Welcome to The Uniformer, a podcast devoted to the companies, teams, and individuals who provide uniforms, image apparel, and equipment to hundreds of millions of workers across the world. We are the Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors, the NAUMD.
Episodes
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
33 min
What does it take to build workwear fabrics that feel better, last longer, and arrive when customers need them? Rick Levine talks with Sean Benninghoff, VP of Sales – Workwear & Technical Textiles at Winnitex USA, about the decisions behind today’s uniform fabrics. Sean explains how the family-owned manufacturer’s vertically integrated operations connect spinning, weaving, dyeing, and finishing across China, Vietnam, and Nicaragua.
The conversation explores the tradeoffs between Asian sourcing and nearshoring, including lead times, order sizes, inventory costs, and supply-chain flexibility. Sean discusses how producing comparable fabrics in multiple locations can give customers alternatives when disruptions occur. He also shares how Winnitex traces cotton from bale to finished fabric and describes the company’s transition to PFAS-free finishes.
Looking ahead, Rick and Sean examine the push for lighter, cooler fabrics with stretch, including flame-resistant workwear. The challenge is balancing comfort and new features with the durability, color retention, laundering performance, and protective requirements uniform programs depend on. For manufacturers, distributors, and sourcing teams, this episode offers a practical look at how fabric development and sourcing choices shape the finished garment.
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9mE2JMoweA
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