will have gold-plated badges with their command rank on them, while patrol officers and detectives' badges will be nickel-plated, Barthelemy said.

Officers will be allowed to purchase the special badges for $45 each if they want to keep them at the end of 2006, when they will revert to wearing the standard issue badges.

Barthelemy said he became interested in the police department's history before becoming chief, when then-Chief Michael Mowen wondered aloud one day which person in a 1911 picture of the department's officers was the chief and his name.

Barthelemy found the answers and then just kept digging.

"Over the years, we've gotten a number of requests from people from other places wondering if we knew anything about a relative who supposedly was on the Decatur Police Department at one time," Barthelemy said. "I've been surprised at how much info rmation is available."

So far, Barthelemy has written more than 600 pages of what may someday become the best compilation of the police department's history. His work so far has taken the department from its founding in 1856 to the mid-1920s.

Blumenthal Uniforms Opens Sacramento Store

Seattle , WA , December 8, 2005 (Company Release) - Blumenthal Uniform Company, Inc. opened a new store in Sacramento , CA , on December 12, 2005 . Blumenthal’s is a 57-year-old Seattle-based supplier of uniforms and equipment. It services law enforcement, fire and transit agencies as well as private security and specialty programs for service organizations. It currently operates stores in Seattle , Spokane and Des Moines , WA as well as Portland , OR .

The new 6,800 square foot location in Sacramento is located at 3133 Arden Way . The store offers a broad range of uniforms, accessories and equipment. Additionally, the Sacramento location will offer on-site tailoring services so uniforms can be altered to meet the precise needs of each customer.

For more info rmation, visit www.blumenthaluniforms.com

Hayes Pushes for 'Buy American' Rules

North Carolina , December 5, 2005 (Charlotte Business Journal) - U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.) wants to require federal agencies to buy uniforms and other supplies from domestic manufacturers in an effort to boost the U.S. textile industry.

During a visit Monday to a plant in Oakboro and the company's offices in Mount Pleasant , Hayes said he would push for laws requiring agencies such as the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Border Patrol to buy clothing and other equipment from U.S. companies.

Such a move would expand the Berry Amendment, a law that requires the U.S. military to buy from domestic suppliers, he said.

Hayes' proposal comes after it was revealed late last month that U.S. Border Patrol uniforms are made in Mexico .

"We can't have national security without economic security," Hayes said.

After casting a controversial key vote in favor of the Central American Free Trade Agreement last summer, Hayes also he would devote his efforts toward enforcing the treaty's rules, as well as those of a new textile-import deal with China .

In particular, Hayes wants to halt the funneling of Chinese textiles destined for the United State through other countries, a practice called transshipment. The new agreement, worked out last month, mandates stiffer penalties for illegal shipments.

Under the agreement with China , the United States can cap shipments at a 7.5 percent annual growth rate.

" China has an incredible history of cheating," Hayes said. "They want to be our trading partner, but they have to play by the rules."

Hayes was criticized by some textile-industry groups for his vote to approve CAFTA, which he previously had said he would oppose. Hayes said he approved the pact after being assured certain loopholes harming U.S. textile makers were being closed.