FINDLAY, OH (WLIO) - A Findlay-based family-owned business celebrated 80 years of service today. Our Casey Mulcahy caught up with some of the friendly faces that made the business into the success story it is today.
Back in 1944, the way folks did their laundry was vastly different from what we know today. And for Findlay residents Carl and Edith Kramer, it was an opportunity to start their own business. Fast forward 80 years, and the small city laundry business they started has blossomed into a well-oiled machine passed down through the generations of their family.
"I think it was like a necessity thing, right? A need needed to be filled, and my grandfather saw an opportunity to do that hard work. He had a skillset that led him into the laundry business, and you know, my dad kind of took that, and not just my dad, not just my grandpa; it was a family affair. My great-grandfather was helping out, my grandmother was involved, both of my parents, my sisters, so it was really a family affair. And really, it's about necessity. We all need to earn a living, and if we can help others earn a living while we're at it, you know that's great," explained Rich Kramer, president and C.O.O. of City Uniforms and Linens.
The City Uniforms and Linens company is a huge part of not only the Findlay, Ohio, community but across multiple states, including Michigan and Indiana. The company's services include making personalized uniforms and linens for industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and hospitality.
"It's nice to know that we can impact the community so much. You know my passion, and you see the joy in doing the best for everybody out there. That's our goal. We're trying to sustain, we're trying to grow, we're trying to prosper with all of our employees and make Findlay better, and that, I feel like it bleeds through the Kramers, and that's just what kind of comes to all of us, and it's a happy feeling," said Tyler Young, production manager at City Uniforms and Linens.
With such a large customer base and partners to work with, City Uniforms and Linens has been a game changer in Findlay for jobs and economic growth while still feeling like the small town business that it started as. Findlay mayor Christina Muryn recognizes how the Kramers have left their mark on the flag city.
"We're super excited to be able to celebrate the Kramer family. They certainly have been a strong foundational family in our community for 80 years, and it's great to see three generations of individuals investing in our community, and supporting their employees and supporting the community. And it's a great example of just the success that we see in Findlay and how we work together," commented Mayor Christina Muryn, City of Findlay.
Here's to another 80 years for the city uniforms and linen company.
