Uniform News - March 2007

Market Focus: Work wear

Working Gear Goes Beyond Leather and Denim

United Kingdom, February, 2007 (Manufacturer.com) - The oobe inc. (that’s the correct spelling) catalog of work clothes doesn’t show anyone working. Rather, they are flirting in a Castella-model workshirt, lounging lakeside in the Palmetto shirt, or walking the beach and looking fresh in a women’s Sundance tonal jacquard pattern sleeveless T-shirt.

If colors like “mist” and “eggshell” seem trivial in work gear, then perhaps the moisture-wicking properties, which keep the wearer cool in a hot environment, or the drawstring waist or Velcro-narrowed cuffs, which keep the garments from catching in moving parts, seem less trivial. Besides, a little style in work gear means better compliance from employees.

Compliance is vital, depending on the environment. OSHA directs that “… each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” Thus, apparel becomes a regulatory matter and more of a priority than it first appears.

However, employers can no longer require their employees to buy hundreds of dollars of protective gear. Companies with enough employees to justify the cost may rely on a managed apparel program. Barbara Fitzgeorge, marketing director for apparel manufacturer and distributor Tyndale Company suggests three elements to consider:

• The program should be simple and easy to administer from a management perspective

• Apparel choices are designed to promote worker acceptance

• Program flexibility meets corporate requirements

Fitzgeorge’s guidelines take into account the reality of the corporate work environment. She says, “Critical factors for success are top management buy-in to the program and worker acceptance of the clothing.

“Often there is a designated group or clothing committee comprising management, workers and purchasing, and the first thing they look at is whether to have a laundry program,” well-suited to very dirty applications, “or direct purchasing.”

Craig Howell is director of clothing sales at Chicago-based Magid Glove & Safety Manufacturing, a longtime maker of protective apparel and devices. Howell explains that the company’s industrial customers require products from general apparel to safety gloves and fire-resistant clothing. The company sells more than 30,000 items, including reusable orange earplugs, futuristic visitor spectacles and macho-sounding K-ROC Nitrile Palm-Coated Gloves with specially blended Kevlar, steel and Lycra, plus independently tested, standards-compliant clothing designed for comfort, strength and protection.

“This industry is growing; companies are increasingly aware of how vital it is to protect employees,” says Howell, and different jobs call for different protection. “Our HR [hazard-risk] lines feature 100 percent cotton clothing treated in high visual green or navy, Category 2 compliant, with inherently flame-resistant Nomex thread from DuPont versus cotton-wrapped nylon thread that burns or melts. It resists ignition, and it’s self-extinguishing when flame is removed.”

According to David Hobson, president and CEO at Uniform and Textile Service Association (UTSA), an international trade association for textile rental, supply and service companies, the standards for electrical arc and flash protection took a leap in 2004. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E guidelines 2004 Edition “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace” established thresholds for worker protective apparel based on exposure to arc hazard risk.

UTSA, whose members represent about 85 percent of uniform and textile rental companies in the US, asked J.D. Power & Associates to do special market studies. “Uniforms were deemed more professional,” says Hobson, who adds that employees in uniforms are more appealing than people in old work clothes.

UTSA member companies typically deliver ten uniforms per employee (five sets a week) and later pick up, launder and repair them. Some companies provided storage and lockers. Uniforms no longer in use are recycled. Clothing often includes employee names and company emblems. Cleanroom employees don clothing processed to be lint- and dust-free, revealing only their faces. There are constant additions and drops in a dynamic process.

“We usually package a fit kit,” explains Magid’s Howell. “It moves around the departments and employees try on clothes. We’re able to customize—one customer requested a specially designed glove for use by a worker who lost his fingertips in an accident.”

Although the general perception of “uniform” is clothing, shoes are important. The EH (electric hazard) rating for boots is determined when the shoes are filled with steel BBs and placed on steel plates. A positive electric wire is placed in the BBs; a negative is connected to the plate. The test measures how much current can travel through the sole.

HyTest Safety Footwear, a division of Wolverine Worldwide, provides safety footwear nationally through its distributor network, in retail outlets and from “shoemobiles.” Distributor-owned shoe trucks go to plants that mandate or encourage safety programs and sell whatever Wolverine boots suit that plant (e.g., with hard or soft toe, EH-rated, with slip-resistant soles). Purchases are employer-subsidized or via payroll deduction. Wolverine also sells other work apparel.

Beyond the Bib-All

With technology, work apparel has moved beyond leather boots and cotton/poly blends, and it now incorporates surprisingly up-to-date innovations in nanotechnology and material science.

Among the latest applications touted by Cincinnati-based Fechheimer, a uniform manufacturer since 1842, is a new finish for its 65/35 Poly/Cotton Twill Command Wear shirts and trousers called IntelliDry with Triple Action StainSmart 3, developed by textile supplier Milliken & Company. Fechheimer attests that liquids are repelled (on the outside), perspiration is absorbed (on the inside), and stains are released in the wash. And the ColorSmart deep-dye technology holds color over repeated washings.

NanoHorizons, an emerging leader in applied nanoscale materials and solutions, provides SmartSilver anti-odor and antimicrobial technology, a nanoscale-engineered additive to create permanent anti-odor and antimicrobial protection in fibers and fabrics. It delivers the antimicrobial power of pure silver without forcing designers to compromise in areas such as dye performance, stretch, durability or manufacturability. SmartSilver forms permanent bonds with fiber structures ranging from natural cotton to rayon, polyester, nylon, polypropylene and polyurethane.

European-based Thermopatch is a leader in developing heat seal machines and materials. A thermoplastic coating is produced by unique technology, resulting in a very thin, smooth layer that goes onto many different fabrics to provide an even thermoplastic glue layer. Permanent adhesion remains through heavy washing.

Another player in heat transfer, Insta Graphic Systems, has brought Stretch Reflective to market. The heat transfer illuminates as it stretches, with great shine and elasticity to permit designs to show all details. Soft and pliable, it applies on cotton and blends, Lycra, polyester and cotton Lycra.

The work apparel industry includes huge companies such as Aramark Uniform Services (AUS, Burbank, CA), which provides uniform rental and leasing services to more than 400,000 US customer accounts. Aramark maintains the position that uniforms and apparel must play an integral part in food plant Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems. According to Manuel Nieto, vice president of field operations support, “Aramark understands the importance of food safety and sanitation and has taken the steps necessary to ensure the delivery of hygienically clean uniforms in accordance with a food plant’s internal HACCP plan.” AUS, along with Food Safety Institute International, produced the white paper “A Uniform Approach to HACCP.”

Industry pioneer Cintas describes itself as the largest uniform supplier in North America, with more than 500,000 clients, 14 manufacturing plants, and seven distribution centers. It introduced polyester-cotton blend fabrics that doubled the life of uniforms and made cleaning more efficient.

oobe, inc. aims to be a “full-service” apparel design and sourcing company. oobe plans and executes functional, role-based, large-scale apparel programs to offer what it calls “the perfect blend of fashion and function.” One of its more popular products with corporate customers is the Flog (golf spelled backward), a 100 percent polyester golf shirt. The Flog offers waffle-knit, moisture-wicking, hydrovent, anti-bacterial fabric protection, stain resistance, wrinkle resistance, and a no-curl collar.

According to oobe’s Stuart Lenning, director of business development, “Our heritage is outdoors—that’s where a lot of fabric innovation comes from. We do a lot of private label. We started in a retail setting with T-shirts and caps. Three years ago we went into corporate products with wholesale distributors and blank wearables. We offer purchase programs with fashion, technical and graphic design.” And because the gear looks like the clothing that employees wear on their off hours, it isn’t hard to convince them to wear it.

Company News Releases:

New Ownership for the Tafford Brands of Uniforms and Scrubs

North Wales , PA, January 16, 2007 – Tafford Uniforms, a leading supplier of nursing uniforms, shoes, and medical accessories, announced that it has purchased the assets of Tafford Manufacturing in a sale under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Formed specifically for the acquisition of the Tafford assets, Tafford Uniforms acquired the assets from Tafford Manufacturing’s former lender, free and clear of any liens or claims against Tafford Manufacturing. Accordingly, the new company has no liability for Tafford Manufacturing's debts. The purchase was effective as of November 30, 2006.

The new Tafford Uniforms owns the Tafford, Scrubs Xpress, Cotton Scrubs & Co., and Best of Scrubs brands. Over the past twenty years, millions of customers have turned to the Tafford brands for the best in styling, quality, customer service, and value. While the financial problems of the old Tafford Manufacturing led to product shortages, customer service issues and quality problems, the new company is investing heavily to restore the luster to the Tafford brand.

“We are pleased to have acquired the Tafford assets,” said Gene S. Godick, chief executive of Tafford Uniforms. “Despite the financial difficulties of the old Tafford Manufacturing, we believe that there is significant value in the Tafford brand. The problems experienced by the old company will not be fixed overnight, but we look forward to demonstrating our commitment to quality, service, and value to the nearly six million nurses, nursing aides, medical assistants and other healthcare workers in the U.S. ”

The new Tafford Uniforms is led by owners Gene S. Godick and Marc Kohn . Godick, who serves as CEO of Tafford Uniforms joins the company from Verticalnet, where he was EVP and chief financial officer. Godick took Verticalnet public, led the 2003 balance sheet restructuring, and raised $300 million in capital. As COO, Kohn will draw upon his 13 years’ experience in the nursing uniforms’ industry. Since opening his first store in 1994, Kohn grew his business to become a chain of four stores servicing Philadelphia and New Jersey . Kohn’s Scrub Shop stores will now also be owned by Tafford Uniforms.

“Among my customers, the Tafford brand has always stood for quality and value,” said Kohn. “We realize that the old Tafford Manufacturing did not always deliver the best selection or customer experience. Today, the new Tafford Uniforms offers the same great quality and design that our customers have come to know and love, and we are investing heavily to ensure that our customers have the selection and level of service to match.”

Learn more by visiting www.tafford.com .

Timberland and Block Corporation Enter Licensing Agreement

Stratham, NH, February 6, 2007 – The Timberland Company, a worldwide leader in premium footwear, apparel and gear for the outdoor industry, today announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Block Corporation, a top developer and marketer of work wear. Through this collaboration, Timberland PRO, a division of The Timberland Company, will expand its presence in the work wear apparel sector in both the United States and Canada .

Introduced in 1999, Timberland PRO is an integrated line of footwear, apparel and gear for working professionals who demand superior comfort, performance and protection on the job. Under the agreement, Block will drive development and distribution of a Timberland PRO® line of men’s work wear apparel.

“Timberland selected Block based on its expertise in the industry, its focus on function and its innovative practices, such as the use of organic materials, ergonomic designs, renewable materials and extended comfort features,” said Stewart Whitney, general manager and vice president of Timberland PRO. “Timberland and Block share a strong commitment to providing working professionals with high-quality, functional products,” added Whitney.

The Timberland PRO® apparel line will include long-sleeved woven and knit shirts, performance outerwear and pants. True to Timberland’s heritage, these items will deliver performance benefits such as extended comfort, moisture and heat management, high-visibility elements and innovative fabric technologies.

“This is a great opportunity to build the PRO® line in a way that will better serve the work consumer,” said Whitney. “We’re confident that we can come to market in a powerful, successful way.”

“Timberland PRO is already an established, innovative work boot brand,” said William Pope, senior vice president at Block Corporation. “This partnership with Block, a company with a heritage of quality and forward-thinking research, will make Timberland PRO’s transition into work wear a natural one.”

For more information about Timberland PRO, please visit www.timberlandpro.com .

Fire-Dex Teams Up with J.J. Yeley and Joe Gibbs Racing Team as Sponsor for 2007

Medina , OH , February 9, 2007 – Officials at Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) announced today a partnership with Fire-Dex®, LLC of Medina, Ohio, who will join the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet driven by J.J. Yeley as an associate sponsor for the entire 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series schedule.

Fire-Dex, a leading manufacturer of protective firefighting clothing and emergency response apparel, will be featured on the “B-post” of Yeley’s car, which is the area between the side windows. The company is entering its second year of involvement with a Nextel Cup team.

“I’ve always had tremendous respect for firefighters, EMTs and everyone in the emergency response profession, so to bring a partner on board like Fire-Dex who works hard each and every day to protect those professionals is quite an honor,” said Yeley. “There are so many firefighters and EMTs that are big NASCAR fans, and I’m hoping to have some new fans rooting for me this season.”

In addition to the B-post decal, the Fire-Dex® shield will appear on Yeley’s driver uniform, the No. 18 team transporter and the No. 18 team pit box. Fire-Dex will also use Yeley’s No. 18 Chevrolet at its booth during two major fire industry trade shows, including the FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference) in mid-April and the IAFC (International Association of Fire Chiefs) conference in late August.

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner up with a premier racing organization like Joe Gibbs Racing and align ourselves with such a long-standing team as the No. 18,” said Steve Bonamer, national sales and marketing manager for Fire-Dex. “Much of the same technology that goes into protecting firefighters and emergency response professionals goes into protecting NASCAR drivers, so to have Fire-Dex as an associate sponsor of the No. 18 car, you can bet that many in the industry will be pulling for J.J. this season.”

For more information on Fire-Dex, log onto www.firedex.com . For more information onJoe Gibbs Racing and J.J. Yeley, log on to www.joegibbsracing.com or www.jjyeley.com

SanMar Introduces the Premium Collection Catalog

Seattle, WA, February 5, 2007 – SanMar Corp, a leading supplier of imprintable apparel and accessories, is debuting its 2007 Premium Collection catalog. The 94-page catalog features over 109 products from the exclusive brands – Tiger Woods, Red House™, PING® and Nike Golf – sought after for their luxury and technical innovation.

“The Premium Collection is a top-notch resource for imprintable apparel distributors seeking upscale merchandise and brand name recognition,” said Lee Strom, senior marketing manager for SanMar. “This is the collection our industry has been waiting for – it responds to a new level of luxury that end-users are requesting.”

SanMar’s 2007 Premium Collection catalog builds on last year’s 2006 Golf Lifestyle catalog, showcasing three renowned golf lifestyle brands, including a premiere selection from the Tiger Woods collection. Newly introduced to the imprintable apparel industry, Red House™ is a comprehensive collection of luxury apparel inspired by the wine country lifestyle. The sport shirts, outerwear, headwear and accessories in the 2007 Premium Collection catalog are excellent ways to commemorate achievements, whether it’s on the golf course or in the corporate arena.

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.

Uniforms In the News:

Uniforms May Help Reduce Global Warming

Tacloban City, February 18 (Philippines Information Agency) - Government employees will soon be helping decrease global warming just by wearing the prescribed uniforms made of tropical fabrics as mandated by Republic Act 9242.

The production of garments made from tropical fabrics like banana, abaca and pineapple can help decrease global warming, the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Textile Research Institute informed.

Indeed, because after the harvest season, farmers tend to leave tree trunks and just let them there to decompose. These acts, without the farmers knowing, contribute to global warming. Decomposition emits methane and carbon dioxide both of which contribute to global warming.

These trunks could be turned into textile materials, thus contributing to wise waste management, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) said.

Government employees are expected to take the lead as they will be wearing uniforms made of tropical fabrics as mandated by Republic Act 9242, an act prescribing the use of the Philippine tropical fabrics for uniforms of public officials and employees and for other purposes.

Once fully implemented, an estimated 1.4 million government employees will be using local tropical fabrics for their uniforms which is expected to generate more jobs for the agricultural and industrial sectors, including the garments industry, handloom weavers and fiber converters.

The garments should at least contain 5 percent pineapple, banana or abaca fibers and 15 percent silk by weight. Once fabric testing passes PTRI’s standards, government employees would then be wearing the prescribed uniforms.

PTRI is responsible for the tests on fabric composition and on whether the fabric meets the minimum standards.

Employee Uniforms Create Store's, Company's Image

Kansas City , February 18, 2007 (Kansas City Star) - One of the employees going with the vest-free look at the new Blue Ridge Wal-Mart is merchandise supervisor Robert Murray.

Customers might want to think twice about wearing khaki pants and a dark blue shirt to the new Blue Ridge Wal-Mart.

They just might be mistaken for a Wal-Mart employee.

While Wal-Mart’s blue vests with the “How may I help you?” logo are nearly as well known as its low prices, the company is upping the image at its new stores. Instead of vests, employees wear “uniforms” of dark blue tops and khaki pants.

“We like it. It’s more professional, and now we don’t have to decide what to wear to work in the morning,” said Robert Murray, merchandise supervisor at the new Wal-Mart.

Consultants say a retail “uniform” can set the tone for the business — basic black for upscale merchandise, or jeans and T-shirt for lower-price goods.

“The employees are walking mannequins; the company creates the image of the store through their sales staff,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for The NPD Group, a Port Washington, N.Y.-based market research firm. “It’s critical for the retailers to begin to really separate themselves from one another, to look and feel and smell more specialty.”

The owners of PJ’s Grind in Lee’s Summit — sisters Paula Ellsworth and Joann Schmeling — could just roll out of bed and be ready for work. The coffee shop’s name and logo reflect the initials of their first names, but also give them the excuse to wear pajamas to work. Customers are even showing up in their pajamas.

“People say they want to work for us so they can wear their PJs; one offered to work for free,” Ellsworth said. “It creates a lot of conversation around here and created a fun atmosphere. There are lots of coffee shops out there, and this is one of the things that make us a little different.”

Cohen said workers are a direct extension of the retailer’s brand. Wal-Mart’s blue vest may have told customers who the employees were, but it didn’t exude fashion.

“It didn’t convey what Wal-Mart’s trying to convey, and that is ‘We’re cooler, we’re hipper, we’re more like everybody else, we’re not trying to be the low-end provider, we’re trying to be the mid-provider.” Cohen said. “But they can put people in tuxedos for all the customers care. It’s still going to be Wal-Mart — low-end provider.”

Several customers at the Blue Ridge Wal-Mart earlier this month hadn’t noticed the new uniforms. But Leonard Day of Independence approved.

“The vests were cheesy,” Day said.

Some stores are looking at always-classic black. Macy’s, for example, has adopted an all-black clothing policy for its sales employees in its East division.

Scandia Down, a high-end bedding and home accessories shop on the Country Club Plaza , is easing into a dress code of all black or all brown to set a more professional tone. Employees can make the look their own with colorful accessories.

“We want to emulate our customer because that’s who we are selling to,” said Jennifer Hanson, sales manager at Scandia Down.

However, C. Britt Beemer, chief executive officer and founder of America ’s Research Group in Charleston , S.C. , said asking employees to wear certain colors may be too costly, especially for part-time workers who might have to splurge for new clothes.

It also may hurt morale.

“Whether it’s their own clothes or not, it’s still a uniform, and no one wants to wear a uniform eight hours a day, whether you are in the military or Macy’s,” Beemer said. “And if you wear black all day, every day, you’ll look like you work in a mortuary.”

Store Closing:

Guys & Gals Uniforms Owner Decides to Sell Business

Cathedral City, CA, February 2, 2007 (Desert Sun) - The business started in 1979 in a garage near his home in Bloomington. Now Guys & Gals Uniforms, 68-100 Ramon Road, is for sale for $225,000.

The Cathedral City business, owned by Chuck McGee, sells just about all kinds of uniforms - from police to postal to medic.

Besides his walk-in customers, McGee drives out to different places just to sell his gear - including prisons.

Some days, he wakes up at 3 a.m. and is on the road by 3:30 a.m. to make it in time for shift change at either Ironwood or Chuckawalla Valley state prisons near Blythe or Calipatria, he said.

There, he sets up exhibits of the uniforms in the administration building, outside of the jail to catch any potential buyers.

Some customers are worried about losing Guys & Gals Uniforms.

It would "take the uniform business as a whole out of the area - I would have to search for another supplier," said Bob Russell, director of security at Palm Desert Greens and a nine-year customer.

Mike Porter, assistant chief engineer at the Doral, buys uniforms there in bulk.

"(The store) is the only one that we know of that sells the uniforms that we use," Porter said.

New Hires:

SanMar Adds Three New Eastern Sales Reps

Seattle, WA, March 1, 2007 – SanMar Corporation, a leading supplier of wholesale apparel and accessories, announces three new outside sales representatives have joined the company to take on eastern territories.

Jeff Sanchez joins SanMar as the outside sales rep for Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. He was on the distributor side of the business for 10 years and also did some cross training in the screen printing field. Jeff previously held account executive positions with Summit Marketing and Western Associates. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Jeff holds a B.S. degree in business management.

Kim Cumberland joins SanMar as the outside sales rep for North and South Carolina. Kim was previously an outside sales rep for Charles River Apparel and held various positions with Belk department stores in southeastern South Carolina. She holds a business administration degree from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Monty Mims is SanMar’s new outside sales rep for northern Florida and southern Georgia. Monty has been in the promotional products business for five years. Monty holds a B.S. degree in organizational communications from the University of Central Florida, Orlando.

To facilitate these new sales representatives, SanMar has realigned several other territories.

For more information, or to contact one of the sales reps, please call SanMar customer service at 800-426-6399.

Endusers in the News:

New Uniforms Slated for San Diego FD

San Diego , February 20, 2007 (Union-Tribune) - San Diego firefighters will soon be wearing new firefighting outfits, fire officials announced today.

The department will upgrade its yellow-colored uniforms and will be seen fighting fires in tan get-ups, known as turnouts. The new protection gear is manufactured by Lion Apparel of Dayton, Ohio.

The first 50 sets are expected to arrive to the department within 30 days. One set used for testing will be put to use immediately in Pacific Beach . A second set, also used for testing, needs alteration but will be used by a firefighter in about two weeks, said Maurice Luque, a fire department spokesman.

Fire officials plan to order 220 more sets for firefighters in July. They expect to have the entire department outfitted in the new gear - which is more fire resistant - over five years. It will take that long because of budget constraints, Luque said.

Fire-Rescue gets New Uniforms

Mobile, February 10, 2007 (Mobile-Register) - The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department is getting a fashion upgrade for the first time in 32 years, according to a department spokesman.

While there's nothing unusual about getting new uniforms -- firefighters typically get them once a year -- the color scheme will be changed from the all-navy colored pants and shirt to a khaki-colored shirt and navy pants, Fire-Rescue spokesman Steve Huffman said Friday.

Fire-Rescue employees "were actually given the opportunity to vote on" the new uniforms, Huffman said. They were given several different color schemes, including two shades of gray, the khaki-navy combination and the traditional all-navy uniform, Huffman said.

The department is also changing brands to the 5.11 Tactical Series brand worn by firefighters and police officers nationwide, Huffman said. The uniforms are 100 percent cotton and meet National Fire Protection Association standards, Huffman said.

Once the color and brand were chosen, the department ordered a few uniforms and performed their own "in-house experiments," Huffman said, to evaluate "the wear and tear" of the new uniforms.

Command officers will still wear the traditional white shirt and navy pants, Huffman said.

The new uniforms arrived Friday and will be distributed throughout the department Monday through Wednesday, Huffman said.

Mobile Fire-Rescue had an all-khaki uniform without any insignias for many years until May 1975, when the department switched to the all-navy uniform with the current insignia, Huffman said. The insignia was designed by retired firefighter and driver Joe Hannah, Huffman said.

The new khaki and navy uniforms cost the same as the old all-navy ones at about $75,000 a year, Huffman said.

Cost-savvy Jail Head is Finding Ways to Stretch County ’s Buck

Corvallis , OR , Feb 26, 2007 (Gazette Times) - With an eye on cutting costs and increasing efficiencies, the new boss at the Benton County jail is quickly leaving his mark on the multimillion-dollar facility.

Scott Jackson, who has been acting in the capacity of jail commander since July 1, was promoted Feb. 1, to lieutenant and is now officially the corrections facility manager.

Jackson ’s main priority these days is dealing with budget cuts mandated after voters rejected a county levy, while maintaining the best possible service to the community. He appreciates the public’s desire for a well-spent dollar.

The jail’s budget is $2.5 million a year. In addition, Jackson spends $1 million a year for 20 beds each in Lincoln and Yamhill counties, and for transporting inmates back and forth for court appearances and attorney visits.

One of Jackson ’s latest moves was to buy meals from a new source. Because the jail’s kitchen isn’t big enough to cook for a large number of people — the jail has 40 beds and often operates at capacity — Aramark in Albany has been sending over inmate meals three times a day. Each meal cost $3.88.

Jackson found a company in Washington state that distributes frozen meals made by Washington state inmates. They cost from $1.60 to $2 per meal. Instead of just getting dried cereal for breakfast, the menu now includes such things as blueberry pancakes.

“I have an outstanding crew,” Jackson said, “who come up with really creative and unique ways to cut costs.”

Some changes are small, but they add up. Jail staff members now wear fleece jackets instead of the more expensive material that patrol deputies wear.

“When you’re on patrol you need the Gore-Tex,” Jackson said. But in the jail they don’t.”

Jackson has even gone back to the classic black-and-white striped jail uniforms for prisoners because the pastel ones they were using kept getting lost in other jails when inmates were temporarily transferred. Most jails use the pastel-scrubs design that Benton County previously used; as a result, the Benton County jail uniforms didn’t stand out and could get left behind. The result: The jail was losing several uniforms every week. The black-and-white uniforms stand out.