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.

Timeline:

1915 - Max Potack

1915 MaxPotackMax Potack joins his 2 uncles at A&P Coat and Apron Supply. Clients are primarily food service establishments.

1922 - Max Potack takes over the business

Max Potack takes over the businessMax 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.

1947 - Moving from Brooklyn to the Bronx

They move from Brooklyn to the Bronx, and along with two partners, start a laundry: Cromwell LaundryThey move from Brooklyn to the Bronx, and along with two partners, start a laundry: Cromwell Laundry. Gerald dies the next year.

1962 - Bernard buys out the last remaining Cromwell partner.

 The company now processes hospitality volume plus long term care facilities and community hospitals.Bernard buys out the last remaining Cromwell partner. The company now processes hospitality volume plus long term care facilities and community hospitals.

1963 - Bernard takes over the business

Max’s sons Bernard and Gerald take over the businessMax’s sons Bernard takes over the business.

1966 - Michael takes over operating responsibility

Bernard suffers a heart attack, and his son Michael (recently graduated from college) takes over operating responsibility.

1972 - A facility in Monroe, NY is purchased

With the Bronx facility at capacity, a facility in Monroe, NY is purchasedWith the Bronx facility at capacity, a facility in Monroe, NY is purchased. Monroe serves acute care as well as West Point Military Academy.

1974 - A Middletown, NY facility is purchased

A Middletown, NY facility is purchased, whose focus is 100% health care. The name becomes Shared Textile Services and is still in place today.

1976 - Michael Potack becomes sole owner of the business.

Michael Potack becomes sole owner of the business.Michael Potack becomes sole owner of the business.

1980 - Monroe now processes only for long-term care facilities.

Monroe now processes only for long-term care facilities.

1984 - We open our first ambulatory/physician practice facility in Mt. Vernon, NY

The Bronx plant, overloaded again, is converted to a health care processing facility, taking the name Unitex Textile Rental Services. And we open our first ambulatory/physician practice facility in Mt. Vernon, NY.

1987 - Unitex acquires Med-Apparel Services

Unitex acquires a 50% interest in Med-Apparel ServicesUnitex 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.

1992 - Unitex enters the Connecticut long-term care market

Unitex enters the Connecticut long-term care market. A year later, Unitex purchases a laundry facility in Waterbury, CT.

1995 - David Potack joins the company

David Potack joins the company as General Manager of the Uniform and Hospitality/Ambulatory facility in Mount VernonDavid 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.

1996 - A 7th Unitex facility opens

A 7th Unitex facility opens, in Hartford, CT. This is the beginning of the Unitex engineering model, a state-of-the-art linen facility, with a continuous batch washer/tunnel washing machine 75 feet in length!

2001 - Robert Potack joins the company

Robert Potack joins the company as Plant Supervisor in the Bronx, NY processing facility, then becomes Operation Manager. Our ninth processing facility (for medical apparel, uniforms and related products) opens in Hartford, CT.

2003 - Unitex constructs our largest and most automated healthcare laundry facility

Unitex constructs our largest and most automated healthcare laundry facility, in Mt. Vernon, NY. It can produce 45 millions pounds of laundry a year.

2008 - New 65,000 sq. ft. facility in Newburgh, NY opens.

The weekly throughput is in excess of 1,275,000 pound per weekOur 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.

2011 - Our 10th facility opens in New Brunswick, NJ

Jon Potack, completes his 10 years of training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Jon (a board- certified gastroenterologist) is a full equity partner at UnitexOur 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.

2012 - Our 11th facility opens in New Brunswick

Our 11th facility opens in New Brunswick. Using everything we’ve learned in these 90+ years, we believe it is the most technologically advanced and green retail processing plant not just in the Northeast, but in the country. Want to see it in action? Call or email us for a plant tour.

2016 - Our 12th facility opens in Linden, NJ

The Linden facility has the capability to process 1.1 million pounds of linen per week, and will primarily serve hospitals and nursing homes in N.J. and N.Y. Continue Reading

Medical Uniform and Linen Facility