Legwear, Outerwear, Blazers, & More - FMMG.com

Stab-Proof Apparel
Bladerunner, a protective-clothing company
based in Britain, developed a stab-proof,
kevlar-lined hoodie. The company’s president,
Adrian Davis, has been in discussion
with schools about putting the kevlar linings
into school uniforms in the future.
“It’s all in development but we’re at an
advanced stage,” said Davis. “We’ve sent
examples of school jumpers to the manufacturers.
I really believe it’s needed.”
Kevlar, a synthetic fiber that is spun
into sheets, is pound-for-pound stronger
than steel. The hoodies are currently selling
for about $130 a piece.
RFID Tags in Uniforms
As reported in the Doncaster Free Press in
Doncaster, UK, tracking devices have been
placed in students’ uniforms at Hungerhill
School in Edenthrope, England. The tracking
devices are RFID (radio frequency identification)
tags, also known as transponders,
which are devices that were previously
used in identifying and tracking animals
and shipments. Trevor Darnborough of
Darnbro, a uniform company in the UK, is
credited with developing RIFID technology
for use in school uniforms.
Although uniform manufacturers in the
U.S. have little experience with this concept,
several have commented on the possible
benefits and issues that such use of the
technology may bring about.
Jim Park, president of Hardwick
Clothing, Inc. expressed concern that RFID
tags in school uniforms would pose a
security issue.
“We haven’t been approached as manufactures,”
said Park. “As we focus on the
manufacturing of blazers, and carry sizes
for older children and adults, the technology
may not be as applicable for us. Our
garments are found in schools, but tracking
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Safety Brief
Reported by Gina Goldblatt
Rise in School Violence: the Industry Reacts
With violence in schools increasing,
and events such as Columbine
on parents’ minds, manufacturers
and retailers are doing their part
to provide today’s children with
new options. From stab-proof
garments, to bullet proof backpacks,
to the opinions of top names
devices seem to be a more appropriate
option for elementary-aged children.”
Park went on to say that cost might be
an issue as well.
“It would create another step in the
process, which is not necessarily a deterrent,
but one more thing to think about.
Certainly the technology has a place, but
our company has not heard enough about
it to know if it is a device we would utilize.”
Bob Miller, senior
vice president of
National Spinning Co.,
Inc., was skeptical of
RFID application
when he said that
RFID is more about
warehouse manage-
Bob Miller
ment and other logistical
concerns, not
tracking children. However Buddy Cohen
at Stagg Industries thought the technology
to be “a great idea and a valuable tool.”
“The device would provide a possible
deterrent for kidnappers, and a sense of
security in parents,” said Cohen.
“Situations such as children getting lost on
camping trips, which could be disastrous,
would become much more manageable. I
think that anything we can do to protect
kids is a good idea.”
According to Cohen, RFID chips could
be used in public and private schools, and
would most likely become a universally utilized
device once it got started.
Bill Bosch, sales and merchandise vice
president of Classroom School Uniforms at
Strategic Partners, Inc. held the opinion
that RFID tags would not catch on in the
U.S. because they are an added expense.
“Everything is a price commodity, and
putting these devices in all school uniform
garments would be another added
expense,” said Bosch. “Especially around
in the school uniform industry on
RFID tags, these articles present
possible safety solutions for
school-age children.
fall, right before school starts, the process of
coordinating the codes for these tags
between students, parents, and schools,
would create a chaotic atmosphere for
retailers and consumers alike.”
Bosch sees the technology as being more
feasible in private sectors, which have more
money than public sectors, and where the
children are kept under stricter rules.
“This type of atmosphere would be an
easier one to phase such an application into.
Although, RFID tags might be more effective
in inner city schools, these schools do
not have the means that private schools
do,” said Bosch.
Marie Nemphos,
vice president of new
products and marketing
at Yale
Sportswear, Inc., said,
“I think this technology
will go far beyond
the use in school uni-
Marie Nephos
forms. Once costs
associated with imple-
menting RFID come down, all types of
tracking will be conducted using this technology.”
However, Nemphos
also thought that students
and parents
might not be accepting
of the technology being
used in school uniforms
due to the “feelings
of being tracked
in the school commu-
Debra Watton
nity.”
Debra Watton, president of Jack L.
Marcus, expressed a feeling of uncertainty
toward RFID use. As others have stated,
Watton agreed that cost could be a drawback
and mentioned that parents may be
reluctant to pay extra unless there is a
demonstrable benefit. Watton also believes
that many problems could arise especially
over over the specifics of tracking students
outside of school. In addition, issues could
arise from the trading or handing down of
tagged uniforms
Donald Singer,
president of Executive
Apparel, while he has
not used RFID tags in
school uniforms, is
open to the idea.
“To date, we have
not gotten too far in
promoting this tech-
Donald Singer
nology for our blazers
or pants, yet we think
the products, monitoring software, and
equipment are out there and reliable,” said
Singer.
Benefits according to Singer
include better security and
inventory control of garments.
“The biggest problem I can
foresee is the cost required to
monitor a large physical area
adequately, although I think this
cost will come down as the technology
improves,” said Singer. “I
love the concept of RFID tags in
uniforms for monitoring the
younger kids. It has a potential
for keeping track of the kids and
the uniforms. This is good, not
only for security purposes but
also for preventing loss of the
uniform itself. I see it as an effective
method for tracking the
locations of kids that
are at high risk for security rea-
sons or adults with behavioral
problems. For older children or
adults, of course, privacy concerns
will always prevail. I
believe the technology has a place, but the
marketplace for it will be quite small. The
accuracy and potential for abuse of the system
is also an issue. These are big problems
to overcome before the technology ever
becomes mainstream.”
Bulletproof Backpacks
MJ Safety Solutions, a company founded
by Joe Curran and Mike Pelonzi in
Massachusetts, developed a bulletproof
backpack for school children. They come
in two sizes, one for laptop computers, the
other for books, and both are designed to
protect against an array of weapons including
knives.
“I'm a parent and so is Joe and we
wanted a way of keeping kids safe at school
and this is what we came up with,” said
Pelonzi.
Sandy K. Sroka,
owner of Defensive
Backpacks, which sells
the bulletproof packs
said that the backpacks
are equipped with
heavy duty zippers and
made to last at lease
Sandy Sroka
four to five years.
According to Sroka, the
backpacks weigh about
five pounds, and contain a bulletproof
shield that is not visible from the outside.
“The backpacks have been tested with
nine bullets, being shot from 20 feet
Bullet proof backpacks
by MJ Safety Solutions
away, and
nothing
penetrated the shield,” said Sroka.
The backpacks come in two styles, one
with compartments for a water bottle, a
blackberry, and room for books or clothes,
and the other with fewer compartments.
The first style comes in blue, orange,
and black, and the second style comes only
in black.
“Both retail for the same price of $175,”
said Sroka. “The backpacks can be used as
shields, covering children from the head to
the lower back, and if removed and placed
over one’s front, it stretches from the head to
the belt line. Being that the backpacks pass
airline regulations for carry-ons, they are
also very convenient for frequent flyers.”
“MJ Safety solutions has plans to develop
several new models of backpacks,
including a clear bag. Due to the increased
violence in schools in the recent years,
many of them have developed stricter regulations,
some of which have banned backpacks
all together and others only allow
clear backpacks,” said Sroka. She continued
“MJ Safety Solutions is also in the
process of developing camouflage bags for
hunters to add to their already existing
orange backpack option.”
Sroka sells backpacks to customers all
over the U.S., and has plans to expand her
merchandise line to include other school
safety items in the future. In her opinion
the backpacks are “the thing of the
future.”
Sroka went into the business of selling
defensive backpacks as a way to provide
children and parents with a sense of security
in the current atmosphere of heightened
school-related violence.
“I’m not selling paranoia; I’m selling
safety,” Stroka said. “When I was in school,
we couldn’t chew gum, now they are worried
about semi-automatics.”
The MJ Safety Solution backpacks sold
at Defensive Backpacks can be found at
www.defensivebackpacks.com.
Trutex UV Blazers
Trutex, a uniform provider
based out of the United
Kingdom, which supplies
schools all over the world,
developed a UV-protective
blazer. The blazer is not the
first garment the company
has come out with that has
ultraviolet protection qualities.
For several years now,
Trutex has supplied customers
with sweatshirts and
trousers that protect children from the sun’s
harmful rays.
Trutex’s marketing director, Clare Rix
said, “Sun protection clothing is no longer
restricted to the beach. We’ve been
researching the effects of UV protection
provided by our schoolwear for many years
now and feel it is our responsibility as a
schoolwear supplier to lead the way in safeguarding
the health and well being of the
next generation.”
Trutex garments can be found at
www.trutex.com.
SU
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