Postal Uniform Company Tapped for State’s GrowFL Economic Gardening Program

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The number 13 is proving to be a lucky one for A.M.E.’s Uniforms, an award-winning uniform manufacturer that has been selected to receive free technical assistance through the state-funded GrowFL program.

As A.M.E.’s 27 employees observed the company’s 13th anniversary last month (July), they’ve also been celebrating the assistance being given them by the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.

“So far, the designation means an opportunity to learn from some experienced members from many different professions,” said company President Mark Forst, who founded the company with his father Melvin Forst in 1998.

Part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, GrowFL was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature and is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses the institute looks for companies that have the potential to be successful, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.

“A.M.E.’s Uniforms is ideal for the program as it has shown that it has that potential,” said Dr. O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.

GrowFL is assisting A.M.E.’s Uniforms through a number of free services, including access to market research and technology, strategy analysis, CEO roundtables and forums, database research and website optimization.

“The help from GrowFL may help us continue our growth within our industry and perhaps expand into related industries,” Mark Forst said.

About A.M.E.’s Uniforms:
The family-owned company has received numerous awards, including being named twice to the Inc. 500 (2003-2004) as one of the 500 fastest-growing, privately-held companies in America by Inc. Magazine, and as one of the 100 fastest-growing inner city of America companies six times (2005-2010) by the ICIC [Initiative for a Competitive Inner City] in conjunction with Bloomberg BusinessWeek.. The ICIC recognizes successful inner city companies and their CEOs as role models for entrepreneurship, innovative business practices and job creation. For more information, visit www.amesuniforms.com or www.wassermanuniform.com

About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute:
The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state. Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors to receive no-cost technical assistance: Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.