This industry classification covers businesses that primarily supply or rent to commercial establishments or household users the following laundered items: uniforms, gowns, and coats used by doctors, nurses, barbers, beauticians, and waitresses; table linens, bed linens, towels and toweling; and similar various items. Companies included in this industry may or may not operate their own laundry facilities. Companies that primarily provide diaper service are in SIC 7219: Laundry and Garment Services, Not Elsewhere Classified.
812331 (Linen Supply)
According to U.S. government statistics, there were 1,267 establishments in this category in the late 1990s, down from 1,338 in 1987. A continued decline in number of businesses was anticipated into the start of the new century. Industry sales, in contrast, were expected to increase by the late 1990s to reach a projected $2.86 billion, compared with $2.39 billion in 1990. Industry employment held steady throughout the last half of the 1990s, with around 54,000 workers estimated in the industry and a total payroll slightly more than $1 billion.
Among the dominant corporations in the industry, Aratex Services Incorporated and National Linen and Uniform Company reported more than $500 million in sales for 1998. Uniform giant, Cintas Corporation, based in Mason, Ohio, also designs, manufacturers, and rents work uniforms, in addition to its dry cleaning services. The company serves businesses ranging from small shops to large corporations. Cintas's clientele exceeded 150,000 business customers in 1996. The company acquired Unitog in 1999, and, largely as a result of the merger, Cintas doubled its 1996 customer base. Cintas reported $1.75 billion in sales in 1999, a growth of 46 percent over a 12-month period.
Other industry leaders included: privately held Steiner Corp. of Salt Lake City, Utah, with 6,900 employees and reported sales of $370 million in 1998; American Linen Supply Co. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, also privately held and with 5,500 employees, reported sales of $290 million in 1998.
"Cintas Corporation." Hoover's Online. Available at wysiwyg://5/ http://www.hoovers.com/co/capsule/o/9,2163,12868,99.html .
Darnay, Arsen J., ed. Service Industries USA. 4th ed. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 1999.
Lazich, Robert S. Market Share Reporter. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 1999.
U.S. Bureau of the Census. 1994 County Business Patterns. Washington, DC: 1996.
U.S. Department of Commerce. 1992 Census of Service Industries Geographic Area Series. Washington, DC: Bureau of the Census, 1995.
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