In 2012 a large state university put its facilities management department’s uniform program out to bid (one thousand wearers). Haberdasher and all of the big national rental companies were invited to submit bids. At the pre-bid conference, the university expressed interest in continuing renting uniform pants but buying tops since that was more important to its image.
Haberdasher built a cost model analysis tool that showed the total cost of owning a uniform program—rent/lease/or purchase over one year, three years and five years. The modeling helped the university recognize the opportunity for big savings, nicer looking garments and more comfortable garments by purchasing not only the shirts but the pants as well.
The university was so excited to do business with Haberdasher that it gave us a seven-year contract that has been extended and is now in its ninth year. What began as a contract for the core uniforms has been expanded to other departments and now includes ANSI safety gear, headwear, t-shirts and outerwear.
We are proud of this contract, but what we are most proud of is that we won the contract by taking the time to help our client understand the full cost and pitfalls of rental and how a purchase program would allow for better garments and savings as well.
If your company is renting uniforms and looking to upgrade its look while saving money, give us a call.
One of Haberdasher’s more extensive programs is a career apparel program, which is trickier than a uniform program where everyone wears the same garments. A career apparel program allows employees to choose the garments they would like to wear from a larger selection.
This program has over 300 wearers who work at dozens of clinics in several hospital locations with several different logos that need to be used. The apparel selection includes dozens of styles and colors from several manufacturers and hundreds of SKUs.
Haberdasher has managed this program for more than a decade. One of the keys to the success of the program was the initial selection. We knew it was imperative to pick garments that would allow for variety but were also available in a wide range of fits to look good on employees of all ages and sizes.
The second key to success was to hold an onsite fit session at the start of every season so the hospital employees could try on the apparel as they ordered.
The third reason for the program’s success is the effort we made to keep it all straight. When 300 people order many different styles, it takes attention to detail to ensure everyone gets what they ordered.
This hospital is delighted that when they order apparel for its Patient Access Representatives, the goods are delivered to each clinic bagged and tagged with the wearer’s name.
If your company has complex needs and wants to make sure everyone gets what they need and that it fits correctly, give us a call.
Assisted Living communities are a great customer fit for Haberdasher. Each community is a microcosm for the broad array of industries we service with a maintenance team, kitchen staff, dining room servers, nursing employees and front desk staff that all wear a different type of uniform. Haberdasher is unique in that we can service all those sectors with our wide product line.
Over a decade ago we began working with a company that managed 20 different assisted living communities. Because of their varied uniform needs, they used several different online suppliers for each category. Haberdasher was able to become their one-stop shop and successfully provide all of their apparel needs. To make it even easier, we built an online company uniform store where the managers of the different departments can order the pre-approved apparel items for their staff.
If your company is looking for a one-stop shop for all of your uniform needs, give us a call.
How do you manage a uniform program across three states, 250 employees and 50+ locations? That’s what a large property management company was faced with as it continued to grow and acquire new locations. Fortunately, it was already partnering with Haberdasher for its leasing staff uniforms. More than a decade ago, we took on all of the maintenance teams as well.
It’s a big job, so we created a custom online web ordering tool. In a typical season, the company orders over 4,000 pieces that are all decorated—16 styles and 130+ SKUS. We ship the orders to over 50 locations in close to 100 boxes with an acccuracy rate over 99 percent.
One season about seven years ago, the client tried a national company. While that company was struggling to deliver the order, our client returned and said, “we want you back, and we’ll give you a long-term contract to boot.” While the ordering site does take advantage of technology, it’s hard work, attention to detail and experience that make the difference with Haberdasher.Â
If your company is looking for a custom solution and the company that can execute it, give us a call.
2020 was a challenging year for most businesses. Haberdasher decided to invest in its future even though no one could be sure what the future would hold. We added four embroidery machines (18 heads) and three new team members in 2020, which allowed us to bring all of the embroidery in-house. It turned out to be the right decision. When the holiday season rolled around, many businesses were getting on track and wanted to recognize their employees and clients after a trying year by gifting them nice bags and jackets.
Haberdasher’s in-house embroidery enabled us to save many a client’s holiday plans by meeting tight deadlines and turning around orders in just a couple of days when necessary. It’s a competitive advantage all year long to control decoration production, but it really made a difference for so many of our customers and their teams this past year.
Talk to Haberdasher about your apparel and decorating needs and experience the difference in quality and turn-around time firsthand.
