SEMINOLE, Fla. – Superior Uniform Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SGC), through its signature brands HPI Direct and Fashion Seal Healthcare, won 2 Image of the Year Awards at the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors conference on May 2 in Nashville, TN. Overall, Superior Uniform Group achieved 8 finalist positions within 5 categories, an accomplishment exclusive to the company. The Image of the Year awards are presented by the Image Apparel Institute and recognize fashion, function, creativity and innovation in apparel design.
The Superior Uniform Group custom-designed uniform program for O’Neill Healthcare won in the Healthcare category. O’Neill Healthcare is a family owned and operated collection of senior care facilities ranging from Independent Living, to Alzheimer’s care, to outpatient services. O’Neill facilities can be described as having a home-like atmosphere and the healthcare providers are described as being a part of the residents’ extended family.
“Our goal was to create a program that would strengthen the O’Neil Healthcare brand and set them apart from their competitors,” said Lisa Stewart, vice president of design and merchandising, Superior Uniform Group. “There has been overwhelmingly positive response to the new uniform program.”
HPI Direct, a division of Superior Uniform Group, won in the Restaurant – Multiple Locations category for Sonic, America’s Drive-In, a fast food restaurant chain with 3,500 locations and over 130,000 employees.
HPI staff conducted the Sonic uniform design process beginning in January 2015, which involved extensive research, including multiple surveys, two phases of wear testing, as well as Sonic Franchise Advisory Council reviews and final design approvals which lead to a regionally-phased new uniform program launch for November 2016 – March 2017. After the launch of the new program, HPI followed up with a post-launch survey, which was given to the original 35 wear-test Sonic stores to gain insight on whether they were still enjoying the uniforms that they were part of the approval process for 12 months prior. Sonic employees were overwhelmingly satisfied with the uniform launch, which was validation of the design that they were a key part of the previous year. “This has been nearly a two year process from start to finish,” said Stewart. “The strong partnership between HPI and Sonic contributed to the programs great success.”
