Plant
on the production floor features mat roller systems.
At the front end, soiled goods arrive in clearly defined lots and batches, scanned immediately to establish chain-of-custody. The first sort organizes items by customer; a second sort later splits garments by wearer, with pants and shorts“ married” to shirts to ensure complete sets. Chip data is transmitted wirelessly across the plant, enabling employees to track garments in real time at every station.
Focus as a Competitive Advantage
Ace ImageWear’ s biggest strategic decision was not architectural— it was philosophical.
“ We tell our sales team that they can sell anything they want, as long as it’ s shirts and pants,” Heilman says.
That focus allows the company to excel at industrial uniforms while avoiding the complexity of healthcare and hospitality processing. In the Houston market, which Heilman calls“ probably the largest industrial uniform market in the world,” that clarity matters.
“ We believe in doing business the old-fashioned way— with hustle, hard work and on a first-name basis,” says Mike Galvan, director of service.
Competitors include national providers like Cintas Corp., UniFirst Corp. and Alsco Uniforms, along with a shrinking number of independents. Ace ImageWear remains one of the largest independent operators focused solely on industrial garments.
“ Independents can adapt and react quicker,” Heilman says.“ And the relationships with our customers are different.”
Gregory Mills, director of sales, adds that,“ You’ re dealing with people who care— about their jobs, the customer’ s brand and the company’ s reputation. That’ s the biggest separator.”
Smart Technology and Calculated Automation
Inside the soil-sorting area, Positek RFID readers track garments as they move toward the wash aisle.
Two JENSEN Braun 600 lb.( 272 kg.) washers are supported by three additional 450 lb.( 204 kg.) units, along with a newer JENSEN Braun 250 lb.( 113 kg.) washer dedicated to garment processing. The facility’ s laundry chemistry is supplied by Gurtler Industries Inc.
Recognizing that water is a commodity that will continue to increase in cost, Ace installed a split trench system that allows for separation of grey water for reuse. Two shaker screens remove lint before reuse or equalization. Because of Houston’ s stringent wastewater requirements, Ace ImageWear installed a Kemco Systems dissolved air flotation( DAF) unit to treat the water prior to discharge.
Two air compressors support plant operations, along with three dryers— one JENSEN Braun and two Consolidated Laundry Machinery units— the newest of which was purchased at the 2025 Clean Show in Orlando, FL.
Throughout the plant, Heilman’ s approach to automation remains pragmatic.
Below:( Left) Emblems are ready to be placed on customers’ garments.( Right) Uniform shirts and pants are stored and ready to be placed into service for delivery to Ace ImageWear’ s customers throughout the Houston metropolitan area.
30 Textile Services • May 2026