Manufacturers Roll Out New Products at IACP, Something New From Safety Flag & Hot Products: What Dealers are Saying.

There were a bevy of new products and enhanced features introduced by manufacturers at last month’s IACP conference in Boston. Here’s what dealers can expect to see, if they haven’t already, in the coming months:

Perfection Uniforms

Perfection previewed further line extensions as well as a new fabric/product series at the IACP. The new EGC (Ergonomic Garment Construction) System that enhances the comfort, mobility, and wear life of uniform shirts and trousers will be extended into a new polyester (EclipseSeries ), and a new poly rayon (StratusSeries ). The two new Series will also feature technologically advanced woven and knit fabrics, with performance advantages first introduced in the MatrixSeries .

New colors, too, have been added to the MatrixSeries line of performance poly/cotton twills with exceptional color depth & retention, stretch comfort, UV protection, and external liquid protection w/ internal wickability & breathability. MatrixSeries garments are now available at Perfection dealers.

5.11 Tactical

Not to be outdone, 5.11 has introduced a line of new products for the Fall, 2006.

The first is a new cotton blend fabric that exceeds minimum standards of NFPA tests for afterflame and no drip (according to ASTM D6413.). This proprietary fabric, FR-x3™, retains cotton’s breathability and comfort. FR-x3™ is found on an updated version of 5.11’s #1 best seller, the authentic tactical pant as well as performance knits and a top-of-the-line jumpsuit.

5.11 partnered with Jeff Gonzales of Trident Concepts, LLC to design a line of gloves with mission-specific features and function. An experienced U.S. Navy Seal and Law Enforcement & Tactical Trainer, Gonzales’ background positions the 5.11 gloves as an item designed by an operator for operators, for whatever situation they find themselves in.

On a quite different note, 5.11 has broken boundaries in the uniform retail environment by offering a line of kid’s clothes patterned after authentic tactical adult apparel. The 5.11 Recruit Series is a great option for parents who need kid’s clothes that are practical, durable and presentable. They have a ‘neat’ appearance for school wear and are durable enough for the playground.

Other new items for this Fall are retail 3-pack t-shirts, three new boots, five new jackets (including new duty and casual items), a new watch (the Field Ops Watch, available in 3 colors) and a new polo in an interlock fabric ideal for uniform and casual wear.

Danner

From Danner comes a new boot, the Striker Sergeant GTX, a slip-on version to its popular Striker line of uniform boots. In addition to being lightweight and agile, trademarks of the Striker boot line, the Sergeant is an easy slip on and comfortable station boot, making it well suited for detective and investigation field work.

Built on the patented Terra Force platform, the Striker Sergeant provides excellent traction, agility and lightweight performance. Terra Force consists of five components: an insole plate, midsole, internal and external shanks, and the Danner-designed, durable and slip-resistant Radical TF outsole. The upper is stitched to the midsole in the heel and forefoot areas for added stability. The internal shank works with the insole plate to create a firm foundation, while the external shank provides exceptional lateral and medial strength. The result is an unusually lightweight yet stable base.

The Striker Sergeant is built with full-grain leather and a waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex® liner that will keep wearers dry and comfortable. The boot is available in men's sizes 7-14 D, 8-13 EE (half sizes to 12).

Danner, located in Portland , designs, manufactures and markets a complete line of innovative, functional and performance footwear. With a commitment to craftsmanship, Danner continues to build on the company's 74-year heritage of being the Experts Choice by making premium-quality hiking, hunting, occupational, uniform and rugged casual footwear for men and women. Danner is a wholly owned subsidiary of LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.

Safe Lites and Blauer

GlowSkin Active Illumination Technology manufacturer Safe Lites, LLC (Eden Prairie, MN), was also on hand at the IACP. Safe Lites was at the conference to support its customer, Blauer Manufacturing.

BeaconWear was introduced at the 111th Annual IACP Conference and named one of the "Best in Show" by POLICE Magazine. Now the same GlowSkin Active Illumination that makes BeaconWear stand out is also being designed into Blauer's lines of apparel for public safety professionals.

"Blauer is the leader in uniforms and apparel for the law enforcement industry. We couldn't be more pleased to be a Blauer partner," said John Golle, Safe Lites' founder and CEO. "Our experience with BeaconWear and GlowSkin combined with Blauer garments raises the bar for safety in this industry."

"Blauer is very excited about what GlowSkin can bring to the industry. Based on field testing, we feel very confident that Safe Lites' unique active illumination technology will help to shape the future of public safety visibility standards," added Stephen Blauer, senior vice president of sales and marketing, who is an active member of public safety standards bodies and an authority on public safety apparel.

Safe Lites' BeaconWear Safety Apparel is available through dealers and Internet retailers throughout North America and overseas. Safe Lites works with companies worldwide to give leaders in their industries the ability to enhance their offering with unequalled visibility. The company's issued and pending patents provide significant differentiation and protection for Safe Lites' partners.

Fechheimer & Milliken

Visitors to the Fechheimer Booth at the IACP were treated to a demo of the StainSmart 3 fabric technology used in a new line of performance public safety uniforms introduced by Milliken and Fechheimer. Designed with comfort in mind, the uniforms feature IntelliDry™, a line of natural stretch poly/cotton blends and StainSmart® 3, a new triple-action nano-technology that combines the benefits of stain repel, stain release and moisture wicking. The uniforms also feature Milliken’s ColorSmart™ deep dye process, which significantly extends the colorfastness and longevity of the uniform.

Shirts and trousers featuring IntelliDry will be available nationwide from Fechheimer dealers and distributors, under Fechheimer’s well-known Flying Cross brand. Garments with IntelliDry deliver superior performance and comfort without compromising the look, feel or durability of the fabric, keeping the wearer looking and feeling good all day.

Uniforms with IntelliDry are made with natural stretch, for ease of movement and all day comfort for the active officer. They are deep-dyed, for superior color retention.

IntelliDry also features the latest evolution in stain protection – Milliken’s StainSmart 3, a patent-pending triple-action nano-technology process. The outside of the uniform repels liquid-based spills, preventing most stains. The inside of the uniform wicks perspiration away from the body, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable. And the entire fabric releases tough, ground-in stains during normal laundering.

“Uniforms with IntelliDry are a top-of-the-line offering from Fechheimer. These uniforms combine the quality, features and fit that we are known for, along with the most innovative performance fabric technologies available,” said Fred Heldman, vice president of Fechheimer. “The IntelliDry product line is not only durable, but comfortable, and StainSmart 3 provides superior stain protection and comfort for the life of the garment.”

The soft touch, 6.5 ounce poly/cotton blended uniforms are available in several styles and seven colors for both men and women. All trousers feature the Freedom Fit waistband and shirts are tailored to exacting specifications, including Lintrak military creases. Uniforms with IntelliDry are wrinkle-resistant, machine-washable and colorfast, making them easy to care for and looking great wash after wash.

“Fechheimer is known for providing innovative uniforms to its customers and they’ve done it again with IntelliDry. For those in public safety who expect the best, the combination of comfort stretch, improved fade resistance, and the latest in moisture management and stain protection should be a winner,” said Lyn Murajda, division brand manager for Milliken & Company, manufacturer of StainSmart3 fabric. “We are pleased to be a partner with Fechheimer and to help further enhance their Flying Cross by Fechheimer uniform product offering.”

Safety Flag Company of America

Not featured at the IACP but still of interest, the Safety Flag Company of America is currently offering highly visible fluorescent and reflective Surveyor’s Vests in five sizes.

Multi-pocketed, the Safety Flag Surveyor’s Vests are used not only by land surveyors but by sportsmen, highway and utility workers, EMS and security personnel, and others who want side pockets with Velcro-tabbed flaps and breast pockets sectioned for pens, pads, radios, lights, flares, ordnance or other gear.

The Safety Flag vests are made entirely of highly visible fluorescent green or fluorescent orange fabric, with maximally bright microprism light-reflecting stripes around the waist, across the chest and over the shoulders all the way down to the back hem.

“These vests are known for visibility, usefulness and durability,” said Norman Bernson, president of Safety Flag Company. “They zip up in the front with a non-corrosive zipper, are entirely waterproof and mildew-resistant, and are tailored in five sizes.”

Safety Flag, a 53-year-old Rhode Island firm, sells its vests through distributors or from its website, www.safetyflag.com. Other Safety Flag products, like flags, hardhats, other specialized vests and armbands, are also available directly or from the site. Safety Flag is a certified US Government vendor, with East Coast, Midwest and West Coast distribution points.

Hot Products! What Dealers are Saying:

Starting with this issue, UniformMarket will regularly carry a companion piece to its product stories with a decidedly dealer slant. Titled “Hot Products: What Dealers are Saying,” the piece will survey dealers across the country to determine what’s selling and why.

In honor of the IACP, we’ve selected three dealers whose business focuses on law enforcement and security customers. There’s no science connected with this survey - we simply called dealers at random and asked about their customers, products, and must have items. Here’s what they said:

Miller Uniforms, in Austin, TX, has enjoyed a brisk business with impulse buys. “Everybody wears boots, both on and off duty, and we do a huge business with the 5.11 Tactical line,” says store owner Bob Miller. “Their gear bags and TDU’s are also very popular. And the Undergear is giving the UnderArmor brand a run for its money.”

When it comes to uniforms, nobody does it better than Blauer, according to Miller. “It’s the Cadillac of uniforms, our number one seller.”

At Graves Uniforms, located in Lewes, DE, there’s one item on everyone’s list -- high visibility products. “It’s our number one seller, for obvious reasons,” says Ellen Graves. Brand is important, but safety is the number one driving force behind this purchase.

And in Connecticut, flashlights and mace are all the rage at Security Uniforms, according to Ilyse Gottlieb, store owner. “These are must-have items, not impulse purchases, and we do very well with them,” says Gottlieb. Security Uniforms is a full service dealer offering uniforms and accessories to the police and security fields.

What’s selling in your store? Drop an email to info@uniformmarket.com and have your voice included in next month’s discussion!