National News - September 2006

Aramark Agrees to $6.3B Buyout by Group

Philadelphia, August 8, 2006 (AP) -- Aramark Corp., the nation's largest food-service company, said Tuesday it agreed to be acquired by an investment group led by its longtime chief executive for $6.3 billion, plus the assumption of about $2 billion in debt.

Aramark shareholders will get $33.80 in cash for each share, an improvement upon the $32-per-share initial bid made by the same group in May. The purchase price represents a 20 percent premium over Aramark's closing stock price on April 28, the last trading day before the first bid.
An Aramark spokeswoman said Chairman and Chief Executive Joseph Neubauer will contribute up to $250 million. The deal is expected to close by early next year.

It is Neubauer's second time leading an Aramark management buyout. He first did it in 1984 to thwart corporate raiders who attempted to mount a hostile takeover. Aramark went public in 2001, three months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Share performance has been uneven.
"It's simply that he has seen that the public markets haven't really rewarded the company," said Bruce Simpson, an analyst at William Blair & Co. "He's putting the money where his mouth is."
Philadelphia-based Aramark -- whose business includes serving everything from steaks in executive dining rooms to pasta in corporate cafeterias at 1,200 locations nationwide -- will become a private company after the transaction closes.

Shares of Aramark fell 47 cents, or 1.4 percent, to close at $32.58 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Simpson said the company's announcement that Neubauer's shares will only have one vote each -- instead of the 10 they are entitled to -- put pressure on the stock because it adds uncertainty to the deal. The CEO and his family hold a 16.8 percent stake in Aramark's Class B shares, but Neubauer's voting power will be less than 5 percent when shareholders vote on the deal.

Wall Street also could be signaling its disappointment that the second buyout bid wasn't higher, said Thomas Burnett, director of research at Wall Street Access. The New York research firm calculated a "fair" deal to be at $35 per share.

In May, major shareholder Eminence Capital wrote a letter to Aramark's independent directors saying that the company is worth at least $40 per share. It called the initial $32-per-share bid "grossly inadequate" and warned that it would not support a deal "anywhere near that price."
The New York investment firm and its affiliates own 7.8 percent of Aramark's Class B shares.
The emergence of a competing bid wasn't seen as likely because of Neubauer's involvement and ownership stake, Simpson said. Neubauer has been at the helm since 1983, with a one-year hiatus.

"He's certainly well-tenured and the face of Aramark," the analyst said.

He also doesn't think there will be many changes to operations under the new company structure.

According to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on the first bid, Neubauer and other top managers are expected to keep their positions once the transaction closes.
Neubauer's private equity partners are GS Capital Partners, CCMP Capital Advisors and JPMorgan Partners, Thomas H. Lee Partners and Warburg Pincus LLC. They plan to finance the deal using investment funds and borrowings.

The company's board said it will recommend that shareholders approve the deal.
With annual sales of $11 billion, Aramark employs about 240,000 people with clients in 20 nations. In addition to food services, the company also manages facilities and supplies uniforms.

Best Manufacturing Files Voluntary Petition Under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Code

Jersey City, NJ, August 9, 2006 (Company Release) – Best Manufacturing Group LLC, the nation’s largest manufacturer and distributor of table linen and napery for the hospitality, healthcare and textile rental industries, announced today that the company—with the exception of its subsidiaries in Mexico, Canada and Cambodia—filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for New Jersey in Newark.

Despite organizational improvements and the positive impact of the company’s transformation strategy over the past several months, demands by its lenders created unnecessary liquidity pressures causing the company to file for restructuring under Chapter 11.

Best has sufficient liquidity to operate and normalize relations with its vendors in order to ensure timely service and merchandise flow to its customers, which include leaders in the hospitality, healthcare and textile rental industries. The company has also been working closely with its lenders and suppliers to address trade claims and expects to quickly normalize its relationships. The company anticipates continued support from its suppliers and customers as it de-leverages the balance sheet and reorganizes under Chapter 11.

“Our rapid growth through acquisition over the past several years, coupled with softness in certain areas of the market contributed to the liquidity issues that precipitated our filing for
Chapter 11 protection,” said Scott Korman, chairman of Best Manufacturing. “This strategic restructuring will allow the management team to focus its efforts on improving our capital structure, enhancing our operational efficiency and improving both our top- and bottom-line performance in order to restore the company to health and position us for the future. The restructuring also ensures that we address our immediate liquidity concerns, so that we can maintain critical supplier and customer relationships,” said Ben Shoaf, president and chief executive officer.

During the past several months, management developed and implemented a strategic transformation plan designed to strengthen the company’s financial performance and to improve operational efficiency company-wide. Key elements of this strategic plan include shifting more business to Cambodia, increasing overseas purchases, closing the King of Prussia, PA, and Mahwah, NJ, facilities, reducing manufacturing at the Cordele, GA, operation, launching a new hospitality apparel line, and consolidating healthcare and institutional into one institutional division. The company will continue to execute and expedite these initiatives throughout the restructuring process. .

Korman added, “We believe that the decision to file, although difficult, was in the best long-term interest of the company, employees, customers, vendors and other valued business partners. We plan to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by this restructuring to address both our financial and operational issues in order to position our company for long-term success.”

For more information, please visit www.bestmfg.com.

Milliken StainSmart Utilized For Hospital Clothing

Spartanburg, SC, July 25, 2006 (TextileWeb) - Milliken & Company, a textile and chemical manufacturer, announced that StainSmart, the company's dual-action stain repel-and-release fabric technology, is being utilized in a new line of fashionable yet functional hospital clothing for women undergoing specialized medical treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation, MRIs, CT scans and outpatient surgeries. The clothing is also appropriate and practical for nursing moms.

Created by Spirited Sisters™ Inc., the new Original Healing Threads™ hospital patient clothing includes an array of jackets and pants with examination-and treatment-friendly features to help ensure the comfort, privacy and dignity of patients, claims Milliken.

According to Milliken, the clothing line features the company's StainSmart fabric technology which gives it stain protection and ease of care. Milliken claims that most liquid and oil-based spills bead up and roll-off, preventing the majority of soils from initially staining the fabric. Oil-based and particulate stains that penetrate and are ground into the garment can be washed away during normal laundering. The fabrics are made of microfiber polyester and are color-fast as well as wrinkle resistant.

SanMar Opens Industry’s Largest Warehouse in West Chester, OH

Seattle, WA, August 22, 2006 (Company Release) – SanMar Corp., a leading supplier of wholesale apparel and accessories, has opened a new 770,000 square foot facility in West Chester, OH, fifteen miles north of Cincinnati, that is the wholesale apparel industry’s largest warehouse.
The modern facility was constructed from the ground up expressly for SanMar and is strategically placed in close proximity to many population hubs in order to reach the greatest number of customers. This is part of SanMar’s commitment to 1-2 day shipping for 99% of the US population.

“The incredible size of SanMar’s new facility represents a dedication to having the inventory our customers need on-hand, so that they can be confident about delivering the product they want on time to their own clients,” said SanMar vice president Jordan Lott, who led the construction and move to the new facility.

The new facility became fully operational on August 17th, and is staffed by existing SanMar employees from its former warehouse in Cincinnati. The West Chester warehouse has been designed with new technologies to make the facility more efficient, including a multi-level mezzanine and conveyor for materials handling.

SanMar Corporation is a leading supplier of wholesale apparel including Port Authority®, Port & Company®, District Threads™, CornerStone™, Sport-Tek™, Precious Cargo™, Nike Golf and Ping®. A family owned business since 1971, SanMar is based in Seattle, WA with six national distribution centers.

To learn more, visit www.sanmar.com

Uniforms Can be Source for Cross-Contamination if Not Properly Maintained

Burbank, CA, August 10, 2006 (Company Release) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that food borne diseases cause approximately 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths in the United States each year. According to Aramark Uniform Services (AUS), one overlooked potential source of cross-contamination in a food plant lies in improperly cleaned uniforms and apparel. To help eliminate this potential source of cross-contamination, AUS maintains the strong position that uniforms and apparel must play an integral part of a food plant's Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system.

HACCP is a system of quality-control management placing responsibility on the manufacturers and handlers of food products. It is a preventative system, rather than an inspection-based system, and designed to identify and address potential problems before they occur. While there currently is no established USDA or FDA guideline requiring processing plants, restaurants, retail meat, deli and bakery departments to use laundry services that are HACCP-compliant, there is an expectation that a sanitized, safe work environment must be maintained within the industry. Unfortunately that is not always the case.

"Aramark Uniform Services recognizes that without the appropriate controls and operating procedures, uniforms can become a point of cross contamination inside a food processing facility," said Manuel Nieto, vice president of field operations support for Aramark Uniform Services. "Aramark understands the importance of food safety and sanitation and has taken the steps necessary to ensure the delivery of hygienically clean uniforms in accordance with a food plant's internal HACCP plan."

Aramark Uniform Services has established sanitation standard operating procedures at all of its plants, and developed a HACCP plan to identify and document critical control points within the entire laundry process from pick-up to delivery.

In addition, AUS, along with the Food Safety Institute International, offer the White Paper, "A Uniform Approach to HACCP." In it, the President of Food Safety Institute International, Al Baroudi, PhD, discusses how uniforms should be an integral part of a HACCP program."

Uniforms Stand for More than Work

Shreveport, LA, August 14, 2006 (The Shreveport Times) - Last January, Porter's Cleaners adopted an official uniform: French blue shirts for men, blouses for women with a monogram of the company name, and black pants.

"We felt like it brought up the appearance of our staff by consistently having them all look alike," said Mark Porter, owner and president of Porter's Cleaners in Shreveport and Bossier City, and Porter's Industrial, a uniform rental company.

Sometimes, something as simple as a work uniform can have a huge impact on a company's image.

When the UPS commercial blares on TV: "What can brown do for you?" Bet you've never shouted back, "Hide the dirt!"

But brown does hide dirt. And that's exactly why the delivery company chose the color for its uniforms in 1925.

Not a glamorous explanation for a work uniform that has been around more than 80 years and is among the most recognized of workplace duds. Still, brown has evolved from just a color to a culture, with more than 85,000 delivery drivers wearing it, says Diana Hatcher, spokeswoman for UPS.

"The uniform adds a very strong look of professionalism for us and keeps us presenting a very positive image to the public," said Preston Friedley of Shreveport, owner and manager of The UPS Store in the Uptown Shopping Center.

"A lot of pride is wrapped into donning the driver uniform," Hatcher added.

Pride is a big word when it comes to workplace uniforms. Whether it's the doctor in scrubs, the police officer in blue or the waitress in a skirt and apron, uniforms are the link between image and work, says Paul Fussell, a cultural historian and author of "Uniforms: Why We Are What We Wear."

Porter said the decision to go to work uniforms was twofold. "It allows the customer to recognize that obviously these are our employees ... It also makes a consistent appearance for our employees versus when we just had a dress code," Porter said. "Before, it seemed like the dress code was always up for interpretation. The uniforms give a far more distinguished look."

Uniforms say you hold a job worthy of admiration -- or at the least, prove the wearers have jobs that likely are permanent in nature and deserving of respect, he said.

If you just don't get it, think about the policeman who is next to you in line at the movie store or the military guy who sits next to you at church. Don't you immediately sit up straighter and gush in admiration at their decked-out clothing?

And when the UPS driver jumps off the truck to make a delivery next door, do you ever just smile and wave for no reason at all as you hop into your own car?

Weekend Warrior Promotional Products Wins ASI Extreme Makeover Contest

Trevose, PA - August 2, 2006 (Company Release) - Advertising Specialty Institute, the largest media organization serving the $17.8 billion promotional products industry, announced today that Weekend Warrior Promotional Products is the winner of its Distributors' Extreme Makeover Contest - growing its sales by 105 percent in one year.

The contest provided three home-based, promotional products industry distributor firms with the opportunity to compete head-to-head for one year, to see which could increase its sales and profitability the greatest. ASI provided all three contestants with ESP® Online, the Internet-based research, marketing and client management tool that provides access to 750,000 promotional products from 3,300 suppliers; LogoMall® , a customizable Website for distributors, featuring a shopping engine with 300,000 products; ASItransact, the efficient electronic order management system; and a supply of imprinted ASI catalogs.

Each company also received consulting services from industry sales and marketing expert, David Blaise, a $1,000 wardrobe makeover from Edwards Garment, and had access to these ASI member benefits: virtual sample capabilities from Technologo, credit card transaction assistance from Access Group/NPC, digital artwork cleanup services from Affinity Express and credit reports from Experian® .

Following Weekend Warrior, which increased its sales by 105 percent and increased its profit margin by 25 percent, were runners-up The Brand Company and BrandMasters . The Brand Company increased sales by 45 percent; BrandMasters boosted sales 34 percent.

Maura Burgess, co-owner of Weekend Warrior Promotional Products said: "The contest has transformed our company dramatically in sales performance, process and approach. We now even consider ourselves better parents, without sacrificing our professional lives. I encourage others to consider using the Web-based technology found in ESP Online and ASItransact to transform your company and to increase sales."

All North American ASI distributor member firms qualified to enter the contest and over 1,000 entrants received a 30-day trial of ESP Online, a copy of the audio training program, Inside the Mind of a Promotional Products Client, as well as an invitation to an online business-building seminar from ASI.

For more information about the contest, visit www.asicentral.com/makeover .

American Menswear ''Ripe'' for Enhanced Freshness

Norwalk, CT, July 24, 2006 (TextileWeb) - A higher percentage of men than women are willing to pay a premium for clothing and textiles treated for long-lasting freshness, according to a study on the purchasing preferences of U.S. consumers commissioned by Arch Chemicals, Inc., manufacturer of Purista®, an antimicrobial treatment which when applied to textiles at the manufacturing level, helps keep textiles fresh and clean longer by controlling the growth of odor-causing bacteria arising in everyday use, claims the company.

The survey of 2,000 U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 64 was conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres, Inc., a market research firm, and included a margin of error of one percent. The study revealed that 81% of U.S. adults lack awareness that freshness-enhancing treatments for clothing and textiles are available, yet nearly half 48% - including more than half of male consumers (51% ) reported that, given the opportunity, they would be willing to pay more for clothing and textiles manufactured with freshness-enhancing treatments.

DuPont Reaches Milestones In Digital Color Technology

Wilmington, DE, July 26, 2006 (TextileWeb) - DuPont claims that it has reached significant milestones with the sale of the company's 500th Cyrel® FAST system and the launch of the DuPont™ Artistri™ 3320 grand format textile printing system and Cromaprint™ wide format digital printing system.

While Cyrel® FAST meets the needs of consumer package goods companies, DuPont™ Artistri™ 3320 digital textile printing system offers 3.3 meter wide roll-to-roll printing and access to new applications for digital printing on textiles, according to DuPont. DuPont™ Artistri™ consists of three main components: digital textile printers, brilliant textile inks and innovative color and control management software. DuPont’s Cromaprint™ 22UV system on the other hand, can print onto substrates such as PVC, foam boards, acrylics, corrugated, glass, styrene, aluminum, wood, and, within two minutes, switch over to print onto flexible media such as DuPont(TM) Tyvek®, vinyl, and polyester film such as DuPont Teijin Melinex®, says the company.

According to DuPont, Cyrel® FAST, DuPont™ Artistri™ and Cromaprint™ are environmentally smart technologies, with no processing solvents to handle, store or recycle. In addition, they use significantly less water, ink and energy, versus conventional printing systems.

One-Upmanship as Designers Restyle Hotel Uniforms

New York, August 6, 2006 (NY Times, as reported by Jennifer Conlin) - MES,) - Call it “Project Runway” meets “All About Eve.” Daniel Vosovic, the runner-up in last season’s show, in which up-and-coming fashion designers compete for $100,000 to back their own clothing line, has just signed on to create the uniforms for NYLO, a new North American hotel chain aimed at young business travelers. Mr. Vosovic will design clothing for staff members at the chain’s proposed 150 to 175 hotels.

But in a twist that sounds like one of the competitions from that Bravo series, Mr. Vosovic has a big-name rival in his new venture: Michael Kors, the designer who is one of the judges of Project Runaway and who had previously offered a job to Mr. Vosovic, which the younger man turned down. Mr. Kors has signed a deal with Starwood to design uniforms for its 20 W Hotels worldwide.

When asked if he knew that Mr. Kors was also now in the hotel-uniform business, Mr. Vosovic, who had been chatting away during a phone interview, suddenly went silent. After a long pause, he said, “No.” The discussion quickly returned to his own work.

Mr. Vosovic, 25, said he planned to create uniforms (called the Daniel Vosovic Collection for NYLO Hotels) that “fit in with the interior 60’s décor” of NYLO’s hotels, the first of which is scheduled to open in 2007 in Warwick, R.I. “The clothing line will be an extension of the brand NYLO,” Mr. Vosovic said, who also said that he wanted to make the clothing “fun and wearable but with a mod twist.” Mr. Vosovic’s clothing will also be sold at the hotels and online.

Meanwhile, W Hotels has introduced Mr. Kors’s new uniforms at the W Dallas Victory Hotel & Residences, which opened last month. Each item, from the blouses and pants to the blazers and tank tops are deliberately similar in look to the clothing line in his 350 stores.

“I am constantly traveling and find myself in hotels around the world wondering, ‘What is the staff wearing and why can’t hotel staffs look fabulous and sporty?” Mr. Kors said in a statement issued by his publicist. “Now I can answer my own question.”

Diverse Style Fills Aloha Airlines’ History

Honolulu, July 31, 2006 (Star Bulletin) - Aloha Airlines celebrated its 60th birthday Wednesday, proclaimed "Aloha Airlines Day in Hawaii," with the unveiling of new artwork at its Honolulu gates and by whisking well-wishers on a trip back in time with a fashion show of flight attendant uniforms throughout its history.

Several local designers were called upon over the years to bring style to the skies over Honolulu. Flight attendant Vaune Kino and Greg Chilson, manager of flight attendant training, narrated the show, a snapshot of how Aloha's style changed over the years, often reflecting fashion off the streets:

1946: Aloha started as an unscheduled air service flying charters between islands. As Trans Pacific Airlines -- the Aloha Airline, the little startup had to show it meant business, and dressed its flight attendants (back then, stewardesses) in no-nonsense uniforms of navy blue wool gabardine.

1959: When wool proved too hot for summer, the airline introduced a seasonal alternative, "Lemon Freeze." The simple one-piece dress was adorned with Asian-inspired frog buttons and cooling slits on both sides, reflecting the cultural diversity of the islands.

1963: Crews donned tailored blue suits and crisp white blouses by Hino's. A jaunty cap inspired by Jackie Kennedy's pillbox hat completed the classic look.

1965: As travel to Hawaii increased in the years following statehood, efforts were made to share our culture. Stewardesses strummed ukuleles and danced the hula while dressed in kimono-style muumuus in hues of blue and green.

1969: Hippie chic captured the nation's attention, and Aloha wasn't immune to flower power, which filled the sky via Aloha's Funbirds. Matching the sunny orange of the planes' paint jobs were pantsuits called "party pants," in fruity hues of tropical orange, hibiscus red and ilima gold. The first male flight attendants also took to the skies, dressed in crisp white shirts and pants, with a sash and kukui nut lei.

1973: Miniskirts ruled on land, so it wasn't long before they found their way into Aloha's cabins. Designer Baba Kea used flower-power graphics on a cream background. The short skirts made it necessary to have matching bikinis, but Batman capes? Chalk it up to the experimental Zeitgeist of the era. Gentlemen wore dress slacks and matching flower-power aloha shirts.

1976: Baba Kea added the blue Hawaiian sky, clouds and rainbows to Aloha's flowers. The "Annie Hall" layered look, popularized by the Woody Allen film and his muse Diane Keaton, was popular. Reversible skirts made for a quick change of looks. Stewards kept it simple with dress slacks and aloha shirts, also referred to as the "leisure suit."

1983: The new decade saw the introduction of "Waves in the Sky." The colors were teal and tan, representing Hawaii's beaches and sandy shores.

1986: Baba Kea returned with a more subtle look. This time, slim-line skirts and slacks, paired with comfortable blouses, carried a color combination of deep orchid and soft violet on a heather taupe background.

1993: Tori Richards created a multicolored bird of paradise design featuring purple, yellow and turquoise flowers. It was worn with solid navy blue separates for women and navy blue slacks for men.

2005: The Aloha Bird of Paradise in pale shades of blue brought the airline up to date, giving women attendants many choices of styles, including Mandarin blouses and solid blue and print dresses and skirts. Solid tops are enhanced with a matching print scarf. Meanwhile, the guys enjoy the simplicity of matching the print shirt with solid blue slacks.

Keep your eye on the skies to see what comes next.

Buy American Law Offers Second Chance for Some Textile Companies

Jacksboro, TN, July 23, 2006 (USA Today) — Jay Willoughby credits a federal law with keeping at least 750 textile industry jobs alive here.

In his east Tennessee county, the four biggest manufacturers make tents, body armor, uniforms and other goods for the U.S. military.

A 65-year-old law requiring the Defense Department to buy most of its supplies from U.S. companies helps keep those companies in business — and also raises fears that the jobs may last only as long as the law.

"It scares me that these jobs are dependent on defense," said Willoughby, the assistant executive for Campbell County.
One proposal that would give the workers more security is to expand the Berry Amendment's provisions for buying U.S. textiles and specialty products to the Department of Homeland Security, whose thousands of Border Patrol and Customs agents need uniforms, tents and other textile products.

But critics worry that what is good for some American workers isn't in the best interest of American taxpayers, since tents and uniforms made overseas are often cheaper.

April Harris, president and CEO of Campbell County's largest private employer, wants the law expanded.

Harris said her company, Camel Manufacturing, with more than 300 workers, supplies 48% of the military's tents. The goal is for the company to make more than tents for the military and eventually make parts for tanks, vehicles and aircraft.

Uncle Sam has generally been a good if unpredictable customer, Harris said.

"It's impossible to formulate a business plan when your customer's needs are driven by war or catastrophic events. If your customer can't plan, how can you plan?" Harris said. "You do the best you can."

Without the pressure of federal law, she said the Defense Department would most likely get its tents from overseas.

The commercial market is a tough place for U.S. textile and apparel makers who face competition from counterparts in Asia and other developing nations. Over the last decade, the industry has lost an estimated 700,000 jobs.

Rep. Robin Hayes, R-N.C., argues that expanding the Berry Amendment would provide more work for the textile companies that have survived upheaval in their industry. Last year, the Defense Department spent $2.5 billion of its nearly $400 billion budget on textiles and clothing. More than 800 companies had contracts.

Critics say the law's shortcomings might outweigh whatever benefits it provides. They argue the law limits the Defense Department's options in finding the best price for goods and could leave the military without necessary supplies if it can't find U.S. producers. They also worry the military may not get the benefits of innovation if it relies on American manufacturers protected from competitive pressures.

"These kinds of protectionist measures don't always provide for getting the best products for our troops," said Ken Beeks, policy vice president for Business Executives for National Security.
Added Geoff Segal, government reform director at the libertarian Reason Foundation in California, "Simple economics tell us if you limit the number of potential bidders, there's less pressure on prices or values."

Price comparisons for various military goods are difficult to find.

In a much-publicized case, the Army in 2001 ordered berets from a U.S. company and six foreign manufacturers. The U.S. company was allowed to use foreign materials to speed delivery yet still had the third highest per unit price.

Tennessee's Harris agreed U.S. taxpayers generally pay more for U.S.-made goods because of labor and overhead costs, but she said troops get secure supplies.

In neighboring Stearns, Ky., J.C. Egnew, president of Outdoor Venture Corp., keeps photos of soldiers and a tribute he found on the Internet posted on a wall of his factory to remind him and his employees of their ultimate client.

He's made family recreational tents and car airbags for commercial clients then seen foreign competitors take over those markets aided by technology and free-trade agreements with the United States.

Egnew's business is now 95% defense contracts. Workers earn an average of $10 an hour turning out tents for the Army and the Marines.

While defense work is more secure than the commercial textile world, Egnew still scrambles.
Early this year, military tent orders suddenly dropped sharply.

"We knew it was going to come. We just didn't expect it to come as fast as it did," he said. "As tents go, we're a discretionary item. You got to have boots. You got to have food. You got to have ammo. You can rough it without tents."

U.S. Military Unveils New Iraqi National Police Uniform

Baghdad, Iraq, August 14, 2006 (AP) - The U.S. military unveiled a new uniform Monday for Iraq’s national police that will be difficult to copy - a move aimed at preventing insurgents, death squads and common criminals from impersonating officers.

The new bluish-gray uniform, presented to reporters by Maj. Gen. Joseph Peterson, is similar to that worn by U.S. soldiers but with the Iraqi flag embedded in the fabric’s print. It will be issued beginning in October.

“This one is very hard to duplicate. It is very distinctive,” said Peterson, who is in charge of training the Iraqi national police.

The current uniforms are easy to copy and are widely available in Baghdad. As a result, many attacks and kidnappings have been carried out by gunmen disguised as police.

However, both the authorities and the public believe some of the abductions and killings are carried out by police, whose ranks have been infiltrated by sectarian militias and insurgents who would have access to the new uniforms.

Peterson said U.S. and Iraqi officials are aware of the problem of infiltration and are trying to deal with it.

Fire-Dex Names New Director of Manufacturing

Medina, OH, August 1, 2006 (Company Release) - Fire-Dex, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of John Karban to Director of Manufacturing.

Fire-Dex has grown at a tremendous pace since John’s hiring, experiencing record sales for the past three years. Under John’s management, Fire-Dex production has significantly expanded while maintaining performance levels. John has, and continues to, streamline production capabilities, improve safety and material handling, and maintain the highly efficient and timely deliveries that Fire-Dex provides.

John Karban joined Fire-Dex in 2003 as plant manager, bringing 15 years experience in managing manufacturing. He has a Bachelor of Arts in International Economics and Management from Hiram College. He is married with two children.

Fire-Dex, Inc. is a manufacturer of protective firefighting clothing and emergency response apparel, and manufactures NFPA compliant structural and proximity turnout gear. Fire-Dex also manufactures two models of NFPA compliant Para-Dex™ EMS gear and is the only turnout manufacturer to also manufacture premium NFPA hoods and gloves.

Visit www.firedex.com to learn more.

Perfection Uniforms Announces Field Sales Additions

Brentwood, TN, July 24, 2006 (Company Release) - Perfection Uniforms is pleased to announce the following additions to its field sales representation, exclusively managed by Unison Marketing Group:

Jim Atkins has assumed responsibility for Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.

John Lavin has joined Dan Collins Sales, an affiliate of the Unison Group with responsibility for CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, NH, NJ, East PA, RI, & VT

Andrew Schwab has joined Clifton Sales Group, an affiliate of the Unison Group with responsibility for IA, IL, MN, & WI.

Additionally, Perfection has recently completed the first of several planned warehouse capacity expansions.

Perfection brand growth has been greatly accelerated by the positive reception to new product innovations during 2006, including its EGC (Ergonomic Garment Construction) System, MatrixSeries line of performance poly/cotton twills and MatrixSeries garments.

For more information, visit www.perfectionuniforms.com