Recognition of Benstock Leads NAUMD’s TRSA Honorees

“I’m not done yet,” declared Michael Benstock in his acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD). Observers of such an honor might view it as an indication that these winners can cap their careers. For Benstock, CEO of Superior Group of Companies (NAUMD and TRSA member), born in 1956, passing age 65 was no milestone. He strongly indicated to the audience at NAUMD’s recent 2022 Convention in Reston, VA, that he doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon.

If the last 10 years are any indication, he could have a bevy of tricks up his sleeve. He’s driven the NASDAQ-traded company to a nearly 20% revenue compound annual growth rate in that time, with revenues increasing from $115 million to $537 million. The company has transformed from an apparel based-business to a provider of multiple services and products including uniforms, branded merchandise and business process outsourcing.

Headquartered in Seminole, FL, SGC has more than 6,500 employees worldwide with offices in the United States, China, Vietnam, El Salvador, Belize, India, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. SGC also manages manufacturing facilities in Haiti. SGC is the parent of TRSA member Fashion Seal Uniforms.

Benstock recalls first regularly working for SGC at the age of eight, at the family business’s main cut-and-sew factory on Long Island, NY. After multiple years of on-again, off-again university experience and a three-year stint in the Israeli Defense Forces, he joined the company full-time in 1979 and became CEO in 2003. He succeeded his father, Jerry, whom he credits with being an invaluable “kick-ass” mentor.

Michael has been an SGC director since 1985. Prior to serving as CEO, he spent most of his career at SGC in operations, manufacturing and distribution, including leadership over the company’s U.S. production facilities.

Another TRSA member company executive who took home an individual NAUMD honor: Caroline Bartek, winner of a Rising Star Young Leader Award. She’s creative director for Cintas Corp.’s Design Collective: the company’s fashion house dedicated to creating employee wardrobes by blending garments from its ready-to-wear line with custom-designed pieces to curate apparel collections that enhance brand identity. These collections are often complemented with garments from Cintas’ retail brand collaborations.

An 18-year Cintas partner, Bartek leads the collective’s National Account Design Team. She collaborates on multiple organizational levels with customers, capturing the varying perspectives of stakeholders and pushing the envelope with design to yield successful apparel collections. Her client portfolio includes Southwest Airlines, Virgin Voyages, Verizon Retail Stores, Republic Services, Spire, and ADT.

TRSA member companies that won NAUMD Image of the Year awards include:

Workwear Outfitters, Mopar Dealership Apparel Program. Worn by more than 60,000 technicians, service advisors and porters, this line features technology that repels the toughest auto fluids, including oil. Flex stretch panels offer improved mobility and breathability. Covered snaps keep paint jobs protected.

SGC, National Aviation Academy. This line includes a hanger T-shirt, five cap options and custom shirts (woven and polo) and jackets. Shirts use a ripstop 100% polyester fabric engineered to be moisture wicking, durable and lightweight. Mesh side panels allow for freedom of movement and breathability; reflective tape enhances visibility and aesthetics. Reminiscent of motorcycle racing, the jacket includes reflective shoulder tape and an adjustable cuff.

Cintas Design Collective: Casinos, Healthcare, Safety & Industrial. Cintas met the Spotlight 29 Casino need for new apparel in a hurry with express and stock options. Items were included for all employee positions, from dealers to cocktail service to housekeeping and landscapers. For Sabanero Health, a new Puerto Rico medical center, working with celebrity designer Nono Maldonado, the collective covered more than 200 wearers for front-of-house operations and a collection of scrubs for clinical and industrial back-of-house functions. Colors coordinated with bright interior accents found in the interiors. Soft silhouettes included bow blouses for a feminine touch. For Pioneer, an oil-and-gas exploration and production company, Cintas covered 1,304 uniform wearers in a variety of job categories. Seeking to combine safety, style and brand perspective, highlights included the Ariot and Carhartt brands with items such as FR jeans and a patterned button-down shirt.

Aramark Uniform: Safety & Industrial, Shipping & Delivery. Addressing food distributor Sysco’s needs for safety, brand image and professionalism, Aramark created high-visibility items: an easy-to-wear and care for polo and complementing sweatshirts and jackets. The polo uses a fabric engineered to perform in harsh environments and is lightweight, moisture wicking and breathable, with a design that meets ANSI/ISEA Class l requirements without moving too far away from the Sysco colors and brand. For nearly 6,500 Iron Mountain wearers, Aramark’s high-visibility program consisted of a lightweight pique polo, T-shirts in navy and high-vis yellow, outerwear of different weights, pants in an assortment of fits (including women!) and wide brimmed hats for sun protection (or knit hats for cool climates).

TRSA members who won Innovation Awards include:

Workwear Outfitters: Garment Function, Outerwear. A work hoodie was acknowledged for industrial-laundry-friendly durable water repellency in fleece that maintains the expected breathability of traditional workwear. Hidden drawstrings run through channels down the front placket and tuck away in front pockets, eliminating loose strings and safety hazards. Also honored was a Bulwark flame-resistant fleece hoodie featuring an integrated face covering to shield wind and cold. It can be worn over the face, as a neck gaiter or stored inside the hood. Other features: water-repellent finish, reinforced forearms, oversized hand warmer including extra hidden internal pocket.

SGC, Branding. Acknowledged for addressing the massive array of retail channel scrubs, SGC’s WonderWink branding was recognized for providing clarity in communicating multiple product dimensions through on-garment branding and labels, and associated SKU-specific digital content. A “progressive app” integrated all product lines, sub-brands and the multitude of fabrication choices, fit/size variations and features across the brand.

Penn Emblem, Decoration. For Delaware Valley Sports Center, a public gun range and pro shop used by law-enforcement officials for training and practice, the company created a logo to identify DVSC and elicit a sense of durability, reliability and excitement. PVC emblems were designed in 3D, providing an embossed, dimensional aspect while still offering a smooth surface, thereby delivering a sensory experience for consumers.