Stanford Hospital & Clinics by Cintas

Cintas, no stranger to well-executed uniform programs, knows the key to success always involves listening to the customer, and that’s exactly what they did at Stanford Hospital & Clinics. Through employee input, Cintas produced an apparel program that covers several key job functions, putting a premium on professionalism and comfort.

For the highly visible reception staff, Cintas designed a wardrobe concept consisting of five shirts/blouses and a cardigan sweater colored in sage green that has become the program’s signature piece. The color spectrum includes dark browns, tans and various shades of yellow, all used to reflect the institution’s healing, serene atmosphere. Constructed of non-iron or wrinkle-resistant fabrics, the outfits allow for the easiest possible care.

The facility’s clinical staff wears comfortable polo shirts and camp blouses/shirts available in both long and short sleeves, with most incorporating moisture-wicking properties to keep the wearer cool and dry. As a complement, each clinical employee receives two scrub jackets, one in olive and the other in black, embroidered with the Stanford Ambulatory Care logo to further the hospital branding.

Using Cherokee scrubs, Cintas built a program for procedural staff workers exposed to bodily fluids. Keeping with the overall color theme of the clinics, the predominant color of the scrubs is olive, with some black highlights. Using employee feedback as a guide, three scrub tops accommodate different body types and tastes: a mini mock-wrap top with a shorter body style, two pockets and black trim running diagonally down the front of the garment; a V-neck tunic with a longer body style; and a three-pocket unisex top that is a looser fitting garment around the waist.

All procedural employees also receive a unisex drawstring pant in olive. In addition, all tops and scrub jackets are embroidered with the Stanford Ambulatory Care logo.

Renaissance Hotels by Cintas

Expect the unexpected in the new urban and resort Renaissance Ambassador programs designed by Cintas. The garments reflect the brand vision principles of classic tailoring and modern style, tied together with today’s garment technology. Pops of color throughout the accessories gives this traditional program a fresh, surprising twist.

A neutral color palette helps reinforce the brand while underscoring its classic approach to employee apparel. The urban collection uses blacks and darker browns to complement the city atmosphere, while the resort collection consists mainly of lighter browns and tans.

The Ambassador Program was put together using Cintas’s catalog and Simply Custom garments in such a way that makes the Renaissance uniform wardrobe look like one of a kind. A few exclusive accessory pieces, such as a scarf, pocket square, cufflinks and belt, are further unexpected treasures of this program.

Hollywood & Vine by Disney

One step into Disney’s Hollywood & Vine restaurant will have anyone pining for days gone past. A new uniform program, the Hollywood & Vine foods costume is designed to give patrons the flavor and feel of a ’30s or ’40s Hollywood diner.

A quick look at the female silhouette with hat and apron details underscores the charm and innocence of the period. The theme is carried into male outfits at well with whimsical black bow ties, bib aprons, and shirts with white accents on the collar and placket. A garrison-style cap completes the ensemble. Outfits are made of cotton/poly blends, a selection that ensures both comfort and neatness. It’s the kind of dining experience patrons have come to expect from Disney.

Screamin’ Rollercoaster by Disney

Those seeking something more thrilling should head over to the Disney Screamin’ Rollercoaster. The Screamin’ costume for Disney California Adventure was designed to further transition the park to a more period look. The California boardwalks of the 1930s and ’40s were used as inspiration. The costume ties in to others in this location, which further reinforces the central theme.

As such, architectural aspects of the rollercoaster and its color palette – hues of orange and blue – were incorporated into the design. Employees wear a bright orange plaid shirt with white accents, blue bottoms, a colorful striped vest and a boater hat to complete the desired period look. As an added bonus, the boater hat protects workers from the sun’s harmful rays, while cotton/poly fabrics keep them looking and feeling good all day long.

Gaylord Opryland by Cintas

Nashville’s historic May 2010 flood completely devastated Gaylord Opryland, forcing it to shut down and go through a complete renovation. After only 195 days, the iconic Gaylord Opryland reopened to the public, touting stylish new restaurants, a redesigned lobby and guest rooms and a refreshed, fashion-forward uniform program.

The goal of the property’s leadership was to completely update the apparel program by the reopening. They wanted apparel that evoked a resort feel that would reflect the new interiors while keeping a cohesive story throughout. Sixteen job functions required new apparel.

The front house uses warm neutrals in toast, toast-multi and tan sharkskin with splashes of paprika and sage embellishments intended to complement the bold colors, floral patterns and glass sculpture in the newly renovated lobby.

Transportation employees needed comfortable and functional apparel for their job function. Camp shirts in Gaylord blue with khaki pants keep a light and cheerful resort color story. VIP drivers utilize black suits with crisp white dress shirts to give personalized, white-glove service.

Banquet captains have midnight pinstripe suiting with crisp white shirts that balance the banquet areas for the morning captains; traditional tuxedos are used in the evening to add formality to the space. The banquet stewards have a cinnamon and black color story that plays off of the beautiful patterned carpet in the banquet spaces. Camp shirts and work pants are both comfortable and functional.

Holland America by Omega Uniform Systems

Those seeking a touch of elegance on their next cruise should hasten to book a journey on The Nieuw Amsterdam, the newest vessel from Holland America Cruise Lines.

Once aboard, be sure to dine in the Master Chef Room, a new concept fine dining restaurant with plenty of old world charm and elegance. Culinary master Chef Rudy heads the staff, so the uniforms bear his signature.

Because the dining experience is somewhat like a theatrical performance, the server jackets are a cross between a traditional chef coat and formal men’s tailcoat. Buttons and braid in gold highlight the formal nature of the room and the service. The gentlemen wear black trousers, and the women wear long black skirts, befitting a formal dress code. For comfort as well as durability, a poly/cotton blended fabric is used for trousers; skirts are 100 percent polyester.

Fueling Awareness by Lion Uniform Group

Lion Uniform Group has partnered with businesses across the country for Fueling Awareness, a nationwide campaign in support of breast cancer awareness. Each year, workers across the country trade in their usual work apparel for limited-edition pink ribbon Awareness apparel.

Worn as a uniform substitute for casual Fridays or to participate in a local cancer walk, the collection features male and female polos, jackets and baseball caps all emblazoned with the famous pink ribbon of the cause. Ten percent of the bill-to price for each pink ribbon item sold benefits a national breast cancer foundation on behalf of the participating companies.

The 100 percent moisture-wicking polyester fabric enhances soil-release qualities and comfort, making the program easily adaptable to any industry. As would be expected, the color pink is used generously on all items. Female polos are pink with black block accents and include seven pearlized buttons and narrow placket for enhanced feminine styling. Male polos are black with pink accents and feature three graphite buttons and pink top stitching on the inside button placket.

Overwhelming response and support has been shown by those customers who have allowed their employees to participate. Since 2009, more than $22,000 has been donated on their behalf.

Pepsi-Cola North America by Aramark Uniform Services

Pepsi-Cola North America introduced a new logo and packaging design to its markets in the fall of 2008. The uniform apparel worn by its employees in the trade needed to be changed to match the “go to market” strategy and image of the company. The then-current uniform apparel had carried the same design and image for ten years prior to the change.

The result was a new image, matching company branding initiatives across a wide swath of employees, and a call to “Refresh Everything” in its new branding and marketing campaign. Initial conversations were centered on color selections; the goal was to closely match the newly introduced Pepsi 12-ounce can packaging, which is a unique deep metallic blue color. The idea was later abandoned after focus groups shunned the look, deeming it visually unappealing. The challenge was solved by toning down the color in some items, producing the contrast missing from previous designs.

The program covers the employee gamut – everything from production and warehouse, route sales organizations, delivery and transportation to front-line sales and management. The suite of apparel for each work group was then designed with common themes of color, logo usage, industrial laundry capabilities and functionality of purpose. Where there was shared functionality (e.g. outerwear), those apparel pieces would cut across all work groups.

This exhaustive program includes the following highlights:

Woven shirts in use by the route sales population were continued with minor style updates. Two chest pockets were reduced to one, resulting in a simpler, cleaner look. The chosen fabric was a 65/35 polyester/cotton poplin to give it a better hand and wearability; the fabric was “peached” during mill processing to create the softness and comfort. One completely new style – a camp shirt – was introduced to replace an old design known as a “shirt-jac.”

Manager shirts were reduced from two fabric colors to one, using a 65/35 fine-line twill fabric to create a dressier look. A restyled polo shirt, used by route sales, front line and management, completes the options.

The program’s navy pants include pleated and plain front and a cargo pant offering with a pocket designed specifically to fit the hand-held devices carried by Pepsi route personnel.

To make the outerwear suitable for various climates, a system jacket design was created utilizing a waterproof base shell with a rugged ballistic nylon outer. Into the base shell, three jackets can be zipped in and out: a fleece jacket, a lightweight nylon jacket, and a three-season-type jacket. This allowed the outerwear to be protective, from warm wet climates to severely cold climates.

Other pieces of the Pepsi uniform collection were added as supporting and complementary pieces and include a baseball cap, knit winter hat, sweatshirt, windshirt and rain slicker.

Ornge Medical Transport by Unisync

Winning the raves of both the NAUMD and, earlier in the year, UniformMarket, Made to Measure’s sister publication, is Unisync for its work on the Ornge Medical Transport project.

The challenge was to provide a functional, comfortable and highly protective pant suit for employees of Ornge Medical Transport, a medical transport unit for very ill and critically injured patients. Employees need apparel that works as well in the air as it does on the ground. Ornge has more than 400 employees, including paramedics, pediatric transport paramedics, transport medicine physicians, and a team of educators and researchers.

Functionality played a key role to be certain, but management at Ornge wanted a design that reinforced the brand, strengthened image and bolstered employee morale. What they got accomplished this and more. Unisync designed a new flight suit using orange and gray, colors that worked to accentuate the corporate logo while having the ability to hide any dirt that may get on the garment. Each pocket was custom sized to accommodate various medical equipment carried by wearers. Most importantly, the two-piece suit is FR-compliant to protect responders in the event of a helicopter crash.

AMC Theatres by Superior Uniform Group

Distinctive features of Superior Uniform Group’s award-winning AMC Theatres program for 20,000 front-line employees include silver top stitching and unique but functional coordinating garments.

To differentiate between job roles, a trendy, upscale look with coordinating variations was created by mixing twill button-down shirts for the managers with black short-sleeve shirts for the bartenders and comfortable but upscale 100 percent poly crewneck shirts for the crew. Unlike regular knit T-shirts, the poly crewneck shirts resist fading and feature high-end crewneck styling.

Both the short-sleeve bartender shirts and knit crewneck shirts incorporate extensive top stitching, and the knit crewneck features a subtle AMC logo label on the sleeve in a contrasting red.

A new look, the award-winning program coordinates with AMC’s recently introduced branding and development of its DineIn Theatre concept. All garments feature the AMC logo so moviegoers can easily identify theatre staff.

Yogen Früz by Unisync

Yogen Früz is an international chain of frozen yogurt and smoothie stores that also serves healthy alternative food products. Today, Yogen Früz has grown to be a world leader in the frozen yogurt category, with more than 1,200 locations operating in 25 countries around the world.

The Yogen Früz chain of stores helps build the brand’s identity as modern, fun and fresh – concepts particularly appealing to its youthful clientele. The umlauted “u” in the Yogen Früz name, for example, aptly expresses the feel-good expectation of the brand. The use of polished blue glass tiles, LED lights and a contemporary color scheme at its retail outlets suggest a modern, fashion-forward organization in sync with today’s consumer.

This theme is further exemplified through the use of simple, retail-inspired uniforms. Pale blue shirts, black trousers and white caps affixed with the logo adequately capture the company’s intent.

Kentucky State Police Honor Guard by Galls Uniforms

High expectations are placed on honor guard members, for they represent the rich tradition of the state and the courage of troopers both past and present. As such, the wearing of the uniform is considered a privilege for each officer.

Since this is a non-traditional, ceremonial uniform, it is a special purchase each time. The agency does not replace these uniforms often, and this particular purchase was for the entire honor guard team. A large monetary commitment in lean budget times was required for securing this revamp of the uniforms. But it was important to the agency that each member was a consistent, dignified representative for the agency.

The uniform was designed to reflect the proud tradition from the 1930s when the Kentucky State Militia 123rd Calvary was used to maintain law and order throughout Kentucky. The current uniform of the Honor Guard was designed in 1981 when the unit was re-formed after a dormant period. However, the uniform represents the roots of the Kentucky State Police as well as the trooper of today.

The investment has certainly paid off. The 100 percent gray and black wool uniforms are said to have been patterned after the Louisville Legion, which fought in the Mexican- American War. The silver piping on the coats symbolizes the slogan “The Thin Gray Line,” while the gold badge and brass represents the command and leadership of the agency. Striped in black, the gray trousers recall the early uniforms of the highway patrol but also represent the daily uniform of the modern trooper and the rich heritage of the department.

This is the second honor this year for this department; it won a UNIVATOR in March.

Gwinnett County Fire Services by Red the Uniform Tailor

Gwinnett is the largest fire service district in Georgia and protects more than 800,000 people within the 437 square miles of the county. The Gwinnett County FD was looking for an upgrade and fresh approach to the traditional firefighter dress uniform. It had been to several honor guard functions within the Atlanta area and noted the dress uniforms worn by several police departments – garments that had been manufactured by Red the Uniform Tailor (RTUT).

After two meetings with the uniform committee and brainstorming ideas, RTUT submitted several options for consideration, but it is was only after designing a new custom emblem that any concept really took off. From the emblem design came the inspiration for the color that was selected for the trim on jackets and pants. Both the blouse coat and pants are made to measure and include such distinguishing features as buttons etched with the Georgia seal, a custom badge, shoulder cords, leather gear and matching footwear.

It seems the look is clearly a winner: two other area departments have contacted RTUT asking for an update to their own existing programs.

Wyomissing Police Department by Hess Embroidery and Uniforms

This Pennsylvania department is headed by Chief Jeffrey R. Biehl and consists of 23 sworn officers. The department invests $7,000 annually into its uniform program, and since it also pays for cleaning, there is no cost to the officers.

Daily inspections encourage the officers to make sure their current dress is kept clean and in good repair, and once the appearance of a uniform begins to diminish, officers do not hesitate to turn in the “worn” garments for immediate replacements.

Uniform supplier Hess Embroidery offers various services to Wyomissing Police Department that further aids its uniform program. “Not only do we carry uniforms; we install epaulets, add metal buttons depending on rank, put stripes down the leg, embroidery… any kind of customization or alteration the department needs, we are happy to provide,” notes Hess Embroidery owner Sam Beam.

The department is outfitted in Perfection Uniforms’ MatrixEcoSeries, a uniform with a traditional look and high-performance features. The stretch poly/combed cotton fabrics and X-Factor Fabric Technologies include H2Tech, which repels liquids on the surface and wicks moisture away on the inside. These garments also boast extreme color retention. Unlike traditional poly/cotton dye process, Perfection implements UltraDye which actually pushes the dye through the yarns as opposed to simply staining the surface. This process extends the image and usability of the garment considerably, meaning more value for the department, which is an important consideration in these budget conscious times.

University of Kentucky by Galls Uniforms

Many organizations and departments nowadays require the look of a formal uniform but need the function of a tactical uniform to maximize on-the-job performance. That was the reasoning behind the University of Kentucky’s decision to outfit its officers in the Patrol Duty Uniform manufactured by 5.11 and supplied by Galls.

“We take great pride and care in providing the highest quality products to the public safety and emergency personnel who rely on us for their professional needs,” says Galls President Larry Dismukes. “We are honored that the NAUMD recognizes our commitment to support the men and women who serve in demanding jobs that protect us all.”

5.11’s new Patrol Duty Uniform blends functional innovation with the neat, clean, professional appearance that is essential to command staff and the public. Made of durable 65/35 poly/cotton rip-stop or twill, the fabric is Teflon treated for stain and soil resistance. The comfortable, breathable material has superior long-term fade resistance. And for added convenience, the tough, economical wash-and-wear fabric comes out of the dryer ready to wear, saving hundreds of dry cleaning dollars per year.

“They have saved us a lot of money as well as given us a clean, professional appearance,” says Joe Monroe, Chief of Police for the University of Kentucky, about the PDU. “The quality is obvious because they hold up better than all of our other uniforms, even with all the wash, work and wear.”

Connecticut State Police by Fechheimer Bros.

The Connecticut State Police was first honored by the NAUMD back in 1985 and has won numerous best-dressed awards since then. One of the oldest state police agencies in the United States, its origin dates back to 1903 when the agency was originally formed with five officers to combat the growing problem of illegal liquor manufacturing and transportation.

Throughout the years, fabrics have been modified to incorporate the latest performance and comfort features, but the department’s very polished look remains timeless and features a slate gray uniform shirt with bright royal blue epaulets piped in gold; dark navy pant; and a gray Stetson-style hat as opposed to the campaign-style hat used by most state police and highway patrol agencies. A royal blue band surrounds the base of the hat, and a gold pin that says “State Police” in large block letters is worn on the front of the Stetson. A cord with acorns completes the look.

Specialized units such as K-9, aviation, bomb squad and tactical are authorized to wear BDU-style utility uniforms with sewn-on cloth badges and name tags, and nylon duty gear.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police by Freed & Freed International Ltd.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is well known for its very unique Red Serge or the Review Order dress uniform. This is a uniform consisting of a scarlet tunic with a high collar, breeches in midnight blue finished with a yellow leg stripe, brown riding boots with spurs and a brown Stetson hat that is wide and flat brimmed.

The Red Serge was issued in the standard British military pattern and was originally produced from militia stores. This resulted in the prevalence of different types of tunic which were later standardized for a uniform look and identity. The objective of this style was to emphasize the British elements of the police force and primarily to differentiate it from the American military uniforms, which were blue in color.

Even though the look is classic, certain design elements have changed, putting the uniform more in line with modern sensibilities. According to Marissa Freed of Freed & Freed International, the biggest challenge surrounds fit. “The look has to be perfect, whether the officer is sitting on a horse or standing in a parade, the uniforms must be immaculate.” Freed says female officers pose another test. With their variety of body types, women can be difficult to properly size in the blazer. “You have to find the right balance between sizing and letting go of the waist.” Many of these concerns are quickly remedied, courtesy of expert tailoring and alterations done in house.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office by United Uniform

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) provides law enforcement for Monroe County, located in Western New York State. The sheriff’s office’s constitutional authority is to operate the county jail and provide a civil function. However, as with most counties in New York, the MCSO also provides a wide range of police services as well and provides physical and operational security to the city, county, family and state courts within its boundaries.

This department is heavily steeped in tradition, with an eye toward the day’s latest fabrics and technology. Wear includes a Class B uniform, dress uniforms and several outfits for specialized units.

Money doesn’t buy happiness, but I would rather be sad in a Mercedes-Benz than on the back of a bicycle.”That’s just one of many pearls of wisdom from Vernon Fox of Houston’s Lone Star Uniforms. In a state known for doing everything big, Fox is the larger-than-life personality that defines Lone Star Uniforms.That is not to say that his lovely wife, Corine, is not an equal partner in every way, including playing the straight man to her husband’s entertaining ways. Vernon on women: “There are two excellent theories for arguing with women. Neither one works.”

But while the Foxes love to laugh, they take the business of Lone Star Uniforms very seriously.

Lone Star Uniforms began in 1997 when the Foxes applied for the legal name. They had $200 in cash, eight maxed-out credit cards and a prayer.

Today, they boast a 19,000-square-foot main location on the outskirts of Houston. They opened 5,000 square feet in a secondary store located in the heart of downtown Houston in 2008. With 38 employees, they have certainly come a long way from their humble beginnings.

Vernon was a cop for just over 18 years; Corine had been a banker. As a detective with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, Vernon became disillusioned, making a comment to the effect that he needed to get a “real job” one day. He was overheard by an elderly uniform company owner who had known him since his days as a teenager. The man offered Fox a new opportunity; Vernon gave notice that day and began being mentored in a new career.

Fox did end up spending 12 years in the uniform industry before that business closed, leaving the Foxes without an income because Corine had left her ten-year banking career to start their family. After working odd jobs and at their wit’s end, Vernon and Corine resolved to start Lone Star Uniforms.

Vernon on children: “Not until all your kids become teenagers at the same time do you understand why reptiles eat their young.”

The business began in the Foxes’ house, moving to their first location only three months later. They shared this second location with another company, which helped keep down costs and allowed them to grow. Vernon laughs when remembering how small their first store was. The one seamstress was located right next to his desk and he couldn’t talk on the phone without first asking her to stop sewing.

But doors began to open for them.

The big departments and companies ignored them, preferring to stay with their larger counterparts and assuming Lone Star would be gone in six months. But a lot of little departments gave them a chance, and when these department heads moved from three-man departments to five-man departments all the way to 30-man departments, they took Lone Star Uniform with them.

But being big doesn’t mean big box. Vernon is quick to point out that they don’t want their customers to feel like they’re taking a trip to Wal-Mart. To that end, they prioritize service and customer satisfaction.

They carry everything except school and athletic wear, though they can supply them when needed. Their largest customer base is public safety. The actual uniforms are not on the floor; this allows for a personalized full-service experience.

“We cater to so many agencies, and every agency has a distinct look. We might have ten navy pants but they need different striping. What we put on the floor is a sample of a shirt with colors. We keep the inventory in the back,” says Vernon.

This allows the sales floor to be a wonderland of accessories as well as leather goods, body armor, ammunition, shoes, boots and belts.

Sometimes, a customer may have to wait 20 to 30 minutes while his or her clothing is in the sew room being altered, so plenty of visual and tactile entertainment is provided. One will find hands-on items that are not normally supplied by a serviceman’s contract. Perhaps an officer will notice that it’s time to replace a damaged cuff case while wandering the store and notice the attractive selection of cases available.

TV screens run videos of vendors talking about their products, providing information that may not normally be discussed. It may be the story of how much work goes into making a badge and why that quality doesn’t come quickly, or a video may show an officer the latest Safariland holster and how to use it, or the history of 5.11 Tactical and the different bags it offers. The videos are changed frequently so returning customers continue to get new information.

In fact, the Foxes are committed to embracing the future of the industry, as well as knowing the history. Vernon boasts about carrying Fechheimer products, a company that has been around so long that it actually made the uniforms for both General Lee and General Grant during the Civil War.

But then the conversation flows to today’s innovations. Vernon and Corine make sure their staff stays well informed. Weekly meetings are held where the whole store discusses policy, procedures and news. Vendors frequently come by and introduce new or updated products. They make sure the staff stays knowledgeable on new fabrics that are more comfortable or repellant as well as choices such as poly/wool or poly/cotton that are tailored to a customer’s specific needs. They stay aware of new trends, such as wearing cargo pants or boots. They want their employees to be able to answer the questions correctly and be able to suggest the right solutions, including tailoring those solutions to every customer’s needs.

Vernon refers to a loyal customer that likes a red shirt. “Well, nobody really makes a red shirt with scalloped pockets and military creases, so we do that for them.” It requires a large enough department and a lot of skill and management to be able to offer such services, but the Foxes are determined to keep every customer happy.

And they’ve grown beyond clothing. Lone Star Uniforms now offers services ranging from imprinted dog tags to vehicle graphics. It will create banners, signs, dog tags, pet tags and even the decals applied to back windows in cars. “We’re always looking for something new and innovative and for ways to improve on what’s out there,” Vernon says.

Vernon on friendship: “If you loan a person $20 and you never see them again, most likely it was money well spent.”

Lone Star Uniforms brings its trademark service and warmth to departments throughout Texas. Five outside salesmen travel to farther regions, with one going as far as Brownsville, Texas, the bottom tip of the state, while others travel past Dallas and Fort Worth. Some of the accounts are large enough to demand a weekly visit; others every one or two months. A lot of competitors won’t send sales people to such remote parts because they don’t feel there’s enough business to warrant the trip. But Corine believes that “every customer is important, whether they’re in a large fire department like the city of Houston or a five-man department in a small town. And when you treat everyone like they’re important, they will continue to do business with you.” This philosophy is just one of the assets that sets Lone Star Uniforms apart. Moreover, Vernon frequently cites his knowledge in public safety or Corine’s experience in banking. Vernon credits Corine with their smart financial strategies. She does not allow him to touch the cash register.

But Vernon brings a vast wealth of education and experience to his area of specialization. He has a Bachelor’s degree in criminology and corrections, holds a PhD in psychological counseling, is a drug and alcohol counselor and is a certified anger management therapist. And of course, he is Vernon.

“It’s true that alcohol will not solve the world’s problems, but then again, neither does milk,” he quips.

While Vernon’s charm comes naturally, it is also part of his strategy to keep his customers close and coming back. “I always try to make people laugh so that they feel good about themselves and good about coming here. They can go anywhere and spend their money. I’d rather they spend their money with me and enjoy it.” He compares the atmosphere at the store to the old television series “Cheers.” “We want everybody to come here and be our friends.”

All of that personality can come in handy in the most unlikely places. For instance, at the Houston airport desperately running to catch a plane and being stopped by a security person who recognized the Foxes’ son from the store. As the security officer tried to make small talk, Vernon excused themselves and explained their predicament. The airport official got on his phone, called the flight’s desk and kept the plane waiting for them.

But it’s just as nice to have customers stop in just to say “hi.” That’s Corine’s favorite part of the business.

The Foxes’ son and daughter work at the store, but they don’t count business hours as family time. Corine would love to travel but has a hard time pulling her workaholic husband away from the store. The Foxes also bring their dogs to the store every day. Daisy Mae, a golden retriever, is listed as “Vernon’s Assistant,” while Lil’ Bit, a black chow-lab, is referred to simply as the “Credit Department.” On occasion, some customers come by just to see the dogs.

You’ll most likely find Vernon and Corine hard at work at Lone Star Uniforms: Vernon dispensing his wry observations on life, and Corine making sure he doesn’t go too far, and the whole staff working to keep everyone who walks through the doors smiling.

Lone Star Uniforms

8430 N Sam Houston Parkway W Houston, TX 77064

1314 Houston Ave. Houston TX, 77007

(832) 237-8000 www.lonestaruniforms.com

The uniforms students wear now are pretty similar to the uniforms students have worn for generations. Nevertheless, school uniform companies have had to work hard to keep up with the times and changes in a business that used to be considered a sure thing. Some firms combine school uniform accounts with others to survive, while others companies have kept them as the bulk of what they handle. Recently Made to Measure spoke with several companies in the school uniform market to learn more about their experiences.

One of the Few Manufacturers Left

The Singer family has been producing apparel uniforms in this industry for 75 years. “I think that’s pretty significant,” says Maurina Billere, account manager, handling the promotional products for Executive Apparel in Philadelphia, “We’ve been a stable, growing company, and we’ve seen a lot of changes in uniforms, experiencing the growth process too.”

Executive Apparel has been a unifying force in the uniform market, according to Billere, because it handles education, hospitality, transportation and security. The education segment includes colleges, charter schools and Greek Life.

There have been three generations of Singers involved with the company and the school uniform market. Real craftsmen have been involved with the development of this family-owned business, according to Billere. “These guys grew up eating, sleeping and drinking suits, career apparel and uniform apparel, creating a nice mix – the meeting of tradition and at the same time answering a lot of corporate needs.”

“We’re basically those who come from the manufacturing side of the business, and our specialty is tailored clothing. That’s what we do,” explains Donald Singer, president, who is the third generation in his family to be involved with running Executive Apparel.

His father made leather garments for the Philadelphia Police Department. That was also what his grandfather did when he first started in business. A major seller was a fur-lined double-breasted topcoat designed to keep the police warm in the wintertime. Singer says, “We still have 15 to 20 employees here in our Philadelphia plant.”

Education uniforms and the apparel associated with schools form a significant portion of Executive Apparel’s blazers. “If a school needs uniforms, they’re not going to call us directly; they’re going to call up Flynn and O’Hara or Parker Uniforms, all of whom we supply to,” says Billere. School uniforms make up 25 to 30 percent of Executive Apparel’s business. The rest of its business is either custom or stock programs; it also does production management for various customers.

Executive’s Elite Schoolwear label is made with quality fabrics, like its traditional Ultralux Polyester and the soft and warm 100 percent wool flannels. The label includes blazers, shirts, blouses, skirts and “the best-fitting bottoms on the planet, from our casual pants to our stylish shorts and skorts,” according to Billere. “They are worn by students in private, parochial and charter schools throughout the country.”

Going from Fashion to Function

Caplan’s has been in Alexandria, La., since 1891 when David Caplan, who immigrated from central Europe, opened a store and sold farmer’s overalls, work uniforms, accessories and eventually other clothing for men and boys. “Our company has been here for 120 years,” explains Norrine Caplan, company secretary and treasurer, who is married to David’s grandson, also named David Caplan.

“There was a time not long ago when I would have told you our main business was fashion,” says Caplan. “After family members analyzed the business, they decided it was time to focus on the uniform business exclusively. We often hear from our customers and friends that they miss our fashion store, but we are very happy we consolidated into the uniform business. We decided to take something that we think we did well and really concentrate on it. We are now somewhat dominant in our trade area, which has a population of about 400,000 people.”

Caplan’s biggest customers are companies and municipalities that purchase logoed wearables. It sells polo shirts to anyone, from car companies to local fast-food franchises and hotels to restaurants. Shortly after deciding to focus on the uniform business, the Catholic school diocese approached Caplan’s to enter school uniform segment to serve the 1,200 to 1,300 schoolchildren who attend four private schools. They buy their clothes exclusively from Caplan’s.

School uniform traffic is highly concentrated in the later summer months during the few weeks before school starts. According to Caplan, the ability to handle the huge rush and still offer good customer service was one of the reasons the diocese approached Caplan’s specifically.

She says, “When we decided to get into this business we heard from other similar businesses that we should charge for everything. Every time we put a hem in, we should charge; every time we let a hem out, we should charge. Well, we just don’t do that. We do the tailoring but we don’t charge. We have a tailor shop in our store, and our people do a great job.”

One of Caplan’s customers is a high school. Caplan tries to employ a current or recently-graduated student from that school because he or she will know the dress code and the students, so it makes for a good match. The company also enjoys giving people their first job.

Caplan adds, “It is very important to us to keep everyone happy; even if we have to take back a shirt or a pair of pants we might have little or no hope of selling. It is impossible to measure goodwill in dollars and cents. Word of mouth is important in every business; it certainly is true in this business.”

Caplan says she is satisfied with the store’s vendors, who make consistent, high-quality garments. It is a quality she carefully considers before pairing her store’s name with the vendor’s name. She says, “We have a good partnership with our vendors. Consistency is very important to our customers. This is quite a change from the fashion business where the newest trend could leave the retailer with a mountain of obsolete merchandise”

Business in a High Cost of Living Region

Bancroft Uniforms of San Leandro, Calif., supplies school uniforms for students from pre-school through high school. All of its uniforms are made in the U.S. It has been in its current location for about 83 years. The business was originally, Bancroft Menswear.

Service has been the key to its longevity, according to Bruce Barnes, owner. It contracts directly through the schools and has a store in the Bay Area city of San Leandro where customers can come to shop directly for school uniforms. In this high cost of living area, Bancroft Uniforms has the distinct advantage of being the owner of its own building and other properties.

Employees also go to schools and set up a complete store in the schools to sell uniforms. This has gone on for the past 15 years. “We have a 26-foot trailer that we take to the schools containing 200 bins that we roll out and set up, including dressing rooms,” says Barnes. Their service area stretches from Redding down to Bakersfield. It includes some 90 schools.

“With the recession, classrooms and schools have been shutting down. In our area they’ve shut a lot of the Catholic schools down. There are now fewer students in the private school classrooms,” Barnes says. “You look at other entities, like charter schools, to pick up where the private schools are disappearing. Though changing from private schools to charter schools has been challenging, the enrollments in some schools are starting to rise, which means we are just starting to see the market return back to normal again.”

The charter schools Bancroft Uniforms deals with have uniforms and can make it mandatory. That’s an option public schools don’t have. “We’re doing a couple of public schools, but you can’t really get a contract with them,” he says. Most school contracts state that any uniform problems will be worked out between Bancroft and the school principal and resolved in a way that will make everybody happy, according to Barnes.

During the regular school year Bancroft has between six and eight employees, but in the summer it has 24. Its prices are competitive with other uniform schools out there. Inventory is tracked with Retail Pro, a computer program. The store has 16,000 line items and 65,204 units. There’s been no need to revamp its program so it’s stayed the same over the years.

“We’re looking for growth happening this year, sales increasing and more spending. But if something happens with the economy, that all can change. There really are no guarantees like we used to think. The way we do business, people seem to be happy with us. Satisfaction from either the internet or from letters that we receive has all been very, very high,” says Barnes.

Satisfying the Customer

A+ Career Apparel is a direct-to-the-customer apparel manufacturer. Dealing directly with a manufacturer allows customers to eliminate the pass-through costs from traditional distributors. A+ Career Apparel designs, builds, stocks, embroiders and ships directly to customers. “No middle man means significant cost savings,” says Vince Knoss, A+ marketing director. “From tops to bottoms, we manufacture everything, including a wide variety of jackets, sweaters, vests, shirts, poplin and oxford button downs, polos, plain and pleated men’s and women’s pants and shorts, cargo pants and shorts, active-wear, socks, aprons and much, much more. A+ has over $20 million of inventory currently in stock on our shelves and available for immediate delivery.”

Its A+ School Apparel division also offers a full line of in-stock school uniforms and dress code apparel in a variety of youth and adult sizing, styles and colors. The primary manufacturing facility, warehouse and distribution center are located in Star City, Ark., in the heart of the U.S. markets. A+ also has offshore facilities and sourcing capabilities.

“Our offshore manufacturing is done in Mexico, Dominican Republic and Thailand,” says Knoss. “We like to consider ourselves a one-stop shop and solution for the custom apparel needs of our customers. Our various avenues of manufacturing, distribution and direct sourcing have increased our customers’ profitable sales, growth and continued success.”

He says, “Having a very friendly, knowledgeable and well-trained person on the other end of the line is the key to any business’s success. We will work together to get you what you need, when you need it. That’s our promise. That’s the A+ culture we live by, and we try to make that the case whenever we do business – that, along with engaging people and encouraging them to join our A+ community and becoming a ‘fan’ of A+ Careerwear and A+ Schoolwear on Facebook.”

From the Top Down

Tracy Tanidjaja, owner and vice president with Stani Corp. in Ontario, Calif., wholesales to the entire U.S. plus Canada, Bahamas and the Virgin Islands. Supplying polo shirts, pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers, cardigans, vests and jackets to schools is perhaps the mainstay of their business as they carry some 17 different colors of polo shirts. Though their prices aren’t the cheapest, Tanidjaja feels the quality of their products is what sets them apart.

“Everyone also needs to have good service too, which we provide,” says Tanidjaja. “But we also have something called open stock which allows us to function without pre-packs, meaning we can order any size. We don’t have to use the four sizes coming in the box. Our sales are to wholesalers and to distributors that go to schools, get the bid and then buy from us.”

Stani Corp. does private labels in addition to doing its own brand called Universal School Uniforms. In its polo shirts, the company has a wide variety of sizes and colors, in addition to girls’ polo shirts.

Public schools are its mainstay now, largely resulting from something President Bill Clinton did back in 1996. In the wake of intense rivalries for designer clothes in schools including some violence, Clinton, in the name of putting “discipline and learning back in our schools,” had the U.S. Department of Education distribute manuals to 16,000 school districts across the country explaining how they could legally enforce school uniform programs.

“Public schools, state by state, started to join this effort,” says Tanidjaja. “From then on, each year another state would join. Texas started in one county or school district, others across the state saw their success and joined, and then Tennessee and Louisiana joined. California last year saw more and more counties and school districts start. Whenever you think uniforms, you think private schools. But this was public schools and often the item worn wasn’t as important as the colors, say blue and white if those were that school’s colors; there’s much more flexibility in public schools with uniforms.”

Stani Corp. doesn’t approach the schools but sells to the wholesalers and those who bid on a contract. In a meeting, they will provide a sample to show the school. “Everyone, all the brand names, are now going into uniforms,” says Tanidjaja. “But the schools don’t want the brand name logos. We are doing well, as long as we maintain our quality. Quality is the key.”

Tanidjaja shares a specific story of one customer. “One of our customers was involved in a news story involving a comparison of three outlets: a high-end store, a dollar-type store and clothes items from Stani Corp. After five washings in a coin-operated machine, the Stani item held out the best. Customers want a good price for a good quality because they are wearing it every day.”

In towns across the country, the strongest sense of community is usually at the local coffee shop. In New Britain, Conn., it’s at Security Uniforms.

To hear owner Ross Gottlieb speak about his clientele is to hear a man who is both devoted to serving and passionately respectful of the public service employees he comes in contact with every day.

To that end, cups of coffee are offered freely and there are places to sit and chat. It’s not at all uncommon for customers to see friends and acquaintances at the store and end up sitting and visiting for an hour.

And that’s just the way Gottlieb likes it. He never forgets the courage and sacrifices his local police and fire department officials and volunteers exhibit on a daily basis, and his pride in serving their needs is clear.

Security Uniforms began in a very different form in New Britain in 1918 when Gottlieb’s grandfather and grandmother opened Goldberg’s, a fully accessorized men’s and women’s clothing store.

In 1943, Gottlieb’s father, Seymour, and his uncle entered the business after the war. Goldberg’s continued to grow and flourish through the years, becoming a retailing staple in town.

With the advent of shopping malls in the early ’70s, Goldberg’s was challenged to succeed. A large mega-mall had opened a mere five miles from the department store, and sales suffered. Fortunately, over the years, Seymour had carved out a small corner of the store as a dedicated space to serve the local officials who frequented Goldberg’s. With their encouragement, the department store became a specialty shop serving the public safety community of New Britain.

In 1988, Ross came aboard with his wife, Ilyse. Together they bought the business and began to build the future, broadening the focus to serve everyone from police, fire and EMS to clubs, organizations, bail bondsmen, state prosecutors, religious organizations, unions and more. Part of the future is maintaining the past. The business is located in the same original site of the 1918 store. Of course, many changes and updates have been made to the physical space over the years.

Gottlieb’s grandparents ran their store by offering a high level of customer service, and when Ross and Ilyse took over, they committed themselves to doing the same. “We try to solve needs. We’re good listeners,” Gottlieb says. He takes that one step farther by explaining that they try to solve needs as “unbiasedly as possible… whatever is best for the customer.”

And what’s best for the customer is a different kind of store than the usual public safety store. Gottlieb has great pride in the presentation of his 5,000-square-foot retail floor, which is far more organized than typical. There are no boxes to be found. Everything is thoughtfully arranged and displayed. And there is an additional 3,500 square feet of tailoring and storage to further meet the customer’s needs.

While Ross and Ilyse are the only blood relations to the original Goldberg’s owners, everyone at Security Uniforms feels like family. Nine employees share responsibility for keeping things running. And one need look no further than employee longevity to know this is more than a place to merely clock eight hours a day. The average employee stays 10 years, and the typical reason for leaving is retirement. The current purchasing agent began working in 1986, two years before Gottlieb himself came on board.

That dedication to treating people well continues to every customer who walks through the door. Gottlieb provides a recent letter from a local detective as proof of Security Uniforms’ outstanding service. The letter describes this particular customer’s experience at the store as “one of the most pleasant visits I’ve had to a business in a very long time.” He goes on to describe the experience in more detail. “From the second I walked in the store, I was greeted by the ladies at the front desk… I must congratulate you on the way I was treated… She not only made me feel welcome by offering me a cup of coffee and greeting me with a smile, but I was impressed by how attentive she was to detail and knowledge of the equipment.” The detective writes how rarely he finds employees who provide customers with this level of attention and warmth. Gottlieb says they receive letters of gratitude once or twice a year.

When asked about his biggest customer base, Gottlieb’s passion comes through loud and clear. Security Uniforms serves a large number of volunteer fire departments. Gottlieb expresses his respect for the dedication and volunteerism of these individuals. “We try to think about ourselves in the same way,” he says, referring to the commitment he and his employees make in serving these men and women. He proudly describes customers who work a third shift, go home, and come in with their kids. “We get to know them. It’s a community. We have coffee. Often people come in, see other people they know and end up staying for hours catching up. We think in terms of helping and serving, so we work after hours and volunteer as well. We’ll go after hours and outfit and service a department.”

And Gottlieb enjoys getting to know the future generation of public servants, as well. Explorer Scouts, kids as young as 16 and 17 years old, come into the store. They have expressed interest in pursuing careers in fire and police departments, so they become sponsored by these local departments. They end up coming into Security Uniforms to be fitted.

“We see these kids go on to top positions. And we retain relationships with them throughout their careers. We see them grow up,” Gottlieb says. He talks about one officer in particular who was a New Britain police officer for 25 years and has been a Marshal for the state of Connecticut for the past five years. They’ve known him for 35 years. He has been working long enough to be served by two generations at Security Uniforms.

Of course volunteer fire departments aren’t the only place the Gottliebs devote their attention. “Badge Central” is a separate company within Security Uniforms’ walls. This dedicated store-within-a-store features Smith & Warren Badges out of White Plains, N.Y., a company Gottlieb speaks of with high praise. “A family business. Down to earth. Operating with the highest level of customer service and honesty.” He is committed to growing Badge Central even bigger with plans to serve an ever-expanding base including electric inspectors and chaplains besides security employees.

But, in keeping with Gottlieb’s strong ethics, he is very discerning as to whom he will sell badges. He becomes impassioned speaking of people who still try to obtain badges for reasons outside of legitimate need. At Security Uniforms, a photo ID and current ID verifying employment relating to the badge are required. No exceptions.

Another favorite project of Gottlieb’s is the body armor department. He really enjoys the process of these sales because this armor helps to save lives. He says because it is such an important tool for security and public safety officers, he finds it extremely interesting. Security Uniforms’ manufacturer of choice for body armor is Protective Products Enterprises in Florida. One of the leading designers and manufacturers of state-of-the-art concealable and tactical body armor, “they have the best ballistics in the country,” he says. Again, Gottlieb speaks of the important relationships developed through the lengthy one-on-one time he spends fitting these customers. He gets very connected to them and truly comes to respect what they do.

And, as before, discretion is high. Gottlieb will only sell body armor face to face; never over the internet. One reason Gottlieb mentions is the importance of proper fit. This year the National Institute of Justice has mandated that “due to the increase in the number of law enforcement officer deaths, coupled with our renewed efforts to improve officer safety, in order to receive BVP (Bulletproof Vest Partnership) funds, jurisdictions must certify, during the application process, that all law enforcement agencies benefitting from the BVP Program have a written ‘mandatory wear’ policy in effect.” With this new safety initiative in effect, proper fit is even more imperative. In addition, Gottlieb doesn’t want the wrong people to have these products. So once again, Gottlieb has decided he will not sell body armor via the web.

But looking to the future, Gottlieb does see more emphasis on the use of the internet for the industry as a whole, while maintaining that there will always be a need for a brick-and-mortar store. For one thing, he says, “People need to get fitted properly.” Security Uniforms does have a web presence that reaches all over the country, not strictly Connecticut, where it serves as many as 1,600 customers or departments.

So how do the Gottliebs spend their time when they aren’t serving the in-store community? Well, Ross is likely to be found in the kitchen and Ilyse planning their next trip. After developing good friends in Northern Italy, Ross became a big fan of the region’s cooking. And Ilyse’s multi-lingual skills come in handy with her passion for travel. A son in the area rounds out their personal interests.

But the store remains the heart of their lives, and that includes the street they have called home for close to 100 years. Broad Street continues to be a vibrant retail district despite economic ups and downs and changing demographics, and the Gottliebs have enjoyed watching four generations of people walk by their store windows. At one time, New Britain was the “hardware capitol of the world,” home to Stanley Hardware and Fafnir Bearings, a manufacturer of bearings. After the World War II, when bearings were no longer needed and Stanley moved out of town, New Britain changed directions but the mostly Polish workforce remained. Now there are third- and fourth-generation Polish immigrants invigorating the community. “Our street is really great and vibrant.” It is considered the “other main street” but has more business and Gottlieb says it is often impossible to find a parking space on a Saturday afternoon. He points out a recent addition of a wonderful Dominican market and great new Puerto Rican restaurant as examples of the varied and lively community right outside their door.

But when it comes to a great community, as Gottlieb has discovered over the years, the best community is the one you build yourself.

Security Uniforms Inc.

48 Broad Street New Britain, CT 06053 Phone: (860) 224-1773 (877) 277-7846 www.securityuniforms.com info@securityuniforms.com

The story of badge manufacturer Smith & Warren is a story of the successful transition of a multi-generational business over the course of two decades. It is a testament to the power of holding fast to sound business principles as well as family values. Smith & Warren is a shining star in the badge industry and its story is a reminder that, even in tough economic times, a company can still succeed by putting customers first.

Despite decreased funding and tighter budgets for public safety, badge manufacturer Smith & Warren manages to grow each year – 17 percent in the past two years alone. Despite fierce competition from companies that take their manufacturing overseas, Smith & Warren has remained dedicated to manufacturing its products in the United States, which has earned loyal customers who value quality, delivery and attentive service. The company also has managed to run smoothly since 1990 through major structural and technological transitions. And the family behind the company has found a way to work together perfectly, allowing the company and its customers to benefit from each family member’s strengths and talents.

Smith & Warren was founded in 1925, and over the course of about 60 years, the company changed hands a number of times. In 1990, Smith & Warren was up for grabs again. It was advertised for sale in the business opportunity section of the New York Times, and the ad caught the eye of New York entrepreneur Julian Galperin. At the time, Julian and his wife, Helena, were working as subcontractors, operating an electroplating business in White Plains, N.Y. By contributing to a finished product, they had learned a great deal, and they were ready for the next step. They knew that they would find long-term success in manufacturing and creating a brand, and purchasing Smith & Warren seemed to be the perfect way to reach those goals. Julian and Helena took a chance on purchasing the company, and business was good.

Between 1990 and 1999, the couple grew the company slowly and steadily. During that time, they developed Smith & Warren’s first color catalog, and they regularly attended trade shows, gradually building a national network of dealers. They acquired badge and military manufacturer EKS Apollo and built in-house capabilities to complete all manufacturing processes.

Julian and Helena made a good team. Julian, a professional engineer, oversaw all aspects of the badge manufacturing. He added stamping, computerized engraving, soldering and enameling processes to the existing plating and polishing operations. He also brought relentless energy, creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit to the table. He came up with new ideas, which he was quick to implement. His motto, which he picked up from a business journal, was “Better sooner than perfect,” and this attitude encouraged forward movement at Smith & Warren. Helena managed sales and administration for Smith & Warren, and she balanced Julian’s creativity with her attention to detail and cautious nature. She kept a close eye on the books and concerned herself with the company’s stability.

The Galperin children, Lee and Stephanie, didn’t anticipate working for Smith & Warren given the company’s size. “There was no room. It just wasn’t in the cards,” Lee says. They each pursued their own interests. Lee earned a degree in accounting and finance in 1997, went to work for world-renowned accounting firm Arthur Andersen, and received his CPA license. Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in executive administration and event planning in 1999 and went to work for a real estate management firm in New York City.

In 1999, badge and insignia manufacturer Everson Ross approached Julian and Helena with an offer to sell them the company. As they had before, the couple seized the opportunity. Suddenly, they had a much larger company on their hands, so they recruited the help of their children. Lee joined the company in 2000 and Stephanie in 2001. They both started out on the production floor and learned the business from the inside out.

By 2003, Lee had become involved in many areas of the company, including production management, sales and marketing. Stephanie utilized her strengths in administration, eventually taking over and improving many of the administrative processes at the company, including human resources and personnel development.

As Julian and Helena had complemented each other’s strengths before, Lee and Stephanie brought their own strengths to the company, and now each member of the family was contributing in their own unique way.

Smith & Warren was growing steadily, and at every step along the way, the company was improving its products and services. “In the early 1990s, our quality wasn’t quite as good as it is now, and our line was not as broad,” says Lee. “But we were lucky to have customers who really believed in us and wanted us to succeed. They gave us feedback, and we acted on that feedback. We had a lot of respect for our customers, and we wanted to do the best we could for them.”

Customers wanted durability, quick turnaround times and attentive service. The company responded by investing in advanced metal finishing and manufacturing technologies to make the product more durable and to cut down on lead times. Smith & Warren also implemented technologies to improve the customer buying experience and to help dealers’ businesses run more smoothly. One such technology was the VisualBadge interface on the company’s website, which Lee says “revolutionized how dealers communicated with Smith & Warren.”

Smith & Warren’s dedication to quality and technology didn’t go unnoticed. In 2009, producers of the Science Channel’s hit show “How It’s Made” approached Smith & Warren, asking if they could tour the company’s facility. The producers liked the fact that Smith & Warren manufactured its own products, they appreciated the company’s use of technology, and they recognized the quality of Smith & Warren badges. The crew was able to film the segment in one day, and Smith & Warren was featured in a portion of the “How It’s Made” police badges episode.

Seeing the Smith & Warren badges being manufactured is truly remarkable. Some of the work is done by incredibly powerful machines, but much of the work is still done by hand, and the individual attention and care that each badge receives is significant.

In that way, the creation of Smith & Warren badges is strikingly similar to the way the members of the Galperin family came together to form the company. Each person assumed his or her respective role in the company, much like the individual machines that have their specialized use.

Together, they work like a well-oiled machine. Their success was part precise calculations, part chance and luck, and part good, old-fashioned hard work. And the driving force behind it all has been their complete dedication to customer satisfaction. As Lee says, “It’s easy to grow your company when you give your customers what they want.”

Attitude has been the other major key to Smith & Warren’s success, especially in recent years. Despite reduced funding for public safety and tight budgets, Smith & Warren has grown 17 percent in the past two years. Lee says that the company never got discouraged by the economic situation. They simply worked harder. They also have remained dedicated to manufacturing their badges in the United States at a time when there is fierce competition from companies that take their manufacturing overseas. Lee says that customers still value the quality and customization that Smith & Warren offers, and he hopes that their desire for quality will continue to outweigh the appeal of cheaper products.

In 2009, Lee and Stephanie became officers at Smith & Warren. Julian and Helena still maintain daily involvement at the company and don’t anticipate ever retiring completely. Yet it’s clear that the new generation has put its stamp on the company. Along with their staff, Lee and Stephanie are the new face of Smith & Warren. Lee hopes that someday, a third generation of Galperins will join the company. His advice for them? “Put in 120 percent every day and enjoy your time in the trenches. To succeed, you must love what you do. Ultimately, customers sense and share your excitement. If customers know that you care about their needs, you’ll be rewarded with increased business.”

Smith & Warren

127 Oakley Ave. White Plains, NY 10601 (914) 948-4619 www.smithwarren.com contact@smithwarren.com

The orders poured in. Saxton was soon creating imaginative, elaborate designs for the Playboy Clubs. He designed chic stewardess uniforms for Pan American World Airways, American Airlines and Trans Caribbean Airways – the kind of uniforms that evoke nostalgia for the glamour of air travel of the past. He dressed employees of the lavish Caesar’s Palace in tunics and togas and is still quite proud that he managed to make them look “Roman without looking ridiculous.”