Changing Market: Uniforms and Workwear (Conclusion)

CHICAGO — Uniforms and workwear used to be mostly a matter of function.

Companies provided uniforms to employees for protection and to fulfill industry regulations. The materials used and styles available were standard, making it easy for industrial laundries to provide for their customers. In the past decade, almost everything has changed.

Companies use uniforms and workwear for branding, culture and more. Materials and styles have modernized and become more individualized.

And all of these market transitions mean industrial laundries have had to update their processes as well.

American Laundry News communicated with three uniform/workwear providers to explore these market shifts and what operators need to know.

From Alsco Uniforms, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Ryan Mathews, senior national sales manager, and Trish Leishman, senior marketing and sales operations manager, teamed to provide expert commentary.

Rodrigo Patron is operations director for Lace House Linen in Petaluma, Calif.

And for King of Prussia, Pa.-based healthcare laundry specialist ImageFIRST, Chief Commercial Officer Dave Hilderbrand served as spokesperson.

What processing changes have been made in laundering facilities?

PATRON: We’re constantly adjusting wash formulas and keeping a close eye on wastewater. PFAS regulations are coming — it’s not a matter of if but when — so we’re making sure we’re ready to adapt.

MATHEWS and LEISHMAN: Over the past decade, commercial laundries have evolved into technology-driven production environments. Modern fabrics, sustainability goals and customer expectations have reshaped how every facility operates. Our facilities across North America have adopted:

Smart wash programming. Custom digital formulas, designed with WSI, tailored to fabric and manufacturer.
Water and energy reclamation. Closed-loop systems recycle water and capture thermal energy, cutting resource use while maintaining hygiene.
RFID tracking and automation. Garment-level digital IDs ensure full traceability, reduce loss, and streamline sorting.
Data diagnostics. Real-time monitoring detects inefficiencies and improves quality control.

Laundering today is about managing a living garment-supply chain, maintaining performance, appearance, and sustainability with precision and accountability.

HILDERBRAND: Infection prevention has always been central to our plant operations.

Our laundry facilities are designed to maintain complete separation between soiled and clean textiles, with each load processed through advanced laundering methods with our Triple BioShield Protection, which eliminates 99.9% of common pathogens, exceeding the guidelines of the CDC, OSHA, and HLAC.

What uniform/workwear changes might happen in the future?

MATHEWS and LEISHMAN: The future of uniforms will be shaped by technology, sustainability and personalization.

Expect to see:

Smart textiles. Embedded sensors could monitor body temperature or exposure in healthcare and industrial environments.
Circular manufacturing. Materials are designed for reclamation and recycling, creating closed-loop uniform programs.
On-demand customization. Digital production enabling personalized fits and branding at scale.
Performance fabrics. The continued blending of athletic innovation, stretch, temperature regulation, and antimicrobial protection, into durable professional wear.

The uniform of tomorrow will support the worker, extend the brand and protect the planet. Those investing in sustainability and innovative systems now are defining the next era of workwear.

PATRON: Expect to see more eco-friendly, PFAS-free, and recycled materials, plus maybe even smart fabrics. The future’s all about sustainability, durability and comfort without losing that professional edge.

Any other thoughts about where the market’s heading?

PATRON: Uniforms have become a reflection of brand identity and employee well-being. It’s not about everyone looking the same anymore — it’s about balance: individuality, performance and comfort. The suit-and-tie era is gone, and this new approach feels a lot more authentic to how people actually work today.

MATHEWS and LEISHMAN: The uniform and workwear industry has quietly become one of the most dynamic parts of the service economy. What once focused on fabric and logistics now centers on brand experience, culture and sustainability.

We’ve seen firsthand how uniforms reflect company identity and values. They’re a daily statement of professionalism and respect for the people who wear them.

Two trends stand out:

The elevation of the frontline. Investing in uniforms is investing in pride, morale and retention.
Partnership over procurement. Customers want collaborators who understand operations, compliance and sustainability, not just suppliers.

The industry’s evolution mirrors the workforce itself: more connected, values-driven and focused on purpose. The companies that treat their uniforms as tools for unity and trust will lead the next chapter of this market.

Click HERE to read part 1, examining the evolution of uniform/workwear usage and styles over the past decade. And HERE to read part 2 about customer requests, material changes and the resulting laundering challenges.