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Last month, UniformMarket News Magazine presented the first installment of an executive summary from Frost and Sullivan, a global consulting company that partners with clients to support the development of innovative growth strategies. Part one defined the workwear and uniform marketplace, forecasting trends which may influence its expansion.

In part two, appearing below, the summary turns to competitive factors driving the industry, and draws conclusions likely to spark debate among those who manufacture and distribute uniforms and career wear.

Those discussions will be the focus of part three, appearing here in September. To have your voice included, contact Jackie Rosselli at jackie@uniformmarket.com.

Part Two: Competitive Factors

The workwear industry is highly competitive, and the companies' success depends on their ability to respond to constantly changing consumer demand and fashion trends. The reduction in sales or price because of the competition is likely to affect the companies' financial status directly.

Not all the companies are forecast to dominate the market. The market place is filled with numerous brands and manufacturers of workwear. Some of the companies are likely to be larger and have more resources than others in certain product categories.

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UniformMarket News Magazine is taking an in-depth look at the current state of the career and workwear markets, and the impact the economic climate may have on future growth. This is the first in that three-part series. To read the other two sections, sign up to receive the FREE, twice-monthly UniformMarket News Magazine.

Parts one and two will present findings from a recent executive summary conducted by business and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. With the exception of one graphic, UniformMarket was given permission to run the report in its entirety, the first part of which appears below.

In part three, the industry responds. We'll dissect the findings and get reaction from top leaders and executives. Do the conclusions match the industry's expectations? Will the economic downturn forever change the uniform landscape, or is it a mere blip in the marketplace?

Introduction to the North American Workwear and Uniforms Market

The report first established three overarching findings related to uniforms in the workplace:
• A comfortably dressed employee is a happier and more productive employee.
• Comfortable and well-designed workwear can improve the productivity of the employees.
• Workwear is any clothing issued to an employee to be worn during the working hours and is paid for by the employer.

The main purpose of issuing workwear is to ensure the safety of the employee and to give him or her a corporate identity or image. It can be an exceptional advertising tool, and many employers choose to issue workwear to their staff as a marketing strategy. Working clothing is gaining popularity worldwide, and the North American market, being one of the fast-evolving markets, is likely to witness a huge opportunity to increase the penetration. It is very well likely to reflect the future of the workwear market throughout the world.

Today's law enforcement professionals face threats like they've never seen before. According to FBI data, more than 500 police officers have been killed in the line of duty over the past 10 years, with an additional 20,000 injured by a firearm during this same period.

Keeping officers safe has been a goal of the uniform industry for quite some time, a fact underscored by a bevy of products introduced last month from the nation's premier body armor manufacturers. "We have a duty to make sure our officers have the best equipment, and the 06 standard helps us accomplish this," says Angela Milligan, marketing manager for Safariland, a leading body armor supplier.

Milligan is referring to the latest Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor Standard by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), issued in July, 2008. The standard supersedes the 05 version, and calls for a higher level of performance against a wider range of threats.

Products compliant with the 06 standard are just now reaching the market, with Safariland being one of the first to roll out products – a total of four in June - which meet the more robust standard. "We offer a whole family of armor solutions to suit the needs of any agency," adds Milligan.

The new body armor standard does not invalidate body armor models that are compliant with the previous one, and Milligan stresses that any officer who has a vest that meets the old version should continue to wear it. "Wearing some body armor is better than no body armor at all," she points out.

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