Compiled by Jackie Rosselli
Association News:
NAUMD to Host Reception at IACP
Are you an NAUMD member going to the IACP? If so, be sure to attend the Saturday, October 22 member reception at the Chicago Marriott Downtown. It’s a great way to network, relax and unwind after a full day of convention activities. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.
Manufacturers – will you be exhibiting at IACP and have customers who are not yet NAUMD members? Then take them along to the reception, where they’ll be able to meet with many of the industry’s leading decision makers as well as NAUMD board and committee members. Plus, they’ll have the chance to preview all the NAUMD has to offer in an informal, congenial setting.
An additional benefit of membership, the reception is complimentary and open to all members and prospects. Check next month’s NAUMD Industry News for additional details or contact the association by calling 212.736.3010 or emailing rjlerman@naumd.com .
The Economy:
Manufacturing Slows to Weakest Level Since Recession
Manufacturing activity barely grew in July, falling to the weakest level since just after the recession ended, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), a private trade group of purchasing executives.
The ISM said its index of manufacturing activity fell to 50.9 percent in July from 55.3 percent in June. It was the 23 straight month of growth. But the reading was the lowest reading since July 2009, a month after the recession officially ended. Any level above 50 indicates growth.
The factory sector has been a driving force behind the economic recovery and has expanded in every month but one since the recession ended in June 2009. But manufacturing represents only about 11 percent of U.S. economic activity and can contribute only so much to the broader economic recovery.
U.S. Gains 117,000 Jobs in July; Unemployment Drops Slightly
The U.S. economy gained 117,000 jobs in the month of July, a net increase driven entirely by the private sector.
Employment at service-providers increased 75,000 in July, the most in three months, with healthcare and the retail sectors seeing the most gains.
About 154,000 private sector jobs were created in July, even as 37,000 government jobs were lost due to state and local government budget cuts.
The jobless rate declined as 193,000 people left the labor force and the number of unemployed dropped by 156,000. The share of the eligible population holding a job declined to 58.1 percent, the lowest since July 1983.
Social Media:
Facebook Best Practices Improve Customer Interactions and Brand Reputations
Although many retailers are utilizing Facebook with hopes of spiking customer loyalty and increasing purchase activity, others remain skeptical of social media’s current and future effect on consumer behavior.
In the webinar titled ‘Facebook Marketing: Strategies for Turning ‘Likes’ Into Loyalty,’ Debra Aho Williamson, principal analyst for eMarketer, and site writer/analyst Kimberly Maul, provided tips for retailers hoping to make the most out of their commitment to Facebook.
Many social channel users become fans of a brand in order to receive exclusive deals and offers. However, Ms. Aho Williamson explained that deals and promotional offers do not necessarily serve to improve consumer loyalty. “Offers are a double-edged sword,” Ms. Aho Williamson said. “They get people in the door, but according to ExactTarget, they’re the fourth-most cited reason why people unlike a brand. They got what they needed, and then they’re gone.”
You can read the entire article and complete list of best practices, which appears in the August 11 edition of the ezine RetailWire, by clicking here.
Company News:
Elbeco featured on ABC World News Webpage
Kudos to public safety and law enforcement uniform manufacturer, Elbeco, Inc. The Reading, PA supplier is currently featured on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer’s Made in America Webpage.
Made in America is an ongoing segment that highlights the American manufacturer. Elbeco is included in an interactive US map, where you can find the company’s listing and markets it serves. Click here to view http://abcnews.go.com/WN/page?id=13917383
Applied DNA Signs Long-Term Supply Agreement with 3SI Security Systems
Applied DNA Sciences, a provider of DNA-based security solutions, announced that it has entered into a long term supply agreement with 3SI Security Systems, the world leader in asset protection systems. Commercial supply of the DNA markers has already begun, with repeat orders to be fulfilled on a monthly basis.
The use of DNA in 3SI’s European currency protection security systems provides law enforcement with irrefutable evidence to help solve cash robbery investigations. Theft of cash from 3SI’s protection systems will result in both the money and offenders being DNA marked and irrevocably tied to the crime. SigNature DNA technology can forensically link offenders with an individual crime scene, meaning they cannot deny their involvement. It cannot be removed or replicated and is available in an unlimited number of unique DNA codes, enabling the unequivocal authentication of bank notes and other marked items.
SigNature DNA has proven remarkably useful in assisting law enforcement agencies in the UK in the capture and prosecution of criminals accused of CViT crimes. APDN has assisted in convictions totaling 122 years in prison to-date. The overall CViT crime rate is down 21% year on year (180 attacks versus 229 for same period in 2010) with losses reportedly down 54% year on year and armed CViT robberies have been dramatically lowered by 70%. The Return on Investment (ROI) for existing APDN customers has already proven record-setting within the CViT industry. This marks Applied DNA’s first entry into the marking of ATM’s.
Learn more by visiting www.adnas.com
Medical Apparel:
Carhartt to Launch New Line of Medical Apparel
Carhartt has announced the selection of CID Resources, Inc, a manufacturer of medical scrubs for America’s healthcare professionals, as the new licensee for Carhartt-branded medical scrubs.
The initial offering will include two new medical scrub lines including Carhartt Premium and Carhartt Ripstop. The Carhartt Premium line will include two new top and bottom styles for women and one new top and bottom style for unisex made from 55 percent cotton/45 percent polyester brushed micro canvas and available in eight color options including industry standard colors. The Carhartt Ripstop line will include two new top styles and one new bottom style for men made from 55 percent cotton/45 percent polyester Ripstop fabric and available in four color options.
Carhartt’s medical scrub offering will be available to the public through select Carhartt and uniform specialty retailers and on Carhartt.com for fall, 2011. Visit www.carhartt.com to learn more.
Sassy Scrubs Launches New Fabric Swatch Customer Service Program
Uniform manufacturer and e-tailer Sassy Scrubs recently announced their newest customer service feature – their fabric swatch program, an initiative that allows customers the opportunity to order a swatch of fabric before ordering nursing scrubs made from that fabric.
“We are the only scrubs company offering such a high service feature to our customers,” said Sassy Scrubs President, Karen Bradley in a press statement. The statement goes on to say that Sassy Scrubs has seen a sharp decline in the number of customer returns due to a color matching quandary solved by the new service.
To view the new fabric swatch program at Sassy Scrubs, along with their full line of custom medical scrubs, which are sewn in the United States, visit them at http://www.sassyscrubs.com.
Military:
Navy Rear Admiral Takes Helm at DLA Troop Support
Navy Rear Admiral David Baucom assumed command of the Defense Logistics Agency — Troop Support (DLA-TS) in Philadelphia, PA, on July 13.
Baucom has held a variety of leadership positions. He served in the officer capacity aboard three ships, the USS Edward McDonnell, the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Ronald Reagan. His most recent assignment prior to joining DLA was serving as the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (acquisition and logistics management).
DLA Troop Support supplies America’s armed forces with $14 billion annually of food, uniforms, protective equipment, medicine and medical supplies, and construction supplies and equipment.
Hirings:
Ramos, Tinkham Join OOBE
OOBE, Inc. has hired Elizabeth Ramos as creative and marketing coordinator and Katina Tinkham as an account specialist.
Ramos oversees internal and external marketing communications for OOBE, including advertising, promotions, the website, social media, and sales materials. Prior to joining OOBE, she was part of Ramos Creative where she specialized in print design for entrepreneurial companies.
Tinkham is responsible for ensuring proper entry, shipment and invoicing of all customer orders and returns. She also serves as the primary contact for the ASA/SkyWest uniform account. Prior to joining OOBE, Tinkham was employed at Proaxis Therapy in Greenville where she scheduled patient appointments, managed medical charts, collected payments and ordered office supplies.
To learn more about OOBE, visit www.oobe.com .
