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Band Uniform Industry News
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Your source for Band news!
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Friday, May 29, 2009
Guest Post
I received the below email from a dear friend and former DeMoulin Uniform employee. He asked that I allow him to submit
a "Guest Post" and I said sure. I'll bet most of you know this guy, he's a good person to call your friend. I know
that during his tenure at DeMoulin he helped purchasing agents from other companies including their competition when
they were caught short of manufacturing components. As I have previously stated, in this industry, many of us have been friends
for a long time.
Guest Post: I just visited the Heartland Trim site for the first time, although I have
done business with Bob at Heartland for 27 years. I had always placed orders via phone, fax, or maybe once a month
or so, across the desk from him. I must say, this website is one of the finest I've seen. I just retired at
the end of January, spending 27 years in the purchasing dept. at Demoulin Bros. uniform company, the last 22 years
as purchasing manager. Bob was already an established vendor when I arrived in 1982. As I said, I am
retired from Demoulin, so I am speaking on my own behalf and not for Demoulin Bros. I can recommend Heartland
Trim to any and all as a quality, concerned, knowledgable source for your needs. Give Bob a call, he's a down to earth
guy, never gave me an answer that wasn't honest. Stan Eyman Greenville, IL
Now I know
this looks like a commercial for our Company, but there was no way on Gods green earth I could refuse this gentleman. As I
said, he is a dear friend as are most of our customers.
On this topic, I invite all of you to submit articles for
guest posts. This can be a quality venue for the exchange of ideas and support where we all can share ways to make our Industry
better and stronger.
Our next regular post will be June 1st, but if something comes up I'll try to make time for
a special.
Thanks to all,
Bob Howard
Heartland Trim
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
What's Hot for 09' Chrome and more Chrome. Our customers
are using more Chrome in uniform decoration than in previous years. In fact, basic Nickel finish is ahead
of Gilt as well. According to three leading uniform manufacturers, Nickel is being used more in all applications, by
almost 2 to 1.
Uniform buttons are also being used for more than just coat closures this season.
It seems there is renewed interest in using matching buttons for hat front decoration and coordination.
Want to
see something special! Go to our "on line shopping" navigator bar, then click on "Band Buttons", and look
for our 1569X Shako button. This is an old product brought back by customer demand. This Shako button is
our usual all brass construction with stainless steel split prong for rust proof lasting durability. But with its unique look
and "HPG" Hand Polished Gold finish, is already making peoples heads turn. This item costs more than regular Shakos,
but is definitely worth it. It is available in both Gold or Silver "HP" hand polished finish.
Rivoli
Rhinestone buttons are still being used this season, but with such a slow start it is still to be seen if this item
makes a big splash or not. This product was developed by us to give those companies who had calls for Genuine Rhinestone Rivoli
Band buttons an option to what they were currently using, plastic and die cast metal bases which were very susceptible to
breakage and rhinestone loss.
Our #1101 incorporates a solid brass base with silver soldered
brass blazer loop and solid brass face ring pressed over a genuine European Crystal Rhinestone. This configuration allows
the rhinestone to be encased for lasting durability, while the blazer loop back attaches with the conventional ring and washer
application. Available only here at Heartland Trim.
Product Update: In our first publication,
we mentioned our revolutionary "Collar Support" product. Here listed is current item identification for those of
you who have interest: HLTFM 413-62, this is a one piece felt/Mylar material for usage when making stiff
uniform collars. It is available in 60" width on 50 yard rolls, 1,000 yard minimum will apply. HLTFMF
413-62, which is a one piece felt/Mylar/felt material with same width and minimums. This product was developed to
reduce the amount of time and labor required by conventional methods to adhere two or three materials together
prior to laser or die cutting. It also allows users to limit the number of products inventoried, suppliers used, and several
shipments from different parts of the country. This product will reduce significantly the amount of time and cost involved
with this facet of uniform manufacturing, plus upgrade the quality of the finished product. Available exclusively here at
Heartland Trim, Inc. Call for a free sample.
Until our next post, may God bless you all!
Bob Howard
Heartland Trim
Tue, May 26, 2009 | link
Friday, May 22, 2009
Band Uniform Sales Slow Start 2009
We want to welcome all our customers and visitors to our new blog being posted here at our website. We hope this news post
will allow us to pass along important and current happenings to all those interested in Band, Drum & Bugle Corp.,
and related activities. We will do our best to keep posts current, accurate, and relative to our market. Our premise
is the well informed will make better decisions for themselves, their customers, and the Industry in general.
Due
to poor economic conditions the Band Uniform Industry is experiencing a very slow start but is now beginning to pick up steam.
According to leading manufacturers this years sales are expected to be similar to 2007 levels.
Sales for Hat Shako
buttons have been brisk causing some backlog of orders and minor delays of early school uniform shipments. National Die &
Button Moulding Company, the leading supplier of this product has indicated they will be caught up with demand by mid June.
They are in the process of developing a revolutionary change in the buttons basic configuration plus increasing manufacturing
capabilities at the same time. National Die markets their products through us here at Heartland Trim, Inc. and have been supplying
Heartlands customers since 1978. We suggest you get your orders in early.
We will be adding a few new products
this year and will keep you all posted as they become available. Some of them will be components for the basic Shako Hat,
where we hope to offer ornaments, front straps, and chain all matching in color shade. As many of you know, consistent shades
of Gold are currently impossible to find in the market place. Shoulder & Citation cords should be available before
seasons end.
We also have a new product out for basic collar construction. This item is available in either 2 layer
or 3 layer. The 2 layer is a felt and Mylar one piece. The 3 layer is felt/Mylar/felt one piece. Both items are made to order
with minimums and choice of width. Prices are available on request, and will soon be listed on our website. This is another
item developed by us with the help of our customers to better serve our Industry in both quality and bottom line.
At this juncture, our goal will be one posting each week, but we haven't picked a specific day yet. You will need to tune
in and check us out!
Until next time, thank you all for your business and loyalty.
Bob Howard
Heartland
Trim
Fri, May 22, 2009 | link
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