about us - procurement
TRANSCRIPT
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About Us
Willsie-University Cap & Gown Co., Inc. has been serving the academic community for over 90
years. Our three US distribution facilities located in Omaha, Boston and Minneapolis enable us to
ensure prompt service across the country. Combined with a customer service based business
philosophy, Willsie-University Cap & Gown is nationally recognized for its quality, innovative
programs and green initiatives.
Founded in 1924 and 1920 respectively, Willsie and University Cap & Gown have always have
always operated with a philosophy of being a socially and environmentally conscious company. As
early as 1998 we worked with our customers to develop an environmentally conscious souvenir
gown program. Throughout the years we have made every effort to provide our customers with
something that we can be proud of, a quality product with a service and support team that is
second to none.
We adhere to the academic costume code set by the American Council on Education. According
to academic code, our gowns are a fuller cut and longer than most competitors. The caps are
adjustable to ensure proper fit with small elastics on the sides. This helps give a smooth fit to the
caps, eliminating “elastic” bulge in the back of the cap. All hoods meet strict academic code with
proper length and velvet width to indicate degree. Cords and buttons are on all hoods, (including
Souvenir) which help them hang properly. Our souvenir gowns have a distinct pleat down the
front, which is tacked to stay smooth and distinct.
Thank you for considering the Willsie-University Cap & Gown team for your graduation product and
service needs.
Sincerely,
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Technical Proposal
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B.1
Willsie University Cap and Gown operates as a Limited Liability Company.
Individual responsible for this bid:
Aaron Fox, National College Sales Director
Willsie University Cap & Gown
1220 S. 13th St
Omaha, NE 68130
Mobile Phone: 978-758-8553
Office Direct: 800-234-4696 x225
Fax 402-3416551
Our Family of Companies
Since 1909, our group of companies has
been providing academic regalia and
graduation related goods and services
for our partner universities. Our college
and university team is comprised of
individuals who have been working in the
industry for a minimum of 5 years on the
low end, to an industry leading 50+ years
on the high end. Our team approach to
account management fosters an
environment in which the experience of
the senior members of the team can
successfully be combined with the energy and technological prowess of our junior members.
Our academic regalia focused product catalog means we only do what we know best;
commencement regalia and services. Our entire company, comprised of over 200 individuals
working together, exclusively to outfit graduates and only the best are promoted from within to
become a member of our coveted college service team
Willsie University Cap and Gown is the product of the joining together of three of the nation’s family
owned and operated cap and gown companies. In 2013, Willsie Cap and Gown of Omaha, NE,
University Cap & Gown of Lawrence, MA and Artneedle Cap & Gown of Minneapolis, MN joined
Gaspard Cap & Gown, Canada’s largest cap and gown supplier, to create a united front in the
United Sates academic regalia market.
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In addition to giving us the best distribution network in the industry, this merger has enabled us to
offer better customer service, a more extensive product catalog, in-house manufacturing and more
competitive pricing for our customers as a result of our increased purchasing power.
Our 7, fully-stocked and fully-staffed, regional distribution facilities across North America give us
the ability to react to any situation and ensure that our customers never have any disruption in the
service they expected from our families.
Gaspard Cap & Gown Founded in 1909 (106 years)
University Cap & Gown Founded in 1920 (95 years)
Willsie Cap & Gown Founded in 1924 (91 years)
Artneedle Cap & Gown Founded in 1959 (56 years)
Perhaps the most impressive facts are that all of these companies remain within 30 miles of their
original office locations, which they outgrew, and the overwhelming majority of the staff has been
with the company for more than 9 years.
Office Employees Client Base Location Boston 20+ East Coast Lawrence, MA USA
Minneapolis 20+ Mid-West Minneapolis, MN USA
Omaha 20+ West Omaha, NE USA
Winnipeg 50+ Central Canada Winnipeg, MB Canada
Montreal 20+ Eastern Canada Montreal, QC Canada
Toronto 20+ Central Canada Toronto, ON Canada
Mayaguez 30+ Puerto Rico Mayaguez, PR USA
Parent Company Information
Gaspard LP
1266 Fife Street
Winnipeg, MB R2X2N6
Phone: 204-949-5700
Fax: 204-947-0024
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Proposed Project Team and Organizational Structure
Project Lead
Aaron Fox National College Sales Director
c. 978-758-8553
p. 800-234-4696 x225
In 1998 Aaron began working with University Cap & Gown in the warehouse and on-
site service operations. He quickly moved within the company to become Asst.
Warehouse and Distribution Manager and on to become the VP of College Sales in
2007. During this time he identified a need for, and developed an industry leading
online registration system for faculty and graduates and executed a companywide
green initiative.
After the merger of the companies, Aaron was quickly identified as a key asset and
promoted to be the driving force behind the college team for all of our US divisions
as the National College Sales Director. Aaron was charged with building a unified
college team that supported the vision of our company. Through adopting our
company tag line, “Some Things Simply Deserve Our Best,” this vision was born: the
best people, the best customers, the best product, the best service.
Aaron has worked servicing college accounts and developing processes and
procedures to enhance the customer experience. He is always eager to hear new
ideas which we can evolve with our customers to provide better service and
programs.
Account Managers
Dennis Brakke College Sales Team Account Manager
p. 800-234-4696
Dennis has been working in the graduation service industry for over 20 years.
Dennis’ experience in the product offerings and processes of graduation services is
second to none. Dennis will be a local resource whose knowledge and planning
advice will be available to the Maricopa system
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Tony Harvey College Sales Team Account Manager
c. 763-227-5101
p. 800-234-4696 x222
Tony joined our customer service team in 2009 to support our sales team from the
distribution facility. Tony quickly proved that he was asset to the team and the
company. He became the desired point of contact for our sales team because of his
attention to detail, drive and energy.
The next logical move was to make Tony a part of our College Team. With Tony’s
experience and energy he has jumped into the role without hesitation and provided
our partner colleges and universities with the high level of service they have come to
expect from our team.
Customer Service Team
Kayla Leskiw National Customer Service Manager
p. 204-946-6395
Joining our team in 2011, Kayla comes from a customer service background and
mentality that nothing short of the best is acceptable. Kayla oversees all of our
Customer Service teams across North America and has worked tirelessly to develop
a customer service model that addresses the unique needs surrounding
commencement regalia. Kayla is a great resource to have as she and her customer
service team can access all information regarding account management and order
processing.
Eunice Dady Dedicated College Customer Service Team Member
p. 800-234-4696 x224
Eunice is another example of advancement from within and pride for the company.
Eunice began working with us on a part-time basis during high school filling orders
during the busy spring months. She did the for several years and once she had
earned her diploma joined our team on a full-time basis.
Eunice worked on the distribution team until an opening was available coinciding
with the retirement of one customer service team members. Eunice interviewed and
was promoted to this position. She exceled in the role and the following year was
added to our College Team.
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Use of Subcontractors
Subcontractors will not be used in providing services for our partner universities.
Lead-time for orders and delivery of items
We request that main orders are placed with 30 days lead time and 14 days lead time is given for
add orders. Willsie-University Cap & Gown is responsible for following up with key University
personnel to establish accurate attendance estimates for each ceremony.
Order Expediting process and timeframe
Expedited processing is available. Orders can be submitted
directly to our customer service team and will be processed to
meet deadlines.
Next business day service is available.
Distribution Resources
Willsie-University Cap & Gown will contribute to marketing efforts and supply products to enhance
event awareness.
Willsie-University Cap & Gown will provide all the necessary forms to accept late registrations and
will ensure additional regalia is available should it be required.
Our customer service team is ready to take orders. Either by phone or online we can assist
graduates who were unable to make it to campus.
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Online Ordering Process
Willsie-University Cap & Gown has designed a robust online ordering
and registration tool explicitly for the regalia service market. This tool is
individually customized to your school and provides a secure portal in
which registrations are taken and, if desired, payments can be collected
– a useful tool for schools looking to charge students and faculty members for shipments directly to
their homes.
For demonstration purposes a mock-up site has been created:
http://stage.buildagrad.com/willsieucg
Online Capabilities
Students
Collect registrations
Separate orders by ceremonies,
schools, etc.
Collect payments (optional)
Ship to individual addresses
Provide a registration list
Provide a receipt
Provide pick up and return
instructions (if necessary)
Faculty
Collect registrations
Collect payments (optional)
Ship to individual addresses
Provide a registration list
Provide a receipt
Provide pick up and return
instructions
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Customer Service Policy
The customer service philosophy of Willsie University Cap and Gown aligns with our adopted tag
line of “Some Things Simply Deserve Our Best.” We are a customer service company that sells
caps and gowns. We understand that there will always be special requests and unique situations;
we have built our company and service model to address these special circumstances.
Controlling our own in-house manufacturing allows us to walk an emergency gown through
production to have it shipped within 24 hours and our regional distribution facilities ensure that we
can always get a shipment out and control shipping costs.
Dedicated Customer service comes in 3 phases
For the students, faculty & staff:
Eunice Dady Dedicated College Customer Service Team Member
p. 800-234-4696 x224
For the Administration & Registrar’s Office:
Tony Harvey College Sales Team Account Manager
c. 763-227-5101
p. 800-234-4696 x222
For the resolution that needs to be dealt with immediately:
Aaron Fox National College Sales Director
c. 978-758-8553
p. 800-234-4696 x225
Kayla Leskiw National Customer Service Manager
p. 204-946-6395
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Service Proposal
Meet with key University contacts to assess regalia needs for graduates, faculty and staff. Custom design a program to effectively meet the needs of the University and address the initiative.
1. Provide Online tool to collect information and fit graduates who cannot attend 2. Make available an online system to collect fees 3. Make available an option to package regalia with names for accurate & efficient
distribution
Delivery – If desired, UPS local delivery pricing on “ship-to-home” orders
** Emergency “Next Day” delivery service available **
Special Sizing – As necessary, to ensure proper fit, we will custom make matching regalia
at no additional cost.
Faculty / Trustee & Platform Regalia
Standard academic apparel per The Academic Costume Code and Ceremony Guide.
Hood colors are based on discipline and will be lined in colors appropriate to the degree and conferring institution.
Academic cap will be a traditional mortarboard or soft academic tam black in color and available in multiple adjustable size ranges.
Gowns deemed to be in poor condition from normal wear and tear will be replaced by the Supplier.
Gown should be lightweight and comfortable for late spring outdoor and indoor activities.
Supplier will stock ample regalia to outfit all potential faculty, staff and guests
Supplier will offer options – rentals or purchase
Pre-Packaged regalia delivered with recipient name for distribution
Delivery on hangers available Offer special pricing discount for faculty/staff wishing to purchase regalia
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Sustainability To further our sustainability initiative, Willsie University Cap & Gown has implemented the following
internal initiatives:
Use of Energy Star rated products whenever possible
Replacement of all office and warehouse lighting with high efficiency fluorescent lighting
Use of organic based dyes
Use of recycled and easily recyclable shipping and packaging materials
Machine washable rental regalia with use of eco-friendly detergents
Fuel efficient vehicle fleet
Environmentally friendly shipping process
Recycling of office and warehouse waste
Development of paperless student ordering and payment system
PCI Compliance Supplier has successfully validated compliance within the past year through the use of a VISA
Secure approved SAQ.
Samples Samples provided were samples of quality. If selected, Willsie University will work with the
individual colleges to ensure that the delivered product is proper to their specifications.
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University Cap & Gown is committed to helping to preserve our environment. Our UltraGreen
fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles. This washable fabric was selected for its durability and
good looks. UltraGreen is designed to be reused and we provide an optional service to help
recycle these garments.
Our Goal is to perpetuate the recycling process and keep these gowns out of landfills. The high
quality of these gowns allows for as many as 30 uses if properly maintained, which dramatically
reduces the impact on our landfills and helps to further reduce the size of the footprint associated
with graduation.
During the first year of offering the program, approximately 8% of graduates using the product took
advantage of our recycling program. This number is a very good indication of the potential of this
concept considering it was introduced well into the school year. Often it takes a few years for this
type of program to catch on. We are optimistic that through increased awareness this percentage
will continue to increase.
To further our green initiative, University Cap & Gown has implemented the following internal
initiatives:
Use of Energy Star rated products whenever possible
Replacement of all office and warehouse lighting with high efficiency fluorescent lighting
Use of vegetable based dyes
Use of recycled shipping and packaging materials
Machine washable rental regalia with use of eco-friendly detergents
Fuel efficient vehicle fleet
Recycling of office and warehouse waste
We are always looking for ways to improve our products and processes to make them more
environmentally friendly. We encourage suggestions from students and faculty.
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