Growth Areas – Lindstrom Expands in India, Korea

While North America and Europe have had well-established industrial uniform programs for decades, the idea is relatively new in other countries.

India is one such country and Lindstrom, a Finnish launderer with plants across Europe and parts of Asia, is making progress in expanding the market there, according to a recent interview with CEO Juha Laurio.

Lindstrom began operations in India in 2007 and now has 11 facilities there, according to the online article that appeared in The Hindu Business Line.

“We have 20 locations planned as part of our Vision 2020 by which time the employee headcount will be nearly 1,000,” said Laurio, who recently spoke at the World Textile Services Congress in Bruges, Belgium, which TRSA co-sponsored. “We have also targeted at least half a million to be in place by then.”

The customer base for Lindstrom in India includes automotive, pharmaceutical, food processing and retail businesses, the article said. While the idea of uniforms for employees is still fairly new there, the notion is gaining popularity, as attitudes shift toward tougher hygiene and safety standards.

While workwear is the primary market for Lindstrom in India today, the company is also weighing opportunities in restaurants, hotels, restroom supply and more. Click here for details.

Founded in 1848, Lindstrom also is expanding its textile services business in South Korea, where it began operations last year. Click here for details. Overall, the company had $318 billion in sales last year.