Five Companies Tops in UNIVATOR Awards
--By Jackie Rosselli and Rick Levine for Uniform Market
It is often said this is a reactive, rather than proactive, industry. Whether we’re talking about fabric, design or color, the makers and distributors of uniforms have usually taken their cue from somewhere else. Casual Friday, cargo pants, and “hot” colors like teal all originated in mainstream fashion, and many trends that have filtered into the industry had their birth in popular culture.
But while there may be truth to that view, it should not be taken to mean that there are no creative forces at work, no savvy design or marketing exec looming in the wings, or original elements in this industry. After all, who among us hasn’t borrowed a concept or idea? Imitation, it is said, is the greatest form of flattery. In the business world, imitation isn’t as altruistic – it is a tactic used to maximize profits and increase your bottom line.
We at UniformMarket find nothing wrong with this practice. Indeed, we believe that the industry is filled with innovative, creative persons, and we found out how much so with the advent of the first annual UNIVATOR awards. Unlike other industry awards, the UNIVATOR honors you – the manufacturers and distributors of uniforms – and your contributions to further your company’s bottom line.
UniformMarket staff, who judged the competition, reviewed each entry submitted and scoured the websites of companies to find other worthy participants. In the end, we agreed that the first UNIVATOR awards would be somewhat stingy – rather than naming a winner for each of our many categories, we would only select those candidates which, in our opinion, showcase the very best the industry has to offer. As a result, we have selected five companies for a 2005 UNIVATOR award. Their entries are highlighted below.
The 2005 UNIVATOR Awards are presented to...
ARAMARK: Redesign of Existing Product Line
BARCO UNIFORMS: Strategic Program Design
CINTAS : Unique Promotional Campaign, Existing Product
CREATIVE UNIFORMS: Rising Dealer Concept
GORGONZ: Effective Use of Technology in Products
CREATIVE UNIFORMS. AWARD: Rising Dealer Concept
“The New Concept” is what Creative Uniforms, located in San Diego , CA., uses as a company slogan underneath their logo. UniformMarket agrees. Not only has the company developed a new concept, The company is a fine example of how a small uniform dealer can thrive today and is therefore honored with our Rising Dealer Concept award.
Creative Uniforms has been awarded a UNIVATOR award because its operation is exemplary of the new breed of small uniform dealer: very low inventory, high design concepts and an intelligent use of suppliers and their services.
Denise Nahman, founder and president, has been in the uniform business for 30 years and at a little over 2 years old, she launched her own company. “We serve hotels, casinos and handle some parks and recreation in the area,” said Nahman. “We put a program together and deliver. We are a one stop shop for our clients.”
Creative Uniform takes pride in sourcing just what the customer wants. The ability for a small dealer to balance their product offerings between stock items from manufacturers or having an item made from scratch because it can not be found in the general marketplace has become critical to a small dealers success. Creative Uniforms manages this aspect of the business well.
Creative Uniforms uses local sources for decorating and tailoring, but the majority of the time will have the manufacturers decorate apparel items on their customers behalf. This is another way in which this entrepreneurial uniform dealer is a good example of the rising dealer concept.
“We have just completed the uniforms for a new casino in the Palm Springs area,” said Nahman. “The apparel design compliments their very jazzy contemporary theme."
