Welcome to AlscoModule 1a: Introducing Alsco

Training Objectives

Learn about Alsco and its beginnings

Know the Alsco Service Objectives

Understand the goals of the Service Objectives

Discover the connection between customers, sales, and service

Module 1a: Introducing Alsco

The origin story…At Alsco, when we say "first in textile services worldwide," it's no idle claim. Our company traces its roots to the year 1889 in Lincoln, Nebraska, when George A. Steiner founded the company. Up until then, merchants, restaurateurs, tavern operators and factory owners had to pay a pretty penny to supply their workers and facilities with linens and uniforms--and to keep them clean. Of course, in 1889, the idea of "outsourcing," let alone the term, was still decades away. Nonetheless, the idea of commercial textile services and laundry began to catch on and in 1895, Mr. Steiner moved the base of his operations to Salt Lake City, Utah. Following World War I, George's son, Frank, grew the business thanks largely to the invention of the continuous towel cabinet--one of a number of Alsco innovations that would revolutionize American life. Frank also planted the seeds for the company's international expansion by acquiring a small laundry in Cologne, Germany, as well as by starting a rental business in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1958 Richard R. Steiner took over the helm from his father, Frank. Richard continued to extend the markets in the United States and other countries for another 46 years. His sons, Robert and Kevin Steiner, now have the honor to be the fourth generation of Steiners to lead the company. Today, there are linen and uniform processing, cleanroom, manufacturing, and sales/distribution facilities in most every corner of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Europe, South America and the United Kingdom. The company operates plants in cities throughout the United States and Canada.

Still, more than half of Alsco's 16,000 employees are at work in ten foreign countries, including Germany, Brazil, Canada, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.

In the early years of the twentieth century, the company's operations expanded into Europe and South America, sowing the seeds for the global textile services business we are today. In addition to the continuous towel dispenser, Alsco pioneered the use of garment lockers, operates state-of-the-art cleanrooms on four continents, and is a leader in the manufacture and distribution of ready-to-wear uniforms for virtually every type of application imaginable.

Over the past 125 years, thousands of textile service and industrial laundry companies have come and gone. Through it all, Alsco has remained first in textile services worldwide. It is not a boast, it is a fact. 

Module 1a: Introducing Alsco

Mission Statement/Service StandardsThe mission of the Alsco Service Department is to be the benchmark for world class service by:

Building enduring relationships with our customers

Delivering standards of service excellence

Enhancing customer relationships

Establishing a work environment where our people can develop personally and professionally

Generating profitability for our company

Module 1a: Introducing Alsco

Service Department Goals Build enduring relationships with our customers –

Nurture lifelong relationships with our customers with smooth transition from our sales department to communication, education, and follow through on accounts.

Deliver standards of service excellence - Project a professional image. Adhere to company policies, procedures and guidelines.

Enhance customer relationships – Address multiple needs of our customers. Provide them with the best products. Discover new

business opportunities and share information with our Sales Department.

Establish a work environment where our people can develop personally and professionally –

Create and environment that fosters creativity and innovation. Recruit, employ, develop and promote employees on the basis of their qualifications and abilities, and the needs of the company.

Generate profitability for our company – Work as a team to meet departmental goals. Sample products to achieve company

growth. Drive retention through timely renewal of Service Agreements.

Module 1a: Introducing Alsco

Role of the Service Department The Service Web:

The service web shows the connection Alsco has with it’s customers

through our service representatives.

Loyal and SatisfiedCustomer

Sales

Service

Office

Production

Module 1a: Introducing Alsco