Unitex: From humble beginnings to leading the way.
From the very first days, the focus of our family has been on our clients. That’s why, as our business evolved over the years, we always embraced change. Because to stay the same would mean falling behind. We never wanted to just keep up; we always wanted to lead the way. Innovation became one of our guiding principles…it’s a key reason why today Unitex has such a prestigious range of linen and apparel rental clients, large and small, across the northeast. This brief timeline gives a quick glimpse of how we got here.
Max Potack joins his 2 uncles at A&P Coat and Apron Supply. Clients are primarily food service establishments.
Max Potack takes over the business, changing the name to A&P Coat, Apron and Linen Supply (the first listing in the phone book). Deliveries are made via horse and wagon.
They move from Brooklyn to the Bronx, and along with two partners, start a laundry: Cromwell Laundry. Gerald dies the next year.
Bernard buys out the last remaining Cromwell partner. The company now processes hospitality volume plus long term care facilities and community hospitals.
Max’s sons Bernard takes over the business.
With the Bronx facility at capacity, a facility in Monroe, NY is purchased. Monroe serves acute care as well as West Point Military Academy.
Michael Potack becomes sole owner of the business.
Unitex acquires a 50% interest in Med-Apparel Services and, within two years, owns 100% of the resident clothing processing facility. We also introduce Specialty Services.
David Potack joins the company as General Manager of the Uniform and Hospitality/Ambulatory facility in Mount Vernon, NY. He immediately moves the focus from hospitality to health care accounts.
Our new 65,000 sq. ft. facility in Newburgh, NY opens. The weekly throughput is in excess of 1,275,000 pound per week…working a 10-hour shift 7 days a week.
Our 10th facility opens in New Brunswick, NJ: 60,000 sq. ft processing more than 57 million pounds a year. It is the greenest facility in North America, using the least amount of water, chemicals and energy per pound while recycling every consumable. In addition, the 3rd member of the 4th generation, Jon Potack, completes his 10 years of training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Jon (a board- certified gastroenterologist) is a full equity partner at Unitex, and is the Medical Director of the Faculty Practice of Gastroenterology at Mt. Sinai.