Cintas Corporation Outlines Five Factors to Consider Prior to Implementing a Workplace Apparel Program
– Factors to consider include a seasonal workforce, heavy soil and on-the-job hazards –
CINCINNATI—[September 26, 2013]—According to JPMorgan Chase & Co. analyst Andrew Steinerman, about 10 percent of Americans wear professional rental apparel to work each day—a number research firm AnythingResearch expects will increase as certain industries, such as manufacturing and food service, hire more employees. To help business owners and operators select an apparel program that best fits their organizations’ needs, Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS), the largest professional uniform provider in North America, outlined five factors to consider prior to renting or purchasing employee uniforms.
“The decision to rent or buy employee uniforms is a challenging one for businesses and determined by a variety of factors,” said Rodger Reed, Cintas Vice President. “Depending on the type of work or the number of employees, renting may prove more feasible from a logistics, safety and cost perspective.”
According to Cintas, five factors business owners should consider while weighing the decision to rent or purchase workplace apparel include:
1. Image Standards – For many businesses, maintaining a consistent, professional image is key to attracting guests and differentiating from the competition. Although multiple factors make up the image equation, staff uniforms play a significant role in shaping guest perceptions and improving ease of identification for new customers. With a uniform rental program, the provider measures employees and equips them with a uniform uniquely fitted to their sizes to ensure a proper look and fit. The provider also picks up soiled garments on a daily or weekly basis to inspect and properly launder the uniforms. Any garments damaged from normal wear and tear are repaired or replaced, ensuring that staff always portray an image consistent with their brand.
2. Safety Requirements – For the construction, oil and gas, utilities, maintenance and electrical industries, employee safety is a top priority. In the electrical industry alone, an unsuspecting arc flash can kill or severely injure employees who aren’t wearing the proper flame-resistant clothing. Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) require businesses to equip employees with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job, it can be challenging to navigate the regulations and ensure the proper gear and garment cleaning and maintenance. Under a uniform rental program, the uniform supplier helps limit liabilities by conducting safety audits, designing the right PPE program for the job and repairing damaged garments with flame-resistant thread.
3. Soil Level – Due to the nature of their work, many employees, such as landscapers, miners, oil rig workers, automotive workers and foodservice employees, are frequently exposed to high levels of soil, grease and oil. Because these elements make employee uniforms much harder to clean, business leaders who opt for a uniform rental service can ensure that their garments are professionally laundered. This ensures clean, crisp apparel for employees and a consistent, professional image for the company.
4. Seasonal Workforce – For many hotel and restaurant owners that operate at peak travel or touristy seasons, a uniform rental program is a simple way to outfit employees amid high employee turnover. Whether an organization has to increase or decrease its staff, uniform rental providers can adjust their programs accordingly so additional or fewer uniforms are delivered at no additional cost.
5. Administration – It can take a sizeable amount of time and resources for organizations to manage uniform inventory, inspect, repair or replace damaged uniforms, and schedule deliveries to and from the dry cleaners for laundering. In demanding environments with limited staff, a uniform rental program conserves time and energy by taking on these logistics for the business owner.
“Whether business leaders decide to rent, lease or purchase employee uniforms, it’s important for them to select a program that brings the most value to their business,” added Reed. “A uniform rental program can be a welcome, cost-effective addition for many companies and make a significant impact on organizational efficiency and professionalism.”
For more information about uniform rental from Cintas, visit http://www.cintas.com/Uniform-Work-Apparel/Uniform-Rental/.
