(NAPS)—Companies, large and small, are placing increased emphasis on the image they pro- ject—to their employees, to their Hi “TE stakeholders and to their customers. When it comes to a positive corporate identity, employees in distinctive uniforms can be a surprisingly effective tool. Firms throughout North Amer- ica have been discovering the strategic value of uniforms. It’s now estimated that more than 45 million people in the U.S. are wearing specified work apparel to their jobs. Nearly six million of them participate in uniform rental programsthat will amountto esti- mated industry-wide revenues of $700 million in 2001. Uniforms create a competitive advantage on three fronts: the end consumer, the companyitself and the employee. As services tend to be labor-intensive, consumer image of a service business often depends Uniforms help inspire confidence in customers and loyalty in employees. ences how people feel about themselves. It has been reported that apparel hastheability to boost self- esteem, positively affect behavior on the job and build departmental teamwork—all translating to in- creased productivity. According to Robert Isaacson of on the actual person delivering the UniFirst Corporation, a leading maintaining customer trust. In throughout the United States and service. Public perception of employees is vital to creating and many ways, the uniform performs supplier of work uniforms and career apparel to businesses Canada, “Uniforms give people a the same functions as other kinds of “packaging.” sense of pride and a feeling of being a part of a team. For compa- emblems and company logos permit the service provider to be easily identified and to stand out from the competition. Like branded products, a familiar “service package” Association and conducted by For example, distinct colors, increases credibility and assures consumers that a reliable company stands behind their product. nies utilizing work wear programs, the benefits often show up in their bottom lines. In fact, a recent study sponsored by the Uniform and Textile Service J.D. Power and Associates conclusively showed that both con- sumers and business-to-business For the companyitself, image is crucial to a competitive advantage. people prefer to see uniformed spending on image advertising To compete in today’s crowded service economy, the successful It is estimated that corporate employees at the companies they deal with.” alone amounts to more than $1 billion annually. An organization’s company finds ways to stand out inspire loyalty, shape decision making, aid recognition and efficient and highly visible way to positive corporate identity can attract customers. Thisall directly relates to profitability. Uniformsalso havethe ability to influence employee job performance. While most people acknowl- edge that a person’s appearance affects the judgmentsof others, not as manyrealize that it also influ- from the others and the uniform concept has been shown to be an accomplishthis. For information and/or a free catalog showing the wide range of uniform and work wear options available, contact UniFirst at (800) 225-3364 or visit their Web sites at www.unifirst.com and www.shopunifirst.com.
