Cintas Helps Ithaca College Revamp Uniform Management Program
The Dining Services department at Ithaca college, led by Senior Director Reginald Briggs and Director of Food Systems Ryan Kehoe, recently embarked on a mission to revamp their uniform supply process. Facing challenges with their previous uniform provider, they sought a solution that would streamline operations, enhance efficiency and ultimately save money.
Challenge: Uniform Supply process vendor issues
The transition to self-operating dining services in 2019 presented Ithaca College with numerous challenges, one of the most pressing being the management of staff uniforms. The existing system was full of inefficiencies and frustrations. The college was purchasing uniforms and laundering them through a vendor, resulting in significant expenditures and administrative headaches. Briggs explained, “We were pretty unhappy with the way that process was working and wanted to try to find a better solution.”
Moreover, managing uniform inventories and ensuring accurate billing were constant struggles. Ryan Kehoe elaborated, “With our previous vendor, it was a big challenge to edit or audit our list of employees so we were paying for people who no longer worked for the company.”
Solution: Cintas and OMNIA Partners
In search of a better approach, Ithaca College Dining Services turned to Cintas and the benefits of the OMNIA Partners program. This partnership offered a comprehensive solution, transitioning from a purchase-and-launder model to a rental system.
The collaboration with Cintas and OMNIA Partners has yielded tangible benefits for Ithaca College Dining Services. Not only have they streamlined their uniform management process, but they have also achieved significant cost savings and enhanced operational efficiency. The ability to maintain accurate uniform inventories and control costs has been a game-changer. As Reginald Briggs succinctly put it, “Anything that makes more sense and saves us money is a win in our book.”
The partnership with Cintas and OMNIA Partners introduced several improvements:
1. Streamline Management-Each unit manager gained the ability to audit and update their uniform inventories regularly, ensuring accurate billing and accountability.
2. Improved Transparency-The new system provides clear insights into uniform usage and costs, eliminating the mystery and confusion that plagued the previous arrangement.
3. Cost Savings-By transitioning to a rental program and leveraging the collective purchasing power of OMNIA Partners, Ithaca College realized substantial cost savings. Although precise figures are complex to calculate due to varying factors, Briggs confirmed the positive financial impact, “We are confident that we are saving money.”
About Cintas and OMNIA Partners
For years, Cintas Corporation has been collaborating with the public sector to provide cleaning products, janitorial supplies as well as a variety of maintenance products and services. Our cooperative purchasing strategy with Cintas will help your agency lower costs while saving you time and resources. With OMNIA partners, there is no extra cost to participate so you don’t have to stress about hidden fees.
With Cintas you can easily manage your services on your own terms. They offer convenient 24/7 access to your account via myCintas. You have real time-visibility to create a service request, send a message or make changes to your account anytime and from anywhere. The Cintas team is dedicated to ensuring an easy management solution, right at your fingertips.