A Century in Cycle: Our Journey in Linen & Uniforms

Being a pioneer in any industry comes with both opportunities and challenges. As one of the first companies to enter the laundry service industry in 1911, just a year after commercial laundry began to gain significant traction, we have gained a deeper appreciation and understanding of commercial laundry. Informed by the lessons of past generations, we reflect on key moments and contributions that have shaped our standing in the linen and uniform services industry.

Founding & Generational Influence

Our story began in 1911 with Alec Quinton, who established the company by offering dye work. After World War II, his brother Sydney joined him, and together they expanded into dry cleaning, responding to the growing demand for garment care.

In the 1950s, the second generation, led by Paul and Richard Quinton, continued this legacy by introducing Drive-In Dry-Cleaning services. This innovation catered to the needs of suburban families with busy lifestyles, reflecting their forward-thinking approach to customer convenience.

By 1987, the third generation, represented by John, Jeff, David Quinton, and their brother-in-law, Doug, drove significant expansion and innovation. This era marked the establishment of our commercial laundry service division, Quintex, to meet the demands for industrial rental and uniform services. David and Doug primarily focused on the growth of Quintex, and later, introduced Quintex Direct (now Q Custom Clothing), offering direct purchase of apparel, and our in-house embroidery service, Image Group.

Following our 100^th year anniversary in 2011, Quintex underwent rebranding, introducing the iconic blue service trucks, and the establishment of Q-Crew to support our philanthropic initiatives.  

In 2018, the fourth generation, Brodie and Mackie Quinton, joined the company, bringing a wealth of experience from outside the industry. Their diverse backgrounds introduced fresh ideas and new perspectives, contributing to the enhancement of our digital presence, and our ongoing sustainability efforts.  

The Power of Experience

Beyond the generational influence of the Quinton family, the success of the company is also deeply rooted in the dedication and expertise of long-tenured team members. The company owes its continuous growth to the many hard-working individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes to create a positive service experience for our loyal customer base. Here are a few examples of our dedicated team members:

Janette Millar has been a pivotal part of our company for 21 years. She began her journey as an Administrative Assistant and has since transitioned through various roles, including Customer Service Representative, Customer Service Manager, VP Administration, Executive VP, and now COO. Among her many contributions, Janette was instrumental in establishing the Q-Crew, an initiative focused on representing our company as a group and taking part in the community.

Recalling her initial experiences at Quintex, Janette shares:

“On my first day, I was driving into work in the early morning, sipping my coffee, and feeling a little nervous. I met everyone for the first time and noticed a massive coffee stain on my blouse. My coffee cup had been leaking on me every sip! I lived too far away to go home and change, so off I went owning the brown stain down the front of my shirt, and just used it as an ice breaker. To this day, you can try to dress me up, but you can’t take me out!”

Despite the initial mishap, Janette turned it into an opportunity to connect with her new colleagues, demonstrating her positive outlook and ability to handle unexpected challenges.

Frank Pollard has also been a valuable member of our team for over 18 years. He began his journey working evenings on the Wash Floor and Mat Rolling areas, consistently demonstrating his diligence by assisting in other parts of the facility as needed. His broad understanding of the operations led to leadership roles, starting as evening shift team leader, advancing to evening shift supervisor, and eventually transitioning to the engineering department. This role provided him with a comprehensive grasp on both old and new equipment, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. During the early days of the pandemic in 2020, Frank took on the role of Lead Engineer.

Recalling one of his first major projects as Lead Engineer, Frank shares the time we installed a new Jensen 800 and Consolidated Dryer in the facility.

“There is a lot of people involved in a project like this, plumbers, electricians, and movers. This was also one of the first times that I put together a project plan, so I was a little nervous on how it would go,” Frank recounted.

“Luckily, I had it all planned out,” Frank shares. “We were ready for the machines to come to Quintex and be installed.” Coincidentally, during the week the washer and dryer were destined to arrive, another washer experienced a catastrophic failure, requiring the team to adjust their original plans. With various components and people involved, Frank, along with his team, worked together to make the necessary adjustments.

“This job was very memorable, because of the dedication from the maintenance team and our various contractors. The short timeframe for the changes of a large project like this is no easy task, but we all came together and overcame difficulties to make it work.”

Like Janette, Frank demonstrated resilience by adapting to unforeseen challenges. His experience also highlights how collective efforts and adaptability contribute significantly to driving success.

Advancements in Technology

Adapting to technological advancements has been essential for addressing evolving demands. When we first began, one of our services focused on cleaning household carpets and area rugs. We utilized a machine that vibrated to dislodge soil, and after washing, these items were hung to dry in a room set to 90°F or more, a space now repurposed as our meeting space, “The Nest.”

Today, our technological capabilities have significantly advanced. Our Water Waste System plays a crucial role in our wash process for commercial floor mats and other rental items, allowing us to recycle over 80%of the water used. We have also incorporated cutting-edge systems like the Revolution Machine and the Jensen System to boost efficiency. Currently, we are the only laundry facility in Canada that utilizes the Revolution Machine. The machine is recognized for its sustainability, performing multiple functions such as washing, measuring, drying, ironing, and rerolling cloth roll towels with minimal water usage while upholding high cleaning standards. The Jensen System further enhances our operations by using AI technology to streamline garment sorting and optimize delivery routes, underlining our commitment to innovation and efficiency.

Community & Environmental Impact

Our deep-rooted connection to Manitoba has driven our unwavering commitment to positively impacting both the community and the environment. This province is our home, and it has always been our mission to reciprocate the support it has provided us.

Over the years, we have focused on reducing our environmental footprint to operate more sustainably. One of our significant initiatives includes implementing a Water Waste System in our plant that recycles over 80% of our water, surpassing Clean Green Standards and industry norms. In addition to this, we have transitioned to LED lighting, introduced composting at our facility, and even recycle hard-to-recycle materials at designated depots. Read more on our sustainable initiatives here.

Equally important is our dedication to the community. We advocate for initiatives that support animals, children, environmental conservation, and socio-economic welfare. We actively participate in fundraisers to raise awareness and funds for meaningful causes and take pride in volunteering together as a team. Our collective commitment to community involvement is a key reason why Q-Crew continues to thrive within our company. Read more on some of the causes we support here.

With over a century of experience in the linen and uniform service industry, we have profoundly shaped our approach to growth, philanthropy, and environmental stewardship. The dedication of four generations of the Quinton family, along with a team deeply committed to the company’s success, has enabled us to embrace new technologies and make decisions that align with our values of serving our community and protecting our environment.