Knowing healthcare customer needs key to profitable niche marketing

A potential $177 million-a-year market has been opened to textile rental operators, thanks to OSHA's recent ruling on bloodborne pathogens. Healthcare providers nationwide are now searching for solutions to their protective apparel needs. Such customer needs are what drive niche markets. Whether you've been serving the healthcare market for years or are just now targeting it, here are the marketing strategies you need.     

The other healthcare market. Doctors' offices and medical clinics are a profitable and growing market niche for some operators

The healthcare market doesn't just mean hospitals anymore. For some textile rental operators, doctors' offices and medical clinics are a profitable and growing niche. On the positive side, this market offers growth, low abuse, good prices, and light soil. But operators also must weigh the cons--scattered deliveries, low volume, small stops, and medical waste management. Is the "other" healthcare market for you?     

激光雕印在纺织品印花中的应用研究

在涤棉织物的激光雕印印花中,激光的热效应会导致涤纶织物强力下降较快,且容易引起收缩.系统地研究了涤棉织物在激光雕印印花时的强力变化,探讨了不同BMP图片格式下激光雕印印花后强力、颜色、色差与激光速度的关系,以及含水率对涤棉织物激光雕印后表面色泽及强力的影响.结果表明:涤棉织物强力随着雕印激光速度的减小而下降,且纬向的强力下降率大于经向,其纬向强力下降率在任一激光速度下均大于60%,要提高涤棉织物的强力,主要考虑其纬向.涤棉织物雕印后的强力下降率与涤棉比例和激光直接作用在涤纶上的面积有关,涤棉中涤的比例越大、激光直接作用在涤纶上的面积越大,涤棉织物的强力损失越大.有一定含水率的涤棉织物在雕印印花时可以显著降低织物的起皱.     

激光雕花技术在毛纺织业的应用

应用激光加工技术对毛织物以及毛毡等无纺布产品进行雕花,花型制作灵活方便、快速高效,可以满足人们对纺织面料以及服装个性化制作的需要.研究证明:织物雕花产品由于脱散现象影响了雕花产品的花型效果和最终服用性能,因而阻碍了激光雕花技术在纺织服装领域中的应用.羊毛纤维具有高逆向摩擦因数和缩绒性,毛纺产品的抗脱散性能较好,比其他纤维的织物更适宜于激光雕花产品的制作,且用粗纺毛织物以及羊毛毡等无纺布制成的雕花产品强度高、抗脱散性好,具有实际应用价值.     

Nutrition and hemostasis: a focus on urbanization in South Africa

South Africa is experiencing a rapid urbanization of its African population characterized by a demographic, nutrition, lifestyle, and health transition. The resultant high prevalence of high cardiovascular disease, in particular of stroke, is of concern. In this narrative review it is suggested that, together with hypertension, changes in the hemostatic system may be one of the major contributors to stroke in this population. It is further suggested that these changes are related to increased fat and animal protein intakes, decreased intakes of total carbohydrate and dietary fiber, as well as persistent suboptimal micronutrient intakes of Africans in transition. The effects of this nutrition transition on plasma fibrinogen, fibrin network structures, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 activity levels and some other clotting and fibrinolytic factors are discussed. It is concluded that despite indications of present protective mechanisms against the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in this population the observed changes in diet and hemostatic profiles may eventually lead to a high prevalence of both stroke and CHD in urban black South Africans. It is further suggested that timely nutritional interventions and research of effects thereof on the hemostatic system are urgently needed.     

Assessing the validity of a niche strategy model in predicting the potential and success of niche markets and products

Companies can increase market share and profitability through the use of a niche market strategy. Parrish examined how companies use a niche market strategy and developed the Parrish Niche Strategy Model. This paper presents results of a study testing the model in terms of: (1) predicting the potential of a niche market and/or product and (2) predicting the success of a niche market and/or product. In order to test the model, deductive logic was used to develop questions that would gather quantitative data related to market potential strategies and success variables. In order to determine the importance of variables in relation to predicting the potential and success of a niche market and/or product, instrument questions were developed that utilized rank order scales. In addition, three-point Likert scales were used in order to determine the level of importance for each of the market potential and success variables. The sample consisted of fiber and yarn manufacturers, fabric manufacturers, apparel manufacturers and marketers, and retailers. Results indicate that the Parrish Niche Strategy Model was useful for gaging the potential and success of niche strategies, in terms of both product and market. This research was significant in that it tested the only existing model of niche strategies developed specifically for the textile industry. In addition, this study focused on bottomweights, which represents a significant domestic consumption market for the US textile supply chain.     

Readying for a healthcare revolution. Outpatient care: a textile rental service opportunity

Textile rental companies are poised on the edge of a boom in the healthcare marketplace. The detonator is outpatient care. Between 1984 and 1990, outpatient visits increased from almost 233 million to more than 310 million, or about 33 percent. The shift from traditional hospital care to outpatient or ambulatory service is creating a new market opportunity for textile rental services. Innovative medical services are cropping up in suburban malls and neighborhoods, and demand is high for high-quality linen supply or contract laundry services.     

Hand hygiene compliance and irritant dermatitis: a juxtaposition of healthcare issues

Reduction and prevention of health care-associated infections is a worldwide priority with emphasis on increasing hand hygiene compliance. Repetitive exposure to hand hygiene products and procedures is a significant factor in the development of occupational irritant hand dermatitis. Compliance has been difficult to achieve often due to skin irritation. The introduction of alcohol hand rubs has positively influenced compliance but rates remain lower than required. Genetic and environmental factors to the frequency and severity of irritant contact dermatitis have been identified. Because of the skin's role in innate immunity, maintenance of epidermal integrity is a key strategy for reducing health care-associated infections. In this review, we examine the interdependence of the two issues and the challenges of simultaneously accomplishing both goals. We emphasize research conducted among healthcare workers in their clinical settings. The factors that influence skin integrity and the challenges in meeting both goals simultaneously are explored. Cosmetic scientists have played key roles in the development of improved skin care products, and the issues present an excellent opportunity for them to provide potentially life-saving contributions to health care.     

Simple lines and a focus on soles

正Fashion for the coming fall-winter focuses on simple lines that are clean-cut,graphics,and'recuttings',which are created also through color.The protagonist is metallic minutia,enriching and making women's models more important.We also find an array of studs and metallic details,stitched and matelasse leathers,and some spotted leathers too.Also the sole becomes important and are reinforced,often with grip-fast soles,in botb half boots and motorbike boots,as well as in classic models,like lace-ups or moccasins.     

Nutrition concerns in Bangladesh: the focus for improvement

The results of efforts to identify the prevailing nutritional deficiency disorders in Bangladesh and major topics of local scientific investigation influencing those nutrient disorders are reviewed. Primary areas of emphasis include studies addressing nutritional status (especially vitamin A); factors influencing diarrheal incidence, morbidity and mortality; child nutrition; the influence of seasonal variations; and the implementation of successful intervention programs. Programmatic implications of the findings are presented.