In a recent post on PoliceLink.com, a K-9 officer asks his peers what they recommend in the way of uniforms. A fellow officer with the screen name “K9hammer” responds:

“Check out bratwear.com. They have a jumpsuit that is really K-9 proof. It is a bit expensive, but it’s very durable, professional-looking and has as many pockets as you want. The suits come in either one piece or two, in various colors. The winter ones are very warm; they come with long sleeves, but they’re zip-off. It’s worth every penny you pay.”

It’s always nice to get unsolicited endorsements of your product from the officers that wear it, but Chief Operating Officer Gary Westcott says some departments go a step further and stipulate Bratwear in their uniform RFPs.

“A big reason is that all of our garments are custom-made,” says Westcott, who helped develop the Bratwear jumpsuit in 1993 when he was a K-9 officer himself. “We take 13 measurements, and we have pattern makers here that make everything. Not too many people can walk into a store and pull something off the rack. We guarantee the fit.”

Founder and CEO Sally Swanson began modifying uniform shorts for police bicycle patrols. Today her company sells a wide range of uniforms to law enforcement customers in 3,300 departments across all 50 states. Even some fire departments have begun inquiring about Bratwear.

The jumpsuits aren’t cheap – summer weight suits run $350, winter weights a bit more – but Westcott says the economics work because of the suits’ durability. His former department, for example, gave officers three shirts and three pairs of pants every year. “If a shirt is $50, and the pants are $70, that’s a jumpsuit,” says Westcott. The difference, he adds, is that most uniform pants and shirts will last two or three years; Bratwear jumpsuits typically last five years. “You can actually save money in the long run,” he says.

Fire - Fighting fire with fire

Who better to pitch uniforms to firefighters than someone who’s worn them on the front lines?
By Jay Gordon

Jeff Alexy remembers fighting a particular Southern California wildfire about two years ago, a blaze that got so hot it melted the reflective trim on the pack he was carrying – yet he didn’t feel any heat at all.
Alexy attributes his superior fire protection to the TransconFR uniform he was wearing – the 825MY jacket and the 924KY pants, to be exact. He is such a big believer in the gear that Transcon’s parent company, Elbeco, Inc., recently hired Alexy to the newly created position of Product Specialist - FR/Protective Apparel.
The 30-year-old Alexy started in the fire service 16 years ago, and was hired as a full-time firefighter by a Southern California department in 2000. Currently, he is a full-time fire engineer/acting captain and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team leader.
Alexy says TransconFR uniforms are breathable, yet provide an excellent heat insulation barrier. “They’re high-quality, durable and professional-looking,” he says. “They don’t restrict my maneuverability, whether I’m walking, bending over, kneeling or grabbing things over my head. And I always knew that if I damaged my uniform, I could get a replacement shipped out the next day. I’m excited to have the opportunity to go out there and share what I know about this superior line of uniforms.”
In his new position, Alexy will meet with frontline fire suppression personnel and chiefs, explaining the features of TransconFR uniforms and demonstrating their performance capabilities. He will also seek feedback from the people who wear the TransconFR line with an eye on continuous improvement and new product development.
“Jeff has built-in credibility,” says Elbeco President David Lurio. “He’s been on the firing line for big wildfires in California, and he’s been through all of the training and drilling, so he can speak directly to the issues that concern firefighters in our target markets. We know he’ll make important contributions to our efforts to educate customers on the performance of our Nomex station-wear and especially our TransconFR wildland PE gear.”
Elbeco (www.elbeco.com) supplies over 17,000 public safety agencies through its network of 500 dealers across the U.S. and Canada. It acquired Transcon Manufacturing in 2005 to service its customers’ growing needs for flame-resistant tactical and protective uniforms. Today, Transcon’s Los Angeles based manufacturing facility is ISO 9001-2000 registered, manufacturing the majority of the company’s NFPA compliant FR uniforms.

Work Wear- G&K adds a flame-resistant line
Rental giant brings GlenGuard FR to the industrial apparel market.
By Jay Gordon

G&K Services has teamed up with technical fabrics maker Glen Raven to provide uniforms with inherent flame-resistant (FR) properties to the industrial apparel rental market. G&K Services will now manufacture uniform shirts, coveralls and work pants made with Glen Raven’s GlenGuard FR fabric as one component of G&K’s proprietary ProTect safety solutions program.

“G&K’s leadership position in the rental apparel and industrial laundry market provides businesses access to uniforms made with this flame resistant fabric,” says Hal Bates, marketing director for Glen Raven Technical Fabrics. “GlenGuard FR, which is inherently flame resistant, protects from both flash fire and arc flash and results in uniforms that do more to protect workers.”

GlenGuard FR fabrics are softer, lighter weight, more color-fast, and more abrasion-resistant than other fabrics on the market, the company claims. A unique blend of Kermel aramid and modacrylic fibers provides inherent flame resistance for all GlenGuard FR products, and because the features are intrinsic to the Kermel fibers, they won’t wear off or wash out of the garment. GlenGuard FR exceeds the strict safety standards for thermal and body burn protection, in addition to offering one of the industry’s best protection-to-weight ratios available for fabrics that meet NFPA 70E (the government standard for electrical safety requirements) and 2112 (the government standard on flame-resistant garments for protection of industrial personnel against flash fire).

“GlenGuard’s  permanent, inherent flame resistance is a critical benefit in this market,” says Randy Kaminsky, G&K Services senior manager of product marketing. “The other important benefit that GlenGuard FR delivers is lightweight comfort. GlenGuard FR fabrics are also durable, UV-stable and colorfast, which increases garment lifespan for our industrial laundry customers.”

G&K is positioning its ProTect apparel made with GlenGuard FR (www.gkservices.com/catalog) to markets serving the electric and petrochemical industries, oil and gas companies, industrial maintenance, and other sectors where people are exposed to heat, flames, chemicals, and electric arc hazards. ProTect uniform shirts, coveralls and pants are available in 6.4-oz GlenGuard FR, and shirts and coveralls are available in 4.5-oz. GlenGuard FR.

The FR market heats up

Glen Raven isn’t the only fabric manufacturer making waves in the FR market. Milliken & Company has introduced Amplitude, a line of high-performance flame resistant (FR) fabrics for industrial work wear. The proprietary fabrics are processed ammonia-free and are constructed of a cotton/nylon blend designed to help mitigate potential injuries due to electric arc and flash-fire exposure, while providing enhanced durability and comfort. “Milliken is the largest supplier of performance work wear fabrics to the U.S. market and entry into this adjacent performance market was a natural fit for us,” says Jack Spoon, business manager for Workwear Fabrics.

Independent testing of Amplitude fabrics was conducted to test electric arc flash and flash-fire protection. Test results concluded that Amplitude offers Hazard Risk Category (HRC) 2 electric arc protection for NFPA 70E, ASTM F1506 and OSHA 1910.269 compliance, as well as flash fire NFPA 2112 . The Flash Fire Mannequin (Pyroman) testing for Amplitude’s 7-oz. fabric resulted in less body burn for the three-second market standard test, as compared to typical industry results. Amplitude also performed better in arc protection tests required by NFPA 70E HRC 2.

Amplitude fabrics will be available next month in both bottom weight and lightweight fabrics.

Meanwhile, partners MSE Enviro-Tech Corp. and Megola Inc. say their Hartindo AF21 Fire Inhibitor is undergoing further textile testing, with initial reports showing that both 100% cotton fabric and a specific nylon/cotton blend used in the manufacturing of uniforms for the armed forces have already met the requirements of the test.
Currently, many of the approved fire retardants have been shown to have negative environmental and health effects. In addition, many common fire-retardant fabrics sacrifice breathability and comfort for safety. Hartindo AF21, being non-toxic and non-irritating, is a potential solution for these problems. AF21, the companies say, offers great potential for the production of lightweight, breathable, fire-resistant clothing and personal protective equipment.

Hartindo AF21 is a water-based, environmentally friendly, multi-purpose, non-toxic and non-corrosive fire inhibitor. As opposed to the numerous, and often toxic, fire retardants on the market that simply delay the spread of fire, AF21 renders materials non-flammable, thereby preventing the spread of fire. It can be applied to all natural fibers and many synthetic materials. Recently, AF21 has met or exceeded the NFPA 701 and NFPA 2112 test standards (both for 100% cotton).

Hotel - Beauty and the Beach
A Caribbean resort makes sure its water safety uniforms cover all the bases.
By Francine Cohen

At the El Conquistador Resort’s Coqui Water Park in Puerto Rico, coordinating an appropriate uniform program for this family-friendly venue was as crucial as determining the speed of the lazy river.

The planning process began 18 months ago, and the El Conquistador searched for safety attendant uniforms (the resort doesn’t use the term lifeguard) to match the tropical surroundings and make the staff both visible and approachable.

“We’re a family-oriented park and had to be considerate of that,” says Water Park Director Ismael Gonzalez of the colorful but modest uniform. “It has to be okay for the parents and for the 12-year-old kids. The [attendants] should be able to play with them and hang out with them.”

Instead of traditional red, which was deemed too harsh, the uniform program consists of a lime green one-piece bathing suit for the women, with a lime green and turquoise tropical print skort that was a specialty item sourced from Cintas. The men wear board shorts in khaki with a contrasting print piping down the side, and both men and women top their uniforms with sun-reflecting, long-sleeved white rash guards.

Francine Cohen is a New York-based contributor to Uniforms.

Hotel - Making the cut
Oakwood Worldwide updated its look to incorporate a cut that is more modern, sleek and stylish.
By Jay Gordon

As a global leader in the temporary housing market, Oakwood Worldwide knows just how fast the needs of its customers can change. But it also understands that the uniform needs of its 3,000 associates can change just as quickly, especially with regard to fit and style. That’s why Oakwood reviews its uniform program annually and makes significant changes every two years.

The most recent of those changes saw Oakwood completely update its look. “We want our uniforms to look professional and polished to reflect the high quality of our service levels,” says Oakwood spokesperson Janet Plant. “We also want to offer the uniform pieces in a variety of cuts and sizes to accommodate the different body types of each Oakwood associate.”

Oakwood worked with Hartmarx Consumer Apparel products to pair black suits with blue herringbone shirts for a classic style with a modern flair. The uniform for front office associates consists of black pants or a black skirt, a black suit coat, and a blue herringbone button-down shirt. Men wear a gold, black and blue striped tie. Oakwood’s security team wears gray pants, a white button-down shirt and a black coat, with a gray, black and white tie for men.

“It’s a stylish uniform that reflects our corporate culture: sophisticated, quietly elegant and professional,” says Plant.

Special emphasis this time around was placed on women’s styles. “We wanted to change the cut of the women’s shirts to accommodate the current style of lower-rise pants,” Plant says. “We worked with Hartmarx to create a custom shirt that was fitted in the body and had extra length so that it would stay tucked in.”
Each full-time associate receives a par of five uniform shirts, three pants or skirts and two jackets, all of which are provided at no cost to the associate. Oakwood also picks up the cost of dry cleaning.

Sports - Jersey Boys
A Las Vegas hockey team’s uniform makeover helps jerseys remain hot sellers.
By Susie Bramhall

Decisions about team uniforms in professional sports today seem to be made more with an eye toward merchandise sales than almost anything else. So last summer, when the ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers professional hockey team was getting ready to celebrate its fifth anniversary season, the team wanted a design that would match the hot Vegas weather.

By October, the Wranglers had launched a re-branding of their logo and uniforms.

“It was simply time [for a change],” says Deric Voelker, vice president of operations for the Wranglers. “We had the same jerseys for four years, so we thought a new design would be a good kick-off for our fifth anniversary season.”

Wranglers owner Charles Davenport and team president Billy Johnson collaborated with the team’s management on some subtle changes. The team decided to stick with its original color scheme – black, white and gray – as well as the main elements of the original logo. The material of the jerseys also did not change – a 100% polyester called Air Knit, a light, durable mesh-like fabric common in hockey.

“The logo is now placed on the front crest of the jersey, with the numbers on the back and on the sleeves,” Voelker says. “The unique thing about the authentic jerseys (the ones the players wear on the ice) is that the number is the front crest, so the number is both on the back and on the front. The idea was to simplify the original logo and give the jerseys a strong and basic look.”

The new jerseys were launched in true Vegas style by Hans Klock, a national illusionist and entertainer who was headlining in Vegas at the time. “The response to the new uniforms has been excellent,” says Voelker. “We’ve heard a lot of positive comments and we’ve sold a lot of the new jerseys.”

Mission accomplished.

Susie Bramhall is a Las Vegas-based contributor to Uniforms.