Division: Thriving 25 Years After Fire Disaster

Division Laundry & Cleaners recently marked a critical milestone: the 25th anniversary of a 2001 fire that threatened the survival of this third-generation family business. Happily, a phoenix-like spirit of resilience drove the family owners and staff to turn yesterday’s tragedy into today’s triumph.

“That fire changed us, and June 25 is always with us,” said Patrick R. Garcia, Division’s president and CEO since 2010. “It’s a reminder of what we overcame and a source of motivation to face whatever comes our way. It tested us in ways I would not wish on anyone. But it also shaped who we are and what we stand for as a company, which is exactly why the phoenix logo means so much to us.”

Division has literally risen from the ashes of the fire that devastated its San Antonio plant 25 years ago. Immediately after the fire, the company lost two-thirds of its customers in the healthcare and hospitality space. The rest stayed with Division, which turned to outsourcing its laundry processing to other plants across the region. Their patience was rewarded in 2003 when Division opened a new 50,000-square-foot (4,645-square-meter) facility on the west side of San Antonio.

Some equipment running today predates the new facility, including a 31-year-old LAVATEC tunnel washer system, the centerpiece of a water conservation program that saves over 15 million gallons annually. Other equipment, such as the majority of the Division’s fleet of 46 box trucks, tractors and trailers, is emblazoned with a phoenix logo to symbolize their recovery from the fire. Today’s plant also features two additional LAVATEC tunnels. “All three machines here in San Antonio hold a special place in our company’s history,” said Garcia. “When we rebuilt, we installed the other two tunnel washers when we reopened in 2003. Having an automated washing system has been a significant advantage for our operations. It has helped us improve production time, reduce labor requirements and save on energy costs.” With the tunnel washers, Division utilizes more than 20 LAVATEC machines, including 18 dryers.

What’s more, Division has not only rebuilt but has also expanded. In 2022, Division acquired laundries in Houston and Dallas. Last year, it opened a refurbished plant in Muskogee, OK, that was damaged in a flood in May 2022. Today’s Division employs a total of 320 people at its four plants.

Garcia, whose father, Peter, founded the business in 1939, today has multiple family members in leadership posts at Division. His daughter, Theresa, has served as COO of the company since 2022. She is also a member of TRSA’s Board of Directors. She started at Division as an administrative assistant, then worked in customer service and fleet management, before taking on responsibilities for company operations. His son, Patrick A. Garcia, is the CFO; his daughter, Patricia, and his son-in-law, Adam Luna, are the CAO and director of purchasing, respectively. Next March, the elder Patrick will mark his 55^th year of working full-time for Division. Along the way, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics. “Looking back, there is not a part of the business I have not touched, and I believe that is exactly what has prepared me to lead it,” he said.

Over the years, Division has also expanded its product offerings to service customers throughout South and Central Texas. “Beyond healthcare and hospitality, we also serve customers in the medical apparel, dust control, mats and food and beverage markets,” said Theresa. “This range of services allows us to be a one-stop provider for our customers, meaning they can rely on us for multiple needs rather than managing relationships with several different vendors.”

The future of Division’s revival since the fire hinges on its continued commitment to excellence. “Quality service absolutely remains a cornerstone of our business,” Theresa said. “Whether we are serving a hospital, a hotel or any other type of customer, our commitment to consistent, reliable, high-quality results does not change, regardless of the market segment or the facility handling the work.”

Click here for more on Division’s rise from tragedy to triumph.