All American Awards

Living in the Lap of Luxury
January 1, 2008

TIME HAS COME to answer the question, which, truthfully, has long been decided by some of the leading fashion houses: What’s in for spring? This year’s answer is not color, nor is it cut. Don’t be surprised that length is not it, either. This spring, fabrics are where it’s at. “The newest thing in business casual apparel is a gradual swing toward upscale fabrics,” noted Lee Strom, senior marketing manager at Seattle, Wash.-based SanMar. But, it’s not just any kind of fabric that’s in. “Luxury fabrics, like silk, are becoming more obtainable and are available at approachable price points,” explained Strom. Strom couldn’t be

Enduraline Appoints MultiLine Manufacturer’s Representatives
October 23, 2007

Enduraline, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., announced the appointment of THEMCO as the company’s multiline manufacturer’s representatives for the New England territory. THEMCO will be responsible for conducting distributor sales and training meetings, and representing Enduraline at a variety of regional distributor and end-user shows. THEMCO, a supplier representative firm, consists of Steve Monahan, Tom Monahan and Lee Coscia. Steven Monahan is president-elect of NEPPA (New England Promotional Products Association) and is well-known in the region. Between them, Monahan, Monahan and Coscia have more than 50 years of combined knowledge in the promotional products industry. THEMCO represents a number of promotional products manufacturers in the

SanMar Introduces New Products for Spring, Summer
April 24, 2007

SanMar, Seattle, is introducing 26 new products for the spring and summer 2007 selling seasons. “The rules have changed,” said Lee Strom, senior marketing manager. “Like retail, there are compelling reasons to introduce new products seasonally rather than once a year. Short-sleeve styles make a bigger impact when launched in the spring and summer.” Fourteen new styles are being added to the athletically inspired Sport-Tek collection. Highlights include compression shirts that help lessen muscle fatigue during intense workouts, as well as performance sport shirts and fleece. Twelve new styles are making their debut in the District Threads line. Key products include plush velour separates,

Hartwell Adds Workwear, Careerwear, Activeware
April 17, 2007

Hartwell Industries, Hartwell, Ga., now offers workwear and careerwear from VF Imagewear, as well as activewear from Russell Artwear. “We are thrilled to expand the assortment of industry leading brands we offer our customers,” said Rick Cesere, CEP. “Partnering with these two highly respected companies gives Hartwell’s customers access to the best brands in the business.” Hartwell’s brand portfolio, which includes Hartwell, Liz Claiborne, Claiborne, Auburn Sport and A-Game Athletic, will now include Lee, Red Kap, Bulwark and Chef Designs from VF Imagewear, in addition to Jerzees from Russell Artwear. “Hartwell’s ingenuity and flexibility make them a strong partner,” said Brett Barthel, vice president/general

DUNBROOKE’S PIERCE OPENS CONSULTING BUSINESS
March 26, 2007

Bob Pierce, former co-owner of Dunbrooke Apparel, Independence, Mo., has launched a new consulting firm, Pierce Marketing & Communications, based in Lee’s Summit, Mo., which will specialize in public relations, advertising and marketing. “Industry members are clamoring to maximize their marketing efforts,” said Pierce. “After twenty-seven years of success as both a supplier and a distributor, I’m eager to assist others to reach their business goals.” Along with partners Dave Hausen and Jay Jones, Pierce recently sold the Dunbrooke operation. Prior to his 14-year term at Dunbrooke, Pierce had extensive distributor experience at Osterman API, once among the top distributor sales companies in the

SanMar Launches School, Team Catalog
March 20, 2007

SanMar, Seattle, a leading supplier of wholesale apparel, is launching a new School and Team catalog for the upcoming selling season. “It’s a fairly well-publicized fact that schools and teams are the top buying segments in the imprinted apparel industry,” said Lee Strom, senior marketing manager. “This new catalog targets these markets head-on with spirit wear, school uniforming and athletic outfitting.” The School and Team 2007/2008 Catalog is devoted to the needs of students, athletes, fans, clubs, teams and organizations. It features 250 apparel and accessory options on 120 pages. A color guide is also provided. The catalog includes 26 new products from Sport-Tek

Dunbrooke’s Pierce Opens Consulting Business
March 13, 2007

Bob Pierce, former co-owner of Dunbrooke Apparel, Independence, Mo., has launched a new consulting firm, Pierce Marketing & Communications, based in Lee’s Summit, Mo., which will specialize in public relations, advertising and marketing. “Industry members are clamoring to maximize their marketing efforts,” said Pierce. “After twenty-seven years of success as both a supplier and a distributor, I’m eager to assist others to reach their business goals.” Along with partners Dave Hausen and Jay Jones, Pierce recently sold the Dunbrooke operation. “Because of those fourteen years at Dunbrooke, many people are unaware of my previous distributor experience at Osterman API, once among the top distributor sales companies

SanMar Introduces Premium Collection Catalog
February 6, 2007

What do Tiger Woods, Red House, PING and Nike Golf have in common? Not only do these big names appear on the green just about every week, they also appear in SanMar’s new 2007 Premium Collection catalog. The 94-page catalog features more than 109 products from the exclusive brands. “The Premium Collection is a resource for imprintable apparel distributors seeking upscale merchandise and brand name recognition,” said Lee Strom, senior marketing manager of the Seattle, Washington-based company. “This is the collection our industry has been waiting for. It responds to a new level of luxury that end-users are requesting.” This year’s catalog builds on

Hanes Changes Name of Authentic Tagless T
January 25, 2007

For almost four years, Hanesbrands, Winstom-Salem, N.C., has quietly asked screen printers and distributors to go tagless with its 5250 Authentic Tagless T. However, this year, Hanes won’t only be taking out the tags; the company will be changing the way it promotes its tagless product by introducing a new name, logo and line of collegiate-inspired colors. Mike Reed, director of marketing, said the new Tagless initiative is in response to embellishers’ desire to offer end-users the same tagless shirts available in retail. “The Authentic name meant more to us than it did to screen printers; and since most screen printers were already