Uniform inventory management is something any company in need of uniforms is going to need to consider. It’s important to understand the challenges that might come up, so you can efficiently and effectively solve those problems without overspending or slowing down business.
Common Challenges in Uniform Inventory Management
Whatever ultimate solution a business might come to, uniform inventory management can present a number of challenges that ought to be considered before they interfere with one’s model. Here are some of them:
1. Scale
Like many types of inventory management, scaling is an important consideration when it comes to uniform inventory management. The uniform needs of a business change over time, especially if opening or closing new locations. Moreover, the same uniform can’t always fit different employees. If one individual leaves a company and another joins, that may represent a need for two uniforms, even if the original employee returned their uniform in good condition.
A business should make an effort to estimate how many uniforms it is likely to need over the coming months and in what ways changes to their business or the overall market may affect that need. Keep in mind that extra uniforms will be necessary, so there is a buffer in case of miscalculation or the sudden need to replace a uniform, such as if they are damaged.
2. Storage
Like any equipment, uniforms need to be stored when not in use. Ideally, they will be sorted by type (if a business uses multiple types of uniform) and by size. Dirty uniforms and those damaged or otherwise in need of maintenance will also need to be kept separate from clean uniforms.
The storage footprint of uniforms isn’t necessarily large, but it isn’t zero either. For smaller businesses, it’s admittedly unlikely to be a major issue. However, businesses that have dozens or even hundreds of uniforms will need to consider how much space ought to be dedicated to keeping the uniforms well-sorted, dry, and clean.
3. Maintenance
Clothes need regular cleaning and can sometimes get stained, torn, or otherwise damaged. Much of this maintenance can be done on a schedule, with additional maintenance done on an as-needed basis. Some businesses ask employees to be part of this process, taking their own uniforms home and laundering as needed.
We don’t recommend this, as it adds complexity and room for error into the process. If a dozen or more people are asked to keep their personal uniform clean, there is a greater chance at least one person will keep too low a standard or just forget to properly launder their uniform on occasion. This issue can be corrected, but it must first be noticed. By the time a manager or other staff member notices this type of issue, it may already have had an impact on a customer’s experience.
Uniforms need to be kept consistently clean and tidy if a business is going to present its best self. Oftentimes, a professional laundry service is the ideal route to take for keeping uniforms and other business linens clean for the many benefits these services can offer over doing it yourself.
4. Cost
An important part of inventory management is controlling costs. There are many ways to source the same or effectively the same uniforms. Of these options, some can be much more expensive than others. In some cases, paying more can certainly come with benefits, such as higher quality materials or better service. In other cases, that higher cost is just a waste of money. A business needs to identify what it needs out of a uniform provider, what options are available, and which option fulfills needs at the best cost.
As part of this process, it can help to talk with the companies that are available and enquire more about what they can offer. If two or more available options are being considered, you can even mention what other deals are available to you. In some cases, this can lead to companies altering their standard offer to better suit your needs and compete with those alternative providers.
5. Consistency
Uniforms ought to be consistent among workers of the same type. While it often makes sense to color code by department or position, uniforms meant to convey the same meaning should typically look identical. If those working in the grocery department are supposed to wear green, it should usually be the same green.
This type of consistency can often be easy to achieve if you can consistently source from the same place. However, it can become a greater issue if your uniforms come from multiple companies that may use different dyes, materials, and more when manufacturing uniforms. This makes it important to talk with companies before making any kind of orders and making sure you are getting exactly what is desired. This process can be made much easier by showing examples of what you want and making small orders or asking for a sample uniform before committing to a bulk order.
Let Alsco Uniforms Handle Your Uniform Inventory Management Needs
Inventory management presents challenges that businesses big and small will need to solve. These are solvable problems, but they are best considered and prepared for before they actually start to interfere with the typical day-to-day activities needed to keep a business operational. This is especially true if the needs of a business are evolving, as what once worked for your model can quickly change.
Alsco Uniforms can make overcoming uniform inventory management challenges easier with both our uniform rental services and our laundry services. Whatever the scale and complexity of your company’s needs, we hope you’ll consider what we offer. Feel free to contact our team directly with any questions about how we can best serve you.