SEMINOLE, Fla., May 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superior Uniform Group, Inc.® (NASDAQ:SGC), through its signature brands HPI Direct® and Fashion Seal Healthcare®, won 2 Image of the Year Awards at the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors conference on May 2 in Nashville, TN. Overall, Superior Uniform Group achieved 8 finalist positions within 5 categories, an accomplishment exclusive to the company. The Image of the Year awards are presented by the Image Apparel Institute and recognize fashion, function, creativity and innovation in apparel design.
The Superior Uniform Group custom-designed uniform program for O’Neill Healthcare won in the Healthcare category. O’Neill Healthcare is a family owned and operated collection of senior care facilities ranging from Independent Living, to Alzheimer's care, to outpatient services. O’Neill facilities can be described as having a home-like atmosphere and the healthcare providers are described as being a part of the residents’ extended family.
“Our goal was to create a program that would strengthen the O’Neil Healthcare brand and set them apart from their competitors,” said Lisa Stewart, vice president of design and merchandising, Superior Uniform Group. “There has been overwhelmingly positive response to the new uniform program.”
HPI Direct, a division of Superior Uniform Group, won in the Restaurant – Multiple Locations category for Sonic, America’s Drive-In, a fast food restaurant chain with 3,500 locations and over 130,000 employees.
HPI staff conducted the Sonic uniform design process beginning in January 2015, which involved extensive research, including multiple surveys, two phases of wear testing, as well as Sonic Franchise Advisory Council reviews and final design approvals which lead to a regionally-phased new uniform program launch for November 2016 – March 2017. After the launch of the new program, HPI followed up with a post-launch survey, which was given to the original 35 wear-test Sonic stores to gain insight on whether they were still enjoying the uniforms that they were part of the approval process for 12 months prior. Sonic employees were overwhelmingly satisfied with the uniform launch, which was validation of the design that they were a key part of the previous year. “This has been nearly a two year process from start to finish,” said Stewart. “The strong partnership between HPI and Sonic contributed to the programs great success.”
About NAUMD
The North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) has served as the voice of the uniform and image apparel industries since 1933. Its 500+ members include manufacturers, designers, producers, and retailers of uniforms, as well as those who produce products and services for the industry at large.
About Superior Uniform Group, Inc.
Superior Uniform Group (NASDAQ:SGC), established in 1920, is one of America's foremost providers of fine uniforms and image apparel. Headquartered in Seminole, Fla., Superior Uniform Group manages award-winning uniform apparel programs for major corporations nationwide. Leaders in innovative uniform program design, global manufacturing, and state-of-the-art distribution, Superior Uniform Group helps companies achieve a more professional appearance and better communicate their brands - particularly those in healthcare, private security, retail, hospitality, transportation and food service industries.
The company’s commitment to service, technology, quality and value-added benefits, as well as its financial strength and resources, support customers’ diverse needs while embracing a “Customer 1st, Every Time!” philosophy and culture. Superior Uniform Group sells its wide range of products through its signature brands Superior I.D.™, Fashion Seal Healthcare® and HPI Direct®. Superior Uniform Group is also the parent company for The Office Gurus®, which provides call center and BPO solutions to a variety of customers, and BAMKO®, its innovative promotional products company that provides custom branding solutions to some of the nation’s strongest brands.
For more information, call (800) 727-8643 or visit www.SuperiorUniformGroup.com.