The Uniformer - A talk with Harvey Klein
January 5, 2022
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, hospitality, and casino markets. His family background as tailors, a bespoke design approach, and his conscious effort to keep his team smiling from a job well done has proven a winning strategy for this veteran industry leader.
More info about the NAUMD at: naumd.com
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.
Mukesh Vijaywargi is the Area Director
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 across a range of duty gear, patches, badges, insignia, and more.
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 challenges facing us in the near term.
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 development and supply chain innovation.
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 that he is passionate about. David talks frankly with The Uniformer about his focus on the perennial polishing of the Elbeco brand, challenges he and his team faced in recent times, where innovation will come from, and the company’s bright path forward. A compelling view of our industry from a thought leader.
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, outerwear production and learn lessons about how to sustain a successful manufacturing business.
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 helping the public safety professionals that Galls serves and is backed by 25 years of experience in the uniform industry. Listen as we discuss uniform retail topics, recruiting best practice ideas, thoughts on public and private companies, the future of Galls, and the optimism Mike brings to the uniform industry.
