SIC 7218
INDUSTRIAL LAUNDERERS



This industry category includes establishments that primarily provide laundered or drycleaned industrial work uniforms and related work clothing, such as protective apparel (flame and heat resistant) and clean room apparel; laundered mats and rugs; dust control items, such as treated mops, rugs, mats, dust tool covers, and cloths; laundered wiping towels; and other selected items to industrial, commercial, and government users. These items often belong to the industrial launderer who rented them to users—who may or may not have operated their own laundry or drycleaning facilities.

NAICS Code(s)

812332 (Industrial Launderers)

According to U.S. government statistics, the number of industrial laundering businesses fell from 1,435 businesses in 1992 to an estimated 1,368 in 1998. Total industry sales for 1998 were $5.1 billion, which was a 41 percent increase over the 1992 figure of $3.6 billion. Industry employment forecasters estimated a total of 71,900 workers, with a combined industry payroll of $1.5 billion. Although many firms in this industry are small-scale operations, the majority of these companies employed ten or more workers. Not surprisingly, industrial laundering businesses were most prevalent in densely populated states. California had the most, with 165 firms; followed by Texas, with 124; then Ohio and Pennsylvania, with 79 and 63 firms respectively.

As of 1999, the foremost industrial laundering company in the United States was the Cintas Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio. The company earned $840 million in sales' revenues for 1998, and employed a workforce of 12,000. Cintas had a 15 percent share of the market for industrial uniform rentals, and boasted a clientele of 150,000 customer firms. More than 1.7 million uniformed employees wear apparel serviced by Cintas. Another prominent industrial launderer was Aratex Services, Incorporated of Burbank, California. Aratex, a privately-owned firm, had 10,000 employees and reported sales of $550 million in 1998. National Linen and Uniform, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, ranked as the third largest firm in this arena, with 1998 sales totaling $540 million and a staff of 11,2000 employees.

Further Reading

Darnay, Arsen J., ed. Service Industries USA. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 1999.

Hoover's Company Profiles. Available from http://www.hoovers.com .

Lazich, Robert S. Market Share Reporter. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 1999.

U.S. Department of Commerce. 1992 Census of Service Industries, Washington, DC: Bureau of the Census, 1995.

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