Ace ImageWear: Growing through Focus, Technology and Relationships

In the upcoming May issue of Textile Services magazine, we profile the Houston facility of Ace ImageWear, a third-generation family-owned business serving the industrial market sector in the Lone Star State.

The company has stayed true to a philosophy established more than 90 years ago by its founders Ed and Clara Heilman: “do what you say you’re going to do.” Founded in 1932, Ace ImageWear has grown in the highly competitive Houston metropolitan area through its disciplined operations, selective technology investments and a strong employee culture.

The company operates out of a 62,000-square-foot facility in Houston, which it moved into in 2016. Originally a garment warehouse, the building was redesigned into a single-floor industrial laundry with a clear separation between soil and clean areas, and a streamlined workflow built around efficiency and accountability.

Ace’s operational focus is deliberate. Rather than diversifying into multiple market segments, the company concentrates almost exclusively on industrial uniforms. This narrow scope allows it to refine processes, reduce complexity and deliver consistent results in one of the country’s most competitive industrial laundry markets.

“We tell our sales team that they can sell anything they want, as long as it’s shirts and pants,” says Ed Heilman, the company’s third-generation owner.

Technology supports that focus. RFID tracking systems provide real-time visibility into garments throughout the plant, helping ensure accurate sorting, processing and return. At the same time, Heilman takes a pragmatic approach to automation, investing only where it improves efficiency without adding unnecessary complexity or risk.

“We don’t invest in technology for technology’s sake,” Heilman says. “It has to make sense.”

The plant processes roughly 135,000 lbs. of industrial garments and textiles per week, including tens of thousands of garments through its finishing tunnel, along with mats, shop towels and other items. Customers can pull up detailed reports showing what was processed and returned, a valuable tool for customer service and retention.

Equally important is the company’s investment in sustainability and infrastructure. Water reuse systems, lint filtration and wastewater treatment help manage costs and meet local environmental standards. These systems reflect a long-term view of operational efficiency in a resource-intensive business.

Inside the plant, employee experience is a priority. Much of the plant’s production floor is air-conditioned, with heat-generating equipment isolated to improve working conditions. A four-day workweek, combined with a family-oriented culture, has helped attract and retain staff in a tight labor market. Employees are empowered to solve problems and support customers directly, reinforcing accountability at every level.

“Everybody here is empowered to do what they need to do to take care of the customer,” says Rick Ferguson, general manager. “We don’t hold up the process, and that trust comes straight from the top.”

From its origins in a Kansas City basement to its current operation in Houston, Ace ImageWear has maintained a consistent identity rooted in relationships, reliability and focus. Keep an eye out for the full article in May’s issue of Textile Services magazine. For more plant profiles, click here to subscribe to Textile Services (free to members; $95 annually to nonmembers [includes Textile Services Weekly]).