Charter’s Innovative Approach to Uniform Solutions with Affinity
Balancing efficiency, consistency, and cost management is at the heart of any successful uniform program. For Charter, striking this balance has involved evolving their approach to workforce attire by combining procured uniforms with a growing selection of custom solutions. Thanks to their partnership with Affinity, they have successfully blended the benefits of both approaches, creating a program that meets their needs while reducing challenges.
This case study highlights how they strategically integrated custom workwear into their largely procured uniform program, showcasing the value of flexibility, collaboration, and a tailored approach to workforce attire.
The Role of Procured and Custom Uniforms
When Charter began scaling their uniform program, their focus leaned heavily on procured items. Off-the-shelf solutions provided convenience and allowed them to quickly build a robust catalog of over 200 SKUs. However, as time went on, challenges emerged. Variability in product quality, delays from backorders, and the need for greater alignment with their brand prompted them to explore custom solutions.
Today, they still primarily utilize a procured model, but they’ve incorporated a growing number of custom items to better address specific needs. Originally managing just four custom SKUs five years ago, they’ve now expanded that number to 10 and continue to enhance the program.
This combined approach underscores the adaptability of Affinity’s uniform solutions. We worked closely with them to create a strategy that didn’t require abandoning the strengths of their procured program but instead supplemented it with the precision and advantages of custom workwear.
Volume-Based Pricing for Cost Efficiency
One of the key benefits of integrating custom workwear into their program was the ability to implement volume-based pricing. By consolidating orders for custom and procured items alike, Affinity helped them unlock greater cost efficiencies. This strategy allows them to maximize their budget while maintaining access to high-quality uniforms across hundreds of SKUs.
Volume-based pricing isn’t limited to custom pieces—it’s a strength of the hybrid approach. By leveraging the scale of their program through both procured and custom workflows, they have been able to reduce expenses on all fronts while gaining confidence in their ability to deliver value.
Minimizing Backorders and Ensuring Availability
Procured programs can face challenges with backorders, particularly when relying on multiple suppliers. For Charter, filling inventory gaps quickly and efficiently was critical to ensuring their teams always had the uniforms they needed. By blending custom with procured solutions, Affinity provided greater control over logistics and inventory.
Custom SKUs empowered them to address gaps in ways that procured-only programs couldn’t, while efficient management of their uniform supply brought consistency to the entire program. Today, their inventory network benefits from reduced disruptions and a more reliable pipeline for both procured and custom items.
Creating a Consistent Look and Feel
When uniforms are procured from various suppliers, it can be difficult to maintain consistency across fabrics, colors, and overall quality. This was a challenge Charter faced before transitioning part of their program to custom solutions. With our expertise, we ensured their custom SKUs perfectly aligned with the aesthetic of their procured items, delivering consistency without needing a complete redesign.
This precise alignment demonstrates what’s possible with a hybrid uniform program. Thanks to Affinity’s commitment to quality, they were able to create a polished, unified look that strengthens their brand presence across every employee interaction.
Adapting a Procured Foundation
While some organizations may see custom as an “all-or-nothing” solution, their experience proves otherwise. Charter’s decision to maintain a procured approach while gradually expanding their custom SKUs allowed them to enjoy the best of both worlds.
The strength of their procured model lies in the ease of access to a wide variety of garments and immediate availability. This model is particularly effective for rapidly expanding programs or ensuring broad uniformity across a large workforce. However, as they identified opportunities to address gaps in their program, custom workwear played an increasingly strategic role.
Strategic Scaling
The gradual expansion of custom SKUs—from four to ten over five years—shows a thoughtful, scalable approach. Instead of overhauling the entire uniform program in one sweeping change, Charter methodically introduced custom pieces where they provided the most value. With each step, the measurable benefits reinforced the decision to continue expanding custom solutions.
This methodical process also ensures that they maintain the advantages of procured items while empowering their program to evolve. It’s a strategy that has allowed them to adapt without disruption while maximizing cost efficiency, employee satisfaction, and brand alignment.
Affinity’s Expertise in Tailored Solutions
At Affinity, we understand the challenges companies face with uniform programs, especially when balancing procured and custom elements. That’s why we take a collaborative, hands-on approach to help our clients uncover opportunities for optimization.
For Charter, this meant addressing pain points like inconsistent quality, backorder frustrations, and escalating costs. It also involved designing a custom strategy that complemented their existing procured program. By ensuring that every SKU worked seamlessly within the broader framework of their needs, we delivered a solution that redefined their approach to workforce attire.
A Focus on Partnership
Our role doesn’t end with delivering uniforms—it’s about building enduring partnerships. With Charter, we maintained open communication throughout the transition, working closely to identify areas for improvement, scale the program strategically, and proactively address evolving requirements.
This partnership-oriented mindset enabled us to build a hybrid program that aligns with their goals. Whether introducing new custom SKUs or fine-tuning the procured side of the program, Affinity has provided guidance, expertise, and reliability at every step.
The Value of Blended Uniform Solutions
Charter’s success is a testament to the power of flexibility and innovation. Their hybrid program—with its foundation in procured items and expanding integration of custom solutions—reflects a forward-thinking approach to meeting the demands of workforce attire.
This blended strategy has delivered a host of benefits, including cost savings, inventory control, and brand consistency. It has also allowed them to future-proof their program, giving them the tools to adapt and evolve as their needs change.
Employee and Brand Benefits
From a workforce perspective, the integration of tailored uniforms provides employees with better-fitting, more comfortable garments. This directly improves morale and productivity, as employees feel confident in well-designed attire.
From a brand perspective, combining procured and custom solutions demonstrates a commitment to professionalism and attention to detail. Every employee uniform reflects Charter’s values, creating a positive impression for customers and stakeholders alike.
Building the Future with Affinity
The evolution of their uniform program—from a fully procured model to a hybrid solution with 10 custom SKUs—showcases the impact of adaptability, partnership, and innovative thinking. Charter’s experience illustrates that custom workwear doesn’t have to replace procured uniforms to make a significant difference. Instead, it can complement and enhance an already strong program.
We’re proud to have played a key role in this transformation, helping them overcome challenges, reduce costs, and elevate their program. If your organization is exploring how to optimize its uniform program, Affinity is here to provide tailored solutions that align with your unique needs.
Whether you’re looking to refine a procured program, introduce custom solutions, or blend both approaches, we’re ready to help you achieve excellence. Contact us today to learn how we can work together to create a program as dynamic as your workforce.
