|
PETROLEUM DIRECTORY: Alaska Textiles — from tablecloths to the tough stuff
Susan Braund Petroleum Directory Contributing Writer
In street slang, you might say that Alaska Textiles “has your back” — they’ve got you covered. In more business-appropriate terms, however, Alaska Textiles delivers a combination of technology, product quality and customer service, whether you need flame-resistant arctic gear on the North Slope, a polo shirt with a corporate logo or enough linens to outfit a construction camp.
The diversified company, formed in 1980 as a hotel and restaurant linen supplier, now is a leading purveyor of arctic gear and personal protective gear, uniforms, linens, and a profusion of promotional products and services.
“The business had a strong start in the hotel and restaurant arena,” says Executive Vice President Clif Burnette, “we learned how not to give up and how to be efficient, which has allowed us to branch out.”
Despite diversification, Alaska Textiles maintains its root business. In addition to recently being chosen to provide furniture and linens for a substantial defense contract at Fort Greeley, Alaska, the firm continues to sell linens and supplies to North Slope service companies and to supply local restaurants with tablecloths and Alaska-manufactured aprons and chef coats. Apparel for Alaska’s workforce Alaska Textiles is a leading supplier of safety work wear and cold weather protection apparel to the oil and gas industry. Uniforms and work apparel are also a company staple — for public safety, law enforcement, athletic teams, service companies and the medical and restaurant/hotel industries.
Protective clothing — Workers in the utilities, oil, gas, petrochemical and steel industries frequently face hazards that could cause severe or fatal burn injuries. Government reports indicate that the majority of burn injuries are due to the individual’s clothing igniting and continuing to burn, not to the exposure itself.
Once ignited, everyday non-flame resistant work clothes continue to burn even after the source of ignition is removed. By comparison, flame resistant garments will self-extinguish after the ignition source is removed. The use of flame-resistant clothing provides thermal protection at the exposure area. The level of protection typically rests in the fabric weight and composition.
Alaska Textiles prides itself on being a front-runner in bringing the latest technologies in flash fire and electric arc safety apparel to the workforce. The company currently produces the only flash fire apparel manufactured in Alaska, using both Nomex fleece and Indura Ultra Soft protective fabrics. Both fabrics pass the required vertical flammability tests for protective clothing fabrics, self extinguish and remain flame resistant throughout useful service life.
“We’re now manufacturing flame resistant apparel and we have plans to expand our manufacturing activities,” explains Burnette. “I believe Alaska can grow its apparel manufacturing capabilities, it’s just slower starting with no infrastructure.”
Primary protective clothing is designed to be worn for work activities where significant exposure to molten substance splash, radiant heat, and flame is likely to occur. An example is firefighter turnout gear. Secondary protective clothing is designed for continuous wear in designated locations where intermittent exposure to the same hazards is possible.
Arctic Gear — We specialize in arctic gear,” says Burnette. “You won’t find anything as warm. If it works in Alaska, it will work anywhere, that’s the true test. The Korbana parka is inherently warm with its nine-ounce fill, six-ounce shell, three and one-half-ounce lining and vapor barrier — perfect for arctic conditions anywhere in the world.
Apparel manufactured under the Korbana label, is the only true arctic gear made in United States, not Canada. Alaska Textiles is the Korbana factory’s largest customer. Promotional products and services “We are a one-stop promotional product resource for enhancing your company image,” says National Sales Manager Randy Siebert. “Our experienced staff can help you represent your image through quality customized products. We are focused on customer satisfaction and will tailor a promotional program that fits just right.”
Corporate identification options are almost limitless: companies can display their logo or slogan on quality uniforms, denim shirts, jackets and other high-end brand name promotional apparel choices, like Cutter and Buck, North Face, and Carhartt, according to Siebert. “Or we have an 80,000-item search engine of innovative marketing products to enhance your corporate image. We manage branding for corporations so they do not have to do it …we’re the experts.”
Embroidery / Screenprinting — Alaska Textiles provides comprehensive embroidery/screenprinting services for organizations, corporations, businesses, teams, clubs, schools, associations, and military units. “We offer thousands of merchandise items including shirts, caps, bags, towels, blankets, jackets, sweats, aprons and more,” says Burnette. “If you have something special in mind, we will do our best to locate what your are looking for. Very little goes out of here unembroidered; it’s integral to all but our linens.”
Embroidery is a big piece of the Alaska Textiles pie. At times night crews work to finish big jobs. Four years ago the company purchased a new state-of-the-art, Tajima embroidery machine and digitizing software.
Online stores —Another innovative way Alaska Textiles promotes businesses and expands branding is through its online stores. The company employs a full time webmaster to design and maintain online web stores for its customers.
“We can design, develop and manage an employee web store program for you,” says Siebert. “It’s a great promotional tool for products customized with your corporate logo.”
Benefits of an online corporate store:
• Employees can purchase logo gear online;
• Little up front or no capital investment;
• No inventory or labor investment;
• No maintenance;
• Refined and centralized branding;
• Great tool for administrative purchasing;
• Ease of ordering employee recognition awards.
“The web stores are going great. It took us about a year to figure it out and refine it, but, it’s working very, very well now.” reports Siebert. Business philosophy “Our management is committed to training and developing our employees. We try to create long-term employment. The majority of our employees have been here quite a while,” says Burnette. “And, we’re a family-driven company … whenever we can, we employ family members.”
Burnette, now with the company for eight years, worked for five years under Bernie Brotman, the originator of Costco “Having Bernie as a mentor was a blessing. I was a young man he took under his wing and showed me how to operate a business at low cost, how to watch the little things like turning off the lights and the importance of inventory turns, how to be cutting edge and competitive, to understand the marketplace and bring value to the customer. He was a rigorous teacher,” says Burnette.” He had a passion for manufacturing, so under his tutelage I was involved in bringing to the market clothing lines like Brittania, Gererra & Union Bay. That’s why I’m excited about expanding our garment manufacturing capacities in Alaska.”
Alaska Textiles’ business is relationship-based according to Brotman-trained Burnette.
“We have conversation with our customers; we listen. We look at their needs and figure out how to help. It’s not just selling to us. We make an offer to satisfy the need or concern and make sure we back it up and fulfill the offer. Our goal is to identify the needs and concerns of the customer and deliver the best combination of protection, comfort and value for each application.”
As Siebert sees it, the company’s success stems from three things: excellent customer service, product quality and a desire to bring forth new technologies.
Editor’s note: Susan Braund owns Firestar Media Services in Anchorage, Alaska.
| 