May 9, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Cintas Wins Big at 2017 NAUMD Image of the Year Awards

Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) today announced that it has received two Image of the Year (IOY) Awards from the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors (NAUMD). Cintas was also honored with a “Best of the Best” award and another for the Best Garment Innovation - Comfort. Presented by the Image Apparel Institute (IAI), a division of the NAUMD, the 2017 IOY Awards recognize fashion, function, creativity and innovation in apparel design. This marks the 18th consecutive year Cintas has been recognized with IOY Awards.

“We are once again deeply honored to have been recognized with two NAUMD IOY Awards,” said Kristin Sharp, Director of Design and Merchandising at Cintas. “By collaborating with our clients, we create customized apparel collections that reinforce each client’s brand and are designed with fashion, function and employee engagement in mind.”

The Cintas program for Montage Palmetto Bluff, a luxury South Carolina resort, was recognized in the hotel single-unit category. It was also named “Best of the Best,” which spans across all categories. Designed by Fourmy, Cintas’ luxury brand, the apparel collection captures the essence of southern hospitality while keeping it relevant and approachable. The program features two custom sublimation prints on fabric which provided a completely unique garment for the property. It was also important that the uniforms be constructed of breathable materials due to the very hot and humid climate. Every garment possesses a unique feminine touch and their color palettes complement one another, creating a cohesive program.

“Surrounded by rivers and abundant wildlife, our property embodies the essence of Southern living, so we wanted to create an apparel program that was impactful and appropriate,” said Craig Schoninger, Director of Sales and Marketing for Montage Palmetto Bluff. “Fourmy designed a program that is formal, yet functional while also remaining comfortable. Their innovative use of sublimation printing created a truly unique design that seamlessly blends with our hotel.”

Winner in the gaming category, the Cintas apparel program for Saratoga Casino Hotel in Saratoga Springs, NY is designed as a nod to the past when appearance was everything and the details surprised yet delighted. It features colors that are consistent with the casino’s branding and marketing guidelines, and details that reflect the beauty of the new facility.

“Our goal in working with Cintas was to develop an apparel program that reflects our property’s timeless beauty,” said Danelle Healey, Human Resource Generalist, Saratoga Casino Hotel. “Cintas did a fantastic job creating a design that incorporates contemporary elegance and our new branding message.”

Cintas also received the award for Best Garment Innovation - Comfort for its new zip-off sleeve soft shell jacket. The jacket is an adaptable layering piece that converts a softshell jacket to a softshell vest, helping employees be prepared and professional, yet athletic and agile at all times. It features zip off sleeves that allow employees to simplify their uniform wardrobe and make the garments work with them and not against them.

To view the winning programs and past winners, visit www.cintas.com/imageawards.

For more information about NAUMD or the IOY Awards, visit www.naumd.com.

About Cintas Corporation:

Cintas Corporation helps more than 900,000 businesses of all types and sizes get READY™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing a wide range of products and services that enhance our customers’ image and help keep their facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With products and services including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety and compliance training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.

About The Image Apparel Institute

The Image Apparel Institute (IAI) is the producer of the Image of the Year Awards Program, the IAI Summit and is responsible for the development of the Image Apparel Institute Education Tracks presented during the NAUMD Convention & Exposition. The group is also responsible for the Best Practices Webinars and publications focused on the needs and issues facing the Image Apparel Business community. Award recipients have been recognized in such notable outlets as the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC and numerous websites and media outlets.

The Image Apparel Institute works to protect the interests of its members through a series of advocacy, education, and public relations campaigns intended to arm them with the tools needed to retain and capture business in a global economy. The institute has authored a number of position papers and has an extensive library of information from which members can further their understanding of the image apparel marketplace. The Image Apparel Institute also conducts a series of professional development seminars, and in conjunction with the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers & Distributors, hosts an annual convention and exhibition where attendees can source products, learn about the latest trends, and gain practical, image apparel, fabric, sourcing and marketing knowledge to better run their business.