Product News - July 2007

From FR wear to eco-friendly products, this month’s featured manufacturers have products to fulfill all your uniform requirements. Read on for news from Fire-Dex, 5.11 Tactical, Anvil Knitwear, Penn Emblem and Red Kap:

Ohio-based Fire-Dex recently introduced FX Turnout Gear, a product two years in the making. FX Gear features the latest in comfort technology, including patent-pending, Seamless Collar, Ergonomic Leg, Comfort Inseam and Removable Drag Rescue Device (DRD). Proven in the field in numerous wear trials, FX Gear has been designed to be complaint to NFPA 1971, 2007 edition.

The Seamless Collar allows the user to have the option of wearing the collar upright or folded down and requires fewer seams which reduces the opportunity for moisture penetration. The collar is also NFPA compliant without a throat strap providing excellent comfort at the interface between the SCBA face mask and collar.

The Ergonomic Leg has an angled design to fit the wearer in a forward fire fighting position and also allows freedom of movement beyond the knee.

In addition to the Ergonomic Leg and Seamless Collar, FX Gear also features a Removable Drag Rescue Device with an easy grasp handle. The Removable Drag Rescue Device can easily be removed during clean and repair operations which dramatically reduces wear on the outer shell.

Fire-Dex, LLC. is a manufacturer of protective firefighting clothing and emergency response apparel. Fire-Dex also manufactures two models of NFPA compliant ParaDex™ EMS gear and is the only turnout manufacturer to also manufacture premium quality NFPA hoods and gloves.

Visit www.fire-dex.com for more information on the company.

5.11 Tactical recently introduced new fire-retardant clothing for law enforcement, firefighters and military personnel. Created for bomb squads and special ops units, and now in use by all types of public safety personnel, 5.11’s FR-x3 fabric doesn’t shrink, curl, melt or drip when exposed to flame.

Although it feels similar to cotton t-shirts and khakis, this state-of-the-art material doesn’t shrink, curl, melt or drip when exposed to flame – and instantly self-extinguishes. “This unique fabric is not only for firefighters, but also benefits military and law enforcement personnel,” says Francisco Morales, president of 5.11 Tactical. “While it isn’t designed to provide exterior protection like turnout gear offers, it is worn as a base layer that delivers enhanced skin protection underneath a uniform during fire rescues and other volatile situations. Because the fabric doesn’t catch fire or melt onto skin, it’s safer than wearing regular cotton or many of the other traditional fire-retardant fabrics.”

Exclusive to 5.11 Tactical®, the fabric contains a proprietary blend of 51% S.P.™ cotton and 49% FR-x3 modacrylic fiber. It offers cotton’s natural breathability, comfort and ease of care, yet its fire-retardant properties are permanent. They’re integral to the fabric and won’t wash or wear out. FR-x3 meets and exceeds minimum standards in NFPA 1975 requirements for no-drip, char length and after-flame properties according to ASTM D6413.

When exposed to flame, FR-x3-blended fibers create a char barrier that offers extra skin protection and greater safety. The fabric’s high cotton ratio gives it excellent anti-static properties as well.

FR-x3 fabric was originally developed for use by special forces as a next-to-skin alternative to non-fire-retardant shirts. “Special forces said they needed a comfortable, moisture-wicking base layer that was also fire retardant,” Morales says. “Our Flash line is extremely comfortable thanks to FR-x3 technology, which allows us to use a very high cotton content and still meet the fire retardant standards.”

5.11’s fire-retardant clothing system includes both base and top elements so apparel can be layered for optimal air circulation and greater freedom of movement. The company offers two Flash Undergear™ Shirts: a short-sleeve crew-neck and a long-sleeve mock-neck. Both shirts are made of antimicrobial, moisture-wicking FR-x3 fabric and feature saddle-shoulder construction for increased comfort, even in full gear.

Constructed of sturdy 8.5-oz. FR-x3 canvas, the fire-retardant Flash™ Pant is patterned after 5.11’s original Tactical Pant, but with slightly wider legs to accommodate boots. Multiple pockets, a tunnel-waist, bartacks, triple-stitching and a button closure round out this classic duty staple.

The fire retardant Flash Jumpsuit from 5.11 Tactical is the extrication garment of choice for law enforcement and military professionals who need greater protection against Flash fires.

Its mandarin collar and Velcro® closures at wrists and ankles make it an ideal extrication garment for greater protection against Flash fires. Innovative features include hidden document pockets and cargo pockets with an integrated organizer design. Also included are belt-keepers, an adjustable waist and a double-layered seat, plus triple-stitching and bartacks throughout.

Visit www.511tactical.com to find a 5.11 dealer near you.

Green is not only good for the environment, but it seems to be good for business as well, if you are to judge by the recent success of Anvil Knitwear. Demand for its line of affordable organic tees has prompted the company to expand into the women’s and children’s markets, according to the New York-based apparel maker.

The t-shirts, sold under the brand AnvilOrganic, are exclusively distributed through Broder Brothers’ three divisions – Alpha Shirt Company, Broder and NES. Inquiries about the new line started immediately after the organic launch when sample requests reached an all time high. Sales for AnvilOrganic were strong out of the gate, doubling initial projections within the first few weeks.

“We knew that the time was right for affordable organic tees,” said Anvil CEO, Anthony Corsano. “Still, the response to our organic t-shirts has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve been able to offer quality organic tees, in a variety of sizes and colors, while still maintaining a price point our competitors can’t. We’re confident the expansion to our organic line will flourish in today’s increasingly environmentally responsible market.”

“Many of our customers are reporting that their customers are increasingly moving towards sustainable products,” said Andrea L. Engel, Vice President of Merchandising for Broder Brothers Co. “Big programs from key industry leaders are starting initiatives related to this. We only see the trend continuing.”

AnvilOrganic cotton is produced by a system of farming that avoids the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers and genetically modified seeds. Anvil 100% organic tees are also colored using organic dyes and will be certified "organic."

This initiative complements Anvil's long-standing environmentally responsible manufacturing processes. Cardboard is recycled instead of discarded, scrap materials are used to generate steam power, and waste water is cleaned beyond the standards set by government regulations.

Anvil Holdings, through its subsidiary Anvil Knitwear, makes and markets active wear, hats, towels and bags for men, women, and children, which it sells through distributors to screen printers, embroiderers and others as well as to private label brand owners.

For more information, visit www.anvilknitwear.com.

PennTrans, a new product from Penn Emblem, is billed as an alternative to traditional emblem identification. Cost effective and extremely durable, it is a screen-printed heat-seal transfer that is applied directly onto a garment. Any design can be used, including photographs, which means even the most intricate detail can be reproduced. Available ina range of standard shapes and sizes, PennTrans™ can be industrial laundered while retaining its vibrant colors.

The Penn Emblem Company has specialized in corporate identification and image solutions with excellent quality and attention to customer service for over six decades.

To learn more, contact The Penn Emblem Company at 800-793-7366 or by e-mail at marketing@pennemblem.com

Finally for this month comes news from Red Kap. The company now offers dress pants for both men and women in pleated and plain front styles. All four styles are 6.5 oz 70/30% polyester/wool. They feature a hook/eye closure, brass zipper, and executive waistband. The pants are a great way to obtain an upgraded, professional look, with the comfort that customers expect. They can be home laundered or dry cleaned.

Red Kap® is a brand of VF Imagewear, Nashville, TN, a leading supplier of occupational apparel items to the industrial, culinary, public safety, corporate apparel and personal protective equipment market segments. The parent company, VF Corporation is a leader in branded apparel including jeanswear, intimate apparel, sportswear, outdoor products and workwear.

Visit www.redkap.com for more information on these as well as other styles.

Want to showcase your new products in this column or perhaps see it as a feature story? Send your news to Jackie@uniformmarket.com