Product News - February 2008

Product Roundup
The first product announcements of the New Year bring news from DuPont, Edwards Garment and Red Kap.

DuPont

DuPont continues to expand its production capability and product offering with DuPont Protera, a new line of inherently flame resistant fabrics specifically engineered to protect against electric arc hazards and meet NFPA 70E as well as the new National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requirements.

In a press statement, Dale Outhous, global business director – DuPont Personal Protection, said: "DuPont Protera has a patented engineered fiber blend to produce one of the lightest weight and most comfortable NFPA 70E Category 2 fabrics on the market today. In addition, Protera meets all categories of the NESC standard. As a result, electricians in industrial segments and utility workers will now be able to work in greater comfort without sacrificing the protection they require,"

In addition to providing wearers excellent arc protection, tests have shown that garments made with DuPont Protera fabric offer a high level of comfort when compared to FR cotton nylon blend fabrics on the market today. An independent comfort study found that wearers judged Protera the clear winner in overall comfort compared to FR cotton nylon blend garments of similar weight.

DuPont Protera garments will have a better lifecycle value than less durable flame-retardant treated (FR) cotton nylon blend garments. According to DuPont, Protera is twice as strong as FR cotton nylon blend fabrics and stays twice as strong even after 100 washings. Unlike chemically treated products, the thermal protection found in DuPont Protera is inherent and cannot be washed out or worn away. The fabric's flame resistance will not diminish through laundering or bleaching and will not require special laundry processing.

Visit www.dupont.com to learn more.

Edwards Garment

The people at Edwards have added a number of new product offerings to the existing line.

First up, the company has added a new in-stock casino shirt in five color offerings. Stylish details include a Nehru collar, decorative black/gold onyx button at the neck and covered placket, squared-tail hem line with side vents, straight back, and a long sleeve with two button cuff. The 100% microfiber fabric is wrinkle-resistant, moisture wicking, machine washable and laundry friendly. The shirt can be enhanced with trim or embroidery, adding value and giving the customer that “something extra” he was looking for.

The newest addition to Edwards’ Service Mate Collection is a CottonPlus Twill shirt for both men and women. This garment is a soft touch, hard working twill shirt with button-down fused collar, traditional front placket, left check pocket, pencil track, and back box pleat with locker loop for men. The women’s shirt body has a contouring fit to flatter the figure, shortened shirt tail, soft collar, narrow feminine placket, no pocket and straight back yoke seam; long and short sleeve with matching buttons on collar, placket and cuff. These easy care garments are treated with Teflon, and are completely laundry-friendly.

Finally, Edwards has introduced new espresso brown aprons in three styles: a three pocket waist apron; and two bib aprons with and without pockets. The waist apron features extra long ties, divisional pockets and unisex sizing, while both bib aprons boast a two piece slide adjustment at the neck.

To learn more about Edwards’ products, visit www.edwardsgarment.com

Red Kap

There are also a host of new product items available from Red Kap. The company has introduced new colors in its line of utility work shirts and pants, as well as feature upgrades on the utility work pants.

The long sleeve and short sleeve utility work shirt highlights include convertible collar with stays for a crisp look, functional flap pockets with pencil stall, and soil release to ensure a clean look wash after wash. Four new colors bring the total colors offered to six. Available colors include Navy, Khaki, Black, Silver, Charcoal, and Olive Green.

The 8 oz 65/35 polyester/cotton twill pant has a jean-style waistband with hook and eye closure, wide belt loops for durability, and soil release. The garment is available in colors designed to complement the work shirt. The complete outfit is ideal for builders, carpenters, tradesmen, and any time a durable work shirt with the softness of home wash is desired.

Also new for 2008 is Red Kap’s Performance Knit® polyester herringbone shirt. This style is 5.4 oz 100% soft hand performance polyester and is IL-friendly using Red Kap®’s trademark Performance Knit® technology. Features include superior color retention, soil release, moisture management, no-curl collar, left chest pocket, and taped collar seam. This shirt is durable, easy care, and perfectly comfortable. Available in four attractive two-tone color patterns: Burgundy/Black, Medium Blue/Navy, Khaki/Gray, and Gray/Black.

Lastly, Red Kap® has introduced a new coverall based on market research and feedback. New for 2008 is the zip-front cotton coverall.

This style is 8.5 oz 100% cotton and is IL-friendly. Features include zipper front, zipper pulls on pockets, reinforced pockets, adjustable snap cuffs, and elastic waist inserts. This coverall is perfect for down and dirty work applications. At the same time, it provides the fit and comfort that Red Kap® customers have come to expect.

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 this as well as other styles.