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UNIFORM PRODUCT NEWS Eurotex North America: Cutting Through the Tape; Saving Customers Money
| Eurotex North America: Cutting Through the Tape; Saving Customers Money |
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| Written by Jackie Rosselli | |||
| Friday, 02 April 2010 13:53 | |||
 When a customer calls asking the price of a trim, Stacee Sokoloff's inquisitive nature kicks in. "I ask a lot of questions," says the marketing manager for Eurotex North America. "Do the garments need to be ANSI or CSA compliant? In what type of environment will they be worn? It's the part of the business I love best."Helping customers navigate the sea of regulations surrounding workwear and safety apparel is a Eurotex strongpoint, a characteristic that has contributed to the company's steady growth in its ten years of existence. "We provide customers with the full solution to their workwear and safety apparel needs," adds Sokoloff. Eurotex manufactures reflective tapes, heat transfers and trims for all markets within the uniform industry, with a focus on FR and electric applications. They are also the largest supplier to workwear manufacturers in North America under the brand names Kolorlite™ and Firelite™, all compliant with relevant standards. FireLite 2 is in high demand – an inherently FR fabric trim with FR, arc resistant silver reflective material sewn down with Nomex thread. The company began in Toronto, and quickly expanded to Montreal and Niagara Falls, New York, with the latter helping to expand its customer base. "Manufacturing in the U.S. enabled us to supply the military," notes Sokoloff. Compliance with – and acceptance of – government standards has also sprouted opportunities. As evidence, she cites a big uptick in the use of safety vests by EMS and ambulance workers, a previously untapped niche market. Paramedics' uniforms were re-designed to meet CSA requirements, for example: striping on the shirt sleeve was changed from a narrow reflective ribbon to a 2" silver reflective stripe. "The word is certainly getting out there," says Sokoloff. "The standards promote safety, which is great for workers and great for business, so everybody wins." The Bottom Line: Price What sets Eurotex apart from its competitors? It can be summed up in a word – price. Its line of Kolorlite™ reflective tape is up to 40 percent less than the competition, offering comparable quality as well as compliance. And in some instances, according to Sokoloff, products outperform well- known brands. "Our silver reflective tape looks good and holds up after more washes than competitors," she notes. So, too, does its new line of graphic transfers, produced out of Eurotex's U.S. plant. Offered at a lower price point, and available in both reflective and non reflective, products are high on performance and value, developed to withstand up to 100 washes. To be certain, price is a distinguishing factor, but so too is the company's emphasis on customer service. For those who need it – Sokoloff says most customers understand the requirements – Eurotex's knowledgeable staff is on hand, ready to offer guidance. "We're mindful of how to put on tape, and can help the customer determine the correct application to meet safety standards, and also advise when a customer is ordering too much or too little," says Sokoloff. "This leads to a better understanding of the process, ensuring the correct product is quoted and supplied for sample submissions, and, hopefully, full production." It's also a value added service that reduces waste, saving money in the long run. Eurotex has been an innovator from its inception, providing fresh approaches before they become standard. For example, they were the first to come out with a line of heat applied material for the FR market, and the first to manufacture a heat applied patch (TuffPatch™) and crest (TuffCrest™). The latter two, famously worn by the Toronto Police Department, provide a clean, professional look and an alternative to embroidery. And on the horizon: a series of new ways to customize reflective tape. Customization is a hot topic in the industry, and part of a larger push for compliant, aesthetically pleasing workwear garments, no small feat given the safety requirements – that is, until now. A 2-inch vented silver reflective trim recently developed by Eurotex promotes air permeability, enhances comfort, and best of all, offers the good looks wearers want. What may be the ultimate reason behind the company's good fortune is its size. With only 50 employees, there's little overhead, and all research is done in-house. More importantly, there's opportunity to grow relationships. "There is no bureaucracy, no red tape," says Sokoloff. "We work closely with the manufacturer, with all our customers, through the entire process, and make decisions quickly. To learn more about Eurotex North America, visit www.eurotex.com
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| Last Updated on Monday, 05 April 2010 07:45 |
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