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Meet Stanley Strikeout – nationally known for his plethora of pick-up lines that never work. But has it ever stopped him from trying? No way! In this month’s video, the king of rejection uses his wearables knowledge to woo a few female friends. Will he finally flatter one of the ladies that turn up to Club ASI, or will he continue to get turned down? Find out for yourself! Click here to watch the video.

What did you think of this video? Send your feedback to cmittica@asicentral.com 

 
Video 
Trends 
Trend Alert: Pinstripes
Cintas Founder Retires as Chairman Quick Hit: Q&A with Superior Uniform Group 
Our Favorite Wearables 
News Briefs 
Ask An Expert 
Wearables Terms 
Show List 

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Trend Alert: Pinstripes 
This men’s long-sleeved pinstriped dress shirt (17303) is made of 100% cotton. Features an invisible button down collar and a back yoke that’s finished with a box pleat. Available from Trimark Sportswear Group Inc. (asi/92122) 

"You know why the Yankees always win? ’Cause the other teams can’t stop staring at those darn pinstripes," says Frank Abagnale Sr., played by Academy Award winner Christopher Walken in the movie Catch Me If You Can. Do you think that’s what distracted the Phillies in this year’s World Series? Or could it have been Philadelphia slugger Ryan Howard who set a World Series record with 13 strikeouts? (We’re just throwing it out there.)

Regardless, pinstripes have been a fashion statement for decades. "Just take a look at the mobsters back in the ’30s and ’40s," says Justin Rieder, manager at Trimark Sportswear Group Inc. (asi/92122) "They wore pinstriped suits to show others they have power and class. It’s a classic throwback that never goes out of style."

In fact, Rieder, who owns a pinstripe suit but never gave anyone an "offer they couldn’t refuse," says he’ll wear it for special occasions. "It’s definitely a ‘power suit.’ If I want to make a good impression or am meeting someone of importance for the first time, I’ll pick my pinstriped suit over any others," he says.

If you’re looking to mix and match your pinstriped garments, there are rules that every individual should go by. "You never want to wear a pinstriped suit with a pinstriped button-down shirt," Rieder says. "It’s either one or the other. Wearing the suit? Pick a solid colored shirt to go underneath. Wearing a pinstriped shirt? Choose a solid-colored suit to compliment the shirt."

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Listen to ASI Internet Radio
A team of ASI editors have launched the first-ever ASI Internet Radio show. For a half-hour each Tuesday, we debate the most important topics facing the industry, as well as offer an off-beat look at the market.

If you missed any of our shows, don’t worry. Recordings are available at asicentral.com/radio. And, don’t forget to join us every Tuesday morning 10:30 a.m. Eastern time when we broadcast our radio show live. We’ll be taking calls from the audience, so please call us at (215) 953-4979 to hear your voice on the air.

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Cintas Founder Retires as Chairman
 

Dick Farmer, chairman of the board of directors at Counselor Top 40 distributor Cintas Corporation (asi/162167), has announced his retirement from that position, effective immediately. Farmer, who founded Cintas in 1968, will remain on the board as chairman emeritus, while Robert Kohlhepp will assume the role of chairman. "There is no one who can surpass the standard of ethical and intellectual brilliance that Bob has brought to every position he has held in the company," said Farmer, in a statement. "I am confident that he, along with my son, Chief Executive Officer Scott Farmer, will see our company to continued success, with our rich culture serving as the foundation of that success."

Over the past 41 years, Dick Farmer has grown Cintas from a small uniform and towel supply business to the nation’s largest uniform company. A Nasdaq-100 company, Cintas’ sales approach $4 billion annually. The company, however, has not been insulated from the downturn in the economy. Cintas’ fiscal year that ended in May broke a 40-year streak of rising sales and profits that stretched back to its founding. Lately, though, the company’s stock price has recovered, rising more than 30% since July.

Kohlhepp, 66, a former Cintas vice chairman, first joined the company in 1967 as controller. In 1979, he was appointed executive vice president and in 1984 became president and COO. In 1995, he became CEO, the position he held until becoming vice chairman in 2003. Kohlhepp holds an MBA from Xavier University, where he was appointed chairman of the board of trustees in September. He also currently serves as director of Parker Hannifin Corporation in Cleveland.

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Counselor Unveils 2009 Power 50 List
At a ceremony last week during the ASI Power Summit, Counselor released its annual Power 50 ranking. Along with 14 newcomers to the list this year, the number-one spot is represented by the biggest news story of the year: BIC's acquisition of Norwood Promotional Products. Sharing the top spot on the 2009 Power 50 are Nicolas Paillot, the CEO of BIC APP (the newly formed BIC division that consists of BIC Graphic USA (asi/40480) and Norwood Promotional Products) and Paul Lage, president of Norwood. Combined, the organization will now represent the largest supplier firm in the ad specialty market.

The remainder of the top five on this year's Power 50 consists of: SanMar's (asi/84863) Marty Lott, Greg Muzzillo and Vera Muzzillo of Proforma (asi/300094), Marc Simon of Halo/Lee Wayne (asi/356000), and Gene Geiger and Jo-an Lantz of Geiger (asi/202900).

To check out the whole 2009 Power 50 list, go to www.asicentral.com/Power50.

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Quick Hit: Q&A with Superior Uniform Group

Micheal Bernstock is the CEO of Superior.

Wearables: How was Superior Uniform Group founded?
Michael Bernstock: In 1920, Superior was founded in Northport, Long Island to "manufacture surgical, medical and hospital apparatus and equipment." During the first half of the 20th century Superior (then called Superior Surgical Mfg. Co Inc.) specialized in health-care apparel and became one of the leading companies in that vertical. After going public in 1968 and raising capital to expand its business, Superior started diversifying into other uniform products. Today, Superior is one of America’s most distinguished and respected providers of fine image apparel in a number of markets and categories.

Wearables: What types of products do you manufacture?
MB: Superior manufactures and distributes uniforms to all of its different business verticals from shoes to caps and everything in between. Chef apparel, hospitality uniforms from front of the house to back of the house, health-care scrubs, patient gowns and protective apparel, food service workers uniforms, chain store employee uniforms as well as police and many others wearing uniforms. More than 3 million people each day wear one of our branded apparel items during the course of their day. We support most marketplaces except the military and some of the higher tech fire-retardant categories.

Wearables: What has been the biggest challenge so far? 
MB: The economy has certainly presented challenges to top line growth. Our products are primarily utilized by America’s workforce. With near-record levels of unemployment and lower voluntary turnover levels, we must work harder and be more flexible to create increased demand for our products. In addition we are in a somewhat unique position of being able to focus our attention and capital on additional acquisitions. Our strategy this year has been to build a more solid foundation for the future, so that when business does turn around, we will be uniquely positioned to take advantage of it. This is a great time to invest in your business and work on strengthening your company’s identity.

Wearables: What would you say has been the reason for your increase in net earnings in the third quarter?
MB: Superior proved its agility by right-sizing its workforce and continuing on its path to in-source non-essential processes to its Central American subsidiary. In addition we were able to reduce our inventories in line with reduced customer requirements which resulted in significantly improved cash flow. This has allowed us to reduce interest costs and as a result to focus on other potential areas of improvement in processes and efficiency.

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Striped Performance Polo


Available from Carefree Casuals (asi/43851), these Greg Norman striped performance polos were created from a lofty knitting technique for a soft hand and a luxurious appeal. Available in five colors, sizes S-3XL. Includes tonal shark teeth on the right sleeve.

Selling Tip: These completely functional moisture-wicking polos feature a 50+ SPF rating. Think about pairing it with a visor and sun screen as part of a UV Protection Kit for the summer months.

Broder Bros Co. (asi/42090) has added alo performance apparel to its 2010 product selection. Apparel includes a variety of short- and long-sleeved performance T-shirt styles for men and women. 

Cotswold
offers a new Thermal Stick. It’s specially formulated adhesive keeps the stabilizer firmly in place while embroidering, but at the same time makes it easy to reposition multiple pieces as necessary.
 
Heritage Sportswear (asi/60583) announced its partnership with apparel manufacturer JERZEES for a November promotion, awarding a total of 20 prizes that includes 26" HDTVs, Apple Macbook Air Laptops, Garmin Navigation Systems and more. Prizes are offered to the week’s highest total orders of JERZEES fleece items from Heritage. Also, the company has added Champion, KC Caps, Kariban, Liberty Bags and Timberland to its brand offerings.

Tri-Mountain
(asi/92125) offers a new style named the Arden (443), which features a unique three-quarter sleeve with vented cuffs. Cut to fit a woman’s body, this shirt comes in sizes ranging from XS-4XL, eight colors.
 

Vapor Apparel
received The DPI Product of the Year for the Digital Media Category. The company won the award for its recycled polyester performance fabrics engineered for sublimation printing.


Knowing these terms will make apparel distributors and embroiderers who just started sound like they’ve been in the business for years.

Canton Flannel: A four harness warp-faced twill weave made of cotton. The filling yarn is very loosely twisted and soft and later brushed to produced a soft nap on the back. It’s heavy, warm, strong and absorbent. Named for Canton, China where it was first made. Comes bleached, unbleached, dyed, and is used in interlinings, sleeping garments, linings, coverings, work gloves.

Marquisette: A sheer meshed fabric used for clothing, curtains, and mosquito nets. Very lightweight, open, sheer, mesh fabric. Wears very well and launders very well.

Viyella: A blend of 55% wool and 45% cotton in a twill weave. Has the appearance of very fine flannel and is soft, fine, and warm. The fabric is washable by machine and holds a good pleat.

 
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Question: I have been trying for weeks to find two things for our local high school store. They are the stretch headbands for girls (cotton or nylon) in purple or white. Thanks in advance for the help!
Answer: Not a problem! Try SanMar (asi/84863); (800) 346-3369; www.sanmar.com; product C910. This is a spandex stretch fleece headband with anti-pilling finish. Available in 13 colors including purple.

Or, try Sports Solutions Inc. (asi/88876); (800) 257-4075; www.nosweatspecialties.com; product 50-210. This made in the USA terry-cloth headband is available in over 20 colors including white and purple.

Also, try D & S Specialties Inc. (asi/48030); (800) 494-5247; www.dands.biz; product C910. This headband is made of 95% polyester/5% spandex and features an anti-pill finish. Available in 13 colors including purple.

Selling Tip: Winter is right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean clients will stop sweating at the gym or on the treadmill. Inform your clients you can embroider their names or company logo on the headbands as an added bonus.

Question: I am looking for toddler and children's jeans. I've checked all the usual suspects and have come up empty. Thanks for your help!
Answer: Try Alpha Shirt Company (asi/34408); (800) 523-4585; www.alphashirt.com; product KA170. This 100% cotton pair of toddler denim jeans feature snap leg closure and double-needle stitching throughout.

Or, try Northfield Trading Co. Inc. (asi/74257); (8880 849-6001; www.forestandhue.com; product 1560. This pair of youth denim jeans feature antiqued brass buttons, front scoop pockets and snap crotch.

Finally, try Carhartt Workwear & Haws USA, Inc. (asi/43861); (919) 267-3231; www.hawsusa.com; product B94040W. This pair of youth denim jeans feature two front pockets, zippered fly and a snap crotch.

Selling Tip:
With children coming in all shapes and sizes, be sure to have plenty of jeans in all shapes and sizes in your inventory. It will be easier to make a sale with a large variety to choose from.


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Nov. 10, Online
Webinar: How to Name & Number Jerseys Super Fast
(888) 591-1953; www.greatgarmentgraphics.com 

Nov. 13-14, Springfield, MA
Embroidery and Direct to Garment Extravaganza
(813) 832-6830; www.embroideryextravaganza.com

Nov. 17, Online
Webinar: Do It Yourself Instant Transfers
(888) 591-1953; www.greatgarmentgraphics.com 

 

Nov. 19, Online
Webinar: Appliqué Sewing the Easy Way
(888) 591-1953; www.greatgarmentgraphics.com 

Nov. 22-24, Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Printwear Show
(800) 394-4426; www.hirschinternational.com 

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