G&K Services

G&K Services, Inc. was an American company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, which provided branded identity uniforms and facility products and services for rent and purchase. G&K Services' branded clothing and facility services programs provided rental-lease or purchase options through its direct sale programs (GKDirect). On March 21, 2017, the company was acquired by Cintas for approximately $2.2 billion.[4]

G&K Services, Inc.
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryService
Founded1902
Headquarters
Minnetonka, Minnesota
,
USA
Key people
Douglas A. Milroy, CEO[1][2]
Productswork uniforms, facility services, fire resistant clothing, work shirts, work shorts, high visibility clothing, scrubs, healthcare clothing, manufacturing uniforms
Number of employees
7,800 (2013)
ParentCintas
(2017–present)[3]
Websitewww.gkservices.com
G&K Services delivery truck & driver

G&K Services' primary offerings were custom-embroidered logo clothing programs, facility services such as restroom supplies and floor mats, cleanroom garments, and process control services.[5] It served various industries including automotive, warehousing, distribution, transportation, energy, manufacturing, food processing, healthcare, warehousing, mining, gas, oil, pharmaceutical, semi-conductor, retail, restaurants, security, airline, and hospitality.

The company experienced a 4% growth in revenue in fiscal year 2014 with an annual revenue of $900.9 million.[6] The company received awards for good water practices[7] and G&K Services Canada was named one of the “Best Employers in Canada” for eleven consecutive years.[8][9] G&K was also active in auto racing sponsorship with JD Motorsports.[10]

History

G&K began as a family-owned dye house. In 1902, the company, founded as Twin City Steam Dye Works, was renamed to Gross & Kronick Dyers in Minneapolis. They introduced "door-to-door" laundry service in 1910. In 1948, G&K introduced "diaper service" due to the baby boom. The company responded to the automobile wave in 1960 by opening “drive-in cleaners.” G&K went public in 1969, and they began expanding into the Central and Midwest regions in 1970. G&K became a multinational company when they expanded into Canada in 1990. In 1996, they formed their direct-purchase division. In 2002 G&K celebrated their 100th year of business.[11]

G&K Services Corporate Office in Minnetonka, Minnesota

Acquisition History - G&K grows with the acquisition and strategic operational integration of the following companies:

  • 1991 - WorkWear of Canada
  • 1994 - BCP Garment Manufacturing
  • 1997 - National Linen Service[12]
  • 1999 - Northeast Dust Products (MA)
  • 2002 - Rental Uniform Company
  • 2004 - Keefer Laundry Limited (Western Canada)
  • 2004 - Nettoyeur Shefford (Quebec)
  • 2004 - Marathon Linen
  • 2004 - Lion Uniform Group
  • 2005 - Custom Linen Systems
  • 2005 - Coyne Textile Services (US East Coast Region)
  • 2005 - Glis and Glis Laundries (Canada)
  • 2007 - Grand Rapids Coat & Apron Service(Grantex)
  • 2007 - Leef Services (Minnesota)
  • 2007 - Alltex Uniform Rental Service (New England)
  • 2007 - Nanoclean Limited (Ireland)
  • 2008 - Best Uniform Rental Service (US Mid-Atlantic)

2016 - G&K Services agrees to be purchased by Cintas Corporation of Mason, Ohio. The acquisition was completed on March 21, 2017.[13]

Products and services

G&K services provided a variety of clothing and uniform products. In addition, G&K Services provided flame resistant garments and personal protective equipment by developing and providing the ProTect flame resistant safety solutions.[14]

G&K Services Facility Services

Sustainability

G&K Services was a founding member of the Textile Rental Services Association of America's (TRSA) Laundry Environmental Stewardship Program (LaundryESP).[15]

G&K was also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), an organization that advocates for environmentally sustainable practices in buildings and communities.[16]

G&K Services sold and rented many products that are EcoLogo Product Certified,[17] which is a part of the Environmental Choice Program. The company also carried numerous Green Seal Certified paper towels and products.[18]

G&K Services’ water reuse system in their laundry facilities reduced fresh water use by up to 40%. Their heat recovery systems reduced natural gas consumption and lowered greenhouse gas emissions.[19]

G&K cut fleet fuel consumption and greenhouse gases by using a GPS-based telematics system in their vehicles that helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Vehicles ran on cleaner burning diesel, and in California trucks were hybrid electric powered.[20]

Community

In 2005, G&K Services launched the G&K Services Foundation, which supported communities through financial grants, in-kind uniform donations and matching employees’ United Way pledges. Between 2007 and 2013 they gave more than $1.3 million in financial grants to charitable organizations and nonprofits.[21] G&K Services supported the United Way, and in 2014 they contributed more than $320,000.[22] In 2014, the company achieved a 110% increase in their campaign compared to the year before.[23] G&K worked with job training programs such as Twin Cities RISE!, LifeWorks and The Newman Association to help people reach their full potential in their work and careers.[24] Beginning in 2009, GKdirect held a Workforce for a Cure campaign that encouraged G&K Services’ customers to trade in their everyday work wear for pink ribbon apparel in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (TRSA Source). A portion of the purchase price was donated to the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign.[25]

Awards and recognition

G&K earned recognition from several local government organizations for compliance with wastewater requirements.[26][27][28]

G&K Services' manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic was recognized with a Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) Gold Certificate of Compliance for its compliance with workplace standards and commitment to workplace safety and environmental conservation.[29]

G&K Services Canada was named one of the “Best Employers in Canada” for eleven consecutive years.[30][31]

G&K Services was named to “The Green 30” list in Canada for their commitment to environmental stewardship in 2010.[32]

G&K Services in Albuquerque received a 2011 Gold Award from the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.[33]

G&K Services in Denver received a 2012 Gold Award from the Denver Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation District for compliance with wastewater pretreatment requirements and a demonstrated commitment to environmental excellence.[34]

G&K Services in Los Angeles was recognized by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District for full compliance with wastewater discharge requirements.[35]

References
  1. McKinney, Matt (May 8, 2009). "G&K Services tries on a new CEO". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  2. Black, Sam (May 8, 2009). "G&K Services replaces CEO". Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  3. "Cintas Corporation Completes Acquisition of G&K Services, Inc. | Cintas". March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  4. "Cintas Corporation Completes Acquisition of G&K Services, Inc. | Cintas". March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  5. "Laundry and CleaningNews Industry News Archive - Laundry and Cleaning News". www.laundryandcleaningnews.com. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
  6. "Form 10-K for G&K SERVICES INC". Archived from the original on 2015-02-22.
  7. "G&K Services' Denver Facility Receives Gold Award for Environmental Excellence". 2013-05-15.
  8. "The 2015 List of the 50 Best Employers in Canada". Archived from the original on 2015-02-22.
  9. "G&K Named a Top Canadian Employer".
  10. "G&K SERVICES RETURNS AS CASSILL SPONSOR". Archived from the original on 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  11. "The G&K Services, Inc. History".
  12. "G&K SERVICES TO ACQUIRE NATIONAL LINEN FOR $287 MILLION". St. Paul Pioneer Press. June 3, 1997. pp. 1E. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  13. "Cintas Corporation Completes Acquisition of G&K Services, Inc. | Cintas". March 21, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  14. "G&K Announces New Line of Vented Flame Resistant Uniforms".
  15. "Participants | TRSA". Archived from the original on 2014-10-14. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  16. "G&K Services, Inc. U.S. Green Building Council Profile".
  17. "Protective Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire".
  18. "Award-Winning Environmental Stewardship".
  19. "G&K Services Makes Continued Investments to Promote Environmental Stewardship". Archived from the original on 2015-02-24.
  20. "G&K Services Tests Hybrid Electric Delivery Trucks".
  21. "G&K Services Foundation Announces Annual Grant Recipients".
  22. "G&K Services Pledges More Than $320,000 to United Way". 2015-01-08.
  23. "Companies That Give 110% Deserve Special Recognition". Archived from the original on 2015-02-24. Retrieved 2015-02-23.
  24. "G&K Services Foundation Announces Annual Grant Recipients". Archived from the original on 2015-02-24.
  25. "G&K Launches Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign". 2014-10-08.
  26. "LA County Cites 'Good Corporate Citizens'". 2012-07-19.
  27. "Water authority honors firms, KAFB".
  28. "G&K Gets Enviro Award in Denver".
  29. "G&K Apparel Plant Earns 'WRAP" Certification". 2013-02-15.
  30. "The 2015 List of the 50 Best Employers in Canada". Archived from the original on 2015-02-22.
  31. "G&K Named a Top Canadian Employer".
  32. "G&K Services Named to "The Green 30" List in Canada". Bloomberg News.
  33. "Water authority honors firms, KAFB".
  34. "G&K Gets Enviro Award in Denver".
  35. "LA County Cites 'Good Corporate Citizens'". 2012-07-19.
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