Kwintet News Issue 4. July 2013
W e l c o m e t o i s s u e 4 o f t h e K w i n t e t N e w s l e t t e r. . In this issue, we introduce you to another member of the Kwintet team, we have another award to tell you about, and information on the up coming trade event we will be attending in Germany later in the year.; and we have two updates for our charity spot, Kwintet’s preferred recycling charities and an update on A Soldiers Journey. As always, Laura Nelson, Business Development Manager is available to give you advice on your corporate clothing needs and can be contacted via mobile 07966 255110 or email: laura.nelson@kwintet.com
Simon Jersey Wins the Beauty Guild Award for Best Uniform Supplier 2013. What is it that makes the difference between a good supplier and a really excellent one? It could be great service, attention to detail, understanding your needs, going the extra mile, or something else which makes you want to carry on placing your business with that supplier. That is why Beauty Guild have launched the Guild Awards of Excellence 2013, to help find the suppliers who do that little bit more. The Guild Awards of Excellence are different to many industry awards because they are decided by the people who actually use their services. The Awards were not judged by a panel, so votes really count. The Guild look for suppliers and trainers in the beauty, holistic, and nails industry who have really impressed the customer. Whether it was a great website, fast service, or excellent customer service. Therapists and technicians, are encouraged to nominate the companies that feel have served them best. We are delighted to have won the category for best uniform supplier. Kwintet has won a number of prestigious awards for their innovation and outstanding customer service, recognising our industry leading online services and our work with major national and international clients
Safety, Security & Health at work. International Trade Show
Introducing Wendy Huntriss – Health & Safety Advisor
From the 5th to the 8th November 2013 the worlds largest and most important trade fair for all aspects of safety and security at work takes place in Germany. Held every 2 years, the A+A Show covers everything that is needed to protect people at work, including quantitative and first class product ranges, numerous special events and informative meetings.
Wendy has joined the Kwintet team as the Health and Safety Advisor to ensure compliance in legislation and best practice in matters concerning health and safety throughout the business. As part of her role, Wendy is also delivering bespoke internal training to employees to raise awareness of personnel, Ensuring that our employees are aware of the hazards and risk in their work areas and fully understanding of the control measures to ensure their safety and that of their colleagues.
This year Kwintet will be featuring Kwintet Solutions, a brand with a wealth of innovative experts who develop customised solution to fit the individual needs of each customer for the larger company across the world. Kwintet will also proudly be presenting their latest garment developments from our product brands Kansas, Fristads and Wenaas. The Kwintet booth 9D42 will be situated in hall 9. We look forward to seeing you there.
Wendy has a wealth of experience in Health & Safety as an advisor and trainer in a variety of sectors including engineering, manufacturing, construction and scaffolding. In addition to her role at Kwintet, Wendy is also a committee member of East Lancashire IOSH District and regularly attends other health and safety groups to ensure that her knowledge is up to date with legislation. If you require any information about Health & Safety within Kwintet, please contact Wendy at wendy.huntriss@kwintet.com
Recycling Project Kwintet recognises that all activities associated with the production, consumption and end-of-life disposal of garments has a real and tangible effect on our environment. As such, we have formed relationships with various charities with whom we send our end of line garments. One of these Charities is Suited and Booted, a recently established Charity which gives support to vulnerable men with offers of a job interview or placement. Clients come from various sources, and are referred by public agencies such as JobcentresPlus, the NHS and prisons etc. Suited & Booted help clients by supplying suitable clothing and training for interviews, providing care and support, offering mentoring, building self-confidence and selfesteem generally. Recently, Kwintet donated more of their end of line garments to Suited & Booted. Maria Lenn , Director, said “Thank you very much for the garments - everything is very useful.” “One of the shirts and a jacket you sent, went out almost immediately to a client with a security job interview.” “Suited & Booted are always in need of donations of interview ready clothes (drycleaned or laundered) such as suits, shirts, ties, cufflinks, belts and shoes. Coats and jackets, smart casual, suit bags and toiletries are also welcome.” If you would like to learn more about Suited & Booted, contact details are below St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe St Andrew’s Hill City of London ECAV 5D Tel 07808 513654 Email: suitedbootedcentre@gmail.com
Registered in England No. 807904 Registered Charity No. 1149229
Kwintet News A Soldiers Journey - Charity Update Back in November we reported how fourteen Kwintet employees took part in the Tough Mudder Challenge in to raise £2,700 for the brother of our Logistics Manager, Julie Bootle. Sgt. Rick Clement of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment was severely injured in Afghanistan. He lost both of his legs and almost his right arm, as well as suffering massive internal injuries after stepping on an I.E.D. Rick decided to start up a charity “A Soldiers Journey” to give something back to the various charities that have helped him and his family on the road to recovery and to ensure the help and care he received was also given to injured troops. At the latest fundraising event in Blackpool, Rick was able to present a £5,000 cheque to ABF, one of the charities which helped him to recovery. Rick is hoping to raise £100,000 in total. Most recently £1,100 was raised by Julie and her friend when they plucked up the courage to abseil down the 250 feet high Big One, UK’s tallest roller coaster in Blackpool. First, they had to walk up the service walkway on the long ascent to the very top of the towering rollercoaster, then onto a maintenance platform where expert helpers clipped them onto the abseiling rope and attached a safety lifeline. “We had to lean back and step off the platform, which was quite scary” said Julie. “We were completely in midair rather than walking down the structure.” “We felt perfectly safe though and it was great fun.” “ I would love to do it all again!” www.a.soldiers-journey.co.uk
Simon Jersey Brings Catwalk Style to their latest collection Inspired by the latest seasonal trends, leading uniform brand, Simon Jersey, has extended its collection of ladies tunics with a number of new contemporary product lines that have been inspired by the latest catwalk trends. The new additions include the contrast lapel tunic, the colour block tunic and the bolero tunic, each of which is available in this seasons most popular colourways, including hot pink; an elegant teal, and also new for this season, an electrifying cobalt blue. Helen Harker, design manager at Simon Jersey said, “our designers are constantly looking at and analysing the latest trends so that we can ensure our collection is up to the minute and appealing for the wearer.” “Each of the new designs offers an elegant take on the styles we’ve seen dominating the catwalk, helping people to look and feel good at work.” “The beauty of the three new designs is that they can be worn across a team of people as they suit all ages, shapes and sizes but create one unified look as they are available in the same colour options.”
Fristads Kansas re-launches their Classic Legacy Range
Two New Wins in the Travel Sector
Fristads Kansas, the number one brand in heavy duty work wear for tradespeople in Europe, is re-launching its classic Legacy Range, which has been redeveloped in conjunction with customers.
Kwintet will be rolling out a new stock supported uniform range to 27 branches of Kanoo Travel in August.
Fristads Kansas, which combined earlier this year to become a single brand, enjoys over 170 years of experience in the work wear sector and is part of the Kwintet Group, the largest provider of professional wear in Europe. Customers were invited by Fristads Kansas to submit ways in which Legacy products could potentially be improved, and it has led to a number of changes and updates to their bib ‘n’ brace, coverall and work wear trouser ranges. The update of the classic Legacy range includes the lowering of waist and pocket heights, an adjustment of leg width and the addition of knee and leg pockets, plus an extra pocket designed specifically for mobile phones. The company hopes the subtle changes will help prolong the product life cycle of their Legacy range, while providing customers with the work wear they want; classic and durable with great fit and high comfort. Steve Ciuffini, Commercial Director of Kwintet, said: “We have the widest assortment of heavy work wear of any supplier globally and this unique position allows us to meet our customer’s demands more accurately. The re-launch of our Legacy product range is a classic example of how this can be achieved in real terms.” “The subtle changes are customer driven and we are very proud of our track record of responding to their changing needs. This proves how we understand the demands of the working professional better than anyone and we are proud to deliver functional, durable and safe work wear designed to keep workers comfortable and at their best in any situation.” “Whether you need to keep warm, dry or cool; whether you need protection from electricity, molten metals or hazardous chemicals, Fristads Kansas will help you find a way. We do our best so you can do better.” The Fristads Kansas range comprises a complete range of heavy duty work wear for tradespeople, from outdoor construction garments and everyday casual work wear, to specialised garments for cleanrooms and high visibility equipment.
The range consists of Navy Qualitas suiting accompanied by blue circles tie neck blouse with blue chambray shirts and graduated ties for the men. Kanoo Travel were particularly impressed with our on-line ordering platform KWS – Kwintet Webshop System. The interface has many features beyond e-ordering which will add enormous benefit to Kanoo Travel for instance, budget control of spend, real time parcel tracking, an on-line catalogue showing the Kanoo Travel range with live stock information and pro active ordering and pre set timescales to force replacement of expired garments to ensure that uniform is replaced at appropriate intervals Another recent win within the travel sector is with an existing client, Midlands Coop Travel who have introduced a new brand of shops. There are 57 branches altogether 42 existing and 15 new brand branches. The existing branches have refreshed their look and will phase in Teal shirts & blouses with a stock supported range of Navy Qualitas suiting, with contrasting ties & scarves. The new brand of shops will again be stock supported Qualitas suiting with teal shirts, blouses and contrasting accessories.