Managed Uniform Apparel Programs: What Are They?

For many businesses, high-quality employee uniforms are non-negotiable. The right uniforms keep your employees safe on the job and create a cohesive, professional appearance that inspires trust and fosters team spirit. 

However, purchasing and distributing uniforms to employees can be time-consuming, especially for small business owners. A managed uniform apparel program simplifies the process. This service handles design, ordering, distribution, and replenishment so you can focus on running your business. Let’s take a look at how these uniform management services work and why they’re such an effective solution.

A managed uniform program is a service where a company like Work Hard Dress Right provides businesses with custom workwear and takes care of it at all stages of its lifecycle. This means everything from the inception, which includes workwear selection, design, branding, manufacturing, sale, and delivery; through the normal process of wear and tear, including laundry, repair, and other care services; and finally, obsolescence and disposal.

Depending on the apparel firm and its clients’ profiles, uniform program managementcan either consist of pre-determined services, or have a-la-carte tailored solutionsthat fit the particular needs of the client and its employees.

Managed uniform providers such as WorkHardDressRight offer the flexibility of allowing employees to make their own apparel selections, choose from top national brands like Sanmar workwear, and manage ongoing uniform costs and distribution. 

Understandably, managed uniform programs are particularly in demand in industries that employ large numbers of people required to wear standardized uniforms as part of the job, such as in healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and retail.

Many businesses in these industries have historically relied on uniform rental programs to keep their staff outfitted. However, uniform rentals aren’t always the most practical option. Uniform rentals cannot be customized and often have limited size options. Industrial laundry can also lead to more wear and tear, creating a frustrating employee experience. 

Managed uniform programs create a better experience for your employees and your business. An expert team helps you design high-quality uniforms that meet your safety and branding needs. Your employees will have more size and fit options to choose from, plus they’ll be able to launder their own garments if they prefer. 

WorkHardDressRight has demonstrated significant cost savings and improved efficiency for large, brand-conscious  employers. Talk with us to learn more.

Managed uniform programs offer significant advantages for your organization and your team. From start to finish, you can feel confident knowing that every aspect of your employee uniforms has been taken care of. Here are some benefits of using a managed uniform program for your business needs.

Enjoy the freedom to select uniforms that meet the specific needs of the organization and its employees. This includes choosing the right styles, colors, and materials to ensure the uniforms reflect the company’s branding and meet industry standards.

Ensuring each employee has properly fitting uniforms is crucial for comfort, safety, and professionalism. Managed uniform apparel programs typically include processes for measuring and fitting employees to ensure they receive the correct sizes.

Streamline the process with managed uniform procurement and inventory. A managed uniform program handles placing orders with suppliers, tracking inventory levels, and replenishing uniforms to accommodate new hires or replace damaged garments.

Many managed uniform programs include laundering and maintenance services to keep uniforms clean, presentable, and in good condition. This can involve regular cleaning, repairs, and replacements as necessary. And it’s all under one program, making it easier than ever to keep track of maintenance needs.

Uniforms are distributed to employees as part of the program with systems in place to track which employees receive which garments. This helps with accountability, streamlines distribution, and ensures that everyone has the necessary uniforms.

Depending on the industry, uniforms may have to meet specific regulations or safety standards. A managed uniform program can help ensure compliance with these requirements.

Managed uniform programs often involve thorough budget control measures to ensure that uniform expenses are managed effectively and do not exceed allocated limits.

The program may offer support services to employees, such as handling uniform-related inquiries, providing replacement uniforms, and addressing any concerns or issues.

All of these benefitscan be customized to fit your business needs. Some, for example, may need a laundering program, while others may leave uniform care to each individual employee.

Many types of businesses can benefit from a managed uniform program. Whether you’re launching for the first time or need a complete overhaul of your current uniform program, these services will help you get your staff properly outfitted without additional stress or out-of-control costs. At Work Hard Dress Right, we typically see 3 main types of customers:

These are companies that are starting from scratch and need to spin up their uniform program quickly. They need to provide cohesive uniforms for a large number of employees. 

There are many scenarios in which companies need to launch a new uniform program in a short period of time. These include: 

• Organizations undergoing rapid growth, hiring large groups of new employees all at once
• An organization that has just acquired another company and needs to align the new employees with their branding and workwear standards
• Organizations that are undergoing a company rebrand and want uniforms to align with a new brand image

This type of client can benefit from a managed uniform program’s rapid scalability, uniformity, brand consistencyand regulatory compliance.

This type of client already has a uniform program, but it’s inconsistent. In the past, they’ve bought small batches of workwear as needed without uniform standards. These organizations are often established institutions with multiple locations worldwide that haven’t been able to implement a centralized uniform procurement strategy. 

For these customers, uniform program management is one of the most efficient ways to create a standard employee uniform across multiple locations. The centralized program allows businesses to proactively manage their uniforms rather than waiting to order replacements or schedule repairs at the last minute.

This is a company that is enrolled in a uniform rental program, is unhappy with it, and is looking to switch to a purchasing program for either cost or accountability reasons.

For example, a new Work Hard Dress Right client  audited their old rental program and discovered to their chagrin that they were paying for over 6,000 garments assigned to 300 employees who were no longer with the company. This spurred their decision to abandon the rental program and switch to a WorkHardDressRight-managed uniform apparel program.

Switching from a rental program to a direct purchase managed uniform program brings numerous advantages, chief among them accountability. Instead of seeing numbers on an invoice, the client has real employees using the system, buying their own clothes with an allowance, taking care of and laundering the uniforms, and alerting the company when workwear needs repairs or replacement. There is no issue of budget wasted on phantom employees.

When switching from uniform rental, businesses also enjoy superior uniform care. With rentals, clothes often receive “bowling alley” care: a basic level of laundering and disinfection before being passed back into circulation. This type of industrial laundering often leaves clothes feeling stiff and uncomfortable and may shorten their lifespan. Rental uniforms are sometimes even recycled from one program to the next

Individual employees caring for their own clothes can keep them clean and comfortable in a way that a massive industrial laundering program cannot.

Quality uniforms are essential for your business. They help your employees do their jobs safely, create a positive work environment, and present a unified front to your customers. That’s why your managed uniform provider should be an experienced, trusted partner. Here’s what to look for when selecting a managed uniform provider. 

• Quality material options: Look for providers that use durable materials that will stand the test of time. 

• Advanced customization: Your provider should be able to tailor the design to your individual business needs. 

• Industry experience: Opt for providers who know your industry and understand how to run an efficient uniform program. 

• Reliable service: Look for providers who proactively communicate about the status of your uniforms and offer fast response times when problems arise.

These criteria can help you narrow down your options when choosing a managed uniform provider.

A managed uniform program streamlines the entire uniform process for employers and employees, ensuring everyone has the necessary attire while minimizing the administrative burden on the organization. This can improve professionalism, safety, and employee satisfaction in the workplace.

At Work Hard Dress Right, we take an individualized approach to uniform design, purchasing, and management. No two businesses are the same, and neither are your managed uniform program needs. Our flexible client portal lets employees order and care for their uniforms, creating a more comfortable fit and better experience. We’ll also help you navigate order management options to keep costs down.

Ready to create custom uniforms for your organization? Contact our team today to get started.