The Uniformer

Jill Coleman is the Vice President Of Business Development Alvanon, Inc, a global innovations company that helps apparel brands improve their fit to reflect modern-day consumers. Jill's background with Alvanon and years at Avery Dennison give her a rich perspective on how we as an industry are handling a number of processes related to sizing, supply chain, and production of uniform garments. She d...

Andrew Ashcroft is the International Business Development Manager for Carrington Textiles, a global workwear textiles manufacturer with factories in Asia and Europe, producing over 130 million metres per year. Andrew has worked with a number of brands, including uniforms, on strategies for opening markets and selling in the Middle East, Africa, India, and now North America. He talks with us about...

Louise Becart is a Business Strategy Analyst at Pincroft Dying & Finishing. Louise is relentless in her pursuit of improving processes and eliminating waste. Pincroft is part of the Carrington Textile group. The company is involved in the preparation of fabrics worn by the military in a number of countries, textiles for corporate uniform programs, and much more. The conversation gets modestly tech...

Bob Getto is the President & CEO at Fechheimer - a Berkshire Hathaway company, makers of the Flying Cross & Vertx brands. Bob is a leader within the public safety and military uniform markets. For the past 15 years, he has been at the helm of the 180-year-old Fechheimer company. We talk about current events in the world and industry. We discuss how to show up for all of your company stakeholders....

Tom Wheeler is the Chairman of the Board of Directors at Martex Fibers, a leading textile recycling company. He has held the CEO role at the former uniform  Fashionaire, at Special Markets Group and Bitwell Clothing for Hartmarx, at Wormser Apparel, and at Wigwam Mills. His knowledge of custom image apparel production, textiles, and uniform program management is extensive. Listen as we discuss his...

James Bottoms is the EVP of Strategy & International Business Development for Logistic Unicorp Inc. He is a comprehensive, fast-paced business leader with diverse global experience. A veteran executive at multiple uniform companies he offers his perspective on how to build successful organizations, manage uniform programs, and create value for stakeholders.   More info at: https://www.logistikunic...

Lara Mazzoni is the CEO of Bodi.me , a fashion fit technology company that is helping solve the uniform industry's size matching dilemma. Lara has extensive experience in advising brands on uniform design, sizing challenges, and technology solutions. We discuss the balance required between uniform styles and helping an employee find the right fit when ordering. For more info visit: https://bodi.me...

Brigid Rumpf is the Creative Director of Broome Uniform Accessories. She is a veteran designer of uniform accessories and neckwear. There is a significant amount of detail to be considered when it comes to making accessory components for top uniform programs, and Rumpf is a recognized expert. Her work philosophy and operations flow are inspiring lessons to us all. More info about Broome Uniform Ac...

Harvey Klein is currently an executive and advisor to a number of companies serving the uniform and image apparel industries. He works with HUB1916 on clothing made from 100% recycled plastic, with BodiData on sizing technology solutions, and others. Harvey was the President and co-owner of Red The Uniform Tailor (RTUT) for 40 years. RTUT had thousands of uniform customers in the public safety, ho...

Tom McCauley is the President of Kentucky Uniforms. For over four decades he has focused on how best to service his uniform customers to the very best standards possible. We discuss the secrets to running a long-standing retail operation, outlasting the competition, and staying true to the mission of good service. Tom offers a matter-of-fact, common-sense approach to owning a uniform company. More...

Mukesh Vijaywargi is the Area Director for Klopman International Branch Middle East. He is passionate about uniforms. For decades he has focused on how textiles affect the lives of workers first, how companies can get more from their uniform spend, and only then does he sell products as a result of the conversation. We discuss the emerging uniform markets in the Middle East and India, the differen...

Mike Marmor is the President and co-owner of Hero's Pride. Mike and his business partner Dave Steinman have known each other since they were 14 years old and have been working together on the company for 30 years. Mike brings an authentic, do-the-right-thing philosophy to his management style. The company has grown from start-up to manufacturing, warehousing, and distributing over 10,000 SKUs acro...

Benny Belcher is VP of Stationwear at LION. He is a true pioneer in the apparel, workwear, and uniform sourcing business. Playing key roles at Fruit of the Loom, Carhartt, Galls, and now LION, Benny has seen much of the past 30 years of evolution in uniform sourcing and merchandising. We talk about LION's stationwear plans, about industry trends, the challenges of global sourcing, and the challeng...

Ed Gribbin is Executive Advisor at 3DLOOK, Winds Group and CEO at Gribbin Strategic LLC. He has roots in the uniform industry spending a dozen years at Angelica Corporation. He then on to become a pioneer in the sizing technology and research space, assisting major brands worldwide. He runs a strategic advisory practice focused on growth strategy, business development, branding, marketing, product...

Leslie Watt McArdle is a Sr. Merchandise Manager at Aramark, working in the Merchandising/Design Department for Uniform Services. Aramark employs over 14,000 people. They work with over 300,000 companies, and say that no two are exactly alike. Leslie talks with The Uniformer about a job that is equal parts producer, uniform program developer, garment specification technologist and much more. She i...

David Lurio is the President and co-owner of Elbeco. He started with Elbeco in 1985, after trying a variety of jobs outside of the industry. Elbeco, previously known as Wide Awake Shirt Company, was founded by his great-grandfather in 1907. While he is responsible for the entire company and its performance, he is now concentrating his day-to-day focus on business and product development, two areas...

Harvey Arfa and Caroline Massel are the dynamic father/daughter team that leads Gruner & Co. Since 1949, Gruner & Co. has been a global leader in designing and manufacturing outerwear, rainwear, and tailored overcoats. They have developed extensive uniform programs for leading airlines, hospitality chains, and real estate companies. Listen as we discuss family business partners, uniform fashion, o...

Mike Fadden is the CEO of Galls, LLC. As the son, grandson, and nephew of three retired police officers, Mike has a great passion for the public safety industry. As a hands-on leader, he understands the importance of a company that fosters the internal trust of its leadership. Mike is currently building a culture at Galls that is relentlessly focused on the customer. He is personally invested in h...

Luly Yang is the CEO of her namesake company Luly Yang. Her operations include a dynamic portfolio of multifaceted operations. Luly Yang Couture is her award-winning fashion house founded in 2000, that specializes in couture red carpet evening wear, bridal, and bespoke suiting. The Luly Yang Design Group designs and manufactures custom corporate uniforms; and specialty lines featuring luxe accesso...

Chris Collopy is the Vice President - Americas at IEA Global. He is a uniform uniform industry veteran. He has been a key employee at companies such as Brookhurst, Men's Wearhouse, Clipper and now IEA. He has been on the team selling and managing many of the world's largest uniform programs. He is an experienced and respected senior leader in tailored corporate apparel and uniform industry. Skille...

Lee Galperin is President of Smith & Warren. He is an adept business executive with broad knowledge and experience in manufacturing, sales, marketing, advertising, finance/accounting and management. Smith & Warren is a leading manufacturer of metal badges and insignia for public safety professionals. More info about the company at: smithwarren.com More info about the NAUMD at: naumd.com    

Phil Newman is the CEO of Cobmex. Cobmex Apparel is a leading knitwear supplier to both the Corporate and Public Safety Uniform Industries in North America. We spoke with Phil about leadership, motivating employees, and keeping the Cobmex corporate culture front and center in everything he does. Phil shares his story of how the uniform industry pulled him in after a number of years in the fashion...

Steve Robinson is the CEO of Liberty Uniforms, a privately held manufacturing company based in the foothills of South Carolina, the heartland of the American textile community. At the heart of their product line are shirts, trousers and outerwear geared toward public safety professionals and private security. Additionally, Liberty manufacturers some specialty items such as EMS trousers, blazers, w...

David Ludmar is the CEO of Eiseman-Ludmar, a leading U.S. manufacturer of dress uniform accessories. Their reputation is known throughout the country and abroad for offering the highest quality products in our industry. They manufacture shoulder boards, collar brass, lace, chin straps, and thousands of hard-to-find items. More info about the company at: shopelc.com More about the NAUMD at: naumd.c...