While no one knows precisely how much growth potential there is in facility services—that is, products that go beyond the paper towels/toilet tissue that are now common on industrial routes—it clearly stands out as a significant opportunity.

In fact, data available from Robert W. Baird & Co., the U.S. Census, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and TRSA, indicate that the growth potential for facility services is at least as large as, or possibly larger than, that of uniform or linen rental segments in today’s roughly $19 billion annual market.

While scores of independent companies, as well ...