Cherokee Named Best Manufacturer; Peaches, Landau, Schum Win Retailer Awards

After a day of business education and roundtables, Uniform Retailers Association turned the spotlight on the medical apparel industry's suppliers at its 3rd Annual Retailer Champion Awards.

For the third consecutive year, Cherokee Uniforms was named best manufacturer. Peaches and Landau tied for best customer service, while Landau walked away with best delivery.

"It really is a fair look at what's going on in the industry and how retailers feel about the suppliers," says URA cofounder Melanie Imlay.

Awardees were determined by URA members, who were asked to email their picks to the association's office. The URA is a run-by-and-for retailers group. While manufacturers are welcome at the show, URA membership is limited to retail companies and groups.

Three-time winner Cherokee Uniforms was cited as best-all around manufacturer. "They did quite well this year, with lots of positive feedback from members," says Imlay.

Peaches and Landau, co-winners of the best customer service award, received the honor for their ability to effectively and consistently service and communicate with retailers. "They're always willing to help, always very accommodating. Whether it involves confirming an order or locating a particular product, they'll work with you," notes Imlay.

Bragging rights for the evening went to Landau, who was also recognized as the manufacturer with the best delivery. Members cited the company's turnaround time and its ability to ship most orders complete, or close to complete, as reasons for the honor.

Steve Schum, who represents both White Swan and Prestige, earned the 2009 best sales representative distinction. "He's accessible, knowledgeable and great to work with," says Imlay.

Winners received engraved plaques, which can be displayed at corporate headquarters.

Skechers Enters Medical Apparel Market
in January 2010

Skechers USA Inc., a global leader in the lifestyle footwear industry, signed a licensing agreement with Strategic Partners Inc., the makers of Cherokee Medical Apparel, to create and distribute a Skechers-branded line of apparel for nurses and other healthcare professionals that launched in January 2010.

The Skechers collection features a younger, more flattering fit than traditional medical apparel. Through innovative silhouettes, prints and fabrications, the line will utilize ready-to-wear trends in basics like scrubs, pants, jackets and tees. Branded designer accents will include Skechers logo buttons, flag labels, jacquard ribbons and zipper pulls. The Skechers medical apparel line will be available in a wide range of sizes.

"Doctors and nurses already love our Skechers Work non-slip footwear products," says Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. "This new medical apparel line perfectly complements our workplace footwear offerings and will be a fantastic extension to the Skechers brand and lifestyle within medical environments."

"Skechers Medical Apparel represents the fashionable, fun and feminine side of caregivers who want to allow their style sense to carry over into their jobs," says Michael Singer, CEO of Strategic Partners. "Skechers is in strong demand around the world, and creating Skechers-branded medical apparel will give healthcare professionals the opportunity to indulge their personal sense of style while on the job."

Skechers Medical Apparel will be available at independent uniform retail stores and in catalogs.

Strategic Partners Inc. is a recognized national leader in the design and manufacturing of medical, school and footwear uniform categories. It distributes medical apparel under the labels of Cherokee, Skechers, Disney, Baby Phat, the NFL and others. The corporation's home office is in Chatsworth, Calif., with a distribution center in Dallas, Texas.

Skechers USA Inc., based in Manhattan Beach, Calif., designs, develops and markets a diverse range of footwear for men, women and children under the Skechers name, as well as under several uniquely branded names. Skechers footwear is available in the United States via department and specialty stores, company-owned Skechers retail stores and its e-commerce website, as well as in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.skechers.com.

New Version of UniformMarket Software Now Available

UniformMarket LLC is pleased to announce the immediate availability of UniformMarket.com 2.5 software – a version that is the most robust, full featured, quickest, and most stable ever released.

Current users who opt for the improved version will have their v2.4 stores upgraded without any disruption to current web store services or availability. "Version 2.5 provides a dramatic increase in store performance, feature functionality and customer satisfaction," says UniformMarket's CEO David Sykes. "The clients' buying experience will be enhanced significantly, increasing sales while reducing support costs."

Born from the suggestions of 2.4 users, Version 2.5 includes a host of important feature enhancements and functionality improvements in the core UniformMarket Store System software, the most significant of which include:

• Dramatic reduction in page load time via code optimization providing improved category and product page loading speed.
• Improved Checkout Cart with Express Checkout – Features state tax calculator, shipping estimator, and new "Express Checkout" selection capability.
• Sales Tax Service incorporates a database containing the current sales tax rates by zip code for the entire United States and Canada, updated monthly.
• Improved Coupon Checkout – Displays discounted amount both on cart and checkout pages.
• Reduced price for pre-loaded catalogs – Now priced at $100 per catalog for v2.5, a 33 percent reduction over the version 2.4 pricing of $150 per catalog.
• Product Library upgrades – Allows seamless migration of category images and supplier/vendor descriptive overview.
• Automatic SEO Keyword Generator – Automatically identifies keywords and creates optimal metadata/metatags for search engine optimization on all dynamically generated store pages.
• Faster Search Function – Improved database and query optimization provides increased product search speed.
• Improved Product Image Presentation – Alternate images and zoom.
• Functional wherever images are available from supplier/vendor.
• Automatic Maintenance Updates – v2.5 software maintenance updates are automatically pushed out to unique client stores.
• Improved Reports – New "Export all" function added to allow retailers to export catalog data for use in POS systems; customer reports are now available in HTML, PDF, and Excel formats.
• Use of AJAX to improve user experience – Provides "intelligent" updates to selected page content without requiring a complete page refresh, providing faster and more enjoyable user page navigation.
• Access to additional enhancements as they become available.

"There are other enhancements in the works which will be exclusively available to Version 2.5 users," adds Sykes.

In addition to the included core Version 2.5 feature and performance enhancements, a number of new and improved option modules are available, providing even more increased functionality, ease of use, configuration and support:

• New Flyout Menu Module – Provides the ability to dynamically build out category and product menus on the left navigation bar.
• Improves buying experience for end-user via simplified navigation of products.
• Product category changes are automatically displayed in fly-out menus.
• New Advanced Search Module – Adds "Narrow your choices" search option, greatly simplifying product search process and reducing search time.
• Dynamic Up-Sell Module – Automatically identifies and inserts "Similar Products" from same manufacturer to display during product selection.
• Flash Homepage Merchandising Billboard – Enables web-based form that allows you to update flash-based rotating merchandising billboard content on home page specific to merchandising billboard.
• Supervisor Approval Process Module – Allows supervisor to review/approve purchase order requests from subordinates using private stores.

Version 2.5 and optional modules are available for immediate purchase. To see the new system in action, visit http://medical.uniformmarket.com.

To learn more, you can contact jarred@uniformmarket.com or call 858-345-1212 to purchase an upgrade.

UniformMarket LLC provides a full range of e-commerce, marketing and news services that connect dealers, distributors, manufacturers and mills with the end users who seek their products and expertise. Developed by seasoned industry veterans who know the uniform landscape, the UniformMarket Store System application helps uniform dealers, distributors and manufacturers mange their websites and online sales. UniformMarket also produces the UniformMarket Post Office email-based direct mailing system and UniformMarket News, an online portal for all the news covering uniform, medical and corporate apparel industries. Learn more about UniformMarket LLC by visiting www.uniformmarket.com.

ASI Study Gauges Usage and Potential of Social Networking

The Advertising Specialty Institute, the largest media and marketing organization serving the advertising specialty industry, announced the results of an exclusive social networking study gauging the impact, usage and potential of social networking among ASI distributor, supplier and decorator members.

Results show that about half of respondents expressing an opinion (53 percent of distributors and 48 percent of suppliers) feel they will be increasing the time they spend with social networking in the next two years. Nearly 90 percent of respondents also believe social networking already is or will become a good way to promote their business, but there is no overall consensus about which site is most relevant today.

The study indicates that LinkedIn, an online site for professionals, is used by about 54 percent of distributor members and 46 percent of supplier members who responded to the survey, and that the majority with accounts (93 percent of the distributors and 85 percent of the suppliers) use it for business purposes. About 25 percent of distributors noted that it is the most relevant social network for the future.

Facebook, a more casual online site, has the greatest penetration in the industry overall, with 59 percent of distributors and 62 percent of suppliers indicating they have a Facebook account. Among those who have an account, however, 65 percent of distributors and 62 percent of suppliers say it is for personal use.

"The results of our social networking study are fascinating," says Larry Basinait, executive director of research services at the Advertising Specialty Institute. "While many distributors and suppliers say in general that social networking sites are important to their business, about 47 percent of distributors and 43 percent of suppliers are trying to determine the best way to use them for marketing efforts and promotions."

The full results of the exclusive study from ASI are available at http://www.asicentral.com/asp/open/research. A report was also issued to all survey participants.

Additional key findings from the study include:

• Twitter has room to grow. Three-quarters of distributors and 70 percent of suppliers have heard of Twitter, the short-message texting service, but do not have an account. Thirty-five percent of distributors and 44 percent of suppliers who have Twitter accounts use them for business purposes.
• YouTube is personal. About one-half of distributors and suppliers use YouTube, the public video hosting service, mostly for personal purposes. However, suppliers are posting more videos in general, with 28 percent having submitted videos or slideshows to social networking sites.
• ASI Social Network is educational. About 7 percent of distributors and suppliers indicate they use the ASI Social Network, the industry's online community of nearly 3,900 members. Of those who use it, about two-thirds say that advice and education are the dominant reasons why they participate.

The ASI Social Networking Study is an additional resource among a comprehensive set of educational and statistical research from ASI, including the annual State of the Industry report, the Advertising Specialties Impressions Study and quarterly industry sales reports. For more information, contact Larry Basinait, executive director of research services, at lbasinait@asicentral.com.

Advertising Specialty Institute has a membership of over 26,000 distributor and supplier firms of advertising specialties. Supplier firms use ASI print and electronic resources to market products to over 22,000 ASI distributor firms. Distributor firms use ASI print and electronic resources, which contain nearly every product in the industry from more than 3,500 reputable suppliers, to locate supplier firms and to market services to buyers. ASI provides catalogs, information directories, newsletters, magazines, websites and databases, and offers e-commerce, marketing and selling tools. Visit ASI online at asicentral.com.

Cintas Releases White Paper on the Impact of Onsite Uniform Room Solutions

Cintas Corp. released a white paper examining the impact of onsite uniform room solutions on small-, mid- and large-scale hotel properties. The paper identifies potential issues hoteliers might experience with their current wardrobe room and how onsite solutions improve wardrobe room operations, enabling hoteliers to protect their uniform investment.

"All hoteliers understand the importance appearance plays in a guest's impression of the property," says Gretchen McIntyre, senior marketing manager of Cintas. "However, some hoteliers do not understand the significance that wardrobe rooms play in ensuring the integrity of their associates' appearance. Our research shows that onsite wardrobe room solutions not only improve the appearance of associates, but they also reduce costs and improve staff morale."

To conduct its research, Cintas examined three different sized hotels: Hotel Monteleone, a 590-room boutique hotel in New Orleans' French Quarter; Westin Kierland, a 735-room luxury resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Marriott Orlando World Center, a 2,004-room hotel in Orlando, Fla. The research included a review of the hotels' operations prior to the implementation of an onsite wardrobe room and the results achieved after several years of using Cintas' onsite wardrobe room solutions.

Common issues identified in the white paper include improperly sized rooms, inconsistency in the appearance of garments, lack of inventory control and inadequate oversight.

A wardrobe room is a designated area within a hotel where uniforms are stored, mended and sent for laundering. Its purpose is to maintain and manage staff uniforms. However, oftentimes these areas are mismanaged and underutilized, developing into an unnecessary expense for hoteliers. While some hotel wardrobe rooms are managed by internal hotel staff, onsite wardrobe room solutions are managed by a supplier, allowing staff to focus on their core competencies while ensuring the satisfaction of hotel guests.

"Many hoteliers often neglect to give any thought to their property's uniform room because it's a non-revenue-generating space," adds McIntyre. "By optimizing the efficiency of the room with proper management and resources, hotels can reduce their expenses while gaining a competitive edge."

For a copy of Cintas' Wardrobe Room White Paper, go to Cintas' lodging website at www.cintas.com/Industries/Lodging.aspx or e-mail lodgingsolutions@cintas.com.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cintas Corp. provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid and safety products, fire protection services and document management services to approximately 800,000 businesses.

Milliken Announces Breakthrough Lightweight Flame Resistant Workwear Fabrics

Milliken & Company, one of the world's largest privately-held textile and chemical manufacturers, announced the launch of a new lightweight flame resistant fabric as part of its Amplitude line of workwear fabrics. Amplitude is the company's line of patent-pending premium, high-performance FR fabrics for industrial workwear.

The new six-ounce-per-square-yard Amplitude fabric is one of the lightest weight 88/12 cotton/nylon fabrics to be recognized by UL for compliance to NFPA 70E (HRC2) electric arc and NFPA 2112 flash fire protective clothing. This fabric is made completely in the United States and has the same benefits as the other fabrics in the Amplitude line, including soft hand, increased breathability and improved strength.

The newly enhanced proprietary fabrics are processed ammonia-free and are constructed of a lightweight cotton/nylon blend designed to help mitigate potential injuries due to electric arc and flash fire exposure while providing durability and superior comfort. The combination of these capabilities makes it an ideal fabric for industrial workwear occupations in manufacturing, utilities, electrical maintenance and petrochemical.

"Our customers want fabrics that provide a substantial degree of FR protection as well as enhanced comfort and improved aesthetics," says Jack Spoon, business leader for Milliken Workwear. "Our new lightweight Amplitude fabric delivers a unique combination of capabilities providing the wearer breakthrough performance, protection and comfort."

For more information about Milliken's workwear product offering or Amplitude fabrics, contact Milliken at (800) 828-3034 or visit www.millikenfr.com.

Milliken is a privately-held, technology-based company dedicated to building a strong culture of integrity, innovation and excellence, serving textile, chemical and floor covering markets. The company has been named a Fortune magazine "Best Company to Work For" for five years and a "World's Most Ethical Company" for three years. To learn more about Milliken, visit www.milliken.com.

Cordura Fabrics Featured in New JanSport Pack

Two classic brands iconic to the outdoor market are coming together to re-create the pack made famous in the '90s. JanSport and Invista's Cordura brand team joined forces to develop the new Right Pack. The Right Pack, part of JanSport's Classic Collection that re-launched in fall 2009, offers a classic product with exceptional reliability, innovation and style.

The high-performance pack is constructed with 1000 denier Cordura Classic fabric and is a true original, complete with one large main compartment and padded shoulder straps and back panel. The pack is finished with JanSport's classic suede leather bottom to keep user's items protected.

"Most of us remember carrying our reliable JanSport pack as we went through school, and Cordura fabric has been part of JanSport for more than 30 years," says Cindy McNaull, global Cordura brand manager. "The new JanSport Right Pack offers the exceptional reliability that is in JanSport's heritage. Couple this with the durability of Cordura fabric, and customers can rest assured that they are making a sound purchase that can ultimately lead to fewer replacements."

JanSport's new Right Pack featuring durable Cordura fabric is a modern interpretation of the iconic silhouette JanSport has been designing since the early '90s infused with today's product innovation and contemporary design. As trendsetters for America's youth, the Right Pack will provide a trendy but enduring option for students heading back to school.

The Cordura fabric used in the Right Pack and other JanSport products exemplifies the recently launched Cordura Cares sustainability program and the tagline "Sustainability Begins with Products that Last." Invista's Cordura Cares sustainability program consists of three pillars: sustainable performance, enduring materials, and corporate responsibility.

"We're excited to re-launch one of JanSport's iconic bags, the Right Pack," says Courtney Blacker, JanSport director of brand marketing. "It only made sense to integrate high-performance 1000 denier Cordura Classic fabric into the bag to ensure it was not only the authentic JanSport Brand name that customer's would recognize but also the Cordura brand fabric name for ultimate pack durability."

The Right Pack will also feature the newly designed Cordura brand hangtag and sewn-in label. For more information, visit www.jansport.com.

Invista's Cordura brand is known for its resistance to abrasions, tears and scuffs. Cordura fabric is a primary ingredient in many of the world's leading high-performance gear and apparel products ranging from luggage, upholstery and backpacks to footwear, military equipment, tactical wear, workwear and performance apparel. The Cordura brand is a registered trademark of Invista, one of the world's largest integrated polymer, intermediates and fibers businesses. For more information about the diverse range of Cordura brand fabrics, visit www.cordura.com.

Dickies to Expand Presence in New York Through Major Showroom Relocation

Dickies, the work and lifestyle apparel brand, announced it is relocating its New York City showroom in order to better serve the brand's growing needs. The new space, located at 1400 Broadway in the heart of the garment district, provides approximately 4,000 square feet of usable space in which Dickies will merchandise the brand's comprehensive product assortment to current and prospective retailers, suppliers and the media. The newly renovated space opened in November 2009.

Dickies' showroom move is part of an overarching brand initiative to communicate the breadth of its product offering and marketing initiatives to its channels of distribution. Long known for its work wear heritage and the original 874 work pant, the Dickies brand has grown to encompass consumers who also embrace the brand's authenticity, heritage, durability and value for after work and leisure activities.

"The Dickies brand has moved beyond its work wear heritage to appeal to individuals with an independent spirit and uncomplicated sense of style," says Tad Uchtman, senior vice president of marketing, merchandising and licensing for Dickies. "Because New York is at the heart of the fashion and apparel industry, it's vital for us to have an iconic showplace in the market to bring our brand vision to life as we work towards what consumers have told us is a very promising future."

Dickies conducted thorough consumer research during the past several years to better understand the brand's reach across the apparel and accessories industry. Findings demonstrated that the Dickies brand is sought out by a broad spectrum of consumers because of the durability, quality, value and innovation inherent in each piece of Dickies apparel. The evolved breadth of product offerings plus the company's no-nonsense image appeals to customers from the typical American working hero to cubicle workers and fashion opinion leaders. As a result, demand for Dickies crosses generational and socio-economic boundaries.

The new showroom space will be utilized for market weeks, special events, retailer meetings and other company needs.

The Dickies brand has provided tough, quality clothing to American workers for more than 87 years. The company has grown from the U.S. Bib Overall Co. in 1922 to the Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Co. Dickies is the global leader in innovative work apparel while also meeting consumer needs for quality after work clothing at a great value. The Dickies portfolio of apparel includes men's and women's work pants, shorts, shirts, denim, outerwear, school wear and an extensive licensing program, all backed by a lifetime guarantee. For more information, visit www.dickies.com.

New "Reflective Rolls Goods" Brochure Highlights 3M Scotchlite Reflective Materials

Metlon Corp. released its new four-page, full-color "Reflective Roll Goods" brochure, which focuses on enhancing nighttime visibility and safety. It features 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material's latest offerings: 5807 Custom Cuttable Transfer Film and Series 5500 Comfort Trim. Both are examples of ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 compliant reflective material, and they are photographed in day/night contrast with separate close-up and insert photographs to clarify the features and applications of each. Photos highlight the diverse applications for which Metlon supplies reflective material including children's and adults' jackets, sportswear, and backpacks as well as corporate and construction uniforms.

The brochure also references the company's engineering experience and ability to custom slit material to special widths and lengths, which is another facet of Metlon's capabilities that offers customers convenience and cost savings. Coils shown with a variety of put-ups, including traverse wound spools, expedite the manufacturer's use of the reflective materials.

An authorized distributor of 3M Scotchlite Reflective Materials, Metlon Corp. describes and depicts customer-oriented as well as end-user oriented benefits designed to increase nighttime safety. The 5807 Custom Cuttable Transfer Film creates new opportunities for manufacturers to provide high-quality customized apparel and accessories for a wide variety of corporate and industrial clients. Simultaneously, the end-user has increased brand awareness by incorporating appealing graphics into the apparel or accessories. Illustrating the "How-To" customization feature to manufacturers, small retailers and various customers, Metlon created a graphic logo to be used in conjunction with a 3M-supplied photo of 5807 Custom Cuttable Transfer Film. A consumer-based photo incorporated a reflective logo Metlon created using its own plotter cutter, plus reflective trim applied to apparel and accessories.

Metlon shows how reflective roll goods can be incorporated into any garment and used effectively in a variety of styles. Products include heat transfer reflective films, marking films with pressure sensitive adhesive, reflective fabrics for sew-on applications, high-gloss trim and vest trim materials. There is a listing of available colors for each. Complete technical data for all reflective material is available at www.metlon.com/reflectivematerial.htm.

Metlon Corp., located in Cranston, R.I., is an authorized distributor of 3M Scotchlite reflective material. It is also a specialist in custom slitting with the ability to slit material to special widths and lengths as small as .008 of an inch. For a complete selection of products, including further information on ANSI/ISEA 107 compliance, visit www.metlon.com.

First Choice Armor Inc. Announces First Female NIJ-06 Certified Body Armor

First Choice Armor is pleased to announce the approval of the first female body armor that meets and exceeds the National Institute of Justice's Voluntary Body Armor Compliance Testing Program NIJ Standard-0101.06 (NIJ-06).

First Choice Armor has always offered ballistic packages engineered specifically for females for all standards including the new and more stringent NIJ-06. Female officers do not have to settle for gender-neutral or unisex designs. Female armor choices are available in popular Thin Blue Line and NForce series.

"All other body armor models available today from other body armor companies for the NIJ-06 protocol are neutral (unisex) certified, which means that the vest is designed to fit a man or a woman. At First Choice Armor, we think that there are significantly different fit issues for men and women and that vests should be designed with those different concerns," says Dale Taylor, senior vice president of Products Group.

The NIJ introduced the Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor NIJ Standard-0101.06 to create minimum performance requirements and test methods for the ballistic resistance of personal body armor intended to protect officers against threats likely to occur in their line of duty. First Choice Armor has additional vest models pending for certification through NIJ. Vests that are in compliance with NIJ-06 must protect against amplified velocities of ammunition and extreme conditions. NIJ-06 supersedes NIJ 2005 Interim Requirements, Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor (August 2005) and Standard-0101.04 Rev. A, Ballistic Resistance of Personal Body Armor (June 2001).

For more information or to place an order, contact First Choice Armor for the dealer nearest you. Call 800-882-7667 or email sales@firstchoicearmor.com.

First Choice Armor & Equipment Inc., located in Spindale, N.C., is a leading global provider of personal products for law enforcement, Homeland Security and military personnel. As an ISO 9001:2000-certified company, First Choice has pioneered among other things the development of vehicle armor, innovative ballistic resistant vests and protective equipment that are state-of-the-art, lightweight and comfortable. For more information, please visit www.firstchoicearmor.com.

The Ultimate Passenger Seat Organizer:
5.11's Wingman Patrol Bag

5.11 Tactical just introduced the essential system to organize the daily tools needed by law enforcement, security, fire, EMS and other emergency services officers. It is a true car seat organizer and a classic patrol bag in one.

The innovative Wingman Patrol Bag expands vertically for fast access to contents. It secures to the front passenger seat with a seatbelt pass-through and head-rest strap, so the bag stays in place when the driver hits the brakes. The Wingman Patrol Bag efficiently stows extra mags, citation book, gloves, a 5.11 Lined Packable Jacket, eye protection, cuffs, first aid supplies and more. Two fold-out flaps with internal and external web platforms make it easy to attach web gear or 5.11 SlickStick pouches, and the Back-Up Belt System panels accommodate other gear. The handy organizer panel has multiple pockets and mesh panels for office supplies, tools and documents. Also included are an adjustable padded shoulder strap, adjustable inner dividers, a WriteBar, Velcro panels, a side mount patch and an ID window.

Made of durable, lightweight 600D luggage-grade polyester with YKK zippers and Duraflex hardware, the black Wingman Patrol Bag is priced from $69.99 and measures 18.5 inches by 13.25 inches by 10.5 inches. It looks great with embellishment.

Also a hot new item for 5.11 is the new Light for Life UC3.400 flashlight and accessories. The new flashlight line charges quickly, has a long run time and is durable for duty use.

Located in Modesto, Calif., 5.11 Tactical Series creates innovative, user-required products that enhance the safety, speed and performance of law enforcement, military and fire/EMS professionals. Built on a foundation of durability, quality and value, 5.11 Tactical's team of more than 150 employees leads the industry in delivering functionally innovative gear head to toe. The company was ranked number 211 on the 2007 Inc. 500 list. Learn more about 5.11's best-selling tactical clothing, station wear, uniforms, outerwear, footwear and accessories at www.511tactical.com.