National
News
- October 2006
Miami, September 15, 2006 (Company Release) - Joseph
I. Shulevitz, chairman of the board of Garment Corporation
of America, has announced the appointment of Randall G.
Kominsky as the new Chief Executive Officer and President
of the uniform manufacturing company.
During the past several years Kominsky, 51, has served
as a consultant to several companies in the textile industry
and was a member of the Board of Directors of Cone Mills.
A former partner in the accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand,
Kominsky will oversee every aspect of the company. He was
also employed by Ryder System, Inc. for nearly 15 years
as their assistant general counsel primarily responsible
for the operations of Ryder Truck Rental, a multi-billion
dollar division.
"Randy comes to us with over 25 years of expertise
in helping companies grow,“ stated Joe Shulevitz. "We
have tremendous confidence that he will bring a fresh outlook
to GCA which should help our customers become more profitable
and benefit our suppliers and employees.“ Kominsky
graduated magna cum laude from Temple University with a
Bachelor’s
Degree in Business Administration, and he possesses a
law degree from Temple , where he served as an editor of
the Law Review. Shulevitz also announced the hiring of
Frank Wells as chief operating officer.
Wells, 42, will be responsible for the Company’s
overall production and manufacturing, ensuring that the
quality of GCA garments exceeds customer expectations.
Wells has managed a staff of more than 2,000 people in
the Olympic Village for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games
and has provided strategic management consulting to numerous
companies while employed by Coopers and Lybrand. He earned
a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from College
of Charleston in South Carolina and holds an MBA from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . Edmund Rumowicz,
who first joined GCA in 1994, has been named to assume
the position of director of marketing and sales. A founding
partner and executive vice president of Galey & Lord
until his retirement in 1993, Rumowicz has more than 35
years of industry experience. He is an adjunct associate
professor of textile marketing at the University of Rhode
Island . His work for textile leaders such as DuPont and
Burlington allow him to bring a unique perspective to the
challenges of his new position. Rumowicz will be responsible
for implementing a new sales program designed to benefit
GCA customers.
Marketing Vice President Lloyd Bennett has announced
his retirement from the company.
Former GCA President David J. Shulevitz, who has been
with the family-owned company for more than 25 years, has
stepped down from his position in order to pursue new business
ventures. However, he will remain on the Board of Directors
and will serve as a consultant to the new management team.
Trevose , PA , September 22, 2006 (Company Release) -
Advertising Specialty Institute, the largest media and
marketing organization serving the advertising specialty
industry, announced today that it acquired Modern Uniforms,
Stitches and Wearables Business magazines, websites and
other assets from Prism Business Media Inc.
Wearables Business and Modern Uniforms principally serve
the advertising specialty industry, while Stitches magazine
serves contract embroidery professionals. Subscribers to
Stitches often work with ASI distributors and suppliers
to decorate promotional items.
“The uniforms, embroidery, and general wearables
marketplaces are playing larger and more important roles
in the advertising specialty industry,” said Timothy
M. Andrews, president of ASI. “By bringing these
publications into ASI, we are ensuring that we will be
able to help ASI suppliers and distributors reach more
buyers, and we can reinforce with readers the quality and
integrity provided by the traditional supplier-distributor
model.“
Andrews said that there are important benefits for both
ASI suppliers and distributors from the acquisition.
“The 18,000 subscribers of Stitches magazine are
a new potential market to which ASI suppliers and distributors
will be able to increase sales of advertising specialties,“ Andrews
noted. “We intend to help readers of Stitches understand
the efficiencies of buying ad specialties through the ASI
supplier-distributor network.
“The overall wearables segment in our industry
is growing dramatically, and Wearables Business will help
ASI serve that category more effectively through education,
news and product information,” he explained. “Uniforms
is another growing segment, and one we think is expanding
at several times the rate of the overall ad specialty industry.
By having a magazine dedicated to explaining uniform trends
and new products, ASI distributors will be more effective
in building their uniforms business.“
The 2006 Counselor magazine State of the Industry report
indicated that wearables was the top category of advertising
specialties sold for the last five years. Uniforms continue
to be an important segment, and 41% of respondents to the
latest Counselor Wearables Watch survey indicated an increase
in sales of uniforms.
Several resources will be developed to assist both the
ASI distributor and the embroidery firm to connect and
do business, by allowing distributors to quickly find qualified
contract embroiderers anywhere in the country from among
the 18,000 subscribers to Stitches.
To learn more, visit www.asicentral.com
Georgia , September 21, 2006 - Ramstar Mills, Inc. has
been purchased in its entirety by Ruth and Bob Wielenga,
according to a statement released by the company. The acquisition
was completed by last month.
For the immediate future, the Ramstar Mills product offering
will remain the same with the exception of the following:
HydroWick Huggers which are offered at closeout prices
of 50% off; All cotton products which are offered at closeout
prices of 50% off The 9800 vest and 9900 pants will be
phased out and at some point, new vests will be added to
the line.
Ruth and Bob intend on expanding the product offering
of ANSI compliant apparel while continuing to provide high
quality, "Made in USA " spun polyester microfiber
wicking T-shirts. They also expect to add to the product
offering by manufacturing cotton T-shirts again.
Ramstar Mills, Inc. will again join ASI, PPAI and will
exhibit at the Las Vegas PPAI show in January. Current
owners Rick and Bobbi Feiertag, who are retiring, will
be on hand to introduce the new owners.
Bobbi will continue to do sales for a time after the
acquisition and can answer most questions about ANSI.
Visit www.ramstar.com for more information.
September 7, 2006 (Company Release)- World Signature
International Inc., the garment division of World Emblem
International Inc., has recently acquired Emi-Dan Designs
Inc., which specializes in quality apparel and promotional
products. Emi-Dan Designs was established in 1993 in North
Miami Beach , Florida and has grown a large national client
base in the last 13 years.
This new acquisition not only increases World Signature's
client base but also the myriad of products offered. World
Signature not only offers screen-printed and embroidered
garments, but now also offers personalized pens, mugs,
key chains and many other promotional products.
In addition to the acquisition, World Signature has also
hired Brandi Norlin, a former Emi-Dan Designs employee.
Norlin spent over 10 years driving sales at Emi-Dan Designs
and has brought her industry and product knowledge to World
Signature. In total, the acquisition gave World Signature
an expanded client base, more product selection and an
employee with customer and product knowledge.
World Signature International offers over 18,000 brand
name styles and accessories through their online catalog
at www.worldsignature.com . For more information
or to request a catalog, please contact Customer Service
at 1-800-952-1787.
World Emblem International, Inc., the parent company
of World Signature, is one of the world's foremost designers
and manufacturers of precision-embroidered, screen-printed
and sublimated emblems. Headquartered in Miami , the company
currently has manufacturing locations in Taylor , Michigan
, Atlanta , Georgia , Spilsby , United Kingdom and Mexico
. World Emblem is ISO 9001-2000 certified. Visit www.worldemblem.com for more information.
Atlanta , GA , September 1, 2006 (Company Release) -
Swift Galey and Denim North America are announcing a new
joint venture in Columbus , Georgia . This venture, to
be known as Swift Galey D.N.A., will become Swift Galey’s
U.S. flagship denim operation, manufacturing and distributing
premium denim fabrics under the Swift Galey brand.
Denim North America operates the most modern denim facility
in the United States , just a few miles from the current
Swift Galey denim facility in Columbus , Georgia . Swift
Galey believes that the North American premium denim market
can be best served by a right-sized, flexible facility
that is part of an international network of modern facilities.
“Swift Galey is fortunate to have found an excellent
business partner already operating a facility in such close
proximity. By combining technological strengths and creative
resources, a powerful and stable platform will be created,
serving the needs of the premium denim market for years
to come,” according to John Heldrich, President and
CEO of Swift Galey.
Over the next few months, the current Swift Galey denim
facility operating in Columbus will be closed, and the
products, key resources, and state-of-the-art equipment
will be transferred to the new Swift Galey D.N.A. venture
location. The complete 2007 product line is expected to
be assimilated early in the fourth quarter.
Larry Galbraith will serve as president of the joint
venture. Monte Galbraith will join Swift Galey as managing
director of the Jeanswear Division, reporting to Rick Waide,
president of International Marketing and Jeanswear.
With representation worldwide in the U.S.A. , Mexico
, Europe , Central and South America , and throughout Asia
, Swift Galey fabrics are featured in jeanswear, sportswear,
uniform/workwear, and home markets. Headquartered in Atlanta
, Georgia , the company is privately owned by funds managed
by New York and Charlotte , North Carolina based Patriarch
Partners, LLC.
Miami , FL , August 22, 2006 (Company Release) - Vertical
Textiles announced today its corporate inauguration and
acquisition of the dyeing and finishing operation formerly
known as Miami Finishing located in Miami , Florida. Vertical
Textiles has simultaneously announced the launch of an
adjacent knitting factory specializing in single and double
knit fabrics.
The acquisition complements the organization’s
cutting and sewing operation located in the Dominican Republic
and thereby creates a streamlined vertical manufacturing
solution. Vertical Textiles will offer full package or
contract service in its individual facilities based on
its customer’s needs.
Vertical Textiles’ facilities are certified and
manufacture for retailers of the likes of Target, JC Penney,
and Kohls. For more information or interviews please contact
Jorge Camaraza at 786.547.2847.
Hagerstown, MD, September 21, (Herald-Mail) - Hagerstown
might continue buying its police uniforms from a downtown
clothing store, even though a Baltimore shop would charge
less.
Hoffman Clothiers on North Potomac Street bid $18,988
for the next police clothing contract.
Howard Uniform Co. of Baltimore, the only other bidder,
estimated the cost at about 8 percent less - $17,567.45,
although someone has written in an incorrect lower total.
Councilman Lewis C. Metzner said at a meeting on Tuesday
that the city almost always chooses the lowest bid for
contracts. In this case, though, it has continued to
buy from Hoffman Clothiers, mainly to support a downtown
merchant, he said.
In a memo recommending Hoffman Clothiers for the contract,
Hagerstown Police Capt. John S. Moulton Jr. wrote, "First,
its location makes obtaining measurements for employees
more convenient. Officers are able to go for measurements
on their schedule, thus expediting the ordering process
as uniforms are needed. This is especially handy when we
hire new employees.
“The other (and more significant) factor is Hoffman's
status as a downtown business. We are aware that downtown
economic development is a priority for the Mayor and Council."
Councilwoman Kelly S. Cromer praised the city for supporting
a local business. Councilwoman Alesia D. Parson-McBean
urged her colleagues to be "leery" of giving
the impression that outside merchants are not welcome.
In an interview Wednesday, George Shamdasani, the vice
president of Howard Uniform Co., didn't object to the city
favoring a local business, but he wondered why it sought
outside bids.
“That defeats the whole purpose," he said.
The police department initially acted as if it had chosen
Howard Uniform, Shamdasani said.
About two weeks ago, it sent 14 or 15 officers to the
shop to be measured for uniforms, a process that took about
three hours, he said.
That afternoon, Shamdasani said, the city sent an e-mail
telling the shop that the work was premature because the
contract should have gone through the city council.
Jim Baker, who owns Hoffman Clothiers, agrees with and
appreciates the city's approach in looking out for a local
business.
"We pay taxes," he said Wednesday. "I
would think that would give us a little bit of an edge."
Baker said Hoffman Clothiers has provided police uniforms
to the city for more than 20 years.
Milan , MO , September 1, (KTVO.com) - One of the country's
leading makers of high school and college "band" uniforms
is expanding.
Stanbury Uniforms, based in Brookfield , Missouri , was
founded in Kansas City in 1917, and 30 years later, the
founder of the company decided to move his entire operation
to Brookfield . And, it just recently expanded to Milan
.
Although it may not look like much now, these busy workers
are the newest members of the Stanbury Uniform Company.
This is the third full week of operation at the new location
in Milan , and the company already has 12 new full-time
employees and they hope to double that number very soon.
"We make an extremely custom product and it's very
difficult to bring six or eight people at one time. We
have to bring them in in manageable numbers so that we
can train them effectively and get them online," said
Stanbury Uniforms Vice President of Operations, Carter
Sappington.
Sappington says the company hopes to add two to three
employees every week.
At this new facility the workers are sewing pieces and
parts that will be sent to the main plant in Brookfield
where they'll be fitted into the final band uniform.
The new operation is experiencing bottle-necks every
now and then, which makes each day different for the workers.
"That's what I do like. I like the new challenge.
Everyday there's something different to do," said
Stanbury Uniform employee Danielle Woods.
Sappington says no one was transferred from the Brookfield
plant to Milan .
Instead, they're hiring all new employees from the Milan
area, and Sappington says that Stanbury's plan for the
future is simple and exciting.
"I think the long term plan here is to keep a slow
growth curve. We feel very, very positive about the start
we've had. We're very proud of the effort that's been given
to us from the community and from these people," said
Sappington.
Greensboro , NC , August 2006 - (TextileWeb) - According
to a recent consumer study of performance apparel conducted
for Unifi by the Leisure Trends Group, more than 40% of
active consumers would like to purchase garments that are
eco-friendly. To satisfy this demand, Unifi, Inc., a producer
and processor of multi-filament textured yarns, and Malden
Mills Industries, Inc., a producer of technical, synthetic
fabrics, have partnered to create a new line of performance
fabrics that claim to benefit both the human and global
environment.
Malden Mills’ new line of eco-friendly performance
Polartec fabrics was designed with Unifi’s newest
addition to its family of yarns, Repreve. Repreve is a
family of polyester yarns made from 100% recycled materials,
claims Unifi. Because Repreve is made from recycled materials;
it conserves natural resources by offsetting the need to
produce virgin polyester, adds the company.
According to Unifi, Malden Mills’ new earth-friendly
performance Polartec fabrics with Repreve encompass more
than 20 new styles. While the company has been producing
recycled Polartec fabrics for more than 12 years, Unifi’s
Repreve enables recycled Polartec fabrics to achieve a
new level of performance, according to Unifi. As a result,
many new styles of Polartec fabrics are now available using
recycled content, including Polartec Power Dry, Polartec
Thermal Pro, and Polartec Wind Pro.
Nevada , August 25, 2006 (Tahoe Bonanza) - Imagine standing
outside all day in the midst of a winter storm as a ski
resort lift operator or a ski patroller. Having the right
type of clothing is crucial for both safety and comfort.
Mountain Uniforms, an Incline-based company that designs custom uniforms for
ski search and rescue, fire and law enforcement as well as race teams and clubs.
Last year, Mountain Uniforms was acknowledged as the number one uniform supplier
to ski resorts across the nation.
Going up against well-known retail brands like Spyder, North Face, Carbon and
Phenix, more mountain resorts used Mountain Uniforms for their employees than
any other supplier.
Mountain Uniforms serves many companies locally and across the nation including
(to name a few) Mt. Rose and Squaw Valley . The manufacturer also provides
uniforms for state park rangers, Washoe County Sheriffs Office deputies and
the Truckee Police Department.
Mountain Uniforms was founded by Incline resident Kim Stearns.
"Our goal is to be as direct as possible and to be as specific in the design
of the uniform that customers want," Stearns said. "We want to make
the jobs of our clients more comfortable and customize to order. Our items are
so technical and so intricate that they are made to last."
Uniform material is tested for fade resistance, waterproofing, breathability
and durability, Stearns said.
Adding accessories such as name tag slots, radio pockets and reflective materials,
Mountain Uniforms specializes in building professional-grade gear.
"If we can make a jacket for a snow maker, we can make a jacket for anyone," Stearns
explained. "We don't just make a jacket off a store shelf that has been
modified. Our jacket and its specific parts are made specifically for severe
weather conditions."
Although new styles and colors are produced every year, Mountain Uniforms can
design corporate identities.
For more information about Mountain Uniforms visit www.mountainuniforms.com or call (775) 831-7670.
Medina , OH, August 28, 2006 (Company Release) - Fire-Dex,
Inc. is pleased to announce the addition Jeff Koledo as
the Regional Sales Manager.
Jeff Koledo will be managing Fire-Dex protective apparel
sales to the Northeastern United States, including Maine,
Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware,
New Jersey, Maryland, Washington D.C. and eastern Pennsylvania
and eastern New York.
Jeff has spent most of his 14-year career in the specialty
metals business in both purchasing and sales. He also has
a degree in finance from Franklin Pierce College .
Fire-Dex, Inc. is a manufacturer of protective firefighting
clothing and emergency response apparel, making NFPA compliant
structural and proximity turnout gear. The company is the
only turnout manufacturer to also manufacture premium quality
NFPA hoods and gloves. Visit them on the web at www.firedex.com for more.
Cincinnati , OH , - September 20, 2006 (PRNewswire) – Cintas
today reported revenue for the first quarter of fiscal
2007 of $914.2 million, an 11.0% increase from the previous
year’s first quarter revenue of $823.5 million. Net
income of $85.0 million increased 8.3% from $78.4 million
last year and earnings per diluted share of $0.53 increased
15.2% from $0.46 per diluted share last year.
Scott D. Farmer, president and chief executive officer,
stated, “On behalf
of our Cintas employee partners, I am proud to report our first quarter results.
We have again achieved double-digit revenue growth and delivered strong operating
margins, despite increases in energy costs. Our earnings before interest and
taxes improved a healthy 11.8% over the first quarter of fiscal 2006.”
Mr. Farmer continued, “The implementation of our new sales structure,
which we announced a few months ago, continues to be on schedule. This new
structure is designed to develop additional cross-selling opportunities and
improve sales productivity. The new sales organization, in conjunction with
our vast product and service offerings, is expected to drive improvements in
future internal growth.”
The Company’s balance sheet continues to be strong.
Despite increased debt levels related to acquisitions made
in late fiscal 2006 and the Company’s share repurchase
program, debt to total capitalization as of August 31,
2006 was only 29%. Cash and marketable securities were
$175 million as of August 31, 2006 . Total shareholders’ equity
was $2.05 billion.
Mr. Farmer commented, “Based on our sales results through the first quarter,
a leveling off of energy costs as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal
2006 and a less active hurricane season to date, we reiterate our fiscal 2007
guidance which calls for fiscal 2007 revenue of $3.77 to $3.85 billion and
diluted earnings per share of $2.10 to $2.20. We expect fiscal 2007 to be another
record year at Cintas, which would result in our 38th consecutive year of growth
in sales and earnings.”
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation designs,
manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform
programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies,
promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire
protection services and document management services for
approximately 700,000 businesses.
September 22, 2006 (Company Release) - Holism, a 3000-year-old
theory that asserts the whole is greater than the sum of
its parts, is a key reason why 21st Century customer-focused
businesses adopt employee uniform programs.
What these image-conscious businesses have discovered
is that when individual pieces of clothing are combined
into an employee uniform, the whole cohesive look
can have a strategically positive impact on customer perceptions.
“A red shirt in and of itself is just that—a
red shirt,” explains Robert Isaacson, Director of
Marketing for UniFirst Corporation, a leading supplier
of uniforms and work apparel throughout the U.S. and Canada
. “But if it’s personalized and combined with
specifically selected colored pants—such as is the
case with the uniforms worn by Staples’ employees,
for example—it becomes much more. Customer perception
studies show the whole uniform look projects a professional,
knowledgeable appearance. That’s holism at work.
And, as an added practical benefit, the red uniform shirt
makes employees easier to find by customers in need of
assistance.”
Isaacson says Midas Muffler provides another good example
of uniform holism at work. By selecting black and gray
combinations of shirts and pants, he says the muffler company’s
workers subliminally project the look of a highly skilled
NASCAR pit crew. “The overall look can instill confidence
in customers. Meanwhile, the uniform’s black pants
help to hide dirt and grime which also helps to project
a professional image.”
Taking maximum advantage of uniform holism calls for
a careful analysis of the type of image a business wishes
to project and then ensuring the overall condition of apparel
is maintained so the image is never compromised, Isaacson
says. “Even small details in a uniform’s design
and color can have a profound impact on the way a company’s
image is perceived. And, if a uniform begins to show wear
and tear, customers could begin to question the quality
of services or products they’re purchasing, marking
a quick end to its holistic qualities.” It’s
because of such critical business factors, Isaacson notes,
that companies often consult with uniform service providers,
like UniFirst, about their workwear needs. Such providers,
he says, can help ensure a proper business image is established
and maintained over time through proper laundering and
care, regular garment inspections, and automatic mending
and replacements of items that inevitably become ripped,
frayed, or worn out.
Given the business image-enhancing attributes of uniform
holism, it’s no wonder that centuries ago the toga
was often worn with accent trims, and with colorful shoulder
drapes and sashes. It’s also why uniform holism will
likely be part of a customer-focused company’s work
apparel for many years to come.
|
