Blumenthal Uniform Co., Inc. is a Northwest based, locally owned provider of uniforms and equipment for public safety, transit, postal service, security, and business. We have locations in Washington, Oregon, and California. Our professional staff, large selection of in-stock product, in-store alterations, and hundreds of quality suppliers combine to provide the products and services that our customers want and need.
After working at Nudleman Bros. Uniforms for several years, Joe Blumenthal started the Blumenthal Uniform Company in a small office in downtown Seattle in 1948. Joe was a well liked and a respected uniform professional, and his initial focus was on military, band, transit and hotel industry customers.
In 1952, after completing his commitment in the U.S. Air Force, Joe’s son Darle Blumenthal joined the small uniform supplier. At this point in the company’s early history, Blumenthal Uniforms consisted of a three person sales staff that would make sales calls on customers to take orders for made-to-measure uniforms and then return to their office to place the order with the manufacturers. Their off-premise tailor and bookkeeper handled the alterations and accounting functions for the small company.
As the business continued to expand throughout the 1950’s, Blumenthal’s grew out of its office space and moved into a small retail store. During the 1960’s, the store was moved to a larger and better location. In the 1960’s, the company’s marketing direction also changed; and Blumenthal’s emphasis turned toward serving law enforcement, postal, fire, security, and industrial accounts.
In 1981, Darle's sons, Mark and Mitch started working full-time in the family business. As uniform sales continued to grow, the company began emphasizing a wider range of law enforcement products including body armor, duty gear, flashlights, and evidence collection products. In late 1981, the downtown Seattle store was moved to 103rd & Aurora in north Seattle. At the time, this move was thought to be risky since the other Seattle uniform stores were still all located in downtown Seattle. In 1987, Darle's twin daughters Karrie and Connie also joined Blumenthal Uniforms.
In 1985, after over 33 years of full time commitment to operating his company, Darle Blumenthal moved from company President into the CEO position, and Mark Blumenthal was named President of Blumenthal Uniforms.
In 1991 the Seattle store relocated once again to its present address at 86th and Aurora Avenue North, a larger facility with better parking. Later that same year, the decision was made to open a new location near the Sea-Tac Airport in Des Moines, WA. This new location was necessary to serve the growing demand in South King and North Pierce Counties. Darle, Mitch and Karrie operated the new Des Moines location while Mark, Connie and their experienced staff remained at the Seattle headquarters in north Seattle. (Connie Blumenthal left the company in 2002 to pursue a career in real estate.) After several years of increasing growth, it was evident that the Des Moines store was outgrowing its original location. In 1998, the store was moved to its present larger and more efficient location at 216th and Pacific Hwy South.
In 1994, Mark and Mitch purchased the company from their father, and Darle was able to start his semi-retirement. Mark and Mitch Blumenthal were now the third generation owners of Blumenthal Uniforms.
In early 1996 a third Blumenthal’s store was opened in Spokane, Washington. The store in Eastern Washington was established to better service that regions uniform needs including Northern Idaho and North Eastern Oregon. Mitch Blumenthal moved to Spokane to manage the store operations while fulfilling additional responsibilities for the company. In 1999, the Spokane store’s business growth created a need to relocate the Spokane store to a larger, more modern facility.
In 1997, Darle Blumenthal officially retired after 45 years of service to his customers.
In 2000, Mark and Mitch Blumenthal added a third partner, Roger Heldman. After 22 years at Flying Cross by Fechheimer, Roger left his Senior Management position and relocated from Cincinnati, OH to Seattle with his family. While at Fechheimer, Roger worked closely with many of the nation's largest public safety agencies and uniform retailers.
In 2000, the decision was made to add a new location in Portland, Oregon. Blumenthal’s business continued to grow in the Oregon market, and the company desired to better service its customer’s in Southern Washington and Oregon. Blumenthal's purchased the Harris Uniforms store of Portland, Oregon and the store was moved to its current location on SW Barbur Blvd and re-named.
During the summer of 2004, the company purchased an automated four-head embroidery machine. This investment was driven by the desire to provide prompt service to the growing number of customers who desired embroidered garments. The in-house embroidery capabilities allowed Blumenthal's to better serve the needs of transit and public safety organizations, as well as a variety of other customers.
Mid year 2005, the company launched its new e-commerce web site that provides Blumenthal’s customers the convenience of on-line shopping and the ability to obtain information on our broad offering of products and services.
In late 2005, Blumenthal's opened its fifth store in Sacramento California. The store’s experienced sales and operations team had previously worked at Butler’s Uniforms of Sacramento prior to that store’s fire and eventual closing. The Sacramento store is located on Arden Way and serves the uniform and equipment needs of the public safety community in and around Sacramento.
In 2008, Blumenthal’s invested in the Eastman automated cutting system and started its Street Command Tactical Jumpsuit division. The jumpsuit division’s manufacturing was brought in house to provide better quality and service to the Blumenthal’s customers that had added Tactical Jumpsuits to their uniform programs.
A consistent theme throughout the company's 60 plus years of continued operation is a commitment to "Serving Those Who Serve." Blumenthal's remains dedicated to providing it's customers with high quality service and products in a friendly, professional manner; the same way that Joe Blumenthal and Darle Blumenthal originally ran their business that started in 1948.
President
Mark was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, and started his
career with Blumenthal Uniforms as an after school job during High School.
Mark attended Washington State University and received a Bachelors degree
in Business Administration in 1981. After graduation, he returned to the
family business and started his career in sales and customer service. Early on,
Mark had shown an interest in the equipment side of the business
and became educated on Body Armor, Duty Gear, and Evidence Collection.
During his 25 plus years with Blumenthal Uniforms, Mark has gained a strong
knowledge of this business working with customers throughout the Pacific
Northwest and vendors across the country.
Presently Mark is one of the three owners of Blumenthal Uniforms and has held
the position of President since 1995.
Mark and his wife Patti along with their two daughters enjoy living and working
in the Northwest.
Product Training
Sirchie Fingerprint Labs-Evidence Collection Accelerated Training Program
W.L. Gore - Gore Public Safety Products Seminar
Flying Cross by Fechheimer- Fechheimer Academy
Associations
Armor Holdings, Inc. Distributor Advisory Council
National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors
Young Entrepreneurs Organization
Volunteer Activities
Special Olympics of King County
North Seattle Boys and Girls Club.
Aurora Avenue Merchants Association
Vice President
Mitch was born and raised in North Seattle and started his career with Blumenthal
Uniforms in high school when he would take the bus downtown to their location on
2nd Avenue. As is customary with all employees that come to work for Blumenthal's,
Mitch began his journey working in the back end of the business doing shipping,
receiving, and odd jobs.
After graduating from High School, Mitch went east to attend Washington State
University with his brother Mark and became a member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.
It was apparent early on that Mitch's love for the family business was more than that
for school, and after a brief stint at WSU returned to Seattle to join Mark full time
at Blumenthal's.
Mitch learned the business inside and out while working full time and also attending
business classes at the local community colleges. He found his calling when his
father Darle finally turned over some accounts to him and he set out on the road to
sell for the family business. At one time or another Mitch has traveled virtually
every back road known throughout the State of Washington. He takes great pride in
the relationships he has built and maintained with customers over the years and enjoys
seeing them whenever possible.
Mitch was actively involved with the opening of the Des Moines, Spokane and Portland
locations. Currently his efforts are focused on the marketing and merchandising
efforts of all locations. Mitch enjoys attending many of the industry trade shows
and conventions. His enthusiasm for golf is evident in the time he spends helping
the Washington Association of Sheriff's and Police Chiefs (WASPC) organize their
annual Spring Golf Tournament. The WASPC conferences allow Mitch the ability to
spend time catching up with old customers and introducing new ones to the virtues of
Blumenthal Uniforms.
Mitch currently resides in Spokane, Washington with his wife of almost 20 years Jacki
and their two children. Mitch is active in many civic and charitable organizations
and enjoys spending his spare time with his family and friends.
Treasurer
Roger joined Blumenthal's in 2000 after 22 years at Fechheimer Brothers in Cincinnati, Ohio. Fechheimer is the nation's largest manufacturer of public safety uniforms and is a major supplier to Blumenthal's. Roger, Mark and Mitch developed a close working relationship over the years. In 2000, Mark and Mitch asked Roger to move to Seattle and become a partner in the company.
Roger attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C and earned a bachelors degree in economics in 1978. He immediately joined Fechheimer following graduation from college. At Fechheimer, he worked in different areas of the company including Manufacturing, Purchasing and Sales. He was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing during his final ten years with the company. During this period, Roger had the opportunity to closely work with many public safety agencies and uniform dealers across the country.
Roger has been Treasurer since joining the company. His additional duties include development of new markets and business processes. As an example, the company has introduced the use of Purchase Cards that have been adopted by both public safety and transit customers. The cards simplify the purchasing process for the agencies while empowering the individual employee to act as a Purchasing Agent for their uniform needs.
Roger is also active with the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (www.naumd.com) an industry trade organization. Roger is Chairman of the Dealer Committee and serves as Treasurer on the Executive Committee of the Association. He also serves the same role with Epilepsy Foundation Northwest (www.epilepsynw.org.)
