G&K Services

G&K Services, Inc.
Public
Traded as NASDAQ: GK
Industry Service
Founded 1902
Headquarters Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA
Key people
 Douglas A. Milroy, CEO[1][2]
Products work uniforms, facility services, fire resistant clothing, work shirts, work shorts, high visibility clothing, scrubs, healthcare clothing, manufacturing uniforms
Number of employees
 7,800 (2013)
Website www.gkservices.com
G&K Services delivery truck & driver

G&K Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: GK) is an American company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and provides branded identity uniforms and facility products and services for rent and purchase. G&K Services' branded clothing and facility services programs provide rental-lease or purchase options through its direct sale programs (GKDirect).

G&K Services' primary offerings are custom-embroidered logo clothing programs, facility services such as restroom supplies and floor mats, cleanroom garments, and process control services. It serves 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.[3] The company has received awards for good water practices[4] and G&K Services Canada has been named one of the “Best Employers in Canada” for eleven consecutive years.[5][6] G&K has also been a sponsor of NASCAR and JD Motor Sports for 6 consecutive years.[7]

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 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.[8]

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[9]
  • 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)

Products and services

G&K services provides a variety of clothing and uniform products. In addition, G&K Services provides flame resistant garments and personal protective equipment by developing and providing the ProTect flame resistant safety solutions.[10]

G&K Services Facility Services

Sustainability

G&K Services is a founding member of the Textile Rental Services Association of America's (TRSA) Laundry Environmental Stewardship Program (LaundryESP).[11]

G&K is also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), an organization that advocates for environmentally sustainable practices in buildings and communities.[12]

G&K Services sells and rents many products that are EcoLogo Product Certified,[13] which is a part of the Environmental Choice Program. The company also carries a large number of Green Seal Certified paper towels and products.[14]

G&K Services’ water reuse system in their laundry facilities reduces fresh water use by up to 40%. Their heat recovery systems reduce natural gas consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions.[15]

G&K cut fleet fuel consumptions and greenhouse gases by using a GPS-based telematics system in their vehicles that helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Vehicles run on cleaner burning diesel, and in California trucks are hybrid electric powered.[16]

Community

In 2005, G&K Services launched the G&K Services Foundation, which supports 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.[17] G&K Services supports the United Way, and in 2014 they contributed more than $320,000.[18] In 2014, the company achieved a 110% increase in their campaign compared to the year before.[19] G&K works 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.[20] Since 2009, GKdirect has held a Workforce for a Cure campaign that encourages 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 is donated to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign.[21]

Awards and recognition

G&K has earned recognition from several local government organizations for compliance with wastewater requirements.[22][23][24]

G&K Services' manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic has been 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.[25]

G&K Services Canada has been named one of the “Best Employers in Canada” for eleven consecutive years.[26][27]

G&K Services was named to “The Green 30” list in Canada for their commitment to environmental stewardship in 2010.[28]

G&K Services in Albuquerque received a 2011 Gold Award from the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.[29]

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.[30]

G&K Services in Los Angeles was recognized by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District for full compliance with wastewater discharge requirements.[31]

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. ↑ "Form 10-K for G&K SERVICES INC".
  4. ↑ "G&K Services' Denver Facility Receives Gold Award for Environmental Excellence".
  5. ↑ "The 2015 List of the 50 Best Employers in Canada".
  6. ↑ "G&K Named a Top Canadian Employer".
  7. ↑ "G&K SERVICES RETURNS AS CASSILL SPONSOR".
  8. ↑ "The G&K Services, Inc. History".
  9. ↑ "G&K SERVICES TO ACQUIRE NATIONAL LINEN FOR $287 MILLION". St. Paul Pioneer Press. June 3, 1997. pp. 1E. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  10. ↑ "G&K Announces New Line of Vented Flame Resistant Uniforms".
  11. ↑ http://www.trsa.org/page/participants
  12. ↑ "G&K Services, Inc. U.S. Green Building Council Profile".
  13. ↑ "Protective Clothing for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire".
  14. ↑ "Award-Winning Environmental Stewardship".
  15. ↑ "G&K Services Makes Continued Investments to Promote Environmental Stewardship".
  16. ↑ "G&K Services Tests Hybrid Electric Delivery Trucks".
  17. ↑ "G&K Services Foundation Announces Annual Grant Recipients".
  18. ↑ "G&K Services Pledges More Than $320,000 to United Way".
  19. ↑ "Companies That Give 110% Deserve Special Recognition".
  20. ↑ "G&K Services Foundation Announces Annual Grant Recipients".
  21. ↑ "G&K Launches Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign".
  22. ↑ "LA County Cites 'Good Corporate Citizens'".
  23. ↑ "Water authority honors firms, KAFB".
  24. ↑ "G&K Gets Enviro Award in Denver".
  25. ↑ "G&K Apparel Plant Earns 'WRAP" Certification".
  26. ↑ "The 2015 List of the 50 Best Employers in Canada".
  27. ↑ "G&K Named a Top Canadian Employer".
  28. ↑ "G&K Services Named to “The Green 30” List in Canada".
  29. ↑ "Water authority honors firms, KAFB".
  30. ↑ "G&K Gets Enviro Award in Denver".
  31. ↑ "LA County Cites 'Good Corporate Citizens'".

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