From Tuxedos To Army Coats?

Woodside Clothing Factory Vies
For Army Contract
"We need this contract to save our jobs," Rose Banchik, a 20-year veteran at Woodsides Lord West clothing factory, told visiting Congressman Joseph Crowley last week. The Jackson Heights Democrat was at the plant on 31 Ave. to assure workers and company management that he is backing a $6 million contract for the local firm to manufacture coats for Army soldiers stationed in Afghanistan.
As factory workers huddled around the temporarily halted assembly line, Crowley told them how he hoped to encourage the Army to choose Lord West over its competitors.
The company is an industry leader best known for turning out hundreds of tuxedos for Brooks Brothers on Madison Ave. and clothing for such high-end fashion firms as Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis and Liz Claiborne. But its heart is set on winning the army contract and safeguarding jobs, as the recession worsens in the City. In fact, the company could add 100 operators if the contract goes its way.
Lord West should know the Armys decision within 30 to 60 days, according to its president, Edward Kaminow.
Crowley told cheering factory workers he has already interceded with Brigadier General J.A. Mangual, commander of the Army Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia. Crowley said he has mobilized New Yorks two U.S. Senators, Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton, to use their influence to bring the Army coat contract home to the Woodside factory.
The Congressman told the crowd he wrote General Mangual that "the proven quality and longevity of Lord West demonstrates that it would both meet and surpass the high government threshold of offering the best value based on past performances."
"Im making a pitch for more jobs for you," Crowley told his enthusiastic audience.
Joining Crowley was Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) who also pledged to help the company that falls in his district.
"I think you can do it," Banchik told Crowley. "So much depends upon your efforts."
Abe Guzman, a sales clerk and member of the companys union, UNITE, was also thrilled at the Congressmans visit.
"This is a great company," he said. "This contract will be a big help to us.
Crowley said, "Im making a pitch for more jobs for New York City. All across New York and here in Queens we are still hurting from the attacks of Sept. 11. Many are mourning the loss of loved ones and many more are hurting from the economic downturn in the aftermath."
Crowley said the apparel industry, New Yorks biggest manufacturing sector, has suffered a major setback.
"The bottom line is that we need more jobs," he told the factory workers.
Howard Ziplow, Lord Wests chief financial officer, said the company was founded in 1942 and moved to its present Queens site in 1989.
"Its safe to say," he said, "that we have been affected by the recession. The Army contract is a crucial one for all of us here."
Just before visiting the Lord West factory, Crowley hosted a breakfast at his Jackson Heights district office for Queens-based defense contractors.
"Many people do not associate New York City as as beneficiary of the defense industry, but there are seven such companies located in Queens, which employ close to 500 people locally," he said. "These companies produce parts for the Blackhawk Helicopter, the Joint Strike fighter, F/A-189 and other high-tech weapons that are carrying out the war against terrorism in Afghanistan and Central Asia."
Crowley said that it is only fair that New York City hard hit by the Sept. 11 terrorist incident should get a "slice of the defense budget pie."