The chef's filipina, the best reflection of your restaurant.
One of the most internationally recognized uniforms is the chef's uniform. For cooks worldwide, choosing their work clothes is a crucial process, as the garments must meet high quality standards, reflect the best of each establishment's cuisine, and preserve a centuries-old tradition. One of the most important pieces in any chef's uniform is the chef's jacket. But do you know the history of this garment? In 1822, the celebrated French chef Marie-Antoine Carême was portrayed in an illustration wearing a chef's jacket. Marie-Antoine's influence on European cuisine was fundamental in popularizing the jacket. From there, its use spread throughout the Old Continent initially, and later gained a place in kitchens around the world. At the end of the 19th century, this garment began to be mass-produced in the United States, leading to its complete dominance in chefs' uniforms. Now, the safety and comfort of the users are paramount when selecting the best chef's jacket. The materials must be suitable to protect them from burns or splashes; there is a wide variety of fabrics that can be used depending on the specific tasks of each chef. At GDI, we will guide you through this process, analyzing your staff's work with you to select the best materials. Furthermore, the garment's design is essential for several reasons. The jacket's characteristics can vary depending on the chef's role; for example, if they work near the fire, long sleeves are essential to prevent accidents, while if the work doesn't involve contact with fire, short sleeves are appropriate for greater mobility. Additionally, the corporate image of each restaurant and kitchen, and the message you want to convey through the chefs' uniform, also come into play. Our Design department will work with you to create the best garment and image for your restaurant, from the colors to the placement of your logo and the various features of the garment. At GDI, we have extensive experience providing uniforms to companies in the food and restaurant industry. Throughout our history, we've outfitted the kitchens of many of your favorite restaurants across the country. If you work for a company in this sector and would like to start projecting your corporate image and give your employees the best work tools, contact us and together we'll find the perfect solution for you. We look forward to hearing from you! Octavio López Rios – Executive Chef of GDI
Retail, adapting to change
The Covid-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented economic crisis at the regional, national, and global levels, but it also fostered and accelerated the digitalization of many commercial and industrial activities. As a result, paradigms in the functioning of the economy are changing, creating opportunities for efficiency, cost reduction, and increased productivity. In these uncertain times, the concept of "creative destruction," developed by the Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter, seems particularly relevant. This concept suggests that the process of innovation and technological development must prevail to adapt to changing consumer behavior. Companies that fail to adapt or make changes will simply disappear. The economic situation of businesses and consumers in the retail sector has been significantly impacted. At the beginning of the current health crisis, this sector was affected by panic buying, which disrupted the inventories of many supermarket chains and, in turn, the production cycles of many consumer goods companies. In the retail sector, most companies have already undergone a digitization process, a fact that, despite the current crisis, has undoubtedly allowed them to stay afloat to a greater or lesser extent. But what has the coronavirus pandemic caused or taught us about the consumer? This pandemic has changed our daily lives and, therefore, how we shop and make decisions. Companies must find new ways to communicate with their customers, maintaining their loyalty and facilitating the purchasing process. Given this scenario, the retail sector must rethink its commercial strategy and update it based on consumer preferences. Considering that users will interact with different channels and forms of communication (online store, point of sale, email, etc.) throughout the entire purchasing process, omnichannel retailing is essential for brands to offer the best customer experience. As consumers gradually return to physical stores, retail companies will need an effective communication strategy to maintain customer loyalty and improve sales. To achieve this, an effective and successful corporate image is essential, and uniforms are an excellent tool for achieving it. At GDI, we are experts in this industry, having provided uniforms for the most important retail chains across the country in recent years. If you belong to this industry and would like to develop a successful corporate image strategy through your employees' uniforms, contact us, and together we will design the one that best suits your operations. We look forward to hearing from you! Karla Vanessa Mojica Valle – Account Executive at GDI
How do we do mass production in a textile company?
If we were to ask someone outside the clothing industry how they imagine a company that produces clothes is structured, they would most likely answer that there is a group of tailors and seamstresses developing garment by garment. This model worked in the early 20th century; however, nowadays the most advanced companies develop garments in series, optimizing operations. A modern clothing company like GDI Uniforms is more like a company in the automotive sector, where there are different production lines, each dedicated to the development and manufacture of a specific model. But in a context as diversified as the textile industry is today, is it still possible to execute a production plan effectively? Is it still possible to organize production plans for one or more production lines simultaneously? Or could those plans be thwarted? Mass production has been transforming over time, especially in recent years. For example, in the 70s or 80s, it was common to talk about large orders, while today companies find themselves managing thousands of micro-orders at the same time and an infinite number of models, some even unique and not to be repeated. Because of all this, the complexity of production management, whether internal or external, has multiplied exponentially, and everything seems to indicate that this trend will not stop. If yesterday production planning consisted simply of standardizing each line for a certain time, with models and colors that changed very occasionally, today proper planning involves agile vertical and horizontal integrations between the various production units. So, what needs to be done to plan and organize productive resources? An effective Production Planning and Control System must: Efficiency and effectiveness in these activities depends, above all, on having reliable data readily available, promptly filed, classified, and on the instruments used to collect them, for example, histories, time and motion studies, etc. Now, the production area has to be integrated with the commercial area and vice versa, managing to communicate in the same language and with the same timing. Integrating production with the commercial function usually means: Finally, optimizing production is a complex and constantly changing argument, depending on the lines where it is to be implemented. However, there are established and improvement routes, which include well-identified actions. Small lines are easier to work on and allow for faster and more effective intervention. Meanwhile, the larger and more complex lines have to be broken down and each of the following points addressed: Conduct a thorough analysis of the method and the resources available: Labor, Machinery, etc. Provide timely feedback to the production line, helping to plan in the most effective way. At GDI we have evolved, improving our processes to become what we are, a world-class textile company. Our Production department consists of a group of Human, Material and Intangible Resources that collaborate in synergy to achieve all our goals. The main function of the production manager is to lead all these resources, with our continuous focus on satisfying each of our business partners. Our Production Area is ready to start projecting your corporate image to each of your clients. Come closer to us and together let's build the best project for you! Roberto Moro – Production Manager of GDI Grupo Diamante Internacional
Circular Economy, a challenge for the textile sector
We live in a world of constant change, in every sense; people, companies, climate, processes, trends, concepts, etc… Evolving is necessary and beneficial if we approach it in the right way. And for those of us who dedicate ourselves to creating/producing, it is no exception. Currently, production in a company is based on a cycle where raw materials are transformed into products, marketed, and then discarded. At GDI, we have adopted the concept of Sustainability as part of our core values. We seek to go beyond recycling and reusing materials, implementing actions in recent years to achieve a Circular Economy. In other words, produce, use, and throw away? No! Our approach is Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. “The circular economy advocates using as many biodegradable materials as possible in the manufacture of consumer goods that can return to nature without causing environmental damage when they reach the end of their useful life. In cases where it is not possible to use eco-friendly materials, the objective will be to facilitate a simple decoupling to give them a new life by reincorporating them into the production cycle and composing a new piece. When that is not possible, it will be recycled in an environmentally friendly way.” Some of the principles of the circular economy that we already implement in our operation are: Reuse: reusing certain waste or parts of it, which can still be used to make new products. Repair: giving broken products a second life. Recycling: using materials found in waste. But you might ask: how do you apply it? Which products have it? Well, a few years ago we started with the dream of contributing more and we began with research, tests, many tests with which we achieved extremely valuable processes that we are proud of: Garments made with recyclable material. This consists of the development of garments with fabrics made from PET bottles; it is one of the most convenient ways to recycle plastic bottles and prevent their accumulation. At GDI we produce an average of 230,000 garments annually with 50% PET, which represents the recycling of more than 688,000 PET bottles. Regeneration: Development of new garments with fabrics obtained from the recycling of clothing that has gone through a circular system. At GDI we produce an average of 68,000 regenerated trousers annually using fabrics from recycled garments. Also within this process, through our garment destruction program designed to protect our clients' brands, as part of our care for the environment, the material resulting from said destruction is reprocessed to generate new by-products: Fabrics for carpets, yarns for upholstery, among other things. At GDI, we strive to minimize our environmental impact with eco-friendly products and processes, reducing energy consumption and improving the environmental quality of our processes through sound resource management. Today, given the times we are living in, it is more important to reflect on the fact that we do not live in isolation. We share the same air, the same planet, and therefore, everything you or I do has a ripple effect. This is our small contribution as a responsible company, as the GDI family, for you, for me. Get in touch with us and together we'll develop a program that protects your corporate image and makes you part of this cycle for the environment! Liliana Jiménez Figueroa – Senior Account Executive by GDI
Saving the planet: Sustainability in the automotive industry.
While the automotive industry is ahead of other sectors in meeting global sustainability standards, it still faces strategic challenges in the area of sustainability. In the last decade, the concept of sustainability has emerged as a major challenge for this industry, and this new way of visualizing cars has permeated the industry completely, to the point of forging a new philosophy within each of the automotive companies. At the beginning of the decade, there were hardly any options for eco-friendly, hybrid, or electric cars; today the competition is fierce and the options are simply spectacular. Now, regardless of whether the car is electric or gasoline-powered, sustainability has reached everyone. Polluting emissions are being reduced more and more, and the industry is making significant investments to develop recyclable materials for interiors and other accessories. 2021 looks set to be an incredible year for the automotive sector, as the new normal is a period in which manufacturers are prioritizing aspects such as electrification, autonomous and intelligent driving. Furthermore, the value chains of multinational automotive companies will also undergo visible changes, in sales, after-sales service and other services, as well as social and environmental responsibility initiatives. We're sharing sustainable actions that automotive companies are implementing, with the ultimate goal of taking care of our planet. Cupra: The Spanish company has reached an agreement with Seaqual Yarn to manufacture the standard seats of its first electric car, the Cupra Born, using recycled marine plastic extracted from oceans, rivers, estuaries and seas. It is the fishermen, various non-governmental organizations and local communities who collect these products in order to make the weaving. This circular economy contributes to the continuous cleaning of seas, rivers and oceans. Bridgestone: It has set itself the goal of reducing its global carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. For Mexico, the brand has launched different initiatives, such as adapting backup boilers to use diesel for steam generation instead of fuel oil. This led it to reduce, in 2020 alone, the emissions generated in its operation by 17%, compared to the previous year. Among other actions, it has implemented a circular economy in which it uses 100 percent sustainable materials in its products. Its plant in Cuernavaca, Morelos, has a waste recycling rate of 97 percent, as well as a program for manufacturing "llancreto", a material used for paving, from discarded tires. At GDI Uniforms we have extensive experience in the automotive sector. We are suppliers and strategic partners of the following companies, so that together we can achieve a positive impact on the care of our environment. KIA: In its commitment to sustainability and the environment, it seeks to improve and perfect its processes to create 100 percent environmentally friendly cars, and an example of this is its painting process, where volatile organic compounds are channeled through its Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (ROT) system, which purifies the air to be released into the environment without polluting residues. This system, used in their paint shop, is one of the cleanest processes in the automotive industry, where the company not only seeks to beautify its cars with the highest quality standards, but to do so through technologies that allow them to minimize their ecological impact and create sustainable processes. Roshfrans: At its plant in Actopan, Hidalgo, they have ISO 14001:2015 certification, an environmental management system that allows them to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations, as well as collaborate in the preservation of the environment. They have also implemented an environmentally friendly product project, namely sustainable Roshpack packaging with 70% less plastic. Lightweight, flexible, and economical, the innovative 4-liter Roshpack bags, along with our traditional 950ml Roshpack, are made of multi-laminated film that guarantees long-lasting preservation of the products, as well as lightweight packaging that helps reduce CO2 emissions. During the production of Roshpack bags, the carbon footprint is reduced, allowing for the measurement of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions derived from the production and distribution of the product. Environmental protection has become a fundamental part for all participants in the automotive industry. We know that this industry is made up of a long chain of roles and types of work, managers, salespeople, administrative and security personnel. For each of them, we have the garment that provides security and comfort, while projecting the company's image to its clients and collaborators. At GDI Uniforms we develop sustainable solutions: We have sustainable programs such as regenerated garments, sustainable garments and uniform destruction, each of them is aligned to take care of your brand and take care of the environment.
GDI Uniforms joins the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
The US The Cotton Trust Protocol sets a standard for more sustainably grown cotton. It provides quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurements about the production of responsibly grown cotton and drives continuous improvement in key sustainability metrics. US cotton UU. has focused on sustainability for decades. According to Field to Market data, over the past 35 years cotton has increased land use efficiency by 31% while reducing soil loss by 44%, water consumption by 82%, energy expenditure by 38%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. Although cotton has told its sustainability story and highlighted its decreasing environmental impact, more and more brands and department stores are demanding industry-wide standards and independent verifications. To address this growing concern, the U.S. cotton industry UU. structured and created the US The Cotton Trust Protocol defines new standards for sustainably grown cotton and the continuous improvement of that sustainability, which will be measured and verified by a third party. The cotton industry of the US UU. It invests more than $100 million annually in scientific research to continue developing the most advanced tools needed to reduce its environmental footprint. These technologies help producers save money while protecting and even improving the environment. The goal of the Trust Protocol is to help brands and department stores communicate this progress to end consumers. The Trust Protocol has a four-step process: The standards are about defining sustainability goals for the cotton industry. By 2025, the North American cotton industry aims to increase land use efficiency by 13% and soil carbon by 20%, while simultaneously reducing soil loss by 50%, water consumption by 18%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 39%. The measurement includes the voluntary affiliation of US cotton producers. UU. to measure and keep track of its environmental impact. The purpose of the U.S. cotton industry UU. It is to affiliate half of the cotton producers by 2025. Verification will involve the participation of internationally recognized external verification organizations to monitor progress towards the goals. Finally, the USCTP will be the only cotton sustainability organization able to provide annual, quantifiable, and verifiable information to track sustainability progress. Therefore, the Trust Protocol supports and verifies the progress of US cotton, through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Choosing Trust Protocol cotton gives brands and retailers the fundamental assurances they need that the cotton fiber element in their supply chain is grown more sustainably with less environmental and social risk. Finally, the US The Cotton Trust Protocol is overseen by a multi-stakeholder Board of Directors, comprised of representatives from brands and retailers, civil society, and independent sustainability experts. As well as by the cotton farming industry, including producers, ginners, traders, wholesalers and cooperatives, factories and cotton seed managers. At GDI Uniforms we are very pleased to join the US Cotton Trust Protocol. Through this effort we guarantee that the cotton used in our products comes from a sustainable supply chain. In addition to complying with environmental, labor, safety and health regulations in US cotton farming.
Appropriate attire for the automotive sector
In a business like car manufacturing, the work clothes worn by employees are important. That is why the choice of clothing and uniforms to be used within the different operational areas in automotive plants must be done with prudence, always keeping in mind the care of the employees and facilitating the execution of their activities. The automotive industry is made up of a long chain of roles and types of work. The process begins in the manufacturing environment with operators, technicians and engineers, continues with quality supervisors and ends with executives who sell the final product. Each of them with specific clothing needs. In the first instance, the mandatory complements that help mitigate the danger factor within a plant are: Within the same plants, the automotive industry has quite functional textile alternatives, from denim and reinforced cotton, to modern fire-resistant fabrics. Currently, companies have the option of choosing from a wide range of items such as industrial pants, short or long-sleeved shirts, overalls and work jackets, among others. Taking this into account, an employee cannot enter a factory wearing their everyday clothes. The clothing must be special, as it was designed to be a second layer of protection for the limbs, protecting the skin from liquids such as oil, grease or paint, as well as scrapes from metal pieces or abrasive tools. In general, the automotive trade tends to involve the handling of various substances, such as grease or exposure to molten metal residue. It is thanks to work clothes that the worker can get as dirty as necessary without it affecting his personal appearance. Some garments include resistance to industrial washing or easy stain removal, giving both the employee and the employer the assurance that the garments will be up to the task. In other words, spending hours assembling auto parts is tiring for an operator, and if what they are wearing does not allow freedom of movement, the job becomes irritating. When work gets tough, the workwear market (generic name for clothing that covers and protects the human body) offers various options that make workdays more comfortable and therefore more efficient. Another important point is that, when considering options, companies frequently wonder which clothing brands they should choose. This is because the integrity of the employees is paramount, but, without forgetting that they must have better durability than other types of clothing, since they are garments of continuous and rough use, the sense of belonging that the employees should feel when wearing the uniform is also taken into consideration. Taking this into consideration, GDI is your best option when choosing clothing for your employees, as we are experts in various sectors, and the automotive sector is one of them, making the right clothes, from administrative clothing to special uniforms for your plants. Providing a comprehensive service, ranging from safety, comfort and a design that differentiates your brand, without forgetting the care of the ecosystem. Contact us to see the catalog of garments for your sector.
Eco-Fashion: A Trend in the Textile Industry
Sustainable fashion, also known as slow fashion, encompasses all clothing, shoes, and accessories whose manufacturing processes are environmentally friendly. While the priority in 2020 was combating Covid-3, the fashion agenda for 2021 is now focused on sustainability. The fashion sector is accelerating changes that will make it more environmentally and socially sustainable. This is one of the most urgent and ambitious goals in the industry, as, having been considered one of the most polluting businesses worldwide, change has become imminent due to the current state of the ecosystem. There are three key elements to sustainable fashion: Awareness and the desire to create change have been gradually growing in both Europe and the United States, and are gaining significant traction in Latin America as well. In Latin America, the cultural richness and artisanal techniques of each country are taking center stage, not only to celebrate them nationally and internationally, but also as a key component in generating business models with more ethical and sustainable fashion. These models can compete with fast fashion, which is increasingly losing ground among more committed and informed consumers. For a garment to be considered sustainable, it must meet certain criteria, such as environmentally friendly production and/or the use of natural or organic materials, like cotton, algae, bamboo, natural dyes, and so on. Many of the materials most commonly used by the fashion industry today face challenges such as resource scarcity, rising costs, and limited recyclability. Many factors must be considered to determine a material's sustainability. Two of these are renewability and the source of a fiber. For the sake of our planet, there are already new materials that require fewer resources for their manufacture and have longer life cycles, and which are being used by large companies. At GDI, we strive to make our garments environmentally friendly, which is why we seek to make them mostly from cotton and linen, working with suppliers who are committed to environmental stewardship. GDI has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, guaranteeing that the cotton used in our products comes from a sustainable supply chain. We care about your image, quality, and comfort without neglecting the environment.
The uniform, one of the most valued characteristics in a store
The concept of retail refers to an economic sector that encompasses companies whose activity focuses on the mass marketing of uniform products or services to large numbers of customers. For companies with a high volume of customers where staff interact directly with the public, the role of the corporate uniform is key. In addition to being part of the corporate image, the dress code establishes a company's identity in the eyes of its market. These characteristics make the uniform a valuable resource for a business's promotional and marketing efforts. The company uniform is a valuable resource that meets the characteristics to be a marketing strategy, as well as one of the least used by companies. Several business studies point to the impact this garment can have on corporate image in the eyes of consumers, making it a valuable investment resource. In various cases in the retail sector, many employees not only work "at home" (in house) or in the store, but also have to go out, in the form of delivery drivers. Image for In-House Employees For companies that receive their clientele in their own facilities, the corporate uniform is key to defining the corporate image. For retail businesses, a company uniform is the central image of the service offered. Dressing employees in a company uniform establishes brand identity and also promotes it visually. Customers interact with specific colors and designs, in addition to the brand logo. The customer experience improves when work teams have a professional image, in addition to extending the corporate identity. For employees on the move: Companies that move to their customers are possibly the best positioned to establish a brand strategy. Companies with home delivery services can take great advantage of a well-designed corporate uniform. The use of the brand logo, as well as advertising phrases and representative colors, is a form of continuous promotion abroad. Before investing in promotional resources such as flyers, paid advertising or even billboards, companies can utilize the potential of work uniforms. When choosing a uniform, you should keep in mind: Customers mention that one of the most valued features in a store is the use of uniforms by salespeople. Uniforms make vendors easily identifiable and convey a sense of order. That's why at GDI we offer you a comprehensive service, ranging from security and comfort to a design that sets your brand apart. We are your best option when choosing clothing for your employees; we adapt to your needs while maintaining your corporate image. We are experts in various sectors and our track record confirms it. Contact us to learn about our clothing catalogs for your sector.
Workwear for the Logistics Sector
Developing appropriate workwear for employees in the logistics industry requires careful consideration due to the nature of the work. For staff to work comfortably and effectively, it's essential to provide them with comfortable and suitable workwear for their position and working conditions. Each garment must be chosen with the specific tasks the wearer will perform in mind. Another important point is that work uniforms in logistics and transportation companies must protect staff from both cold and heat. Warehouses are typically large, open spaces with low temperatures, and delivery drivers spend a significant amount of time outdoors, often starting their workday in the early hours of the morning. Furthermore, it's crucial to remember that workwear for transport companies contributes to a positive corporate image. Sometimes, high-quality workwear is what sets companies apart. Uniforms provide a sense of security and enhance brand recognition. Special features. The Importance of High-Visibility Clothing: In a logistics warehouse or transport platform where cross-docking (order picking without placing merchandise in stock) takes place, there are many "blind spots," such as the exit from the layout or the end of the shelving area and access to the receiving or shipping areas. This area, for example, is very critical because an operator driving a machine with merchandise in front of them has very limited visibility. Therefore, in addition to having clearly marked pedestrian walkways in warehouses, it is vital that all personnel moving through and operating these areas wear high-visibility clothing. Similarly, when leaving the warehouse to deliver merchandise or pick up supplies, it is essential that they wear high-visibility clothing to avoid accidents both inside and outside the facilities. To maintain consistency with the company's image, it is always a good idea to choose garments in corporate colors, as this will increase brand recognition. For any type of work uniform, it's always advisable to choose high-quality products. As we've already mentioned, these garments are designed for daily use, will withstand numerous washes, and must project a professional image, especially those worn outside the workplace in public-facing roles. At GDI, we offer a comprehensive service that encompasses safety, comfort, and a design that sets your brand apart. We are experts in various sectors, and our track record confirms this. When it comes to choosing clothing for your team, we are the best option. We adapt to your needs, prioritize your safety, and always safeguard and maintain your corporate image. Contact us to view our catalogs of garments for your industry.