Food for Thought
Retail Recession News: Consumer Belief Makes It So
(Editor's note: The economy is on the minds of everyone, as the following story indicates. Want to know how companies in the uniform industry are faring? For an in-depth look at doing business in a down economy, be sure to read the feature appearing in the Spring/Summer edition of Made to Measure, available in February)
October 29, 2008 (About Retail) – Eighty seven percent of American consumers believe that the U.S. is in a recession or depression. As a result, 64% of those surveyed are planning on spending less to prepare for the hard economic times that 46% of them think will last three years. These survey results were released today by global turnaround consulting firm, AlixPartners. The response to the survey from the Forrest Gump Worldwide Management Consortium was "Recession is as recession does."
While there are many economic indicators that signal recession, the best indicator is probably people's attitudes. If consumers think there is a recession, then they will participate in behaviors that actually cause things to recess. So, today we have statistical proof that consumers are in a recession state of mind. Good to know.
It is what it is, and the general public is probably not going to be talked out of its own conclusions any time soon. Retailers would do well to acknowledge the recessionary state of mind, and figure out the best way to respond to it. The retailers who fared the best during recent periods of recession are the ones who didn't try to fight or resist what they didn't like, but rather found a way to work with it.
In response to people's spending cutbacks during the 70's recession, Chrysler introduced rebates, Charles Schwab offered discount commissions, banks introduced interest-bearing checking accounts, and supermarkets began accepting credit cards. All were appropriate offers for the times. All are good offers that lived beyond the recession. The companies that invented and employed these recessionary response strategies fared well with them.
Ivory Soap created soap operas, and Kellogg's sponsored Admiral Richard E. Byrd's South Pole Expedition during the Great Depression. During the 1989-91 recession, Pizza Hut sales increased by 71% with Pizza Hut Pete and a $3.14 million advertising budget. Taco Bell ran to the border with a 40% sales increase when it advertised its 59-79-99 value menu during that same time period. These winning companies didn't shrink their visibility to coincide with the shrinking economy. They took bold moves that helped them capture attention, capture market share, and capture a brand dominance that they've been able to build on ever since.
Car sales will slow, but car sales aren't going to stop altogether in tough economic times. Toyota understands that, and is positioning itself not only to be the "official car of the 2009 recession," but also maintain its global domination afterwards. First, it's focusing on being accessible with hybrid and ultra-compact vehicles that people will want to buy now, and keep in the future. Second, it's focusing on being affordable by involving suppliers in the design process to save an estimated $10 billion. Third, it's focusing on being cooperative by giving free efficiency consulting to its own suppliers. The suppliers cut costs, pass the savings onto Toyota, who can, in turn, give its customers a break.
When money is moving freely, retailers don't have to be all that creative to get their share of it. But when money is slow flowing, it's not enough to just show up. History shows that the retailers who survive economic setbacks are the ones who get inventive, get resourceful, and get noticed.
Perhaps it's not so much a recession problem that the retail industry is struggling with right now. Perhaps we all just have a temporary idea problem.
Company Announcements
Cintas Launches the Doc & Amelia™ Collection
 Chicago, November 10, 2008 – Cintas Corporation today introduced the Doc & Amelia™ collection, a new brand dedicated to Cintas' apparel designs. Inspired by the company's founders, Doc and Amelia Farmer, the new line embodies Cintas' timeless commitment to style, quality and craftsmanship.
"Think clean lines and textured fabrics in the form of classic suits and tailored styles," said Sondra Baggio, director of design and merchandising, Cintas. "Doc & Amelia offers sophisticated, dramatic apparel crafted with the best materials available, breathing life into any brand."
From modern basics to custom uniforms with an individual flair, the Doc & Amelia brand is available in a variety of retail-inspired labels, including Doc& Amelia, circa 1929 and Doc& Amelia Premier.
Doc & Amelia is ready-to-wear catalog apparel with a fashionable edge. Circa 1929 is a mid-level, ready-to-wear alternative with chic designs. Cintas' highest quality fabrics and retail-inspired fashions will be featured in the Doc & Amelia Premier line. For Doc & Amelia Retail Collection, a brand within Doc & Amelia Premier, Cintas partnered with renowned design house Lafayette 148.
"As our clients look to evolve their brand, they can trust Doc & Amelia will deliver the exact design elements to enhance the style of their business," said Brian Garry, senior director of marketing, Cintas. "Doc & Amelia exemplifies the best in quality, craftsmanship and fashion that Cintas has demonstrated throughout its heritage."
Customers can preview Cintas' retail-inspired collection and enter to win $1,000 toward Doc & Amelia apparel in the Doc & Amelia Giveaway at ww.docandamelia.com. Registrations must be received by December 15, 2008.
For more information about Cintas, visit www.cintas.com
Tru-Spec® Expands 24-7® Apparel Line with Several New Rip-Stop Items
 Marietta, Georgia, October 31 – Tru-Spec by Atlanco has added several ultra-comfortable, lightweight items to its extremely popular 24-7 Series of duty/casual apparel. Like the original 24-7 cotton pants which were first introduced at the 2008 SHOT Show and quickly carved out a large share of the market, the new 24-7 items have been inspired by the multi-function trousers and other apparel commonly worn by many police tactical teams, but all 24-7 items have been designed for both style and function and they easily cross the line between on-duty and off-duty wear.
To ensure maximum wearability in virtually any environment, these new additions are all manufactured from rugged, lightweight, 6.5oz. 65/35 polyester/ cotton rip-stop (the originals are 8.5 oz. 100% cotton canvas). The fabric is Teflon coated to protect against stains.
Tru-Spec's new 24-7 Rip-Stop items include Rip-Stop Shorts, designed with "engineered dimensional fit," which ensure an almost perfect fit both in the waist and the rise in all sizes. Features include a comfort fit slider waistband which eliminates the need for gathered elastic or adjustable side tabs; extra deep front pockets; and two knife/accessory pockets.
Other items new to the line include:
A 24-7 Rip-Stop uniform shirt, available in long and short sleeves. Because of its contemporary styling, Tru-Spec bills this new poly/cotton rip-stop shirt as: "the uniform shirt of the twenty-first century." The thoughtful features of the 24-7 Rip-Stop Uniform Shirt include a slightly curved hem that allows the shirt to be worn either tucked or untucked; a bi-swing back and gusseted sleeves for ease of movement; and the signature 24-7 bellowed and flapped front pockets with hook & loop closures, plus a zippered hidden chest pocket with mesh pocketing for securing special documents.
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The new 24-7 Rip-Stop vest is as functional and thoughtfully designed as any you'll find whether you're a cop on a plainclothes assignment, a crime lab technician, a security specialist on a VIP protection detail, an amateur photographer or an outdoorsman. And the lightweight, easy-care fabric makes it comfortable year-round for use on the job or while on a personal getaway.
Finally, there's the new 24-7 Rip-Stop jumpsuit. This cleverly designed new jumpsuit actually folds down into its own zippered bag that's self-contained inside the back of the jumpsuit. That means the garment can be easily stored in a very small space in the trunk of a patrol car, in a glove compartment, in a home workshop…anyplace a quickly accessible jumpsuit could be a handy piece of equipment. For SWAT officers to on-call EMTs to home mechanics or gardeners, the jumpsuit is the perfect choice for a fast coverup. Features include adjustable hook & loop cuffs; a zippered hidden chest document pocket; hook & loop waist closures; and two front slash hand pockets.
24-7 Rip-Stop apparel is available only through authorized Tru-Spec dealers.
For a complete list of dealers and distributors, refer to the Tru-Spec website at: www.truspec.com
The Force® Brand Names 2008 Positive Force Award Recipient
 Nashville, TN, November 7, 2008 – The Force®, a leading public safety uniform brand, announced that it has named Officer Brian Bobick of the District of Columbia's Metropolitan Police Department as the recipient of the 4th annual Positive Force Award.
Without a second thought, Officer Bobick selflessly pushed his partner out of the way of a speeding car taking the full impact himself. Later it was found that the vehicle was driven by a 15-year-old who was specifically targeting the officers because of his disdain for law enforcement.
Officer Bobick was selected from nominations from around the country by an independent and esteemed committee of law enforcement leaders and industry luminaries. Nominees were evaluated on their professional conduct, extreme acts of valor and bravery, dedication to their community and other notable achievements.
 "The Force® is committed to tell the stories of our law enforcement heroes. The Positive Force Award is our way of recognizing public safety professionals who distinguish themselves by going above and beyond the call of duty," said Aimee Say, marketing manager for The Force®. "Law enforcement officers put their lives in danger every time they put on their uniforms. The sacrifices they make enable us to live better lives, and the Positive Force Award is The Force® brand's commitment to recognizing these officers as heroes."
On December 13, 2007, Brian Bobick and Michael Architzel, Bike Patrol Unit Officers from the Sixth District (6-D), were responding to a missing person call when they stopped near an elementary school to speak with a young woman and her daughter. Instantly a double-parked black sedan got their attention. After the driver excessively revved the engine, it sped toward the officers.
 Without a second thought, Officer Bobick pushed his partner out of the vehicle's path and took the full impact himself. Officer Bobick was critically injured and taken by helicopter to a local hospital. Fortunately, he is almost completed a full recovery and is eager to get back to work.
An investigation found that the driver of the vehicle was a juvenile with a lengthy criminal record. In his statement to the police, the suspect admitted his intent was to run down Officer Architzel because of a prior altercation with the juvenile and his general disdain for law enforcement.
As an officer, you dedicate your life to protecting and serving the citizens of your community. Officers put their lives on the line everyday to save others. The way Officer Bobick responded to the situation was simply instinctive to law enforcement professionals. In this case, however, the "citizen" he was protecting happened to be a fellow officer.
Officer Bobick began his law enforcement career in 1997 as a Deputy Sheriff with the Geauga County (OH) Sheriff's Office. In 2001, he relocated to the nation's capital and joined the ranks of the Metropolitan Police Department. After the recruit training, he was assigned to the Sixth Police District.
At 6D, Officer Bobick volunteered to supervise the community-oriented Bike Patrol Unit for Police Service Area 601. His leadership of the unit resulted in the successful training of other officers and in creating a bond of trust and respect with members of the community. He has worked tirelessly to make PSA 601 safer and more habitable for residents and visitors on his beat.
At IACP in November, Bobick was presented with a check for $5,000 for personal use and $5,000 for the charity of his choice, Homeward Trails Animal Rescue.
VF Corporation's press releases, annual report and other information can be accessed through the Company's home page, www.vfc.com
Vantage Apparel Expands Digital Print Services to West Coast
 Avenel, NJ (November 6, 2008): Vantage Apparel, leading manufacturer and decorator of logo apparel, has added digital printing services to its West Coast embroidery facility in Santa Ana, California. Digital printing, also referred to as direct-to-garment printing, is an eco-friendly, water-based process that prints from a computer file directly onto a garment resulting in a soft, slightly washed-down design. Digital printing is a great option for low-quantity orders as well as multi-colored or photo-realistic designs.
The company currently operates four contract embroidery facilities across the country in Santa Ana, California; St. Louis, Missouri; Niles, Illinois and Avenel, NJ. Santa Ana is their first satellite facility to offer contract digital printing in addition to embroidery.
For service details and pricing, contact the facility manager, Alma Flores at almaf@vantageapparel.com or 714-755-1133.
For additional information on Vantage products and services, contact Vantage Apparel at 800-221-0020 or visit their website at www.vantageapparel.com
Lydia's Uniforms Presents Limited-Edition, Designer Scrubs from Tokidoki
 Grand Rapids, MI, November 09, 2008 - The week of November 3rd, 2008 Lydia's Uniforms presented limited-edition Tokidoki medical scrubs on their website. The company chose to add these designer nursing scrubs to their online store to provide consumers with a high end uniform option. Currently, the Tokidoki scrubs are only available for pre-order, but they will be ready for shipment in mid-December.
Tokidoki is a fashion brand with products ranging from cosmetics to clothing and accessories and now scrubs. The brand is globally recognized for its fun, playful, Japanese inspired designs. In order to bring these designs to life on a pair of limited-edition medical scrubs, Tokidoki paired with Koi, a well-known uniform company, to create a three piece medical uniform.
The Tokidoki medical uniform is made up of a scrub top, a long sleeve tee and a pair of scrub pants. The scrub top is a mock wrap style with contrasting trim and is paired with a long sleeve tee that works perfectly layered beneath it. The pants feature a drawstring/elastic waistband and multiple pockets. All three pieces include tiny, unique details that customers won't see on any other medical uniforms. LydiasUniforms.com is one of the few places where customers can find these high fashion scrubs.
To pre-order the limited-edition scrubs today, visit the Koi section of LydiasUniforms.com
FiberLok and HVG Announce Partnership with dekoGraphics GmbH
 Fort Collins, Co, November 3, 2008 – After more than a decade of licensing its well-known and patented Lextra high performance flock heat transfer technology and IP rights to an Irish European partner, High Voltage Graphics (HVG) have elected instead to form an exclusive new partnership with dekoGraphics GmbH. The Lextra License with HVG's original partner will not be renewed.
Mr. Andreas Frirdich, owner of dekoGraphics, has been a long time friend and associate of Brown Abrams, founder and CEO of HVG and FiberLok, USA licensee for the Lextra technology. FiberLok will manufacture Lextra exclusively, including a wide range of new product developments, until a new European region manufacturing licensee is appointed.
"To see this new partnership come together is so personally satisfying for me," says Abrams, "because Andreas and I have always had a strong mutual respect and trust for each other's accomplishments and way of doing business and naturally have always hoped for the opportunity to work together to leverage our combined passion for Lextra to customers around the world."
After almost two decades of brand-building activity focused on the sports and football apparel markets, the Lextra brand name has succeeded in creating its own product category. Well known worldwide, the exclusivity of Lextra has created fundamental anti-piracy benefits for major Brands over the years which will now be increased dramatically with the launch of additions to the Lextra product portfolio.
Military News
New Service Uniform Rollout Dates Announced
 Springfield, VA, November 5, 2008 (Navy Times) - The rollout of the new E-6 and below Navy service uniform in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii will begin on Nov. 15, 45 days later than planned, according to a Navy announcement. At the same time, uniform delivery is expected to accelerate in two other regions.
Sales of the new khaki shirt and black pants in the Northwest and Hawaii had been planned for Oct. 1, but were pushed back due to "production shortfalls," according to the message.
On the other hand, sailors in Millington, Tenn., and along the Gulf Coast will be able to buy their uniforms Dec. 1, one month earlier than planned.
The temporary slowdown did not affect the rollout for new sailors at Great Lakes, Ill., who began receiving their uniforms in October.
The message added that manufacturing is now in high gear, making an accelerated rollout for other regions possible next year.
The uniform will be mandatory for all sailors E-6 and below by July 31, 2010.
Here's the updated schedule:
• Nov. 15: Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.
• Dec. 1: Gulf Coast and Millington.
• April 2009: Naval District Washington.
• July 2009: Hampton Roads, VA
• October 2009: Southeast.
• January 2010: Northeast.
• April 2010: Europe, Japan and Guam.
Field-Hospital-on-a-Chip Project Awarded to NanoEngineer from UC San Diego
 October 23, 2008 (UC San Diego) - With a $1.6M grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR), UC San Diego NanoEngineering professor Joseph Wang will lead a project to create a "field hospital on a chip" that soldiers can wear on the battlefield.
The automated sense-and-treat system will continuously monitor a soldier's sweat, tears or blood for biomarkers that signal common battlefield injuries such as trauma, shock, brain injury or fatigue. Once the system detects a battlefield injury, it will automatically administer the proper medication, thus beginning the treatment well before the soldier has reached a field hospital.
"Since the majority of battlefield deaths occur within the first 30 minutes after injury, rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial for enhancing the survival rate of injured soldiers," said Joseph Wang, a NanoEngineering professor at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego and the Primary Investigator on the project.
To realize their "field hospital on a chip" idea, the engineers will need to build a minimally invasive system that monitors multiple biomarkers simultaneously and uses the system's "smarts" to process all this biomarker information and tease out accurate, automated diagnoses. These diagnoses would immediately trigger drug delivery or other medical intervention.
"Today's insulin and glucose management systems for patients with diabetes don't include smart sensors capable of performing complex logic operations," said Wang, who helped to develop the first noninvasive system for monitoring glucose from a patient's sweat. "We are working on a system that will be different. It will monitor biomarkers and make decisions about the type of injury a person has sustained and then begin treating that person accordingly," said Wang.
"Developing an effective interface between complex physiological processes and implantable devices could have a broader biomedical impact, providing autonomous, individual, ‘on-demand' medical care, which is the goal of the new field of personalized medicine," said Wang.
To reach this level of automated diagnostic dexterity, the researchers plan to build upon "enzyme logic" breakthroughs recently demonstrated by Evgeny Katz, a Co-PI on the grant and the Milton Kerker Chaired professor of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science at Clarkson University.
Katz and colleagues demonstrated recently that enzymes can not only measure biomarkers, but also provide the logic necessary to make a limited set of diagnoses based on multiple biological variables.
One of the many challenges now facing Wang and his team, however, is to get the enzyme logic system to reliably work on sensing electrodes that humans can wear. Thus far, enzyme logic operations have only been demonstrated in solution.
Lactate, oxygen, norepinephrine and glucose are examples as the kinds of injury biomarkers that will serve as biological input signals for their prototype logic system. Electrodes containing a combination of enzymes will serve as sensors and provide the logic necessary to convert the biomarkers to products which may then be picked up by another enzyme on the electrode for further logic operations. The electrodes will also act as transducers that produce strings of 1s and 0s that will activate smart materials that release medication based on predetermined treatment plans.
"We just want the ones and zeros. The pattern of ones and zeros will reveal the type of injury and automatically trigger the proper treatment," said Wang.
For example, if an injured soldier were to enter a state of shock, enzymes on the electrode would sense rising levels of the biomarkers lactate, glucose and norepinephrine. In turn, the concentrations of products generated by the enzymes would change—higher hydrogen peroxide, lower norepi-quinone, higher NADH and lower NAD+. This will cause the built-in logic structure to output the signal "1,0,1,0" which points to shock and will trigger a pre-determined treatment response.
"This is biocomputing in action," said Wang.
"We are just at the beginning of this project. During the first two years, our primary focus will be on the sensor systems. Integrating enzyme logic onto electrodes that can read biomarker inputs from the body will be one of our first major challenges," said Wang.
At the end of the four-year project, the researchers expect to have a working prototype that can detect different combinations of injury biomarkers thanks to the enzyme logic. At the same time, the researchers will also be working on signal-responsive membranes that can release drugs, as well as the electrical or optoelectronic systems that allow the sensors to communicate with the drug delivery system.
International
£600,000 Deal for Uniforms Supplier
United Kingdom, November 4, 2008 (The Journal) - A Corporate clothing maker hopes to increase its turnover by nearly 50% in the next couple of years with a series of contracts with blue chip companies.
Durham-based Workwear Express has landed a £600,000 deal with facilities management giant Mitie for uniforms for thousands of its staff at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.
The 11-year-old company, which numbers Sage, Rolls Royce and Greggs among its customers, expects to win more work for its 35 staff by increasingly undercutting larger rivals and see its turnover rise from £3.5m to £5m within two years.
Founder and managing director Andrew Ward said the company's strength lies in its efficiency in designing, embroidering and finishing clothing which is then made in countries with cheaper mass-manufacturing sectors.
"We're looking to expand the business. We are beating companies 10 times the size of us to contracts because we are lean and efficient.
"Our turnover has doubled over the last three years and we are on track to grow our turnover to £4m this year. We are confident that the managed contracts side of our business will help us reach our target of £5m turnover in 2010.
"Despite the industry being in decline, we are winning market share. We have an exceptional customer retention record and have never lost a single contract, which speaks volumes about our customer service."
A Mitie spokesman said: "Following a rigorous tender process, we were able to award Workwear Express with this contract. The decision was based on a range of factors. We were very impressed by the firm's capability and flexibility to meet tight deadlines as well as their approach towards continual improvement."
Via Rail Launches Contest for Designers to Create New Uniforms for Employees
 Toronto, November 20, 2008 Canadian Press — One lucky Canadian designer could be on the fast-track to style stardom with the launch of a contest to create a new look for Via Rail Canada employees.
The national passenger rail service is teaming up with the Fashion Design Council of Canada to present the Via Rail redesign challenge.
Designers from across the country are invited to try their hand at creating a fresh new styling of Via Rail uniforms for both station and on-train employees.
The winning design will be announced and revealed during Fashion Week in Toronto next March.
The winner will take home $10,000 in Via Rail travel credits.
Production and manufacturing of men's and women's uniforms will be done through Via Rail.
For information and details for entry, contact the Fashion Design Council of Canada at 416-922-3322 or info@)fdcc.ca
Program Changes
Dallas Police Get New Wash-and-Wear Threads
 Dallas, November 20, 2008, (Dallas Morning News) - The department has unveiled new uniforms that are wash-and-wear, not dry-clean-only as they have been for decades.
"They're extremely utilitarian," said Lt. Kimberly Stratman. "I think they're great."
Members of a crime response team supervised by the lieutenant have been among the first officers to try them out. The uniforms are expected to be made available to other officers soon.
The pants have side pockets, the buttons are plastic instead of metal, and the badges are embroidered.
"The badge will not fall off in foot chases and struggles," she said. "The plastic buttons are not as reflective or visible, but they still are very professional-looking."
The uniforms, which come in the same shade of dark blue, are intended for field work. Officers will still be required to wear their dry-clean-only outfits to the office and in court.
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