Choosing the Best Uniform Company
Compare now, avoid potential issues later
You know that work uniforms enhance your business image, promote your business, and are a great benefit for employees. Now you want to choose the best uniform company. But how do you know which is the top uniform supplier? Should you go with the largest uniform company? Or would a smaller, local uniform vendor be better to meet your employee workwear needs?
With UniFirst, you get the best of both worlds. We're a nationwide supplier with 250 locally operated service facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada. That means we're close by and ready to handle all your uniforming needs.
Here's a useful list of questions to consider when comparing uniform suppliers:
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Will the supplier go above and beyond to ensure you receive all of your cleaned garments on time each week?
Extra measures, such as counting the garments four times prior to each delivery or offering a scan-in system with on-demand reporting, help eliminate garment shortages.
Extra measures, such as counting the garments four times prior to each delivery or offering a scan-in system with on-demand reporting, help eliminate garment shortages.
Does the supplier professionally press every work shirt?
All of your work shirts should be individually pressed—at no additional charge—to give you that sharp, crisp look.
All of your work shirts should be individually pressed—at no additional charge—to give you that sharp, crisp look.
Do they inspect garments weekly for quality, and repair and replace items without you asking?
Maintaining quality workwear and projecting a consistent business image are vital and should never come with “surprise” costs. Automatic weekly 10-point inspections of every garment help ensure needed repairs and replacements are made before you have to ask. Average garment replacements at 18–24 months, sooner than the industry average, is an indicator that the supplier takes this responsibility seriously.
Maintaining quality workwear and projecting a consistent business image are vital and should never come with “surprise” costs. Automatic weekly 10-point inspections of every garment help ensure needed repairs and replacements are made before you have to ask. Average garment replacements at 18–24 months, sooner than the industry average, is an indicator that the supplier takes this responsibility seriously.
Can you get size exchanges when you need them?
People's bodies often change, and you'll want a uniform provider with the flexibility to change with them and one who values maintaining your professional business image.
People's bodies often change, and you'll want a uniform provider with the flexibility to change with them and one who values maintaining your professional business image.
Will making routine changes to your program be simple, allowing you to spend time on more important business?
A local route service representative who is empowered to make ongoing changes to your program on the spot, like new orders, program modifications, exchanges, etc., can save you administrative time and headaches.
A local route service representative who is empowered to make ongoing changes to your program on the spot, like new orders, program modifications, exchanges, etc., can save you administrative time and headaches.
Does the route service representative who'll be visiting you each week have a true professional commitment to service?
Companies that implement required training programs for route service representatives, like a specialized Service Certification Program, demonstrate the value they place on delivering quality customer service. And when representatives' compensation is directly related to high customer satisfaction levels, you win.
Companies that implement required training programs for route service representatives, like a specialized Service Certification Program, demonstrate the value they place on delivering quality customer service. And when representatives' compensation is directly related to high customer satisfaction levels, you win.
Does the supplier have a formal “goodwill” system?
Regular one-on-one visits with you to check service performance and your level of satisfaction help keep overall customer satisfaction high.
Regular one-on-one visits with you to check service performance and your level of satisfaction help keep overall customer satisfaction high.
Will you receive an easy-to-read weekly invoice with no hidden or unexpected charges?
Any invoice should be clear and understandable, and show exactly what you're paying for, designating charges by product and individual wearer, and itemizing all ancillary charges.
Any invoice should be clear and understandable, and show exactly what you're paying for, designating charges by product and individual wearer, and itemizing all ancillary charges.
Does the supplier provide a team of three dedicated local service professionals assigned specifically to your account?
Problems or questions may arise at any time. A reliable supplier will be ready to take your call and guarantee 24-hour response times and quick resolutions. Personalized oversight and assistance from a local route service representative, a customer service representative, and a service manager keep your program running smoothly.
Problems or questions may arise at any time. A reliable supplier will be ready to take your call and guarantee 24-hour response times and quick resolutions. Personalized oversight and assistance from a local route service representative, a customer service representative, and a service manager keep your program running smoothly.
Is there an absolute service guarantee?
A service promise should spell out exactly what will be delivered—and state that if it's not delivered, you won't pay. More importantly, make sure there is language in the contract identifying a process that allows you to cancel in the event of poor performance.
A service promise should spell out exactly what will be delivered—and state that if it's not delivered, you won't pay. More importantly, make sure there is language in the contract identifying a process that allows you to cancel in the event of poor performance.
Do they offer 38,000+ in-stock product SKUs and 310,000+ total item SKUs, including specialty garments?
Being able to find workwear options that fit your company’s exact needs and desired look is important. And if your business requires specialized safety garments – such as those for flame resistant (FR), high visibility, healthcare, or food-related applications – you shouldn’t have to settle.
Being able to find workwear options that fit your company’s exact needs and desired look is important. And if your business requires specialized safety garments – such as those for flame resistant (FR), high visibility, healthcare, or food-related applications – you shouldn’t have to settle.
Can they produce vibrant, high-resolution garment emblems and embroidery?
Having state-of-the-art personalization services like this helps enable you to design and feature your unique business image in the exact look and colors you desire.
Having state-of-the-art personalization services like this helps enable you to design and feature your unique business image in the exact look and colors you desire.
Are the majority of their garments made in North America at company-owned, ISO 9001-certified manufacturing plants?
The ability to rely on skilled company employees held to ISO standards helps ensure the highest quality workwear made with fabric options and design features to fit your requirements.
The ability to rely on skilled company employees held to ISO standards helps ensure the highest quality workwear made with fabric options and design features to fit your requirements.
Now that you've compared suppliers, does speaking with a UniFirst representative make sense? Give us a call so we can help answer any questions you may have. We'd love the opportunity to show you firsthand what the UniFirst Difference is all about.
Learn more about The UniFirst Difference. Call (800) 455-7654.