For industries like hospitality, shipping, construction and security services, work clothing and uniforms are an important part of operations and business branding, as well as a major expense. Turn to CCM for the spend management experience you need to obtain high-quality uniforms without high costs.
We’ll make sure you’re getting best-in-class products and services at the best price:
Uniforms and costumes
Protective work clothing
and gear
Bedding, bath and table linens
Commercial laundry and maintenance services
Uniform decisions often involve multiple stakeholders, from operations to marketing to HR. While style, functionality, safety and upkeep are among the many considerations in work clothing decisions, don’t neglect user comfort—many uniform-wearing employees are also customer-facing employees, and satisfied workers deliver better customer service.
CCM spend management consultants will take these and other factors under advisement as we balance your needs and budgets with market options and vendors. We can facilitate collaboration with all stakeholders, surveying user groups or meeting with decision-makers to assess needs and inform them of cost considerations.
Some work clothing is mandated and regulated by agencies like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), while many uniforms and costumes are required by company branding and operational needs, like Starbucks’ green barista aprons, Disney World character costumes or Delta Airlines flight attendant uniforms.
Unless your company is willing to absorb the full cost of all required uniforms, your purchasing choices must comply with wage-hour rules, stating that the employee financial burden for required uniforms and work clothing may not reduce the employee’s net wages below applicable minimum wage laws.
Sourcing and design should go together, as good design matters not only for branding but for lower production costs and style longevity.
Find ways to distinguish job roles and grades through accessories or other means rather than different uniform styles, because smaller runs are more costly.
Consider if the wearer is subject to seasonal weather changes, excessive wear and tear or OSHA requirements, because cheaper options could bring greater replacement costs and risks that would outweigh the savings.
Analyze your uniformed employee turnover rate, along with work clothing and linen experience, to reduce damage and inventory loss.
Understand the pitfalls and benefits of “rent versus buy” programs.
Our contingency-based pricing means our services pay for themselves. We only engage with clients when the savings potential is great enough to increase your bottom line with a small portion to pay our fees.
Assessing current state and future needs, identifying available options to help you choose the right one, guiding contract negotiations and management for optimal terms and conditions and monitoring key performance indicators—these are a few of the ways we can fulfill your sourcing and cost-saving needs for uniforms, work clothing and linen expenses.
Beyond direct work clothing expenses, CCM can reduce ancillary costs for maintenance, repair and operations. Our spend management experts are ready to help you assess and improve your entire facilities management cost structure for optimal profit-boosting potential.