Title: The History of Prudential Overall Supply
1(No Transcript)
2- Founded in 1932, Prudential Overall Supply has
provided first-rate work uniforms and textile
products to thousands of organizations in many
industries. In addition to renting, leasing, and
selling high-quality uniforms, the company has
also earned a reputation for its commitment to
advanced cleanroom laundering techniques and
eco-friendly business practices. Lets take a
look at the proud history of this venerable
company.
3- Prudential was established on April 11, 1932, in
Los Angeles, California. The owner, John D.
Clark, recognized the business potential of a
laundry service aimed at busy workmen who needed
help washing and maintaining their uniforms. In
the beginning, the company was known as
Prudential Laundry.
- The founding of Prudential came at a time when
trends in the business world indicated growing
interest in the various benefits of work
uniforms.
Founder John D. Clark on right, circa 1932
4Founder John D. Clark, pictured far right,
attending a tradeshow in 1948 with his brother
Frank Clark, second from left, and John's
brother-in-law Wally Shoberg, pictured next to
John.
- By 1939, Clark had managed to move Prudential
from a tiny shed into a 22,000-square-foot
building. - The company became a family affair, as Clarks
siblings and parents relocated all the way from
Iowa to help him run the business. Members of the
Clark family would hold important positions at
Prudential for decades to come.
5- In 1943, Prudential expanded its business
operations to include renting uniforms to
companies. This was a gamble for the Prudential
team, as uniform rental was a relatively new and
unproven industry, but eventually the rental
program would constitute 95 of the companys
income.
- Prudential also earned wide praise for offering
its cleaning services to the U.S. military during
World War II. As a result, the companys public
profile was significantly enhanced.
Entire Prudential Laundry fleet of 15 trucks at
Slauson Ave. Plant, Los Angeles, CA in 1949.
6- Prudential continued to expand its operations
across the state of California. - In 1952, the company reached 1,200,000 in
revenues. During the same year, Prudential opened
a new facility, in Los Angeles.
Prudential Overall Supply begins service to the
Riverside, CA market area in 1956.
- The year 1957 was a milestone for the Prudential
team, as they celebrated their 25th anniversary
in the industry.
7- Don Clark, brother of president John D. Clark,
left his position as head coach of the University
of Southern California football squad in 1960 and
joined the family business. Don would later
become company president in 1972, then chairman
in 1984, holding the latter position until his
death in 1989. - In 1960, the company established a cleanroom
garment service, which provided careful cleaning,
sterilizing, and decontaminating of uniforms used
in sensitive environments, such as biomedical
laboratories and paint-spraying facilities.
8In 1984, John D. Clark was named Chairman
Emeritus,Don R. Clark named Chairman of the
Board, and Dan Clark named President.
- In 1978, the Prudential team decided to expand
its operations beyond the state of California.
The company launched this expansion program by
opening a facilityPrudentials ninthin Arizona.
When this venture proved successful, Prudential
branched out into other regions across the U.S.
and even overseas during the next few decades. - Prudential reached revenues of 35 million in
1982, the companys 50th anniversary.
9- Prudentials revenues hit the 100 million mark
in 1996. Ten years later, the company posted 127
million in revenues as it steadily pushed into
new territories. - Prudential became ISO certified in the year 2000.
- It was featured on a 2003 episode of the TV
series American Medical Review, hosted by Morley
Safer.
10- Prudential Overall Supplys 27 locations provide
services to more than 25,000 organizations,
including 110 Fortune 500 companies. - Prudential has earned the honor of being the
first major industrial laundry company to receive
the Clean Green certification from the Textile
Rental Service Association (TRSA). This
certification recognizes the organization's
commitment to environmentally friendly
operations.
11- Prudential Overall Supply has been supplying
reusable work uniforms and other textile products
to businesses for over 80 years. With 27
locations in nine U.S. states, Prudential
Uniforms services over 25,000 businesses. It is
the first industrial laundry chain in the world
to earn a Clean Green certificate through the
TRSA, which recognized its conscientiousness
about natural resources and a commitment to
sustainability. - For more details, visit www.prudentialuniforms.com
.