G&K Services, Inc. History
With more than 100 years of experience, G&K Services has a strong history of quality, service excellence and innovation. G&K began as a small, family-owned dye house and has grown into a North American market leader in branded identity apparel programs and facility services. One thing has remained constant: G&K's dedication to excellence in everything we do as we enhance our customers' image and safety in the workplace through innovation.
G&K Services Historical Timeline:
- 2010 G&K Services Named to "The Green 30" list in Canada.
- 2010 G&K receives sixth consecutive '50 Best Employer' award in Canada
- 2009 G&K reports fiscal 2009 results; generates record cash flow from operations and free cash flow
- 2009 G&K completes new three-year $300.0 million credit facility
- 2009 G&K announces leadership change; Board names Douglas A. Milroy new CEO
- 2009 G&K receives fifth consecutive '50 Best Employer' award in Canada
- 2008 G&K achieves 39th consecutive year of revenue growth and surpasses $1.0 billion in fiscal year revenue
- 2008 G&K receives notice of two patents for ProSura™ Program
- 2008 G&K announces $75 million expansion of share repurchase program
- 2008 G&K expands presence in Mid-Atlantic through acquisition of Best Uniform Rental Service, Inc.
- 2008 G&K receives fourth consecutive '50 Best Employer' award in Canada
- 2007 G&K expands cleanroom business into Ireland through acquisition of Nanoclean Limited
- 2007 G&K achieves 38th consecutive year of revenue growth
- 2007 G&K announces strategic agreement with Dockers® San Francisco
- 2007 G&K offers BioSmart™ products through exclusive relationship with Milliken & Company
- 2007 G&K strengthens market position in New England through acquisition of Alltex Uniform Rental Service, Inc
- 2007 G&K enters two additional top 100 North American markets through acquisition of Grand Rapids Coat & Apron Service, Inc. (Grantex)
- 2006 G&K launches ProTect™ Safety Solutions Program
- 2006 G&K launches ProSura™ Retail Food Safety Solutions Program
- 2005 G&K expands Canadian leadership position and adds cleanroom business through acquisition of Glis and Glis Laundries USA, Inc
- 2005 G&K names Richard L. Marcantonio Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
- 2005 G&K expands East Coast operations through acquisition of Coyne Textile Services
- 2005 G&K strengthens leading Canadian presence through acquisition Custom Linen Systems, Limited
- 2005 G&K launches ProSura™ Food Safety Solutions Program
- 2005 G&K achieves 36th consecutive year of revenue growth.
- 2004 G&K enhances direct sale capabilities and doubles direct sale business through the acquisition of Lion Uniform Group
- 2004 G&K establishes market presence in 8th largest North American market through acquisition of Marathon Linen, Inc.
- 2004 G&K expands leadership position in Quebec through acquisition of Nettoyeur Shefford, Inc.
- 2004 G&K announces new strategic vision - "G&K Services will be the market leader in enhancing image and safety in the workplace through innovation"
- 2004 G&K extends geographic presence into Western Canada through acquisition of Keefer Laundry Limited
- 2003 G&K names Richard L. Marcantonio President and Chief Executive Officer
- 2002 G&K adds two top 100 North American markets through acquisition of Rental Uniform Company
- 2002 G&K names Richard L. Marcantonio President and Chief Operating Officer
- 2002 G&K celebrates 100 years in business across North America
- 1999 Northeast dust products company acquired. G&K enters Iowa market through acquisition
- 1997 G&K acquires National Linen Service
- 1996 direct purchase division is formed
- 1995 G&K begins servicing national accounts
- 1994 G&K acquires BCP Garment Manufacturing
- 1991 G&K acquires WorkWear of Canada
- 1985 Cleanroom division opens for business
- 1974 G&K completes transition from retail laundry to commercial uniform rental and sales
- 1972 National expansion begins with Denver opening
- 1970 Geographic expansion begins into Central and Midwest
- 1969 G&K goes public
- 1966 Dry-cleaning operations sold to focus on industrial laundry
- 1960 G&K responds to the automobile wave by opening "drive-in cleaners"
- 1956 G&K takes to the television airways by sponsoring Masterpiece Theater
- 1950 G&K revolutionizes campus life with "blue bundles" (laundry by the pound)
- 1948 G&K offers "diaper service" due to the baby boom beginning
- 1943 Gross & Kronick shorten their name to G&K
- 1910 Gross & Kronick introduces "door-to-door" laundry service
- 1902 Twin City Steam Dye Works renamed Gross & Kronick Dyers
Founded in 1902 by Alexander and Morris Gross in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, G&K Services today has nearly 8,000 employees throughout North America and processes more than five million garments each week from over 160 locations.
