Uniform
News
- November 2006
The Force®, formerly HORACE SMALL®, a leading public safety uniform
brand, honored Officer Timothy Greene of the Rock Hill, South Carolina Police
Department with the 2nd annual Positive Force Award at the 113th annual International
Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference in Boston, Massachusetts
on Sunday, October 15.
Officer Greene and five runners-up were selected from hundreds of nominations
from around the country by an independent and esteemed selection committee
of law enforcement leaders and industry luminaries. The nominees were evaluated
not just on one exceptional act of heroism, but for what they do instinctively
every day, including extreme acts of valor and bravery, outstanding community
service and other notable achievements.
“The Positive Force Award honors those officers
who exemplify our brands’ “Made for Heroes” philosophy,
who distinguish themselves everyday by going above and
beyond the call of duty as protectors and leading examples
to all they serve.” said Janet Rives, sr. marketing
manager for VF Imagewear. “Law enforcement officers
put their lives in danger every time they put on their
uniforms. The sacrifices they make enable us to live better
lives. The Force is proud to sponsor the Positive Force
Award to ensure the great stories of bravery and valor
are told more often.”
Officer Timothy Greene had worked
as a support professional for Microsoft for four years
until September 11, 2001. The events of this day inspired
him to commit his life to serving and protecting others
and thus, he became a police officer for the Rock Hill
, South Carolina PD.
Greene was just a rookie when he proved his determination,
bravery and heroism in a lengthy gun battle and car chase
with an armed robber. Officer Greene’s
actions that day exemplify bravery and heroism during a critical and extremely
dangerous incident, though his selfless actions are not bound by this day.
Greene’s dedication to his community is also demonstrated through
his volunteer activities with the police force. He is a selected member
of Rock Hill ’s volunteer SWAT team. He gives educational presentations
to the community’s schools, which includes the Worthy Boys and Girls
Club, as well as participates in a local non-profit organization similar
to Habitat for Humanity called, Rolling Rock Hill.
At IACP, Greene was
presented $5,000 for personal use and $5,000 for the charity of his choice
which he donated to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund,
The United Way of York County , South Carolina and The
American Cancer Society.
The Positive Force Award runners-up each received a $500
award for personal use and a certificate of recognition.
The 2006 runners-up are: · First
Runner-up, Captain Donna Roman
Caldwell Police Department, New Jersey; Officer Eileen Bartosz – Second
Runner-up
Alameda Police Department, California; Corporal Colleen Marquez – Third
Runner-up
Ontario Police Department, California; Captain Joseph Jakub – Fourth
Runner-up
Warren County Sheriffs Office, Kentucky; and Sergeant Paul Mooneyham – Fifth
Runner-up
Tennessee Highway Patrol
Outfitting law enforcement and public safety heroes
for more than 65 years, the Horace Small® brand has transformed
into The Force™, Made for Heroes™ brand.
Building on the quality and reputation of the Horace
Small® brand,
The Force™ combines groundbreaking technical design,
innovative fabrics, practical features, comfort, durability
and professional appearance and evolves into an unparalleled
brand designed specifically for the 21st century law
enforcement officer. Committed to serving America ’s
most-dedicated heroes in law enforcement, The Force™ aims
to grow the Positive Force Award into an annual tradition
to increase respect and recognition for America ’s
true heroes.
The National Association of
Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors
(NAUMD) handed out its top award for uniform excellence
in law enforcement to the MBTA Transit Police at the recent
IACP Conference in Boston . NAUMD Chairman Ron Pate of
Unison Marketing Group and NAUMD President Richard J. Lerman
presented the award to MBTA Chief Joe Carter and to the
program’s supplier, Peter A. Roque, president & CEO
of Blackinton and Mark Siegel, director of sales.
Now in its 29 th year, the Best Dressed Law Enforcement
Competition honors the nation’s law enforcement community
by calling attention to the important role uniforms play
in police work. “Now, more than ever, the quick and
positive identification of officers is key to the public
feeling more secure in these dangerous times,” says
Richard Lerman, NAUMD president. “Having law enforcement
personnel feel both proud of and comfortable in their uniforms
goes a long way in building positive moral so that they
can perform at the highest level.” Both the winning
supplier and department receive handsome plaques.
The Transit Police Department provides police services
to nearly one million riders per day on one of the largest
public mass transit systems in the U.S. Chief Joseph C.
Carter, working with Mark Siegel of Blackinton, a Massachusetts-based
company, created a custom badge which all members of the
Transit Police Department are proud to wear, and which
is one of this program‘s standout items.
The traditional shield shaped badge with blue reversed
enamel panels has a custom center seal featuring the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts Coat of Arms surrounded by the words “Massachusetts
Bay Transportation Authority.” “This badge
and the uniform we wear are distinct symbols of the core
values and professionalism that is at the heart of our
duties,” notes Chief Joseph Carter.
All uniforms are colored in dark navy; however, the stripe
on the pant leg varies with rank: officers have a ¼“ royal
blue stripe; sergeants sport a ½“ black braid
and a 1 inch black stripe appears on the legs of lieutenants,
captains, deputy chiefs and the chief. The honor guard
also utilizes a Clarino duty belt and holster, and is further
distinguished by the aforementioned one-of-a-kind badge.
MBTA Transit was one of twelve departments nationwide
that earned the best dressed nod. For a complete wrap-up
of this year’s award, visit www.naumd.com. Full coverage
can also be found in the Spring edition of Made to Measure
Magazine, slated for February, 2007 .
Minneapolis , MN , November 1, 2006 - The 2007 Catalog
from River's End Trading Company is now available and features
new retail brands including Nike, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger
and NYNE. This catalog kicks off a celebration of 25 years
in the apparel industry.
River's End Trading Company enters a new era in apparel
distribution by focusing its 2007 product line and catalog
on distinctive brands and exciting new collections. Featured
on the cover and only available at River's End Trading
Company is Nike Performance Activewear. The Nike brand
gives customers an authentic, innovative sportswear line
consisting of performance features, ladies' styles and
great apparel combinations.
Also added this year is Lacoste, a brand name with a
worldwide reputation for quality and fashion and Tommy
Hilfiger, a classic collection of sport shirts, dress shirts
and casual wear.
River's End has vastly improved its product offering
for ladies. The "Her Perspective Collection" includes
six new styles in five vibrant colors to mix and match
for more than 20 new looks for every day of the week. Also
included in the ladies selection are several new outerwear
styles and basic fleece hoodies along with new colors and
sizes in a variety of styles.
The 2007 catalog offers a wide variety of products and
remarkable value among all items and brands; offering something
for everyone. Also included are hundreds of styles from
Peru ; first to offer a private label brand; first to offer
a UV protective product line with moisture management and
easy-care and now; first to offer distinctive retail brands.
River's End Trading Company has gone through many changes
over the past 25 years but continues to be a leader in
the industry year after year.
For more information and a free 2007 catalog, call 1-800-488-4800
or visit www.riversendtrading.com.
Seminole, FL, October 17, 2006 - Superior Uniform Group(R)
today announced the launch of a brand new Worklon(R) catalog.
Worklon(R) manufactures cleanroom and controlled environment
apparel and accessories for the ultimate defense in particle
control, electrostatic dissipation, fluid resistance and
bacteria filtration for peripheral areas of the High Tech
Industry.
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) Lab Wear is offered in
a variety of fabrics and styles.
"Worklon has become one of Superior 's fastest growing
brands," states Michael Benstock, Superior 's CEO. "The
new release of the Worklon catalog represents an exciting
time for Superior Uniform Group. This newly-formatted catalog
is the most comprehensive line of cleanroom apparel and
peripheral area ESD Lab Wear in the industry. The innovation
of new styles, fabrics and colors sets Superior 's Worklon
brand as a leader in the Cleanroom industry."
Superior Uniform Group(R), through its Signature marketing
brands - Fashion Seal(R), Fashion Seal Healthcare(TM),
Martin's(R), Worklon(R), Sope Creek(R) and UniVogue(TM)
- manufactures and sells a wide range of uniforms, image
apparel and accessories. Superior specializes in managing
comprehensive apparel programs, and is dedicated to servicing
the Healthcare, Hospitality, Restaurant/Food Services,
Retail Employee I.D., Governmental/Public Safety, Entertainment,
Commercial, Transportation, Cleanroom, Corporate Identity
and Resortwear markets.
To view the catalog, visit http://www.superioruniformgroup.com/
Seminole, FL, October 26, 2006 - Superior Uniform Group,
Inc. manufacturer of uniforms, career apparel and accessories,
today announced that for the third quarter ended September
30, 2006, net sales were $33,440,168 compared with 2005
third quarter net sales of $34,194,000. Net earnings were
$912,215 or $.14 per common share (diluted), compared with
net earnings of $158,550 or $.02 per common share (diluted)
in the 2005 third quarter.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 , net sales
were $96,081,293, compared with net sales of $100,910,004
in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 . Net earnings
for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were $2,094,109
or $.30 per common share (diluted) versus net earnings
of $944,524 or $.13 per common share (diluted) in the first
nine months of 2005.
Michael Benstock, Chief Executive
Officer, commented: "We
are very pleased with our operating results for the current
quarter. Net earnings increased over 475% as a result of
our previously announced cost-saving measures as well as
continued improvements in our gross margins. Our service
issues that we experienced in the first half of 2005 are
behind us and we are actively working to improve our customers'
experience at every point of contact with the Company.
While our sales were down slightly for the quarter in comparison
to the prior year quarter, they have increased almost 7%
versus the average sales in our first two quarters of this
year. We are experiencing success in our sales initiatives
in our target markets and continue to rebuild our sales
base. We are very optimistic about our position in the
market and expect to continue to report improving operating
results as we go forward."
For more information, please visit www.superioruniformgroup.com
Pompano Beach , Fl, October 3, 2006 - DHB Industries
Inc., a leader in the field of protective body armor, announced
today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Protective Apparel
Corporation of America ("PACA") received two
new orders, totaling approximately 1,000 vests from the
D.C. Department of Corrections and D.C. Department of Probation
and Parole. Both branches represent new customers and the
Company expects to fulfill orders in the fourth quarter
2006.
PACA will provide its new Tailored Armor Carrier ("TAC")
to the D.C. Department of Corrections. The TAC has PACA's
latest ballistic package that provides a high level of
both ballistic and stab protection. "At PACA we continue
to develop new industry-leading products that provide the
dual
protection of ballistic and stab that the officers in
the corrections arena need," said Dale Taylor, Director
of Product Development for DHB. The TAC is designed as
a one piece uniform shirt and body armor and features two
multi-functional pockets, a convenient side opening and
a contoured shaped for total comfort. Standard features
of the TAC include a 600 denier polyester outer shell with
a soft poly-cotton twill inner lining. The TAC also comes
equipped with adjustable side straps, two front bellow
pockets, badge and name tab epaulettes and a Mic holder.
The contract with the D.C. Department of Probation and
Parole is for the Company's Self-Ventilating System ("SVS")
concealable vest with optional Quilted Outer Carrier. The
SVS has a highly advanced carrier design which allows optimum
ventilation from the inside out. The moisture wicking Akwadyne(TM)
inner lining works with the durable micro-fiber outershell,
resulting in improved temperature control. When combined
with (optional) Armor Ice(TM) Active Cooling Inserts, the
SVS is one of the coolest concealable vests available today.
The optional cold weather quilted outer shell can be worn
over the uniform with identification patch and with PACA's
concealable ballistic panels inserted.
Commenting on today's announcement, Sam White, head of
global sales, stated, "These contracts are significant
in that they represent new customers for DHB and reinforce
the value of our R&D efforts and commitment to product
innovation. We look forward to working closely with both
organizations to ensure their product needs are met and
the officers are kept safe by wearing our vests."
DHB Industries, Inc.'s highly recognized subsidiaries,
Point Blank Body Armor, Inc. (http://www.pointblankarmor.com
) and Protective Apparel Corporation of America (PACA)
(http://www.pacabodyarmor.com ), are in the protective
body armor industry and are focused on the design, manufacture,
and distribution of bullet resistant and protective body
armor for military, law enforcement, and corrections in
the U.S. and worldwide. Company subsidiary NDL Products,
Inc. (http://www.ndlproducts.com ), produces and markets
a comprehensive line of athletic supports and braces which
are merchandised through national superstore chains as
well as through private label distributors.
To learn more about DHB Industries, Inc., visit the website
at http://www.dhbindustries.com.
Port Washington , NY , September
9, 2006 – The number of schools today requiring
school uniforms continues to increase. According to The
NPD Group, a leading provider of consumer and retail
information, the rate of mandated school uniform policies
has risen three percentage points since 2000. The $835
million in items purchased for school uniforms represented
approximately five percent of the $17.6 billion total
apparel market for kids ages five to fourteen.
While the majority of schools do not include the cost
of school uniforms in tuition and fees, many parents are
forced to pay for the child’s uniforms independently.
NPD found mothers spend an average of $162 on school uniforms
per year, per child. About 12 percent of the dollars spent
was done online.
When making a school uniform purchase, mothers still
find fit and size to be the most important factors. However,
some factors have risen in importance in the past five
years, such as color availability, style, price and finding
a trust-worthy brand. “Brand I Trust” saw the
greatest increase – up eight percentage points versus
2000. This attribute was extremely or very important to
almost half of those surveyed.
Attitudes Towards School Uniforms
Eighty-six percent of mothers of children who wear school
uniforms are in favor of the practice, while just 14 percent
were against it. Half of mothers (51%) say their kids are
indifferent towards school uniforms, similar to the levels
seen in 2000.
The number of mothers reporting their kids like wearing
uniforms has decreased six percentage points versus 2000
(25% in 2005 vs. 31% in 2000). As children enter an age
of heightened brand
awareness and develop a keener fashion sense, they become
disenchanted about wearing school uniforms – more
than one-third of children age 12-14 dislike wearing
school uniforms versus only 14 percent of children age
5-8 years.
“Many children may not like wearing school uniforms,
but mothers and a select few kids can find piece of mind
knowing that it takes ease off peer pressure and competition
of buying and wearing brand name designer clothes,” said
Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst, The NPD Group.
Since 1967 The NPD Group has provided reliable and comprehensive consumer and
retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,400
manufacturers and retailers rely on NPD to help them better understand their
customers, product categories, distribution channels and competition in order
to help guide their businesses. Information from The NPD Group is available
for the following major vertical sectors: apparel, appliances, automotive,
beauty, consumer electronics, food and beverage, foodservice, footwear, home
improvement, housewares, imaging, information technology, music, software,
toys, video games, and wireless.
For more information, visit www.npd.com.
Reading , PA, November 2, 2006 - Elbeco®, a Pennsylvania-based
uniform manufacturer, recently endorsed the SweatFree Communities
campaign for worker rights. The company is the first manufacturer
of professional performance uniforms for police, tactical,
fire, EMT and the U.S. Postal Service to join the campaign.
The SweatFree coalition includes government
leaders, labor unions, religious institutions, school
districts and others working to end unfair labor practices
at home and around the world.
Without their knowledge, taxpayers’ dollars are
enriching sweatshop owners who use degrading and morally
repugnant business practices. The SweatFree Communities
campaign seeks to end the procurement of goods made under
sweatshop conditions and proposes independent oversight
for factories working under state and local government
contract.
The governors of Maine , New Jersey and Pennsylvania
recently joined forces through a consortium aimed at collaborative
and coordinated enforcement of sweatfree procurement measures.
The Governor’s Coalition for Sweatfree Procurement
and Workers’ Rights will pool resources for enforcement
and direct procurement dollars to sweatfree factories.
“Elbeco has always stood for worker rights, fair
wages and decent working conditions,” said David
Lurio, president of Elbeco. “Now we stand alongside
courageous leaders like Governor Edward Rendell, and others,
who endorse SweatFree’s procurement recommendations.”
SweatFree Communities aims to end degrading and inhumane
employment practices, while also leveling the playing field
for manufacturers who operate with moral integrity.
“The SweatFree campaign is about using state and
local government purchasing dollars as a catalyst for change.
We aim to level the playing field for ethical businesses
and to advance justice for sweatshop workers,” said
Bjorn Claeson, executive director, SweatFree Communities. “ When
states and cities refuse to spend tax dollars on sweatshop
goods, the industry will have to change.”
Global garment manufacturing has become increasingly
competitive. Thousands of dollars in contracts are awarded
daily, regardless of the conditions workers often face
-- including unjust wages, unsafe workplaces, and harassment.
“This is a battle for human rights, for the dignity
of workers and for the working poor everywhere,” said
Lurio. “We know from experience that it’s possible
to run a business with integrity – and we think the
American public cares enough to ensure our government is
buying responsibly.”
Elbeco is family-owned and operated since 1907. Early
customers included employees of the Reading Railroad. Later,
the company found its niche in uniform manufacturing when
it won a contract to supply uniforms for the New York World’s
Fair.
Today, Elbeco produces professional performance uniforms
for public safety workers including police, tactical, fire
and emergency medical technicians as well as for U.S. Postal
Service employees. Elbeco is a UNITE Here! union employer
with close to 400 employees in Pennsylvania , Ohio and
Missouri . Some manufacturing is contracted to facilities
in Honduras and Mexico.
Greensboro , NC, October 25, 2006 - The Board of Directors
of VF Corporation, a global leader in branded lifestyle
apparel, has elected Eric C. Wiseman to serve as a director.
Wiseman, 51, is President and Chief Operating Officer of
VF Corporation and has responsibility for the Company’s
day-to-day operations. Wiseman’s election increases
the number of directors on the Company’s Board to
13.
Wiseman has 28 years of experience in the apparel industry.
He joined VF in 1995 as Executive Vice President of JanSport
and has held a progression of leadership roles within and
across VF’s coalitions. He became Executive Vice
President, Global Brands for VF Corporation in May 2005,
and was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer
of VF Corporation in March 2006.
“We are pleased that Eric Wiseman has been elected
to serve as a director. This appointment serves as a natural
progression of his role as President and Chief Operating
Officer and will enhance his interaction with the Board.
His extensive apparel industry experience also will provide
valuable perspective to the Board,” said Mackey J.
McDonald, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VF Corporation.
Wiseman holds a B.S. degree in business and an M.B.A.
from Wake Forest University .
VF Corporation is a global leader in branded lifestyle
apparel including jeanswear, outdoor products, intimate
apparel, image apparel and sportswear. Its principal brands
include Lee®, Wrangler®, Riders®, Rustler®,
Vanity Fair®, Vassarette®, Bestform®, Lily
of France®, Nautica®, John Varvatos®, JanSport®,
Eastpak®, The North Face®, Vans®, Reef®,
Napapijri®, Kipling®, Lee Sport® and Red Kap®.
VF Corporation's press releases, annual report and other
information can be accessed through the Company's home
page, www.vfc.com.
Seattle , WA : October 30, 2006 – SanMar Corporation,
a leading supplier of wholesale apparel and accessories,
announces three new outside sales reps for Midwest territories:
Industry veteran Seth Porter will represent Nebraska , Kansas , Missouri and
western Iowa . Prior to SanMar, Porter was a multi-line supplier representative
for Hess and Associates, where he distinguished himself as Salesperson of the
Year (2005) for Canyon Outback Leather Goods.
Kristen Sedlar will represent SanMar in Michigan , northeast Wisconsin and
northwest Ohio . She comes from a background in high-level customer service
at Caremark, Inc., where she was awarded for outstanding achievement; Heartland
Information Services, where she worked as the Client Relationship Manager;
and most recently at Great Lakes Incentive Group, where she represented premium
lines such as Waterford , Coach and Canon.
Jon Oleson, the former Michigan area sales rep, continues his career at SanMar
with a move east to his home state of Minnesota where he will serve as a rep,
as well as in North and South Dakota . He will join Chuck Cayo, who continues
to represent southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin .
For more information, or to contact one of the new sales reps, please call
SanMar customer service at 800-426-6399.
SanMar Corporation is a leading supplier of wholesale apparel including Port
Authority®, Port & Company®, District Threads™, CornerStone™,
Sport-Tek™, Nike Golf, Ping®, Lee®, Hanes®, and Jerzees®.
A family owned business since 1971, SanMar is based in Seattle , WA with six
national distribution centers.
Wilmington, MA, October 18, 2006 -- UniFirst Corp., which
rents, sells and cleans industrial uniforms and protective
clothing, said Wednesday fiscal fourth-quarter profit rose
30 percent on a 9.9 percent increase in revenue.
For the quarter ended Aug. 26, UniFirst earned $10.6
million, or 55 cents per share, compared with $8.1 million,
or 42 cents per share, for the same quarter in 2005. Revenue
grew to $207.5 million from $188.8 million in the year-ago
period.
The results came in ahead of Wall Street predictions.
Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected a profit
of 53 cents per share on $206.3 million in revenue.
Company officials credited a 10.4 percent increase in
revenue from its core laundry business, which excludes
the specialty garments and first aid segments, for the
jump in fourth-quarter profit.
For the full-year, profit fell to $39.2 million, or $2.03
per share, from $43.3 million, or $2.24 per share, in 2005.
The company said the decline was due mainly to a drop in
segment income from the specialty garments business. Total
revenue grew to $821 million from $763.8 million in the
year-ago.
Analysts on average forecast profit of $2.01 for the
year on revenue of $819.7 million.
The results included a fourth-quarter one-time gain of
about $800,000. Excluding that gain, UniFirst earned 51
cents per share for the fourth quarter and $1.99 for the
fiscal year. UniFirst shares fell 76 cents, or 2 percent,
to $35.93 in morning trading on the New York Stock Exchange
October 21, 2006 , (Defense Tech.org) - A high-tech collection
of soldier gear, 15 years and half a billion dollars in
the making, will finally make it into battle. The 4th Battalion,
9th Infantry has adopted the Land Warrior suite of wearable
electronics, and will take it with them to Iraq when they
deploy next year. It's the first time a large group of
infantrymen will be tied to the combat network that's connecting
so much of the military.
These days, the vast majority of dismounted soldiers
don't carry radios let alone the electronic mapping and
messaging tools that have become commonplace in most Humvees.
That'll change, once the "Manchus" of the 4/9
Infantry don the Land Warrior ensemble.
Radios and GPS locators come standard. A helmet-mounted
monocle lets the soldier know he and his buddies are on
a satellite-powered map. That same monocle is connected
to the weapon sight, so the infantryman can, in effect,
shoot around corners. The sight also serves as a long-range
zoom, with twelve times amplification. "It makes every
rifleman a marksman," Colonel Richard Hansen, Land
Warrior's project manager, crows. Night vision, and laser
targeting – which once required clunky binoculars,
or attachments to the gun -- are now built in, too.
Getting this kind of gear out to troops has taken many
years. First proposed in 1991, Land Warrior went through
one clunky, next-to-useless iteration after the next. One
cost $85,000, and weighed over 40 pounds. Another was way
too fragile for combat. Even this version 3.0 has had a
bunch of weight, security, and usability issues.
The concerns were so great that the original vision --
giving every soldier a full set of high-tech gear -- has
been scrapped. For now, only Manchu team leaders will get
the entire Land Warrior ensemble, Col. Hansen tells Defense
Tech. Regular riflemen will be equipped with GPS beacons,
to let their sergeants and lieutenants know where they
are.
It's a small step, but potentially a significant one.
 
Chicopee , October 12, 2006 , (The Republican) - For
the first time in 50 years, the city's finest have changed
the color of their uniforms from gray to dark blue.
"This is a very important change for the department,
and we want not only Chicopee residents to know about it,
but all of Western Massachusetts ," said Police Chief
John R. Ferraro Jr., announcing the change at a press conference
this week with Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette.
Ferraro said, "We have not had a change in 50 years.
About 12 years ago, I designed the Chicopee Police Department
patch, but we have had an older department for years, and
many of the older officers resisted any color change. Now,
the demographics have changed. "We have a much younger
department, and they wanted a change, and I agreed."
Modeling the new uniform at the press conference in Police
Headquarters was Detective Christopher F. Kellam, the department's
firearms and training instructor. Wearing the old outfit
was Sgt. Victor M. Jeronimo of the Traffic Bureau.
Ferraro said the new uniform calls for two department
logo pins to be worn on each shirt collar.
The change will take effect with long-sleeved shirts
on Sunday, he said. Officers will switch back to short
sleeves on April 15.
Bissonnette said, "I think it's an improvement.
The new uniforms are professional, and they also offer
a better level of comfort for the officers when they are
wearing their Kevlar vests. This was brought up to me early
on by the police union, who said they have wanted them
for some time, and I agreed with them.
"The nice thing for the taxpayers is that the officers
themselves are paying for their own uniforms. We want people
to be aware when they see the officers on the street that
they are Chicopee officers."
Said the chief, "This has been in the works for
probably 15 years. It took time. We think the new uniforms
look more professional and are similar to the other police
uniforms."
The mayor said the dark-blue uniform provides a more
professional look.
Patrolman Timothy A. O'Grady, president of Local 401
of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, favors
the change.
"The guys are happier," he said. "It's
a big morale booster, and we are glad the chief approved
it. We appreciate the change. It's been a long time coming.
"Now, our department is younger, and it was time."
Raleigh, NC, October 2, 2006 (WHNS) - A textile firm
that makes fabric for military dress uniforms will expand
a plant in Hoke County . Burlington WorldWide will add
65 jobs over three years and invest about 7-million dollars.
Burlington WorldWide will receive a 100,000 dollar state
grant to expand the Raeford plant. The facility currently
employs 306 workers.
The company is a division of International Textile Group.
The Raeford plant dyes and finishes fabric for dress uniforms.
October 5, 2006 (Financial Express) - For decades, a humble blue vest has been
required dress for Wal-Mart employees, conveying the retailer’s working-class
image and its modest roots in rural Bentonville , Ark. But a fancier Wal-Mart,
which is now trying to attract upscale shoppers, calls for a fancier uniform.
So the company has begun quietly testing a new look in around 100 stores in
the United States : khaki pants and a navy blue polo shirt. Wal-Mart, long
a symbol of dowdy, traditional fashions, is graduating to preppy.
The wardrobe change is the latest sign of a style initiative
under way at the nation’s biggest retailer and its
largest private-sector employer. Over the last several
years, Wal-Mart has opened a trend-spotting office in Manhattan
, bought advertisements in Vogue and created a line of
urban fashions as it tries to improve its individual store
sales, which have lagged behind that of its hipper rival,
Target.
John Simley, a Wal-Mart spokesman, played down the experimental
uniform, “the look could still change. We are still
in the process of testing this dress code and evaluating
whether to roll it out to additional stores.”
The color of the polo shirt may be modified— perhaps
to avoid any confusion with the uniform at Best Buy, which
as it happens, is a blue polo shirt and khaki pants. Stan
Herman, who over a 30-year career in fashion has designed
uniforms for dozens of corporations like JetBlue and Amtrak,
said the polo and khaki look was “very classy.” The
smock, he said, “is the lowest guppy in the pool” of
fashion and, with the crisp-looking new dress code, “Wal-Mart
will raise the status of 1.3 million Americans” who
work for the chain.
But by drifting away from the smock and the vest—long
emblems of the working class -- Wal-Mart is also leaving
behind a uniform that linked it, at least in the popular
imagination, to its largest customer base. “This
is much more business casual” than working class,
said Herman.
Consumer companies have always viewed their employees
as an extension of their brand name, and have dressed them
accordingly. Employees at Southwest Airlines, for example,
wear a polo shirt and sneakers to convey the company’s
no-frills, discount culture.
Taraynn Lloyd, director of marketing at Edwards Garment,
a major uniform supplier in Michigan , suggested that Wal-Mart
might be arriving a bit late to the polo party. Many companies
are now moving away from polo shirts “toward a more
tailored look”—namely, button-down, woven shirts.
This is not the first time that Wal-Mart has altered
its uniforms. Several years ago, the company replaced the
phrase “Our People Make the Difference” on
smocks with the question “How may I help you?”.
The new shirts will bear no language, but tags will continue
to identify employees as Wal-Mart staff.
Grants, NM, Oct 5th (Independent) — Grants police
officers are walking a little taller these days, with a
new sense of pride.
New uniforms, dark blue shirts and pants, have replaced the light blue shirts
and dark blue pants, said Police Chief Marty Vigil.
"We have new badges, they are all consistent, gold with silver trim," he
said.
Badges worn by officers in the department were not all alike due to some being
ordered from different companies at different times in the past, Vigil said.
There is a new look to the striping on the side of the police cars as well,
Vigil said.
"I decided it was time to make some changes; so, I came up with a new look," Vigil
said. "The new uniforms are consistent in color top and bottom, there are
no stripes on the pants and all the badges are alike."
Vigil said he didn't think of the added asset of improved morale, but morale
has been raised and officers are feeling proud of their new uniforms, he said.
"They are like the LAPD's uniforms," he said.
New police patches, to be worn on both sleeves of the uniforms are being designed
and will arrive soon.
"I hope to have the patches done and here by Christmas, that would make
a good present for officers," he said.
The cost of all this comes to a total of about $11,500.
Five thousand dollars are for the uniforms and the other $6,500 are for the
badges, including new animal control officer badges, he said.
Vigil said he couldn't remember actually which account the money came out of,
but he thought is was either the Law Enforcement Protection Account or the
Traffic Safety Account, both accounts hold funds allocated by the state.
The new striping on the cars costs nothing, it is part of the purchase price,
he said.
As new cars are purchased for the department to replace old ones, each will
have the design.
Sgt. John Castaneda agreed about how well the new uniforms have been received
by officers
"They are really nice and are of a material that keeps us cooler, even though
the shirts are dark blue," he said.
"I feel better. I feel like serving my department better and serving the
community better," he said.
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