Aramark

Catalogers’ Updates Acquisitions • ARAMARK, parent company of safety equipment and apparel catalog Galls, was acquired in August by an investor group led by ARAMARK CEO Joseph Neubauer. The deal, valued at $8.3 billion, is expected to close in late 2006 or early 2007. • Multititle cataloger Swiss Colony in August acquired Ashro Lifestyles, an apparel and accessories catalog catering to African American women. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. • Multititle cataloger Spiegel Brands acquired in September Carabella Corp., parent company of swimsuit and evening wear catalogs Carabella and A.B. Lambdin. The acquisition adds the two brands to the growing number of catalog titles owned by

By Alicia Orr Suman Whether in its catalog design or ordering procedures, uniform supplier WearGuard strives to mirror the shopping experiences customers have off the job. WearGuard has been in the business of marketing rugged work clothes since the 1950s, when founder Gene Salem started selling personalized work shirts and pants out of a converted milk truck. For Salem and his customers — gas station owners — it was more than a business-to-business (b-to-b) relationship: It was about people selling to people. The company has grown and changed during the years, but one thing has remained constant: Whether the customer