2007
UNIVATOR Award Winner
- January 2007
Two-time Univator recipient Fechheimer is being honored this year for its use of the “Freedom Collar” on the dress shirts of public safety agencies across the country.
While its benefits may be indiscernible to the public eye, the product has a number of big plusses for the enduser. The Freedom Collar is designed to add stretch around the neck line, providing comfort for those wearing ties. That is because the collar band and inner linings are cut on the bias, insuring permanent stretch. The amount of stretch provided is 1/2-1 inch. Buttoning, too, is easier with the Freedom Collar. The device also eliminates the need for costly collar extender accessories, and attractive proposition for budget-conscious agencies. “There’s no need for a new shirt if the wearer’s neck size increases,” says Fred Heldman, president, Fechheimer. “This keeps a department’s costs down and allows it to maintain a sharp, consistent, appearance.”
There are also benefits at the distributor level, making the product a win-win for all. “A dealer can now carry fewer SKUs,” explains Heldman. “A size 17 shirt can stretch to a 17 ½ with the Freedom Collar.” Fechheimer has added this feature to a number of styles in its Flying Cross stock shirt line and incorporated it on custom shirts for many public safety agencies, including Hartford , CT , Police, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio Highway Patrol and the Washington State Patrol. The technology is currently used on long sleeved, class A shirts. “You wouldn’t typically wear a tie with a short sleeved shirt,” notes Heldman.
A patented technology, Fechheimer partnered with the product’s inventor and has an exclusive licensing agreement.
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