Linen & Uniform Supply Services Industry Profile

Companies in the industry provide industrial laundry and linen supply services. Major companies include ARAMARK, Cintas, G&K Services, and UniFirst, all based in the US, and Berendsen, based in the UK.

The US linen and uniform supply services industry includes about 1,100 companies with combined annual revenue of about $11 billion and is forecast to have moderate growth over the next two years. Key growth drivers include employment gains in the manufacturing and health care industries.

Industrial laundry services clean and supply heavy work garments, such as overalls, bib trousers, and protective gear; and laundered and unlaundered mats. Linen supply companies handle easier-to-clean, ironed items, such as aprons; hospital scrubs and gowns; and bedding, tableware, and cloth napkins ("flatwork"). Because the two cleaning processes use different washing techniques and machinery, few companies offer both services.

Dry cleaning and laundry facilities used primarily by consumers are covered in a separate industry profile.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by employment trends, as swings in labor and service hiring impact uniform and garment needs. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations and maintaining low labor costs. Large companies have advantages in centralized laundry plant operations. Small companies can compete effectively by securing favorable locations and by offering specialized services. The industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for about 80 percent of revenue.

Linen and uniform supply companies compete with makers of disposable ...