The Uniformer

In this enlightening episode of The Uniformer, host Rick Levine engages in a comprehensive discussion with Rossella De Angelis from Klopman International, a leading European textile company. Rossella, with her extensive experience in communication and marketing, delves into the significance of circular economy and sustainability in the textile industry.

Key Highlights:

1. Circular Economy Focus: Klopman International is dedicated to transitioning from a linear to a circular business model, emphasizing sustainability and responsible production.

2. Role and Experience: Rossella shares her journey at Klopman, highlighting her role in integrating sustainability with communication to ensure a clear understanding of their sustainable efforts.

3. Sustainability Efforts: The company is actively involved in sustainable practices, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of products, adherence to GRI standards, and anticipation of the CSRT directive requirements.

4. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): The discussion covers the broad spectrum of CSR, including environmental, social, and governance aspects, and the European Union's stringent regulations on sustainability.

5. Innovative Recycling: Klopman is investing in recycling technologies, including a unique project in France for recycling multi-fiber garments into new fabrics, contributing to the circular economy.

6. Global Operations: The company's global presence, with factories and joint ventures across Europe and Asia, adds complexity to their CSR and sustainability initiatives.

7. Challenges and Future of Textile Recycling: The conversation touches on the challenges of recycling protective garments and the need for industry-wide cooperation in developing sustainable solutions.

8. Attracting Young Talent: Rossella emphasizes the importance of attracting young talent to the industry by demonstrating a serious commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.

9. Vision for the Industry: The episode concludes with a discussion on the future of the textile industry, focusing on sustainable practices, responsible design, and the potential for leading global change in sustainability.

This episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the textile industry, highlighting the crucial role of sustainability and circular economy in shaping its future.

More info about Klopman: https://www.klopman.com/

More info about the NAUMD: https://naumd.com

Dive into the world of specialized leather accessories for the uniform industry in this captivating episode of The Uniformer, featuring TJ Valentino from Boston Leather. Broadcasting from their impressive facility in Sterling, Illinois, TJ unveils the art and dedication behind creating top-notch leather products designed for public safety, postal, and industrial sectors. The episode is hosted by Jeff Mason from SimpleBiz360.

In this episode, you'll explore:

• The intricate craftsmanship involved in producing leather belts and accessories for essential service providers.
• The unique approach of Boston Leather's dealer-direct model and its impact on both dealers and end-users.
• Boston Leather's agility in responding to new public safety equipment needs, rapidly developing custom leather solutions.
• The company's strategies for maintaining operational efficiency and high customer satisfaction during challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Upcoming initiatives to enhance communication and customer service, such as implementing EDI and revamping their website.
• An extensive range of products, from professional gear to casual belts and unique promotional leather items.
• The commitment to quality with a focus on durable, one-piece leather products.
• TJ's insights into the uniform accessory industry, highlighting its stability and diverse career opportunities.
• The role and benefits of Boston Leather's long-term involvement with the NAUMD, emphasizing industry networking.

Perfect for those intrigued by the nuances of leather craftsmanship, the dynamics of the uniform accessory industry, or the stories behind a successful family-run business, this episode is packed with enlightening discussions and expert knowledge.

Visit Boston Leather online at https://www.bostonleather.com.

Learn more about the NAUMD at https://ww.naumd.com

Jeff Mergy is the Vice President of Product Strategy, Partnerships, and Innovation for Bold Metrics. The company has a mission to change the way the world’s most innovative brands design, produce, and sell apparel. This talk with host Jeff Mason presents creative thoughts around how we as manufacturers and distributors can better approach sizing, garment production, inventory management, sustainability, and more. Jeff Mergy has 20 years of product experience in the apparel, footwear, hard goods, materials, and digital technology industries. His work at Crocs, Columbia Sportswear, PING, and others helped form a positive approach to the launch of successful game-changing products and technologies.

For more information, visit: https://boldmetrics.com

For more info about the NAUMD visit: https://naumd.com

Join eCommerce Director for Military at Galls, John Arquette, and Josh Sandhaus, Vice President of Operations at US Patriot Tactical (a Galls Company). Both John and Josh, military veterans themselves, embarked on the US Patriot Bravery Tour this summer. Spanning 90 days, these Galls executives and a number of other team members covered 25 military bases and journeyed an impressive 6,500 miles. Their mission? To genuinely understand the perspectives of our armed forces about their uniforms, gear, and pressing needs. The duo even journeyed in a Jeep, purchased specifically for the tour, and then generously gifted it to a fortunate service member at the tour's culmination. Dive deep into the invaluable feedback they garnered from warfighters of various ranks on aspects such as fabric quality, gear functionality, performance, and more. Discover how this initiative reshaped Galls' approach to suppliers, customer service, and logistics, among other areas. Tune in with host Jeff Mason for an insightful discussion on these revelations, the transformative journey, and an insider look into the company.

For more information, visit: https://www.uspatriottactical.com/

For more info about the NAUMD visit: https://naumd.com

Mark Smith is the President of LION Americas, which serves the personal protective equipment, uniform and logistics needs for fire departments and law enforcement agencies, emergency services and military markets. In this episode we talk about how the needs of these first responders have evolved, as well as where innovation will come from in the coming years. Mark stresses the importance LION places on customer intimacy, listening, and focusing at all time on delivering whatever has been promised. He relates how the LION culture values, and even insists, on hearing all voices. And he speaks about how lucky we all are to be in an industry with a mission to help those who protect us every day.

For more information, visit: http://lionprotects.com

For more info about the NAUMD visit: https://naumd.com

Rhiannon McMahan is the Sales and Operations Manager at Midsouth Solutions. She is a passionate leader driving herself and her team with a "can and will do" attitude. Together with host Jeff Mason, they discuss specific ways Midsouth is recruiting and retaining employees which allows them to be fully staffed. The pair talk about the growing importance of technology in driving business and customer service. Plus, the importance of not just delivering the product you promised but making sure the customer feels cared for and truly taken care of. Offering uniforms, screen printing, promotional products and more, the company is a full-service distributor.

For more information, visit: http://midsouthsolutions.net/

For more info about the NAUMD visit: https://naumd.com

Charles Wang is the Chief Operating Officer for Winnitex. He has an extensive background in workwear textiles and apparel manufacturing. The company has factories in China, Vietnam, and Central America, making their service attractive to North American workwear brands. For example, Winnitex helps solve the problems of sourcing cotton and other materials from different regions, making consistency difficult. Host Jeff Mason and Charles talk about how workwear companies can get it right. Testing at every phase of the production process is critical to a quality product. Comfort, performance, stretch, and even fashion components are discussed. The talk dives into the need for additional innovation in the workwear market, and for more people to understand all the mechanics of textiles.

For more information, visit: https://www.winnitex.com/

For more info about the NAUMD visit: https://naumd.com

Jeff Mason is the owner of North59, LLC, a sales and marketing agency representing various public safety and outdoor brands. He has worked at Oxford Industries and Propper International. Over his career, he has also developed a well-respected approach to the customer experience. His company SimpleBiz360 has a mission is to assist companies with identifying and implementing simple business principles that improve the customer experience. His background for this service spans 32 companies in nine different industries, offering customized workshops and immersive consulting programs. This podcast discusses what a focus on the customer experience in the uniform industry means, and how to improve it. Jeff is also now a guest host of The Uniformer and midstream he turns the conversation around, asking NAUMD host Rick Levine questions about how he came to be at the NAUMD and where the network association is headed.

For more information, visit:

https://simplebiz360.com/

https://north59outdoors.com/

For more info about the NAUMD visit: https://naumd.com

Enzo Cancellieri is the Vice President at GAME Sportswear & Workwear. He is an experienced and passionate executive of workwear, outerwear, and safety apparel. Together with host Jeff Mason, the conversation dives into customer service and thoughts on accommodating the needs of long-time customers. Game is adept at understanding the importance of listening and responding to both the market and customer requirements for special projects. Enzo also shares the dynamics of working with his wife Andrea Cancellieri, the President of the company. The pair represent the best of what it means to have a family business.

More info at: https://www.gamesportswear.com

For more info about the NAUMD visit: https://naumd.com

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 discusses how we can think about roles, and how every participant fits into the final product. An important message from Jill is her encouragement that we open our rigidity and approach decisions, allowing for fresh perspectives to inform us.

More info at: https://alvanon.com/

For more info about the NAUMD visit: https://naumd.com