The Winners Circle: 16 Win UNIVATOR Awards; Most Ever Honored

What’s good for the planet can be good for business too, or at least that’s what the collaboration between Denver-based Evolve and quick-service restaurant giant Chipotle seems to suggest.

What started with a desire to find a sustainable tee shirt turned into a revamp of Chipotle’s entire apparel line. Working closely with its customer, Evolve designers created custom-designed organic cotton caps, recycled polyester polos, and 100 percent sustainable hoodies that are fashionable, functional, and eco-friendly. Special details included custom logoed buttons and specialized pocket placement. Logoed zipper pulls were added to employee jackets.

By sourcing organic cotton from a single source, as well as overseeing each step of the supply chain, Evolve was able to deliver the new apparel at a price that provided value and competiveness. Also of importance to the socially-conscious Chipotle is its ability to reduce its carbon footprint – thanks to the organic tees, 60,000 lbs of pesticides will be kept out of the environment each year.

Why We Like It:
Evolve is a company that prides itself on delivering creative, one-of-a-kind solutions to its customers. Rather than handing clients a catalog filled with stock items, Evolve offers each a fresh start, listening to needs and providing a custom-designed approach to suit those needs. In the case of Chipotle, Evolve was able to marry the desire for comfort and brand recognition with a sustainable product that extends the company’s “food with integrity” business philosophy to its apparel program. Further, the clothes’ hip, edgy look received good buzz on social media sites, attracting followers – and more customers – to the Chipotle chain.

Who says tree hugging isn’t profitable?

Visit www.looktoevolve.com to learn more.

Cintas continues to expand its reach into the sustainable solutions marketplace with its latest creation, EcoGeneration by Cintas™, a first-of-its-kind eco-apparel option for healthcare professionals.

Similar to its popular Momentum Suiting Collection for the hospitality marketplace, the EcoGeneration line uses recycled plastic bottles diverted from landfills. The bottles are broken down and woven into a wearable, comfortable fabric constructed of a recycled polyester-cotton blend. Mother Nature, too, can breathe a sigh of relief; each garment diverts 3.5 16 ounce soda bottles from landfills, and every 500 nurses outfitted in these scrubs, 4 small-sized commercial dumpsters of waste in the same situation.

 Cintas uses REPREVE®, recycled fibers made by Unifi, REPREVE fibers are traceable, transparent and certified through Unifi’s U TRUST™ verification program. The fabric, exclusive to Cintas, features moisture-wicking properties to keep the wearer cool and dry, as well as Cintas’ ComfortFLEX™ mechanical stretch for easy movement.

Why We Like It:
Healthcare providers now have a comfortable, environmentally preferable apparel alternative to traditional scrub programs thanks to Cintas. Outfitting staff in eco-friendly apparel may seem like a small step towards environmental responsibility, but in an industry that employs more than 13 million workers, the potential impact is huge. Recycling plastic fibers saves 33 percent of the energy consumed compared to manufacturing virgin fiber and reduces carbon emissions by 47 percent. Benefits to the environment notwithstanding, the real test of any uniform program is measured by the style, fit and comfort of the garments, and in these areas, Cintas hits a home run.

For more information, go to www.cintashealthcare.com/scrubs.

Waste not, want not seems to be the motto of V-Tex/Uncommon Threads, one of the industry’s premier suppliers of chef’s wear. Twenty percent of its line of 65/35% poly/cotton twill coats, pants and chef hats comes from waste scrap found on the cutting room floor, making it the largest known line of its type. The practice not only reduces waste put into landfills, but also saves energy by requiring less processing after it is respun into yarn and woven into fabric.

The collection comes in a variety of colors too – an “in” trend right now – so customers have hundreds of variations from which to choose, and can mix and match to achieve a look specifically tailored to the restaurant. Garments not only look good, but are functional as well, incorporating many of today’s most sought-after performance features like wicking and anti-static.

Most important, the apparel is functional. Keeping chefs safe in the kitchen trumps good looks, even in today’s image-conscious environment. Remember, the chef coat was invented to be a safety garment first and foremost at its origin – splashing sauces and boiling liquids could all damage the skin.

Why We Like It:
In the highly competitive restaurant space, proprietors are always on the hunt for the latest and greatest, something that will distinguish without compromising brand integrity; items that will break the mold without breaking the bank. The Uncommon Threads line accomplishes this and more. Garments come in a variety of colors, all at an attractive price point. As a bonus, the use of castaway materials renders the line green, so the end user can have an affordable product that just happens to be environmentally friendly. For its contributions to the planet – and to its own bottom line, the Uncommon Threads program is indeed UNIVATOR-worthy.

Visit www.vtexinc.com to learn more.

Fans of UNIVATOR have come to expect the unexpected – this isn’t just any uniform contest, after all. So it should come as no surprise that first time UNIVATOR winner UNISYNC is being recognized for its work on two separate programs.

UNISYNC was presented with the challenge of designing pant suits for two of its customers; Toyota and Ornge Medical Transport. Toyota’s requirements focused on protection – the specs for this suit were very demanding, as it had to meet anti-static and FR guidelines. Protection also played a role for Ornge Medical Transport, but here, image was the primary concern. Functionality and comfort were stressed by both.

UNISYNC designed a new flight suit for Ornge Medical Transport 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. The two-piece suit had to be FR-compliant, to protect responders in the event of a helicopter crash.

Toyota, too, need an outfit with FR protection. The customer was looking for a garment that would withstand the test of time, so a high quality fabric needed to be sourced.

Why We Like It:
Details, details, details. The rigorous challenges presented by these two programs may have made others shy away, but not UNISYNC. UNISYNC took the time to find just the right fabric for Toyota, and set in motion a system that assured deliveries were made to satisfaction. The durable and functional suit is a step up from the previous outfit, and has received rave reviews from the customer. The same can be said over at Ornge Medical Transport, where workers are now decked out in comfortable, practical and safe garments that have reinforced the brand, strengthened image and bolstered employee morale. Bravo, UNISYNC!

To learn more, visit www.unisyncgroup.com.

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 and a primary encouragement 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 one member was an interchangeable, dignified representative for the agency.

Their 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”; 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.

Why We Liked It:
It is rare to find examples of public agencies willing to spend on anything these days, let alone a uniform program used for ceremonial situations. By mixing value with exemplary customer service, Galls was able to provide its customer with one good looking uniform program, proof positive that you don’t have to compromise quality, even in a bad economy. Kentucky State Troopers look as sharp as ever in their new duds, and that look was achieved by ensuring the best pricing possible on all pieces of the uniform. For its willingness to work with its customer, and for its acute understanding of today’s business climate, UNIVATOR extends a hearty bravo to Galls.

For more information, visit www.galls.com.

When the second largest hamburger chain wanted a uniform redesign for its 12,000+ restaurants over the span of 70 countries globally, they contacted their uniform supplier of over 15 years, Clipper Corporation. Their goals: To establish a uniform program that speaks to the Burger King team and consumers; adding retail-influenced touches, maintaining their unique brand voice, and delivering optimum key operational requirements. A tall order indeed!

The design elements of the new line both engage the consumer, yet stay subtle with minimal branding and identity. The concept adds color with smoky undertones, tonal branding, and large repeat logo screen-prints and embroideries to create a look which is edgy, playful and unexpected. T-shirts and a new style of hat were also added to give a fresh twist to the line offering.

Once the design concepts were finalized, Clipper started to lead the critical process of making the 2D design sketches come to life. Clipper took special care in this product development phase to keep in mind the QSR environment needs of functionality, durability, and easy maintenance. With sample garments in hand, Clipper partnered with Burger King to perform field test groups with employees across the country to showcase the new designs and conduct fit sessions. By introducing gender specific female SKU’s alongside the existing unisex styles, Clipper ensured there would be a garment with a complimentary fit for everyone in the system.

Why We Like It:
Clipper has again demonstrated why it is in a class of its own when it comes to designing food service uniform programs. Their work on the Denny’s Restaurant collection nabbed them a UNIVATOR last year, and we expect to see more innovations in coming years. Clipper’s extensive experience allowed the Burger King design concepts to be combined with industry leading technology and food service functionality, and for that effort, we bestow a much-deserved UNIVATOR.

Learn more by visiting www.clippercorp.com.

Putting together a successful uniform program takes the work of many, as the HPI/Frontier Airlines collaboration clearly demonstrates.

Interest in Frontier Airlines Ramp Uniform Program had waned – participation had dropped significantly and the carrier desperately wanted to reconnect with employees and reinvigorate its brand. It hired HPI Direct, a uniform provider with considerable experience in the airline industry, to achieve its goals.

HPI immediately went to work, soliciting employee input and working with management and uniform committees to get crewmember buy-in on style changes and fabric choices. The result is several new uniform pieces which utilize innovative designs to meet their specialized job needs, including removable knee pad inserts to increase comfort; double entry divided cargo pockets for easy access and secure storage; attached hood on jacket; and a reflective logo to accentuate worker safety.  

Why We Like It:
Frontier Airlines wanted a uniform supplier that was a fully-engaged partner who could help them help their crewmembers perform their jobs more efficiently through a better uniform, and that’s exactly what they got. This partnership resulted in a 100% increase in Ramp Uniform program participation after the new uniform rollout, reigniting enthusiasm for the Frontier Airlines brand. How do we spell success? HPI Direct, of course!

Learn more by visiting www.hpidirect.net.

Chef works brings its patented technology to front-of-the-house employees with the so-called Anti-Polo Shirt, a fully vented and breathable line of moisture wicking shirts perfect for restaurants, casual dining, resorts and other retail establishments.

Chef Works first appeared on UNIVATOR’S radar several years ago, launching its Cool Vent™ line of chef coats for cooks and other kitchen workers. Cool Vent’s moisture wicking fabric brought to chef apparel what was then unheard of: garments that were both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, important considerations for the new breed of up and coming chefs.

That same technology is behind the Universal Anti-Polo. The short sleeved shirt is made from a poly blended fabric, and utilizes Cool Vent panels down both sides, and in some cases, under the sleeves, to keep the wearer dry and looking good no matter the situation. The stylish shirt makes a good first impression and gives establishments an alternative to the standard t-shirt or polo. Mindful of the latest trends, the universal shirt is available in a plethora of colors, making it a breeze to coordinate with any décor, or complement attire worn by other staff.

Why We Like It:
When you have a good idea you should run with it – that seems to be the message behind the Universal Shirt. By extending its popular fabric technology beyond the kitchen, Chef Works has captured additional market share, no small feat in these challenging times. The Universal Shirt comes in a variety of colors, too, meaning that restaurants can establish a coordinated image throughout the property, a desirable asset in this niche. Who says innovation has to be complicated?

For more info, visit www.chefworks.com.

Perfection’s already functional cargo trouser recently became a bit more user-friendly thanks to a new pocket design.

Discreetly designed into the center pleat of its existing MatrixEcoSeries trouser, the patented clip knife pocket makes it easier for officers to access a knife during emergency situations. The design has received high marks in the law enforcement community, both for its usefulness and ability to blend into any existing uniform program.

Intended to complement Perfection’s Ergonomic Garment Construction (EGC) system, the design is currently used only in its MatrixEcoSeries cargo line; it will be available in the StratusSeries (poly/rayon) and SupernaturalSeries (poly/wool) lines soon.

Why We Like It:
Perfection’s new pocket design is a fine example of how a seemingly simple idea can bring enhanced value to any end user program. The idea resulted from numerous uniform committees/focus groups whose feedback was instrumental in making the cargo trouser more user-friendly. Most police officers tend to carry their knife in the front pocket while wearing a duty belt, an uncomfortable scenario for many. Moreover, precious time is lost fumbling for the knife during emergency situations. With the new pocket design, the knife becomes extremely more accessible, and the officer is able to have the knife in hand with one quick motion. Perfection continues to innovate, and as long as it does, it will continue to win UNIVATORS.

Visit www.perfectionuniforms.com to learn more.

We wouldn’t have thought it possible, but there are actually two innovations concerning pockets for law enforcement uniforms. Our second find comes from Liberty Uniforms, who like Perfection, has made a ground-breaking adjustment to a seemingly standard product.

If you’ve ever tried to access your pant pocket while seated, you’ll immediately identify with Liberty Uniform’s new creation. Its tactical trouser incorporates a patent pending 3-Way Smart Pocket that enables law enforcement officers to easily and comfortably access their cargo pockets, even when seated in a patrol car wearing all their equipment and seat belt. By placing a zipper along the front edge of the pocket, the officer can now access the contents anytime, in any situation.

The design is used in Liberty’s Comfort Zone Class B uniform program, a line that also utilizes the latest performance-enhancing fabric features such as moisture control and UPF protection. Highly resistant and colorfast, the material is iron tough and cotton soft, thanks to microdenier yarns.

Why We Like It:
Innovation doesn’t have to be complicated, as Liberty’s 3-Way Smart Pocket demonstrates. What matters most in law enforcement – and to many end users for that matter – is functionality. The world of a police officer is often dangerous – knowing that he or she has the garments to withstand the rigors of the job is of primary importance. First time UNIVATOR winner Liberty Uniforms’ simple design delivers big on performance, and goes that extra mile to provide the level of product its customers expect.

Visit www.libertyuniform.com to learn more.

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™).

Now comes word of another cutting-edge product – a heat applied FR silver reflective tape for high visibility safety apparel. The uniquely patterned design allows for air permeability, minimizing perspiration and keeping wearers comfortable. The tape is also durable, holding up after more washes than some competitors.

Compliance with – and acceptance of – government standards surrounding worker safety has sprouted new opportunities and opened new markets, including the EMS industry.

“The standards promote safety, which is great for workers and great for business, so everybody wins,” says Stacee Sokoloff, Eurotex’s marketing manager.

Why We Like It:
Customization is a hot topic in the FR industry, and part of a larger push for compliant, aesthetically pleasing workwear garments – no small feat given the safety requirements – that is, until now. The 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. And Eurotex supplies the type of value added service that customers crave; the company’s knowledgeable staff is on hand, ready to offer guidance on how to put on tape, and how the customer can determine the correct application to meet safety standards. It’s the ability to go that extra mile that has contributed to Eurotex’s steady growth in its twelve years of existence, and a factor behind its landing on this year’s UNIVATOR best list.

To learn more, visit www.eurotex.com.

Unitex Direct opened its showroom doors in April of 2010, turning what was essentially a mail order business into a full fledged brick-and-mortar retail store. Since its inception in 1992, customers have always been able to stop by to pick up or alter a garment; now they’re able to do that and much more. Additional staff was hired to accommodate a steady flow of customers, and new brands were added to their stable of products, including an organic line which the company hopes will expand its reach and staff.

The store website, too, has gone through changes. To improve the buying experience for the online customer, some of Unitex Direct’s largest accounts now utilize private stores, enabling them to shop with ease for the purchases in which they are interested. “Live support” has also been added, giving customers the ability to receive an immediate response to their inquiries.

They’ve even jumped on the social media bandwagon, becoming quite adept at Tweeting on Twitter and in developing successful and exciting marketing campaigns for fans on Facebook. For the latter, they’ve developed a number of contests, promotions and giveaways that have earned them a growing legion of “friends.” Friend them yourself to see how they do it.

Why We Like It:
While many have retrenched, Unitex Direct is branching out, redesigning both their physical and online presence, entering the trade show circuit and breaking the small-time industry mode by venturing into social media. Foolish expenditures in challenging times? Hardly. Last month, the company surpassed its store goals by over 300 percent. Such success, however, has more to do with values than with the eye-pleasing qualities of a store and website redesign. At its core, Unitex Direct is about relationships – customers ask for a sales associate by name, knowing that person will provide both exemplary service while caring enough to ask about a daughter’s soccer team or recent marriage. That is the essence of a successful uniform dealer. That is the essence of Unitex Direct.

Learn more by visiting www.unitexdirect.com.

Already a staple of the textile rental industry, Mission Linen is quickly making a name for itself in the direct uniform sales market, courtesy its use of eCommerce.

Family-owned Mission Linen entered the direct sales arena about five years ago, seeking to capture a share of the customers who prefer to buy, rather than rent, their uniforms. It quickly determined the best was to accomplish this was online, via eCommerce. Through the UniformMarket Store System, Mission Linen developed a number of private, online stores with a user-friendly look and feel that allow customers to view and purchase products the way they want, complete with pricing controls, shopping carts functions and personalization options.

To further streamline the selling process, Mission Linen conducts on-site sizing events that recreate for the customer a store environment. Held over a two-to-four week period, these events are intended to reduce the rate of returns, provide a unified front for the organization, and provide an additional benefit to the customer. The sizing events are extremely popular, and are regarded as a valued-added service for their hassle-free approach to selling.

Why We Like It:
We love the way Mission Linen has adopted eCommerce as an innovative and critical path to facilitate direct sales. It has mixed technological strides with good old fashioned customer service in the form of sizing events, for a result that relieves clients of cumbersome decisions and antiquated processes, and most importantly, helps them – and Mission Linen – manage costs. We fully expect this UNIVATOR award to be the first of many. Mission Linen is a company on the move, and one to watch.

Visit www.missionlinen.com to learn more.

In 2010, Barco Uniforms embarked on a rebranding initiative to develop a new corporate identity that will carry the company into the future and enable it to take advantage of more opportunities in the marketplace. The new brand symbolizes the company’s rich heritage of leadership and quality while pointing to a future of ongoing excellence and innovation like its new arcTechnology™, which blends style, fit, feel and performance

This new identity included a logo, color palette, corporate tagline, website, hangtag system, stationery system, nomenclature and messaging, and brand guidelines. Orange and brown were selected as corporate colors, representing both the energy and stability of that which is Barco. The new tagline, “Love what you wear™,” represents the company’s commitment to achieving the highest standard in quality and to creating and delivering uniforms that its customers will love.

The brand was rolled out to retailers who were provided with a host of in-store marketing materials designed to quickly and visually communicate the new brand and the meaning behind it. Complementing these, all the apparel featured new hang tags not only with the new corporate identity, but with icons that clearly showed the fabric technology used in each line. The new corporate identity now permeates every aspect of the Barco Uniforms business, including its headquarters building, which was repainted using the brand colors and freshened with images of the brand and rebranded collections.

Why We Like It:
From re-envisioning professional medical wear to driving innovation in the specialty retail industry to bringing the brand experience to life in the form of the company’s own employees, Barco Uniforms continues to lead, innovate and leave a trail that others can only attempt to follow. Staying three steps ahead is a Barco Uniforms imperative; it is grounded in a belief that things can always be done better. Unafraid of convention wisdom, it continually reaches for more, and as in evident with this latest initiative, usually succeeds. To borrow from the Barco tagline, we at UniformMarket “Love What We See.”

Learn more by visiting www.barcouniforms.com.

Mexican ruins and Icelandic landscapes may not readily conjure images of uniform programs for the average reader, but these were the inspirations behind White Swan’s novel marketing strategy for the Jockey Scrub brand of medical apparel.

After winning the right to bring the brand to the medical apparel market, White Swan sat down with the Jockey team to assure a cohesive marketing message, one that was true to the image and reputation that Jockey had built since 1876. The Jockey name, it was explained, was linked to feeling free; the brand targeted the “life enthusiast” and lover of “individual freedom.” Could those same sentiments be depicted in a uniform marketing program?

In our opinion, it most certainly can. Taking its cue from recent Jockey photo shoots at the ruins in Tulum, Mexico, and in Iceland, White Swan set out on its own photo shoot, to slightly more humble – and budget friendly – locales. The majesty of Lake Michigan and the beauty of the Vizcaya Gardens in Miami perfectly captured that sense of freedom and individuality at the core of the Jockey brand. The images are used in everything from White Swan’s B2C website, B2B website, catalogs and point of purchase materials.

Why We Like It:
White Swan produced a series of sales and POS marketing materials that not only captured the spirit of Jockey, but look like they were created by Jockey itself. They met and exceeded the high standards demanded, if the box of materials dropped at our offices is any indication. Moreover, White Swan accomplished this while staying in budget, a difficult task when launching a new brand. It’s one of the best efforts we’ve seen in this space, and as such, we are proud to award White Swan with its second consecutive UNIVATOR.

To learn more, visit www.jockey-scrubs.com.

As the corporate apparel division of the Men’s Wearhouse, Twin Hill has redefined the industry through state of the art technological systems, a wealth of value-added services, fervent client dedication, and design innovation. They recently launched a new catalog, and it grabbed our attention.

It’s all in the details for the comprehensive apparel collection found within the catalog’s pages. Designs are truly modern; seemingly more runway-inspired than boardroom-motivated. Twin Hill makes good use of the latest technology in long-wearing fabrications, and adds such high end touches like true stretch lining, reinforced stitching, striped piping and sleeved lining in tailored jackets, and stylish button and labels. The message to customers? You accept nothing but the best, and your corporate apparel program underscores this.

Why We Like It:
Twin Hill’s ultimate intention is to provide a complete career apparel program that not only manifests the brand’s vision, but distinguishes and dignifies each employee complimenting an environment of professionalism and aesthetic theme. That intent is further underscored by the launch of its 2010 product catalog that includes a wide range of innovative programs and retail-inspired designs. The collections were well-accepted in the marketplace, forming the core of corporate apparel programs for Hilton Hotels, DoubleTree Hotels, Huntington Bank and Alaska Airlines, along with dozens of additional companies. There are many different channels by which a company markets itself. In the product catalog arena, Twin Hill takes a backseat to no one.

Learn more by visiting www.twinhill.com.