SADDLE BROOK, N.J. — When William J. Tingue and William E. Brown formed Tingue, Brown & Co. in New York in 1902, the Yankees were still called the Baltimore Orioles, the first movie theater had just opened its doors, and paper dollars were still redeemed for gold at the U.S. Treasury.
Though much has changed in the 110 years since the company’s founding, the core values, the product innovations and the focus on service to the laundry industry remain staunchly the same, the company says.
Integrity, loyalty and ingenuity set a strong foundation that enabled many good people to thrive in and grow the company, according to David Tingue, fourth-generation CEO of the close-knit family-owned and -operated laundry product supplier.
“Frankly, we’re busy trying to focus on today, on one customer at a time, one laundry at a time and then at the end of the year, we realize another year has gone by and hopefully we can look back and feel proud of our efforts and the results,” says Tingue. “That we’re still doing this after 110 years is both humbling and gratifying.”
Originally launched offering specialty felts, aprons and accessories for ironers during the infancy of the commercial laundry industry, Tingue, Brown & Co. devised, developed and often patented a host of product innovations to suit the many flatwork ironers and other machines then coming on the market, earning renown for their quality and the expertise of its representatives.
That proven formula lives on today as “Team Tingue” continues to roll out new products that help laundries worldwide boost finish quality, reduce energy consumption and support safety programs, among other objectives, while providing expert, personal service and on-site installation.
“As long as we move forward with this level of knowledge, dedication and commitment to customer service, then I feel we’ll be prepared for whatever the next 110 years may bring,” Tingue says.
Tingue, Brown & Co. today also encompasses laundry cart manufacturer Meese Orbitron Dunne Co., Ashtabula, Ohio; and laundry machine parts and equipment manufacturer Talley Machinery, Greensboro, N.C., also founded in 1902.
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