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Strategy

Case Study: Cintas Creates Apparel Collection for JW Marriott

The Top 40 firm is also spearheading an eco-minded effort to recycle old Marriott uniforms.

Top 40 distributor Cintas (asi/162167) says that function, fashion and eco-mindedness meet in a new apparel collection it’s launching for global hospitality giant JW Marriott.

According to Cincinnati-headquartered Cintas, approximately 10,000 JW Marriott associates across 51 hotels worldwide will sport looks from the new wardrobe collection, which incorporates the client’s brand color palette of neutral grays with accents of warm blush on silhouettes that range from tailored suits and soft blouses, to sophisticated printed dresses.

“We are excited about the new wardrobe launch as it will give JW Marriott associates the opportunity to mix and match garments that best fit their job function, personality and style preferences,” said Mitzi Gaskins, vice president and global brand leader for JW Marriott. 

Executives for Cintas said the firm focused keenly on gathering insights from JW Marriott associates to design wardrobe pieces that are both functional and fashionable. “The floral print design that we created for the crepe dress and blouse is inspired by vintage Japanese watercolor paintings,” said Jeff Marino, creative director for Cintas. “It is the perfect representation of high fashion meets brand vision.”

Interestingly, 26 JW Marriott hotels in the U.S. will participate in a garment-recycling program managed by Cintas as part of the new collection launch. Through the green initiative, hotels will collect retired uniforms in boxes used to ship the new garments. Cintas will then take the old uniforms and work with Leigh Fibers, Inc., a company that manages textile waste, to shred garments and repurpose the remaining fibers for future use.

“Cintas and Marriott…worked closely to bring our shared commitment to sustainability to the program,” said Jenn Pampenella, a global account manager at Cintas. “Our garment recycling program will allow JW Marriott’s U.S. hotels to divert textile waste from our nation’s already strained landfills.”

Added Gaskins: “JW Marriott’s participation in Cintas’ garment-recycling program aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainable practices and will help support key eco-friendly brand-wide initiatives.”

With estimated 2017 North American promotional product revenue of $168.2 million, Cintas ranked 14th on Counselor’s latest list of the largest distributors in the industry.