The Uniformer - A talk with Tom Wheeler of Martex Fibers
September 16, 2022
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 historic trends in the industry, current recycling data, and what the future may look like for both.
More info at: https://www.martexfiber.com/
For more info about the NAUMD visit: https://naumd.com
Lara Mazzoni is the CEO of 
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.
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.
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.
