Latest Acquisition of Washington-based Plant Represents ImageFIRST’s 16th HLAC-Accredited Facility
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. – December 14, 2021 – ImageFIRST Healthcare Laundry Specialists (ImageFIRST), a leading provider of linen and laundry services for the healthcare industry, announced today the acquisition of the HLAC-accredited linen processing facility and the private sector operations of Puget Sound Laundry Services, a division of Northwest Center Services. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
To become accredited by the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC), launderers must adhere to strict laundry protocols for textile processing. Currently, there are only three HLAC-accredited laundry facilities in the Seattle region. ImageFIRST owns the most HLAC-accredited plants of any provider in the U.S., with this acquisition as their latest addition.
All laundry equipment will be purchased and managed by ImageFIRST with 100% of existing employees continuing employment. As part of the transaction, Northwest Center, a Seattle-based nonprofit dedicated to enhancing employment opportunities for individuals of all abilities, will continue to service government laundry contracts through continued collaboration with ImageFIRST.
This latest acquisition in the Pacific Northwest serves as a vital step in ImageFIRST’s geographic expansion — providing the laundry specialists with the capability to fully insource processing for its Pacific Northwest operations and enhanced service capabilities nationwide. This strengthened national coverage also supports ImageFIRST’s expanding National Account division as it continues to grow its service offerings to more multilocation accounts.
“As we continue exploring opportunities across the nation, we discovered the blue-ribbon medical facilities in the Pacific Northwest were missing a linen and laundry provider of the same caliber,” says Jim Cashman, President and CEO of ImageFIRST. “We look forward to bringing our world-class service to these medical practices.”
This acquisition represents the eighth acquisition completed by ImageFIRST during 2021.
ABOUT IMAGEFIRST
Founded in 1967, ImageFIRST® is the largest and fastest-growing national linen rental and laundry service specializing in the healthcare market. Acquired by private equity firm Calera Capital in 2018, ImageFIRST serves medical facilities nationwide providing linen, patient gowns, scrubs, and more while managing taheir clients’ linen inventory for cost management. With a customer retention rate of over 95%, ImageFIRST is dedicated to improving patient satisfaction through quality products and remarkable service. Their Comfort Care® gowns are proven to increase patients’ favorable perception of a facility by more than 50%. For more information, visit www.imagefirst.com
ABOUT NORTHWEST CENTER & NORTHWEST CENTER SERVICES
Northwest Center (NWC) and its sister entity, Northwest Center Services (NWCS), form one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive organizations providing disability inclusion programs and services advancing equal opportunities for people of all abilities. NWC and NWCS own businesses as a Social Enterprise: providing best-in-class services, employing inclusive workforces, and helping fund services for people with disabilities. Learn more at www.nwcenterbusiness.com
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