In recent years, the linen, uniform and facility services industry has witnessed an acceleration of mergers and acquisitions (M&As). This includes both national companies absorbing smaller independents as well as national and regional rivals.

The conventional wisdom—in some quarters at least—is that it’s only a matter of time before a handful national companies dominate the entire industry landscape.…Not so fast, say independent operators like CVR Uniforms, a Shippensburg, PA, industrial launderer that’s demonstrated a knack for competing with national rivals by selling value, quality and reliability.

Textile Services recently visited CVR Uniforms, a three-route operator with a 15,000-square-foot-plant. While modest ...