Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 9, 1991 TAG: 9104090276
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DENVER LENGTH: Medium
"It appeals to the convenience aspect of the baby-boomer generation," says Ed Schumm, vice president for marketing and sales of the Denver-based World Tie Corp. "A lot of men get dressed for work in the car."
The "Perfectie" has a zipper that runs along the loop that goes around the wearer's neck, through the knot and down the narrow back part of the tie and allows it to be tightened or loosened.
It is not, the company says, the clip-on appendage popular among mothers who want their boys to look civilized even if they can't knot a tie.
The company acquired worldwide distribution rights to the design two years ago from its Taiwanese inventor. They say sales have been increasing steadily since then, with silk prints the best-selling line.
"We've seen a 200 to 300 percent increase on a six-month basis," Schumm said.
The company last fall negotiated agreements with the U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard to manufacture dress-uniform ties to be sold in the military's post exchange stores.
Schumm said the ties can be found on the military bases in the continental United States and Hawaii.
The company is also licensed by Warner Bros. to sell Looney Toons characters on its neckwear. It expects more business as the communications giant completes plans to open Looney Toons stores nationwide.
"We do a Bugs Bunny sports group - golfing, skiing and tennis. We have Daffy Duck, Tasmanian Devil, the Road Runner," Schumm said.
At an inventors' show in Pittsburgh, Schumm said, the company received the "Most Unique Product" first-place award.
"There were various computer chips, laser discs, high-tech exhibits," he said. "But they thought ours was the most unique. I was kind of surprised."
by CNB