Midway Acquires Bancroft Cap Class A Division, Naming Rights

It is a widely held industry belief that the cap is the essence of any good uniform program because without it no look would be complete. For Chicago-based Midway Cap Co., its recent acquisition of Arkansas' Bancroft Cap may be just the deal it's been looking for to advance its reputation as one of the leading headwear manufacturers in the industry.

Midway is well known for its high-quality brands and product offerings, including the instantly recognizable checkerboard cap worn by the Chicago Police Department. Midway recently purchased the naming rights and Class A division of Bancroft Cap Co., the troubled manufacturer that filed for bankruptcy early last year.

The acquisition works to solidify Midway's standing in the airline industry, with Bancroft's Class A division serving as a complement to Midway's Superior Cap division. It also shores up its reputation in the military arena, a market that the company views ripe for growth.

"Our Luxenburg division focuses on the military, but the Bancroft product line is better known and the purchase enables us to use the branding," says David Lajb, vice president at Midway. "From a strategic standpoint, we are diversified within all markets of the uniform industry."

Founded in 1941, Midway Cap Co. offers a comprehensive line of uniform caps for the police, fire, transportation, security, military and career apparel industry segments. The Superior Cap division is the premier manufacturer of headwear for airline captains, first officers, police commanders and fire chiefs nationwide. Unlike other caps, which are often assembly line produced, each Superior Cap is custom crafted and put together with meticulous hand work. "It's the bread and butter of our business," notes Lajb. "We customize our caps to fit the requirements of each department or agency."

Lajb is a relative newcomer to the uniform business and was, until three years ago, an executive in the banking industry. He was recruited by his mother-in-law and Midway's owner Merle Sbertoli to serve as vice president. Family-owned, Midway had fallen into a state of flux after the death of Ed Sbertoli. That's when Merle stepped in, buying out a former partner and installing herself as president and CEO.

Lajb's financial background has helped Midway remain competitive both here and abroad while positioning itself for growth. Lajb quickly worked to leverage Midway's status as a majority female-owned business, a move which opened doors to small contracts and set asides. "It's not without its pitfalls," cautions Lajb, who notes the program is mired in paperwork and red tape. "It's sometimes better to let the lawyers handle it."

The company also made the decision to move its 22 employees to a 16,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in the industrial corridor of Chicago. "As in real estate, location is everything," says Lajb. "Once we moved to the new facility, our visibility rate increased."

And so did its ability to recruit employees. Midway hasn't suffered the labor shortages felt by some in the industry; in fact, it is able to choose those workers best suited to the company's corporate philosophy and business plan. To retain quality employees, Midway has set up several incentive programs, including a cash entitlement to those workers who refer family or friends who stay with the company. "The cost of training just one employee far exceeds the cost of this program, so it's well worth it," says Lajb.

Of course, employees may also be drawn by the fact that Midway is a Made-in-the-USA union shop, with the wages and benefits that go along with such a standing. The employees' labor union, Unite Here, is a group with which Lajb readily admits Midway has had its ups and downs. "They are very good at working with us when issues between employees and management arise, and they are particularly helpful in resolving problems that result from language barriers," says Lajb. But he is dismayed by what he views as the union's lukewarm support of Made-in-the-USA products. "I wish they'd encourage more agencies to require buying American."

The Bancroft acquisition was decidedly a quiet deal arranged with another company. Through undisclosed contacts, Lajb learned of Jensen Apparel's interest in buying the beret division of Bancroft. "Since we were interested in the Class A division, I contacted [Jensen] and we structured a deal," says Lajb. Jensen purchased the company out of bankruptcy, and Midway made the purchase from Jensen. In the end, Midway walked away with the naming rights and the Class A side of the business.

Touring the Arkansas facility was an eye opener for Lajb. "I was in awe of how well it was put together. It was such a well-structured organization." He says the manufacturing process was done differently, sparking new ideas and options to offer Midway customers. "Some of their equipment was strategically modified for the making of uniform caps. Being able to utilize that equipment enables us to streamline costs and remain competitive."

But it can be difficult to maintain that competitive edge in today's uniform marketplace, particularly for one of the few domestic manufacturers left. Midway has survived by making the most efficient purchasing decisions possible and reducing profit margins when necessary. It helps, too, to be in a market that hasn't been saturated with foreign goods. The headwear requirements at each of the nation's departments and agencies requires a unique, specialized approach, making it more difficult for overseas firms to tap. "Our real competition is right here, at home," Lajb notes.

Trends, lifestyles and a changing customer base also can affect the bottom line. As boomers approach retirement, they are being replaced by a workforce that is decidedly more causal in its approach to clothing. Much like the career apparel industry two decades ago, the law enforcement industry today is grappling with the effects of this dress craze, as departments across the country switch from a Class A uniform to the more relaxed, and some would argue more practical, Class B. What will be the impact on companies like Midway, who tout a more formal appearance in uniform dress? Lajb says, "It's a concern, of course, but even where the departments have made the switch to a Class B for everyday uniforms, they still have a Class A for formal occasions."

Yet while styling options change, one element of the uniform industry remains constant: its unyielding emphasis on customer service. It is perhaps the industry's greatest asset, the one thing that keeps companies like Midway Cap in business no matter the trend or threat from global competitors.

Lajb recounts Midway's role in assuring that officers have what they need in times of tragedy. Midway will place all other orders on hold to prepare headwear for funerals or ceremonies. On one occasion, the items were accidentally shipped three-day UPS, which would have resulted in the caps arriving too late for the funeral. "We processed the order again the next day and shipped it overnight," says Lajb. "I would have put them on my truck and driven them to Louisiana myself if I had to. That's how important our customers are to us."

It's a safe bet that the response would have been different in another industry, but in the uniform industry, service is as important as the economy is in the political arena. "The key is getting the product to the customer quickly, and for us, we'll do whatever is necessary even if it costs a little more," says Lajb. "We have 22 families who count on this company for their livelihood. I don't allow myself to lose sight of that."

No Minimum? No Problem:
Hersh Rostex Seeks to Expand Customer Base
with In-stock Fabrics Program

It's a scenario all too familiar in today's market. A customer's want-it-yesterday order is jeopardized because the fabric cannot be delivered on time, forcing the vendor to scramble to find other options. And those looking to buy fabric in small or no-minimum quantities may be hard pressed to find a mill with which to do business.

Enter Hersh Rostex, a relative newcomer that is making a name for itself by doing what many nowadays eschew. While most mills, manufacturers and vendors alike are reducing inventories in the hope of minimizing financial risk, Hersh Rostex continues to build its stock, keeping an ample supply of wool and wool-blended products on the floor, ready to ship at a moment's notice. "Lead times continue to increase, making it more difficult to find quality wool fabrics when you need them," says David Shashoua of Hersh Rostex. "But the need still exists in the North American market, so for that reason an in-stock program makes good business sense."

So too does the elimination of minimums. To position itself as an alternative to some of the larger mills that are often uninterested in filling small orders, Hersh Rostex eagerly courts every order, no matter the size. "We provide options to the smaller manufacturer or end user. If you only need 200 yards, we'll ship you 200 yards," Shashoua says. Fabrics are provided to customers in the USA and other countries, with shipment made directly from overseas mills or exported from the Canadian-based firm.

Established in 1935 as Hersh Woolens, a menswear company, the family-owned Hersh Rostex branched out to the uniform industry in 2000, a move timed with the end of worldwide quotas on apparel. "When quotas disappeared, we had to ask ourselves where manufacturing as an industry was going, and the answer was clearly that more and more sourcing would be done offshore while product development would continue here," says Shashoua. "We needed to learn how to manage this development and how best to maximize our business potential."

As purchasing domestic fabric became more cost-prohibitive, the company developed a global network of mills from which it sources various programs for its clients. The majority of its fabric now comes from China and India. Within the uniform industry, the company played up its strengths, concentrating on the Canadian law enforcement market, which largely uses wool in the fabrication of its uniforms, and the retail-inspired hospitality industry.

The demise of a major Canadian mill also played a role in Hersh Rostex's decision to launch a uniform division. Several years ago, the company introduced its line of in-stock wool and wool-blended fabrics hoping to fill the void left by Cleyn & Tinker, the leading Canadian worsted wool manufacturer that had recently been purchased by Burlington WorldWide. "We had been buying from Cleyn & Tinker and learned a lot about the business from them," says Shashoua. "Their sale opened a door for our company."

Its customer base in Canada includes many well-known companies, but its niche is really with small, lesser-known entities. "We've been able to do well with smaller companies because we provide the options and service they're looking for," says Shashoua.

Hersh Rostex hopes to grow its customer base in the United States, a country that has a seemingly endless stream of law enforcement and hospitality customers. Of particular interest is the burgeoning hospitality industry, with its emphasis on retail-inspired designs and appearance. Shashoua says, "When you spend as much money on a property as hotels and casinos are spending, then you have to dress up your workers in order to convey the message that you're high end. If you don't place a premium on appearance, what does this say about your property?"

But tapping the U.S. market is not without its challenges, most notable being the border. "Despite NAFTA [the North American Free Trade Agreement], the border presents the biggest problem for our U.S. side of the business." This is particularly true for smaller orders, where shipping and government fees can drive up the price of the fabric. "I need to know what you're buying and how we're shipping it before I can determine the price," he says.

Like others in this country, Shashoua believes much of the recent talk by presidential candidates about renegotiating NAFTA is just that – talk. "Renegotiating NAFTA will only penalize the American companies who are already in Mexico and will drive up the price of apparel in the United States," he says. "If you're going to protect an industry, then protect it; otherwise, measures like these are simply counterproductive."

Cultural differences between the United States and Canada have served as both a driver and an impediment to sales in the U.S. "The mentality is different in Canada," says Shashoua. "Here, customers are mainly driven by price. In the U.S., it's more about service and value. It's a need-it-now type of market, and that has served us well."

Other factors have been more daunting. "The color selection is so much more diverse here, and it's been a challenge to supply the variety required by the market," he notes, adding that there are also more styling options and a greater emphasis on accessories. He attributes that to fierce competition in the service industries. One way to distinguish yourself from your competitors has traditionally been through a comprehensive uniform program. Shashoua says, "Canada is an understated culture and the uniforms reflect that. There's no Las Vegas, no MGM to compete with, so uniforms are more straightforward."

Hersh Rostex recently joined the venerable North-American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) with the hope that its membership will give the company credibility in the U.S. marketplace.

And it is counting on its quality, no minimum, in-stock fabric program to bolster its standing within the industry. Says Shashoua, "We like to think of ourselves as a company that wears many hats – we're an importer, a distributor, a global sourcer. Even if we don't have what you're looking for in stock, we'll find it for you. We provide another option in the wool and blended market."

Palmero Helps Dealers Increase Sales with Side Lines

The uniform business has many items that are considered essential products. One could hardly imagine proposing a quick-service restaurant not wear a logoed shirt. Or that law enforcement officers not own a cap or badge. The uniform industry is a mature one, and finding new and interesting items to sell long-standing uniform buyers can be difficult. Two market segments with potential for new sales for the direct-sale uniform business fall in the areas of eyewear and disinfectant-related products.

Oddly enough, those two categories are being handled by a single manufacturer. Palmero Health Care Inc. (PHC) has brought a number of products to uniform dealers for building sales in these areas.

As a 70-year-old dental products manufacturer with a history of innovation in infection control, this family-owned business was among the first to offer disinfecting wipes to dental offices. Building on this history, current president and owner Ken Palmero says, "I have been employed by or have owned the business for 50 years with a starting date of age seven."

Historically the company has provided a line of niche products to dental distributors. Product offerings include safety eyewear, X-ray aprons and a line of infection-control products. The firm is now working with uniform dealers that supply medical groups, hospitals and other healthcare operations.

First is the Pro-Vision line of protective eyewear featuring dozens of attractive, comfortable and economical styles. The target market is any healthcare setting, although because styles include both bonding and disposable, other job-specific applications might also be appropriate. The products are ANSI compliant, fog free and scratch resistant and feature telescoping arms and magnification options, so they can be used in many markets.

Second is the DisCide family of surface disinfectants, developed by PHC over the past 10 years. These products have redefined the company, becoming the core of the business. "I invested heavily in product development that resulted in a family of products that possess superior performance characteristics," says Palmero. "We invested in extensive third-party comparative laboratory studies that objectively prove that the DisCide line exceeds, very meaningfully, the performance of our many competitors."

With disinfectants, a critical measurement of performance is kill time. Kill times are defined as the contact time required to kill the common microorganisms that threaten to infect patients and healthcare professionals. When used properly, DisCide Ultra kills targeted organisms in one minute. Leading competitive brands have kill times ranging from three to ten minutes. When the competing products are applied to a contaminated surface, they evaporate in just a few minutes. Consequently, the targeted germs survive because they are not exposed to the product for the required kill time. DisCide Ultra kills before it evaporates. Furthermore DisCide Ultra disinfecting spray can be used along with DisCide Ultra towelettes to ensure that surfaces are kept wet for the one minute kill time.

Detailed instructions are provided on all PHC products so that every member of a dental office staff can fully understand the proper application of DisCide Ultra. Unfortunately, this is not the case with all surface disinfectants. Palmero contends that confusing disinfectant labels are a very big problem. "Kill times are listed on labels, but evaporation times are not," Palmero explains. "This can cause a lack of understanding and can lead to surfaces that are not fully disinfected." For this reason, Palmero has made infection control his personal crusade. "It is my goal to teach dental staff members how to disinfect properly."

Palmero Health Care is still a somewhat well-kept secret in the industry. "As a small company, our marketing efforts pale in comparison to the giants like Reckitt Benckiser or Clorox," says Palmero. "However, we remain committed to creating an awareness of our efficacy claims among our distributors and, most importantly, the dentists. Too few people know of the significant benefits of DisCide Ultra."

To this end, PHC is making major investments in key business segments. First and foremost is the continuing investment in high-quality employees. Palmero says, "In order to get our message out to our customers, we have strengthened our marketing and sales management capacity. This will result in more frequent customer communication via advertising, email and personal visits to our distributor's branches, sales personnel and their customers, the dentists." The recent spread of infectious diseases such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has further increased the urgency in disseminating this information. "We strive to be the information resource on the subject of infection control."
The success of DisCide Ultra has led to a full line extension. DisCide Ultra is available in a spray as well as in convenient towelettes. DisCide V is another surface disinfectant with similar kill claims but with a more economical formula. Hand asepsis can also be achieved with DisCide XRA Hand Sanitizing Wipes and DisCide Effect .04% PCMX Hand Soap. "We are determined to be the premier, single-source supplier for all infection control products in the healthcare industry," says Palmero. PHC vows to continue providing exceptional products and services to all its customers. "Our goal is ultimately to save lives. We genuinely believe, when properly applied, our DisCide products can do just that."

New Name and Partnerships Take Cobmex in Fresh Direction

What's in a name? Everything, if you're Cobmex Apparel.

This fall, Cobmex will officially change its name to PSC Uniform Apparel, a moniker that better reflects the company's focus these days. "Public safety is the anchor of the company in Canada and will be in the United States as well," says Cobmex's owner Phil Newman.

But there is another reason for the switch. Cobmex, an abbreviation for Cobbler's Mexico, has at times evoked strong negative reaction from those in the United States. "We may be in a global marketplace, but xenophobia still exists in some segments of the industry," says Newman.

In actuality, Cobmex has strong U.S. roots and today has an office and warehouse in Buffalo, NY. The company first got its start in California, primarily as a supplier to the school apparel industry. "It was my father-in-law's business, and I would help him source items in Mexico for sale in the states and Canada," explains Newman, who later launched a division of Cobmex in Canada that focused on the public safety market.

That was the early '90s, and the timing for such a relationship could not have been better. A retailer by trade, Newman's own business was quickly being eroded by the recently signed NAFTA. He says smaller, independent retailers just couldn't compete with the likes of Wal-Mart and the Gap.

Seeking to reinvent himself, Newman traveled with a contractor to Mexico, sourcing and manufacturing sweaters for resale in Canada. "Within three years, Cobmex became one of the better-known sweater producers in the country," says Newman. Although heavily concentrated in public safety, the company also has a stable of image apparel clients, including McDonald's Canada.

Cobmex manufactures acrylic and acrylic-blend sweaters and is perhaps best known for its Durapil by Cobmex brand. Cobmex Durapil is a special treatment applied to high-quality acrylic yarn for greater durability and pill control. "We start with a long staple acrylic yarn," explains Newman. "A long staple yarn will always perform better than a short staple, which is what is currently being used in the uniform market. Long staple performs better because the fiber is longer, and in the spinning process, the yarn is twisted in a ring-spun fashion." Independent tests have shown that the process outperforms other leading pill-control fabrics, according to the company's website.

Sales in the public safety arena reached a new high after Sept. 11, 2001, leading Newman to believe that opportunities for his products existed outside Canada. "I called the NAUMD, and was told I couldn't exhibit because my products weren't manufactured within the United States." At the time, the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors, as it was named before changing its own moniker to reflect its North American reach, excluded non-U.S.-based companies from membership and banned the promotion of foreign goods from its exhibits.

Because of his ties to his father-in-law's California operation, he was eventually able to attend the show. "I went to the show and brought samples with me. I played golf. I made contacts," remembers Newman. "A few weeks later, I received a call for samples from a major manufacturer and subsequently got an order for 16,000 units. By the end of the year, I had sold over 56,000 sweaters."

The story is typical of the types of relationships Cobmex has developed over the years and continues to cultivate to this day. The company's U.S. reach was further extended through its strategic alliance with Unison Marketing Group, headed by industry veterans Ron Pate and Bob Gates. Newman says the relationship is a perfect fit. "They didn't really have a sweater line in their arsenal, and since they're out there working hard to promote their Perfection brand and they know the business so well, why not let them handle the U.S. market for me, too?" He says his other option – hiring and managing his own sales force – would be cost prohibitive. "You should delegate everything, except personal genius," he wryly notes.

The company is determined to be a major player within the public safety niche. "Our research has shown there's tremendous growth potential in this area," says Newman. To better service this segment, Cobmex recently teamed up with W. L. Gore and will begin producing sweaters made with Windstopper fabric. The Windstopper fabric utilizes a proprietary Gore membrane that allows the highest level of sweat vapor to escape while extending the wearer's comfort by being truly windproof. "It's a great product, and contrary to what some believe, Gore fabrics are not necessarily more expensive. It's a great addition to our line," Newman says.

Cobmex also has recently been certified by the United States Postal Service. "We were told that companies were presenting some offshore samples to the USPS, so we went for it and got certified," says Newman.

Newman credits his company's success with its out-of-the-box philosophy. "Companies get in trouble when they stop challenging themselves," he says, and believes that many uniform businesses are stymied because of the industry's unique characteristics. Newman says, "Many are still family businesses, which are today second generation. They still operate the way their fathers did, unwilling to change because they are comfortable doing things the way they've always been done. It's a poor business model."

His own family ties were severed recently, when he and his father-in-law officially split the business, with Cobmex California getting the school apparel side of the company.

As for soon-to-be PSC Uniform Apparel, Newman continues to look for new challenges and new opportunities through alliances. "Is there a better product out there? I hope so, and I'll keep researching until I find it."

Edwards Garment Acquires Andrew Rohan

Edwards Garment Co. announces the acquisition of HMB Sales Inc. HMB has manufactured and marketed Andrew Rohan brand sweaters to the business-to-business market for more than 25 years. Edwards Garment is a rapidly growing manufacturer and supplier of casual and uniform apparel. This acquisition is a part of the company's strategic expansion plan, according to Gary Schultz, president and CEO of Edwards Garment. 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," says 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 restocking 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," says 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 more than 140 years. The privately held company is headquartered in Kalamazoo, Mich. Edwards products are available through a nationwide network of dealers and distributors. To learn more about Edwards Garment, please visit www.edwardsgarmentapparel.com.

Rush to Reno – The Uniform Retailers Association Trade Show

Exhibits and events at the second annual Uniform Retailers Association (URA) Trade Show have been announced and offer great opportunities to the industry.

This Reno, Nev., show will be held Sept. 18-20, 2008, at the Silver Legacy Casino & Resort. Retailers can stroll among the offerings of 45 uniform manufacturers and distributors. This lively show features many new products, passionate conversation and impromptu meetings.

"We are extremely gratified at the overwhelmingly positive response to the first show in New Orleans from both retailers and manufacturers and are equally thrilled to head to Reno for another successful show in 2008," says Melanie Imlay, URA president.

The URA expects a steady flow of independent retailers. The show presents an atmosphere for creating new relationships and capitalizing on old ones. Retailers find it a relaxed and intimate environment. URA exhibitors reported excellent sales during last year's show. The seminars and events add to the fun. It's the perfect place to network, socialize and mix business with pleasure. For those who are new to the industry, this is a unique opportunity to connect with your peers and establish a strong network. International businesses can meet with importers and set up U.S. distribution for their products.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, the URA kicks off its Annual Trade Show with food, drinks, music and an excellent venue, the National Bowling Stadium. All retailers and manufacturers are invited to attend. Friday, Sept. 19, fully registered attendees will enjoy an evening experiencing the history of the Great Bonanza Trail and the gold-seekers who blazed the first trails into the area for the new settlers.

Two powerful general sessions will be packed with innovative ideas, practical strategies and no-nonsense tools to build business, sell more merchandise and better serve today's savvy consumers.

Retail industry expert George Whalin will lead the workshop "Into the Future: Powerful Trends Shaping the Future of Retailing" on Friday, Sept. 19. During these chaotic times, savvy merchants must pay attention to the trends that will shape their future. In this session, retailers and manufacturers will learn to identify and capitalize on the changes destined to impact their businesses over the next five to ten years. Whalin's presentation will help retailers increase sales and maximize profits.

Saturday, Sept. 20, Jennifer Web teaches "How to be a Hero to Every Customer." Jennifer has helped thousands of businesses increase productivity by teaching people how to communicate and work more synergistically together. This general session will teach the fine art of being memorable and exceptional 24/7 and what it takes to go beyond good customer service, focusing on what every company must do to keep customers coming back.

URA would like to thank the following companies for supporting the show: Landau, Peaches, Spectrum Uniforms, Prestige and White Swan. Sponsorships are still available.

For further information on joining URA, exhibiting or attending the show, please visit www.uniformretailers.org, email URA@uniformretailers.org or call (740) 452-2552.

Snap N' Wear Offers New Turtleneck

The latest offering from Snap N' Wear, a leading industrial clothing supplier, includes an all-cotton turtleneck. The shirt is offered in sizes up to 4XL. The competitively priced garment comes in a deep navy color.

The item and color are ideal for use in the police, fire and security markets.

For more information about Snap N' Wear, please visit www.snapnwear.com or call (877) 764-6400.

Edwards Garment Now Has Alpaca Sweaters

Alpaca has sometimes been cited as better than cashmere, just as luxurious and, in this case least, hypo-allergenic. Edwards Garment's Alpaca sweater is soft and more durable than wool and cashmere. It features a stylish V-neck pullover and is made with Alpaca natural fiber, which contains no lanolin and is hypo-allergenic.

These sweaters travel well, with excellent wrinkle and stretch resistance, and will keep the wearer warm even in a chill. For the men's style 404, the fabrication is 50 percent alpaca/50 percent acrylic, and the women's style 202 is 50 percent baby alpaca/50 percent acrylic.

Colors currently available are black, heather grey, blue rush (men's), autumn brown (men's), plush plum (women's) and pearl (women's). Sizes in men's are small to 3XL and in women's small to 2XL

For more information on this new line of sweaters, please visit www.edwardsgarment.com or call (877) 355-0183.

Fechheimer Releases Soft Shell Justice Jacket

Arc'teryx, an extreme outdoor gear manufacturer, initially designed a soft-shell jacket for the premium outdoor retail consumer. It was then adopted by the military and special forces. Now it will be distributed exclusively by Flying Cross.

Working together, the two companies have implemented high-performance features the public safety officer looks for and wants in outerwear. The Justice Jacket looks great and has quality construction, fit and design.

The outer shell is made from a four-way stretch woven fabric that insulates and wicks moisture on the inside while repelling water on the outside. The inside lining is a soft polyester fleece fabric that keeps the wearer warm and comfortable. The result is a three-season jacket in colder climates and a year-round jacket in more temperate climates.

For more information, please visit www.fechheimer.com or call (800) 543-1939.

SmartSilver Antimicrobial now Available to the Textile Market

NanoHorizons Inc. and Indo Poly Ltd. have entered into a partnership to produce distinctive polyester yarns with permanent antimicrobial properties. NanoHorizons is a leader in the creation of nanoscale performance additives for the textile and medical industries, and Indo Poly (Thailand) Ltd. is a part of Indorama Ventures Ltd., a multinational corporation with a core interest in polyester manufacturing. The antimicrobial yarns will be marketed to the textile industry under Indo Poly's Ambs Pro and Ambs Active brands.

Indo Poly will incorporate NewHorizons' nanoscale silver antimicrobial additives into textured and fully drawn polyester yarns. NanoHorizons' SmartSilver bonds at the molecular level, resulting in yarns and fabrics that provide permanent antimicrobial protection and anti-odor performance.

The Ambs Pro/SmartSilver yarns will be marketed to premium athletic wear, outdoor apparel, uniform and healthcare textile manufacturers. The SmartSilver enhanced yarns provide permanent antimicrobial and antifungal benefits that do not wash out or degrade in sunlight or perspiration.

"We are excited to have Indo Poly join our growing list of partners certified to use the SmartSilver brand," says Dr. Dan Hayes, president of NanoHorizons. "Indo Poly is a high-quality manufacturer whose products provide premium value to the textile market. Its global distribution network ensures that textile manufacturers around the world have full access to these exceptional antimicrobial yarns."

Prabeer Mukherjee, business head of Indo Poly Ltd., says, "NanoHorizons not only provides us with an unmatched performance brand for antimicrobial products, but backs it with a full complement of in-house customer support capabilities for product testing, expert technical assistance and responsive account management. Our partnership with NanoHorizons will allow us to offer unique, high-performance yarns that exceed our customers' performance expectations."

For more information about Nano-Horizons' SmartSilver Certified Antimicrobial Performance, visit www.smartsilveronline.com or call (866) 584-6235.

Penn Emblem Offers Cleanroom ID Labels

The Penn Emblem Co. announced the addition of Cleanroom ID Labels to its ExpressPrint Label Tape product line. These labels are capable of going through Cleanroom gamma radiation and UV rays without degrading or detaching from the garments. Ultra thin and composed of one layer, up to six of the labels can be applied on top of another. This provides a distinct advantage of not having to remove a previous label. And the bond time is quicker as well, with 11 seconds for the first label and just two seconds for each subsequent label.

Concerned about layered labels coming apart over time? Cleanroom ID Labels create a mechanical bond during the heat-seal process which causes the label to become part of the garment, and each subsequent label to become part of the previous application.

Designed specifically to print with Penn Emblem's ExpressPrint and ExpressPrint Mini thermal printers.

For more information, contact Peter Corr at (800) 793-7366 or peterc@pennemblem.com.