A couple of years ago, when Bob Kirisits joined HandCraft Services as its district transportation manager to oversee routes and delivery in North and South Carolina, Southwest Virginia and Tennessee, he saw, first-hand, the company’s operating plants in Wilson and High Point, NC, with their modern textile-processing equipment. HandCraft, based in Richmond VA, lives by the tagline “Healthcare Linen & Uniform Specialists.” The laundry operator serves customers ranging from small medical offices to large hospitals across its service area.

When Kirisits settled in his small office in the recently opened Wilson plant, he began using his logistics background to review ...