European independents engaged in the cleanroom laundering field face two fundamental challenges.
 
First—like their U.S. counterparts—they must meet the exacting requirements of customers in sensitive operations such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, which demand employee garments that are free of microorganisms, as well foreign particles, such as lint, dust and hair. Second, they must strive for a share of the market amid fierce competition from other independents, as well as large companies such as Elis, a French launderer with operations in Europe and South America; CWS-boco, a German multinational operator; and Initial Textile, a British-based launderer with operations worldwide ...