3M Educational Event Touts Safety
Safety was the key theme of 3M's (asi/91240) recent editorial event, hosted this September at the supplier's headquarters in St. Paul, MN. The event included 3M's top experts and researchers to provide insight on how evolving visibility safety legislation will impact the industry.
Key changes to standards include:
- A label that provides product information to help workers accurately choose the correct garment for their work environment
- Cold-weather garments must be evaluated and labeled for their insulating properties
- Mandatory use areas expanding beyond federal-aid highways to cover all roads open to public travel
The company showed off its new high-visibility garments and how they met each standard. In particular, 3M's Scotchlite Reflective Material stood out the most on activewear, making it perfect for joggers and roadside workers. The material can be steam-pressed on the front, back or sides of a garment to help enhance the visibility and safety of wearers while also elevating a brand profile.
When the information-packed portion of the event was over, attendees were taken to 3M's three-mile-long test track to demonstrate the impact each garment made during dusk and nighttime hours. The first test was to see if the editors could spot a model wearing a compliant garment – one that met safety legislation and could be seen from a distance – as opposed to a model wearing a noncompliant garment. Standing a couple hundred feet from the models as they walked from left to right, it was clear to see which one would be less likely to be involved in a roadside accident.
As the nighttime hours progressed, each attendee was assigned to a 3M expert for the driving demonstration. Farther down the track, the company set up "staged accident" that included three roadside workers – one wearing a white T-shirt, another wearing a noncompliant garment and the third wearing a compliant garment. As each editor drove up to the accident, they would tell the driver when they could see each garment. It was easy to see the compliant garment right away, but it was harder to see the white T-shirt until only a few feet before the accident.
Each year, nearly 5,000 pedestrians – or one every 109 minutes – are killed in traffic crashes. One is injured in a traffic crash every seven minutes. Of the total accidents and injuries, 65% of pedestrian fatalities occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. 3M's test track demonstration not only showed the importance of wearing high-visibility athletic apparel during dark hours, but also how designing such garments and representing safety standards in this industry can decrease that number of pedestrian accidents by a large margin. |
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Listen to ASI Internet Radio
A team of ASI editors has launched the first ever ASI Internet Radio show. For a half-hour each Tuesday, we debate the most important topics facing the industry, as well as offer an off-beat look at the market.
If you missed any of our shows, don't worry. Recordings are available at asicentral.com/radio. And, don't forget to join us every Tuesday morning 10:30 a.m. Eastern time when we broadcast our radio show live. We'll be taking calls from the audience, so please call us at (215) 953-4979 to hear your voice on the air.
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Cintas Reports Declining Profits
Counselor Top 40 distributor Cintas Corporation (asi/162167) announced its overall fiscal first quarter profits dropped 31%, resulting from an 11% loss in revenues that slipped below $900 million. However, the company exceeded analysts' projections, leading to Cintas' stock quickly rising to more than $30 per share, an increase of roughly 4%. "Market conditions remain difficult and will continue to impact our businesses," said CEO Scott Farmer, in a statement. "However, we continue to be a market leader in our businesses, with state-of-the-art technology, extremely efficient operations and very dedicated employee-partners."
Within the past year, Cintas has cut 12% of its work force and reduced other costs as well. Currently, the company holds $350 million in cash and marketable securities and no short-term debt. In 2008, Cintas reported promotional product sales of $167 million, down from $171 million in 2007. "Our balance sheet and cash flow both continue to be strong," said Farmer. "The leadership position in our businesses combined with this strong financial condition will provide us enhanced opportunities when economic conditions improve."
The company also announced that founder Richard T. Farmer has retired as chairman, and will be assuming the role of Chairman Emeritus; he will also remain on the Board of Directors. Vice Chairman Robert J. Kohlhepp, 66, has been elected to the position of Chairman of the Board.
Outlook 2010: Webcast Recording Now Available
Wondering how the market will fare next year and what strategies will be particularly successful? Counselor recently hosted an educational Webinar focused on the outlook for 2010. With a panel of experts, we discussed how industry companies can best prepare their businesses for next year, and we identified some marketing and operations strategies that can help companies capitalize on an industry rebound.
Click here to watch a recording of the online educational session.
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Credit Card Companies Pinch Users
For many small businesses, credit cards are their lifeblood. They offer an easy way to purchase product and not have to pay the bill for the order until it's actually completed – a definitive help to an operation's cash flow. However, many credit card companies are throwing a wrench in the works by raising rates and/or cutting credit lines altogether.
Some 58 million card holders had their limits cut for the 12 months that ended in April, according to the most recent report from Equifax, a credit reporting agency. Equifax says that the slashed credit limits or discontinued cards affected even those with strong credit histories. This is troubling news for business owners who depend on credit cards to keep their businesses moving forward. Gail Hillenbrand, a senior attorney with Consumer Union, tells the Associated Press that the one group that was hurt but received little attention was small-business owners who use credit cards to run their business.
Bret Bonnet, president of Quality Logo Products Inc. (asi/302967), cites the impact that this news can have on industry companies. "Most small distributors don't have company cards," he says. "They are relying on personal cards. Those are the ones that are suffering the most. Especially since their finances aren't in as good of order as they normally would be because of the economy."
Bonnet says that he's had credit cards shut down in the past, and as a result he has tried to move away from operating his business on credit cards. He says the switch is working so far because he's "already on net 30 with key suppliers." The one negative: "I'm forgoing all of those wonderful credit card points."
Pete Burr, president of Dover Enterprises (asi/182600), says he's been watching his statements carefully in anticipation of problems. However, he says, he "hasn't seen anything come through that would indicate that they're playing games with us." Burr relies on one card for the majority of his company costs. "I've been really looking at interest rates and stuff like that. But, they haven't gone up yet," he says. "I haven't seen any extra fees. I don't want to pay them, even if it's a quarter."
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Tony Robbins Named Keynote Speaker for ASI San Diego
The ASI Show recently announced that Tony Robbins will be the keynote speaker at the new ASI Show San Diego. The show will take place in the San Diego Convention Center, February 24-26, 2010, and Robbins will speak on Friday, February 26.
"We are thrilled to have such a motivating business leader as our keynote speaker at the ASI Show San Diego," said Timothy M. Andrews, president and CEO of ASI and president of The ASI Show. "I couldn't think of a more appropriate speaker to help us kick off this new industry event serving the West Coast. Tony spoke at our Orlando show this year and had people on their feet, actually participating for most of the hour. I'm sure everyone will leave Tony's presentation energized with new ideas for achieving business and personal success."
For 30 years, Tony Robbins has served as an advisor to leaders around the world. Beyond fathering the life-coaching industry, Robbins has 11 companies that he either owns or helps run. Robbins will be starring in a new reality show on NBC in 2010, where he will work with individuals to give them the tools they need to change their lives. He has also been honored by Accenture as one of the "Top 50 Business Intellectuals in the World." Seating for this keynote speech will be limited. ASI members should register forThe ASI Show San Diego at www.asishow.com by November 30 to be guaranteed a seat.
The ASI Show San Diego will include an ASI Education day on Wednesday, February 24, followed by two exhibit days on Thursday, February 25, and Friday, February 26.
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AnaJet has announced the appointment of Dr. Franz Bosshard as its president.
Bodek and Rhodes (asi/40788) has announced it will be adding four new brands for its 2010 catalog: Champion, Timberland, Code V and Rabbit Skins.
Brother International Corporation is promoting a garment printer trade-in program, offering $5,000 toward the purchase of a new GT-541 or GT-782 inkjet printer. The company has also been named an embroidery licensee of Warner Brothers and DC Comics characters.
Dickies (asi/49675) has announced it is relocating its New York City showroom to 1400 Broadway. The 4,000 square foot location will open in mid-November.
EnMart has announced the addition of sublimation blanks to its product inventory.
 Hirsch International offers the Schmetz Serv6, designed to work well on loosely framed materials that tend to flutter, as well as densely embroidered patterns. Needles come in three sizes and are packaged 100 to a box. Also, the company offers a new video showing how to print oversize designs. The six-minute presentation is available at: www.HirschInternational.com.
Otto International, Inc. (asi/75350) has introduced a new line of apparel, available at: www.ottoactivewear.com.
River's End Trading Company (asi/82588) recently held a customer-appreciation event for 500 guests, featuring exhibit booths, a fashion show and prizes.
 Stahls' ID Direct has expanded its line of CAD-PRINTZ services to include non-apparel items such as banners, custom stickers, helmet decals, window decals and more.
Superior Uniform Group has announced that its Q3 earnings increased 29% compared to Q3 of 2008, and an increase of 79% from the previous quarter.
Sweda (asi/90305) has announced that Laura Lyons of Spartan Promotional Group (asi/331150) is the winner of its "Killer" Case Study Challenge. Lyons was awarded a $5,000 check and a $2,500 credit bonus for her entry.
Towel Specialties (asi/91605) has received two gold awards for 2009 from the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association at the Golden Image/Andre Schellenberg Competition in New Orleans.
TSC Apparel (asi/90518) has announced the addition of a new distribution center that will open in Houston in January 2010. The company has also announced the latest winners of its Wildcard Advantage promotion. They are: 80's Tees, for July; Fantastic Fabrics (asi/191881), for August; Image Works, for September.
World Emblem International (asi/98264) has introduced a new product feature called 3-D Doming. The process creates three-dimensional badges that can be applied to any garment, including caps and swimwear.
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