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Comfort. These days, it seems the word is on the lips
of every enduser in every market segment. Even in the workwear
industry, where fashion can sometimes take a back seat
to practicality, employees are demanding stylish, updated
clothing in fabric finishes that provide comfort and ease
of movement while maintaining functionality. 
But they are also demanding something more -- safety.
With more workers exposed to hazardous conditions on the
nation’s highways and infrastructure, the desire
for a safer work environment grows.
The high and enhanced visibility line recently introduced
by Dickies seeks to fulfill both of these needs. Officially
launched in November at the 2006 National Safety Congress & Expo
in San Diego, the product line offers the largest full
line of high and enhanced visibility apparel of any national
brand. It is also the workwear veteran’s first foray
into the American high vis market -- a market that is expected
to explode over the next several years.
Background:
There are a number of factors driving this growth. Clearly,
a safer work environment translates into less accidents,
which dramatically reduces a company’s exposure to
lawsuits.
Standards designed to protect workers can also be credited.
The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA),
published the first American National Standard for high-visibility
safety apparel. ANSI/ISEA 107-1999 quickly became widely
accepted as the best way to protect workers against hazards
of low visibility, and to enhance the visibility of workers
who are exposed to struck-by hazards. “Europe adopted
standards years ago, but in this country, they’ve
been voluntary,” notes Sandra Dady, assistant general
manager of workwear at Dickies.
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By Joseph Greco, M.S.O.D.
A few weeks ago, a unit of the supermarket chain Wegmans opened
its first store in the Philadelphia suburbs. This chain
is from Rochester, NY. Shoppers from a large area are flocking
to the store and spending lots of money. What intrigued
me about their business model were the reports of the great
attitude that their employees exhibited.
Where does great attitude come from? Can you be lucky
and continue over the years to depend on nature versus
nurture and continue to hire people with great attitudes?
Or can an organization’s culture be responsible for
developing and fostering outstanding attitude?
In case you’re not familiar with this company, here’s
some background from their website.
Ranked #2 on FORTUNE magazine's 2006 list of the 100 Best Companies
to Work For, Wegmans has been on the list every year since
it began in 1998. A major regional supermarket chain, and one
of the largest private companies in the U.S.
Their success provides a lesson for other industries,
even ours.
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November 13, 2006 (Officer.com, as written by Detective
Joseph Petrocelli) - Everyone knows the good guys wear
white. Imagine the Lone Ranger riding up on a black horse…wearing
a black hat? Forget it. But are these images just creations
of Hollywood movie makers, or is the human brain hardwired
to associate certain behaviors with certain colors?
Studies conducted across many cultures in North America,
Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East conclude that
the color white is associated with good and the color black
is associated with evil. Lighter colors are viewed as more
pleasant, whereas darker colors conjure thoughts of anger,
hostility and aggression. Most hospital rooms are painted
in lighter colors because of the pleasurable feelings they
generate.
Studies have shown that referees assess more penalties
for the same violations to hockey or football players wearing
darker colored uniforms than to players in lighter uniforms.
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Story
November 13, 2006 - Studies show that consumers view employees
who wear uniforms as being more professional, organized
and reliable than their non-uniformed counterparts - and
that they regard companies with uniform programs as having
workers who are properly trained to do the job right. These
positive impressions mean uniforms ultimately have the
ability to make a tangible impact on a company's bottom
line.
The attributes consumers associate with uniforms were
underscored in a study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates
for the Uniform and Textile Service Association, titled "The
Customer Perceptions of Uniforms in the Workplace." The
study definitively showed consumers overwhelmingly prefer
to do business with companies whose employees wear uniforms.
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By Jackie Rosselli
It's been a good year. Your sales results exceeded
expectations. That new product launch was the talk of
the convention circuit. Your marketing department scored
big, developing a program that garnered positive publicity
while bolstering profits. You’ve clearly earned
the right to brag.
So what are you waiting for? Why not end the year by
telling the world about your accomplishments?
Entries are now being accepted for the third annual UNIVATOR
Awards, a UniformMarket competition that showcases the
best industry ideas and achievements of 2006. If you've
launched a new and successful line, implemented marketing
or sales strategies that have added to your company's bottom
line, creatively used technology to enhance your business
or produced a public relations campaign with positive results,
we want to hear from you!
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Story
ONLINE
ENTRY FORM.... available here |
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