UniFirst Corporation (NYSE: UNF), a North American leader in the supply and servicing of uniforms, workwear, and facility service products for businesses, is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate the grand opening of its new 64,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art industrial laundry plant at 4029 Calumet Ave. in Hammond, Indiana.
Developed to accommodate a rapidly growing customer base in the Greater Hammond, Chicago, Evanston, Orland Park, and surrounding communities, the new customer-servicing plant replaces a smaller (outgrown) Hammond-based branch location and features the latest innovations in textile services technologies and automation. The new operation and its staff of 80 provide local businesses with personalized service programs for uniforms and workwear, as well as facility service products like floor mats and mops, wipers and towels, and restroom and ancillary business products. All employees from the previous facility have transitioned to the new location, and an expected 15% increase in staff is expected over the next three years to accommodate projected growth rates.
“Our new Hammond facility is at the forefront of the latest advances in uniform and textile service technologies and innovation,” says UniFirst president and CEO, Steven Sintros. “Its high-tech processing systems and our dedicated staff members will allow us to maximize service levels to area business customers’ and will help ensure they are consistently receiving the very best products and personalized attention possible for many years to come.”
Spanning five acres, the new facility also has an eye on the “greener” side of operations, supporting greater energy efficiencies through investments that include heat reclaiming equipment, contemporary rooftop HVAC units, latest-generation machinery that requires less natural resources (gas, electric, water, and detergents) for the production and hygienic laundering of garments and textiles, and eco-conscious warehouse and office lighting. In addition, all cleaning formulas and detergents are 100% environmentally friendly, and natural light throughout the plant offers a positive employee boost to the workday while saving on energy.
“To say we’re excited to bring this world-class operation to the Greater Hammond and Chicago markets would be an understatement,” said general manager, Darren Lane. “Our Hammond facility houses the very best of all the technological advancements we’ve made over the years and serves as a model for new UniFirst servicing operations to come. It also reinforces our ongoing commitment to quality, efficiency, and industry-leading customer service, and represents UniFirst’s long-term commitment to the local business community.”
The grand opening ceremony is expected to include Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr., 1st District Councilman Mark Kalwinski, and members of the Hammond Redevelopment Commission (HRC), as well as UniFirst executives and staff. The event will conclude with a tour of the new facility and a catered lunch.
