Uniform & Product News - June 2008

Company News

Edwards Garment Acquires Andrew Rohan

Kalamazoo, MI, May 9, 2008 – Edwards Garment Co. today announced the acquisition of HMB Sales, Inc. HMB has manufactured and marketed Andrew Rohan brand sweaters to the business-to-business market for over 25 years. Edwards Garment is a rapidly growing manufacturer and supplier of casual and uniform apparel. This acquisition plan is a part of the company’s strategic expansion plan, according to Gary Schultz, President and CEO of Edwards. The Andrew Rohan sweater line becomes part of the Edwards Garment line that includes shirts, blouses, pants, skirts, shorts, suit separates, chefs’ apparel, and aprons.

“Joining forces with Andrew Rohan allows us to take full advantage of the many synergies between the two organizations,” said Schultz. “We serve many of the same customers and the availability of the Edwards line gives Andrew Rohan distributors many more options for their customers. In much the same way, Edwards’ customers will see new opportunities as we add the prestigious Andrew Rohan sweater line to our offering.”

In addition to a broader product line, Andrew Rohan customers will enjoy many of the benefits currently offered by Edwards such as on-site custom embroidery, two-day shipping nationwide; catalog styles in-stock and ready to ship; same day shipping; private labeling; and no re-stocking fees.

Edwards expects a smooth transition. “By retaining key personnel, we will ensure that Andrew Rohan customers receive the same high level of service and quality that they have come to expect,” explained Schultz. Edwards plans to continue to market the full range of styles currently offered by Andrew Rohan. On-site embroidery – already an area of expertise at Edwards – will now be offered with the new sweater line.

Edwards Garment has been manufacturing and supplying corporate, casual, and uniform apparel for over 140 years. The company is privately held and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. “Dressing you from top to bottom,” Edwards products are available through a nationwide network of dealers and distributors. To learn more about Edwards Garment, please visit the company’s website at www.edwardsgarment.com.

 

Lion Apparel Bags 3-year Contract from Bomberos de Chile

May 12, 2008 (Fibre2fashion) - The Bomberos de Chile, who late last year awarded Lion Apparel a three-year contract to provide its 6,000 firefighters with new personal protective equipment and Lion TotalCare services, received the first delivery of 500 suits. Lion Apparel is the world's largest supplier of protective clothing worn by firefighters.

Per the contract, the Bomberos de Chile will order 2,000 suits per year for three years. The Bomberos chose Lion's traditional Body-Guard turnouts in black with lime-yellow reflective trim.

Rod Vargas, who is from Chile and owns Global Fire Store - a Lion Apparel distributor based in Florida, put Lion in touch with Codigo 33, a Santiago, Chile-based distributor of personal protective equipment (PPE).

"As a native of Chile, I take great pride in assuring that the firefighters in my native country have the best protective clothing in the industry," Vargas said.

The Bomberos de Chiles technical evaluation process included a detailed assessment of the PPE products and proposed service offerings for the repair and maintenance of the gear.

The tender stipulated cleaning and repair services be performed in Chile and supported by the PPE manufacturer. Lion's TotalCare division performs inspection, cleaning and repair services on PPE. Lion has authorized Codigo 33 to provide cleaning and repair services like those provided by Lion TotalCare.

"The Lion bunker gear met all of the technical features requested in the bid process," said Sr. Miguel Reyes Núñez, president of the Junta Nacional de Bomberos de Chile.

"Lion also possesses an ample market share of the world market and a solid brand name, as well as having a local representative in Chile, Codigo 33. This assures proper post sales service."

Reyes said the new PPE was a long-tendered request by its volunteer firefighters, whom are willing to sacrifice so much to serve their communities. "The least we could do as an institution was to provide them with the proper PPE," said Reyes.

The new Lion PPE will bring the Bomberos de Chiles PPE up to date with international standards and increase its ability to respond for required services and increasingly complex emergency situations.

"We feel that with Lion we have made the best decision based on the well-known, high international prestige of this manufacturer, which assures us an excellent level of quality and comfort to the end user," Reyes said.

Charles Sheppard Promoted to VP of Supply Chain

Seminole, FL, May 8, 2008 - Superior Uniform Group, manufacturer of uniforms, career apparel and accessories, is pleased to announce the promotion of Charles Sheppard to Vice President of Supply Chain. Charles, who previously held the title of Vice President of Manufacturing and Distribution, also now has responsibility for Purchasing and Global Sourcing. This will bring all of Superior’s sourcing and buying functions under one umbrella.

Charles has 23 years of management and executive experience with Superior in many corporate functions, and brings strong additional leadership to both sourcing and purchasing.

Superior Uniform Group, Inc., established in 1920, is one of America's foremost providers of fine uniforms and image apparel. Superior manages award-winning apparel programs for major corporations. They are leaders in innovative uniform program designs, global manufacturing, and state-of-the-art distribution. Superior's financial strength and resources support a customer's diverse needs while embracing a "Customer 1st, Every Time!" philosophy and culture. Their commitment to service, technology, quality and value-added benefits separates them from the competition in each of their seven primary markets: Healthcare, Hospitality, Food Service, Retail Employee I.D., Government Service, Private Security, and Rental Service.

For more information please call (800) 727-8643, or visit their web site at: www.superioruniformgroup.com.

 

SanMar Debuts Workwear 2008|09 Catalog

Seattle, WA, May 29, 2008 - SanMar Corporation, a leading supplier of imprintable apparel and accessories, is debuting the Workwear 2008|09 catalog, devoted to apparel options for a range of occupations and industries. This 48-page catalog features over 60 styles from CornerStone industrial apparel to high-visibility safety apparel.

“Distributors often find themselves buying their industrial workwear from one supplier and the front office apparel from another,” explains Lee Strom, senior marketing manager. “So, in the desire to offer distributors a one-stop shop experience, our Workwear 2008|09 catalog provides options for nearly every sector of the workwear market, including uniforming, hospitality, industry, catering, gardening, automotive and manufacturing.”

To make shopping for occupational wear even easier, the Workwear catalog also includes five easy-to-spot icons, so customers can quickly find items that are colorfast, shrink-resistant, stain-resistant and wrinkle-resistant.

Riding along with the Workwear catalog is a SanMar first: the Big & Tall Brochure, highlighting SanMar¹s collection of apparel available in sizes from 6XL to 10XL, as well as Tall options. With its at-a-glance layout, this brochure is a handy resource for customers who need to outfit a range of sizes in the workwear market‹or any other market. As a special bonus, the brochure can also be unfolded for an eye-catching display poster.

The Workwear 2008|09 catalog will be available mid June with the option for custom imprinting on the back cover in a priced or unpriced version. To order a copy, call (800) 426-6399 or visit www.sanmar.com.

New Product Offerings

In-house Care Label System Now Available from Thermopatch

Syracuse, NY May 1, 2008: Thermopatch proudly introduces a new innovation called the Thermo Trans System. The Thermo Trans System gives individual Garment manufacturers, screen-printers and promotional item sellers the chance to create, print and heat-seal their own care label in-house. This is a significant development that will speed up manufacturing, save money, and reduce the minimum orders of tag free labels to as little as one label at a time.

Before the Thermo Trans System, you would have to place an order for transfers that were pre-made; they may take weeks for delivery and chances are you would have to by a minimum that is more than you requested.

The system is very simple to use - it is made up of a thermal printer, software, a heat-seal machine and the label and ink media. First you design the label in the software, and the label can include bar codes, logos and variable numbers and text. Next load the media and then press print. The thermal printer (a4-2) is equipped with a cutter that cuts it to the size you specify and drops it ready to be heat-sealed. Lastly, place the garments on the lower heat-seal platen, put the label face down, and heat-seal for 5 seconds.

Thermopatch provides textile/garment identification; marking equipment, heat-seal machines, mending products, and a variety of supporting supplies to the laundry industry and garment/textile manufacturers worldwide.

Contact your Thermopatch regional sales manager or call customer service, (800) 252-6555, for more information, samples or to inquire about our trial program.

Red Kap® Releases New Work Jean

Red Kap® is introducing a new work jean for 2008, the PD40.

This style is a 13.75 oz. 100% cotton denim jean with such features as traditional 5-pocket styling, no rivets, and prewashed fabric for added comfort. The item is available in prewashed denim blue.

The PD40 is a complement to the existing Red Kap jean line which consists of the PD60/61, W976, and PD52.54.

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.

Military Matters

ABU is Taking Businesses to the Cleaners

Mildenhall, England, May 19, 2008 (Stars and Stripes) - For more than 40 years, Mildenhall Cleaners survived largely due to U.S. airmen stationed nearby who used its laundry and dry cleaning services to keep uniforms looking sharp.

But as the new wrinkle-free Airman Battle Uniform, or ABU, began hitting store shelves late last year, airmen began to stray away from the local shop.

"It made a big difference," owner John Williams said Friday of the low-maintenance ABU. Since December, Williams estimated that his shop saw 250 sets of uniforms a week plummet to just three each week.

"It wasn’t gradual," he said. "It happened all at once."

The lack of business coupled with the rising cost of his rent forced Williams to close the American-friendly shop for good on Saturday.

His shop isn’t the only one suffering financially with the uniform change. Laundry and dry cleaning shops across Europe who rely on airmen for their business have seen sales fall drastically as more and more ditch the outdated woodland-colored battle dress uniform, or BDU.

Cleaners returned them with a professional, crisp appearance. But according to Air Force policy, the new ABU — a blend of nylon and cotton — isn’t supposed to be starched or pressed. Every airman is required to wear the ABU by October 2011.

Eriswell Dry Cleaners, just outside of RAF Lakenheath, has seen a significant drop in customer flow once the base started to sell the uniform, manager Elaine Bryson said.

"Once they started coming in, about one-third of business went down," she said.

Bryson admitted she has fears for the shop’s future. She hopes to reel back airmen by using a special detergent without optical brighteners, which can make uniforms appear lighter in the dark.

She also believes airmen will eventually go back to old habits.

"I think in time they will have them pressed as well," she said.

Despite their convenient on-base locations, laundry and dry-cleaning shops contracted out by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service haven’t been immune to the big losses.

AAFES operates about 50 of these shops in Europe. Overall, those shops have seen a 14 percent drop in sales so far in fiscal 2008 compared with the previous year.

"Obviously, the ABU has had an impact," spokesman Lt. Col. David Konop said. He added that similar drops occurred when soldiers went to the Army Combat Uniform.

The three shops that clean uniforms at Ramstein Air Base and Landstuhl Regional Medical Command have lost thousands in revenue because of the switch, said Ingeborg O’Neal, who helps oversee them.

Last summer, Ramstein’s two shops averaged roughly $55,000 a month. Now, they make around $37,000 a month. The Landstuhl shop saw a decrease of more than 50 percent from about $12,000 to $5,000 a month in the same time periods, O’Neal said.

"It’s cutting down on business," she said of the ABU.

Christa Rodriguez, who manages both shops at Spangdahlem Air Base and Bitburg Annex, estimates they’ve already lost half of its dealings. It could get worse since many airmen haven’t purchased the ABU, and Bitburg is slated for closure, she said.

A powerful euro currency also isn’t helping her shops, who pay a Netherlands-based company to clean the uniforms.

"The more the dollar drops, the more expensive it is," Rodriguez said.

The shops charge between 5 and 6 euros to wash a uniform. O’Neal said employee work hours had to be reduced to make up lost profits. Also, the German company that does the laundry from her shops switched to a "finishing tunnel" and the nonoptical brightener detergent to attract troops, she said.

"The uniforms look like they’ve been ironed," she said of the results of the tunnel which steam cleans uniforms without pressing them. "We had a few [airmen] come in and they like it."

Some shops have even combined with AAFES-run alteration services to cut costs. But no matter how bad business gets, closures are unlikely, Konop said.

"Bottom line is this is a service that our [servicemembers] require," he said. "We will go to great lengths to attempt to provide it for them."

Air Reserve Technicians Sue over Order Requiring Uniforms

Washington, May 02, 2008 (Federal Times) - When Air Force Reserve chief Lt. Gen. John Bradley decided last August to require Air Reserve technicians to wear military uniforms while on civilian status, he said it was “not a negotiation.”

Now the matter is in litigation.

The American Federation of Government Employees filed a civil suit April 22 on behalf of the roughly 6,600 unionized ARTs, naming Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne as the plaintiff. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, charges that the changes to the Air Force Instruction governing Air Reserve technician (ART) uniform policy were “arbitrary and capricious.”

The changes also violate the U.S. statute that created ARTs and defines them as civilians who also have military status, the suit says. Air Reserve technicians are dual-status employees who hold the same job as both full-time Defense Department civilian workers and Air Force reservists who work in a reserve unit. ARTs are often former traditional reservists, and many work in aircraft maintenance fields.

“There is a certain magic to having to wear a military uniform, and you can’t require a civilian to wear a military uniform,” said Eugene Fidell, AFGE’s lead attorney in the case. “What this is, is a change in the basic terms and conditions of the ART program. And it’s one that Congress hasn’t authorized the Air Force to do.”

Despite the dual status of the 8,555 enlisted reserve techs, their military and civilian jobs are the same. Techs not represented by the union are already wearing uniforms on the job.

A similar system is employed for technicians in the Air National Guard. But in the Guard, legislation specifically requires them to wear their uniforms at work, regardless of whether they are on civilian or military duty.

Speaking in September to Air Force Times, a sister publication of Federal Times, Bradley said he wanted Congress to sign off on the changes even though, in his view, congressional approval was not necessary.

According to Fidell, the fact that the Air Force wants Congress’ OK is “a sure sign” that the Air Force doesn’t have authority to make the changes.

The uniform debate is an emotional flashpoint for many ARTs. In news releases, Bradley said the move would improve integrated operations among ARTs, traditional reservists and active-duty airmen. But a memo sent April 18, 2007, from Air Force Reserve Command headquarters to AFGE President John Gage cited the need to ensure “good order and military discipline,” which offended many ARTs.

Several ARTs interviewed were also upset at having to alter their day-to-day habits to meet military standards for those appearing in uniform. Beards, weeks between haircuts, walking while using a cell phone — those are all off-limits now for ARTs on civilian duty, but they receive no active-duty benefits in return.

The ARTs are still able to get free replacements for their uniform jackets and pants when they wear out, but must pay for their own T-shirts and socks.

The command’s 1,357 officer reserve technicians traditionally wear their uniforms full time, and get annual payments of $150 for uniform expenses.

Enlisted ARTs have been promised a one-time payment of $150 for their whole careers. Not all units have delivered that payment, and it won’t last long, said some ARTs, especially if it is supposed to cover the haircuts they must now get twice as often.

In day-to-day practice, the uniform issue also complicates matters of discipline.

An ART said that supervisors at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., now have a hard time telling who’s who during missions: Is a person in uniform a traditional reservist, a mobilized ART, or a civilian who deserves overtime pay? The ART spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the pending litigation.

Of Interest

Phoenix Cops Want Pay for Time Spent Donning Uniforms

Phoenix, May 23, 2008 (KTAR.com) - Nearly 600 Phoenix police officers have filed suit in an attempt to force the city to pay them for the time they spend getting in uniform each day.

Attorney John Commerford, representing the officers, says they spend considerable time getting dressed for each shift.

“It's the way officers have to get dressed and have to maintain and care for all that equipment," Commerford said. "And the list of equipment is something like 30 pieces long. All of that has to be maintained, and no officer is being paid for it. And the city of Phoenix will tell you flat out, they don't believe they need to."

The officers are seeking $18 million, which includes back pay, damages, attorneys' fees and court costs. Commerford said the suit could go to trial by November.

Commerford says the officers must put on their protective gear and carry other equipment "because you're not going to stop if someone says, 'Halt, police,' and they're not looking like a cop.

He adds, "It's not just putting on their clothes. It's putting on their uniforms. There are a multitude of pieces of this uniform and not only does the uniform have to be put on, but it has to be adjusted. The ballistic vests, for instance. Those have to be adjusted every day and that takes time."

Commerford says it's not only about getting dressed and undressed.

"There's a long, long list of equipment and every day -- every day -- these officers have to make sure it's in exactly the order that the city requires that it be."

A claim letter filed with the city in July 2007 said, on average, uniformed police employees spend 30 minutes per work day, donning, doffing and caring for their uniforms and protective equipment. Based on the average regular rate of pay for a uniformed officer, $33.90 per hour, it said the overtime rate would be $50.85. The letter said the officers' unpaid overtime amounts to $5.9 million and they are entitled to treble damages, bringing the total to $17.7 million.

"For the entire period of time that the lawsuit relates to, these people have been putting on and taking off their uniforms unpaid. What we want to have happen is to have those police officers paid for the time that they spent," Commerford said. "What would be the necessary corollary to this lawsuit is that going forward in time, these officers would be paid for this necessary activity."

New Uniforms for Deputies

Picayune, MS, May 23, 2008 (Picayune Item) - A new image for Pearl River County Sheriff’s deputies includes a new blue hue.

Sheriff David Allison said new uniforms the department has employed, a dark blue shirt with black slacks, have brought a number of compliments for his deputies.

“I think that says a lot when people say you look as classy as the Highway Patrol,” said Patrol Capt. Kelvin Stanford.

This will be the third time the department has changed uniforms in about the past two decades. In the early 1990s, deputies donned a tan shirt with green pants. That color scheme was changed to blue pants, but keeping the tan shirt, sometime in 2000.

The new uniforms also include a new badge design. Allison said the new badge design has the classic star in the center that represents county residents, surrounded by a circle that represents the protection the Sheriff’s Department is committed to provide.

The new colors were chosen by a process of elimination. After the commanding officers chose two colors they allowed the staff to vote between them. They were given the choice of a dark brown or a dark blue shirt.

Previous uniforms were made of cotton, Allison said. Not only were they warm in the summer months, they required regular maintenance, such as ironing. The new uniforms are made of polyester which requires no ironing and also provides a higher level of air circulation during hot weather and are comfortable and warm in the winter.

“These uniforms are self sufficient. You just wash them, dry them and they are ready to go,” Allison said.

New uniforms were not in the budget but were desperately needed. Allison said he presented the need to the board of supervisors and the county administrator, who were receptive to the department’s needs. Allison said he thanks them for allowing the department to spend the estimated $10,000 on the new uniforms. That price included the badges, patches and the uniforms, Stanford said.

While deputies will keep at least one old uniform for emergency situations so as not to damage the new ones, most old uniforms will be passed on to DUI and transport officers.

In his first few days in office Allison said he was approached by a number of community members who expressed concerns about the department’s need for new uniforms. They said they would like to see deputies present a more professional appearance.

“In order to be treated professionally, you have to look and act more professional,” Allison said.

Stanford said already since the uniforms were worn on Saturday, he has heard a number of compliments on the department’s new look.

Industry Sheds Jobs in April

Washington, May 6, 2008 (Footwear News) — The common theme running through the U.S. Labor Department's employment report last week was the loss of jobs — in the apparel and textile industry, the retail sector and the overall economy.

However, economists were somewhat encouraged the national employment picture was better than expected. The economy shed a less-than-anticipated 20,000 jobs in April, after losing a total of 240,000 jobs in the first three months of the year, and the unemployment rate improved slightly to 5 percent in April from 5.1 percent the previous month.

Department stores slashed 8,300 jobs last month to 1.5 million, after a payroll decline of 4,600 in March, the Labor Department reported Friday. Specialty stores cut 1,000 jobs to employ 1.5 million, after adding 2,700 jobs the previous month.

Domestic apparel manufacturers trimmed 1,300 jobs to employ 197,100 and textile producers cut 2,600 jobs in April. Those losses were driven by a decline in textile mill payrolls of 2,400 jobs to 156,000 and a drop in employment at textile product mills of 200 jobs to 153,100. Textile mill employment refers to jobs at factories that make fabrics primarily used in apparel. Textile product mills manufacture home furnishing and industrial fabrics.

The entire manufacturing sector lost 46,000 jobs in April.

"The report can hardly be described as strong, but that was a better result than expected and the smallest decline so far this year," said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist with Global Insight in reference to the overall employment figures. "The report shows that the deterioration in the labor market is not accelerating."

Some sectors were battered more than others by economic forces. Overall retail employment dropped by 26,800 jobs in April, to 15.4 million, driven mostly by declines at stores tied to the housing sector. The largest decline in retail employment was in the building material and garden supply store sector, which cut 12,300 jobs. Department stores posted the second biggest drop.

"This is an outright hemorrhaging of retail jobs," said Richard Yamarone, chief economist at Argus Research Corp. "It's five consecutive months of furloughed workers. That's quite a blow. If consumers aren't rushing out to the malls, there's no reason to have workers stand around folding clothes."

Conversely, general merchandise stores, a category that includes discounters like Wal-Mart, posted a job gain of 10,300 in April, said John Lonski, chief economist at Moody's Investor Services.

Lonski said the employment picture is far better than the last economic downturn in 2001-2002.

"If we have a recession, it's not exactly a barn burner," Lonski said.