What ServiceWear Apparel does

ServiceWear Apparel is a Nashville, Tennessee-based B2B workwear and uniform distributor that supplies apparel to public and private sector organizations across twelve vertical segments, including education, healthcare, public safety, transit, parks and recreation, public utilities, transportation, manufacturing, landscaping, culinary, oil and gas, and private healthcare/laboratories. The company operates as a subsidiary of SMS Holdings, a diversified Nashville-based conglomerate with over $500 million in annual revenue and 7,000+ employees, and has been the premier supplier partner to OMNIA Partners — the largest US cooperative purchasing organization — since 2009. Founded by Jim Burnett and now led by President Richard Reeves (effective January 2025), ServiceWear employs 51-100 people and maintains a dedicated account management and Business Development Manager sales force structured around three regional divisions.

The company's core operating model is a multi-brand workwear distribution platform aggregating products from leading manufacturers — Red Kap, Dickies (exclusive B2B licensee), Bulwark, Workrite Fire Service, Horace Small, Kodiak/Terra footwear, Propper, First Tactical, Reflective Apparel, Cherokee Medical, and Chef Designs — into a single procurement vehicle. The proprietary operational footprint includes 15 million garments in inventory across 100,000+ styles, sizes, and colors, a 22-point quality testing protocol with one-year defect replacement, capacity to ship 100,000 garments daily, a 14-day average turnaround versus the industry standard of 30-45 days, and a 95% on-time delivery rate. An online ordering portal (shop.servicewearapparel.com) plus phone/email order channels serve existing customers, while a dedicated blog, downloadable catalogs, and cooperative purchasing education guides drive top-of-funnel demand.

Revenue is generated through transactional one-time sales under cooperative purchasing contract R251002 with OMNIA Partners (effective through September 2028 with a two-year extension option), which provides fixed 42.5% off list pricing to public agencies, nonprofits, education, and private sector buyers and eliminates the need for individual RFPs. Pricing is bundled with no nonstock or oversize surcharges, free pant hemming, free shipping on orders over $100, no user fees, and embroidery at $6.50 per logo; a separate promotional products channel offers 12% off manufactured retail through sister site servicewearpromotional.com. The company has additionally secured state contract adoptions in Pennsylvania (COSTARS), South Dakota, Rhode Island, Nevada, Mississippi, Louisiana, Iowa, and Arkansas to extend its public-sector reach beyond the federal OMNIA vehicle.

Name

ServiceWear Apparel

Legal name

ServiceWear Apparel

Website

https://servicewearapparel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ServiceWear Apparel is a Nashville-based B2B workwear distributor that supplies uniforms and apparel to public and private sector organizations through the OMNIA Partners cooperative purchasing contract, offering 42.5% off list pricing across 15 million garments from leading brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workwear & Uniform Distribution

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315)

SIC

Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130), Men's & Boys' Furnishgs, Work Clothg, & Allied Garments (2320)

akta.pro primary industry

Workwear, Uniform & Protective Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Processing & Hygienic Workwear (Coats, Aprons, Hairnets) (CRAAALAH), Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI), Uniform Programs for Small Businesses (Branded/Apparel Management) (HSAJAMAF)

Keywords

• Workwear distribution
• Cooperative purchasing
• Flame resistant apparel
• Medical scrubs supply
• Occupational uniforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Workwear and Uniform Sales: Direct purchase of workwear and uniforms through cooperative purchasing contracts. Customers access products at discounted rates (42.5% off list pricing) by leveraging OMNIA Partners contracts, eliminating the need for lengthy RFP processes. Revenue generated from product sales across public and private sector customers.
2. Promotional Products: 12% discount off manufactured published retail price on thousands of promotional products through sister site servicewearpromotional.com

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ServiceWear Apparel distributes branded workwear, uniforms, safety apparel, and medical scrubs to public sector agencies and private enterprises through the OMNIA Partners cooperative purchasing contract (R251002), providing fixed pricing at 42.5% off list with no long-term contracts, free pant hemming, free shipping over $100, and bundled embroidery services. The company carries a 15 million garment inventory across 100,000+ styles, sizes, and colors and offers customization (embroidery, screen printing, emblems, reflective striping) plus a promotional products line.

Product overview

ServiceWear Apparel is a workwear distribution company operating as part of the SMS Holdings family, offering a portfolio of distributed workwear brands through a cooperative purchasing model via OMNIA Partners. The company distributes over 100,000 styles from multiple brands including Red Kap (work shirts, pants, MIMIX mobility wear, Cool Collection, visibility garments, culinary apparel), Bulwark (flame-resistant FR workwear), Dickies (workwear and outerwear), Workrite Fire Service (FR station wear for fire service), Horace Small (uniforms), Kodiak/Terra (safety footwear), Propper (tactical gear), Cherokee Medical (scrubs and healthcare apparel), First Tactical (public safety apparel), Reflective Apparel (ANSI-compliant high-visibility wear), and ServiceWear Scrubs (medical scrubs). Products serve public sector (education, healthcare, safety, transit, parks, utilities) and private sector (transportation, manufacturing, landscaping, culinary, oil and gas, healthcare) industries. The company offers customization services (embroidery, screen printing, reflective striping) and promotional items at 12% discount. All garments are backed by Workwear Outfitters' 22-point quality testing and 1-year defect replacement guarantee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Red Kap Workwear A workwear brand founded in 1923 offering shirts, pants, overalls, lab coats, and butcher wraps. Products include MIMIX mobility workwear, the Airflow breathable line, the Cool Collection with Coolcore technology, ANSI-compliant visibility garments, culinary apparel with OilBlok technology, denim work jeans, polo shirts, and outerwear including a 2026 outerwear collection.
• Bulwark Flame-Resistant (FR) Apparel The world's leading flame-resistant apparel brand providing protective workwear, including the Bulwark iQ Series (e.g., QP18NV IQ Series Lightweight Comfort Pant, STZ2NV FR Flex Knit 1/2 Zip) and protective FR garments designed for hazardous work environments in oil and gas, utilities, and manufacturing.
• Dickies Workwear A leading global brand of innovative and trusted workwear with 96-year heritage providing tough, quality apparel including cold weather jackets, the Duratech Active Duck Jacket (DJ10BD), Protect Hooded Jacket (PH10), duck jackets, fleece hoodies, work pants, and outerwear. Dickies is the exclusive licensee for the B2B channel under Workwear Outfitters.
• Workrite Fire Service Station Wear PPE station wear focused on the fire service industry, providing NFPA 1975-compliant flame-resistant protection. Now part of the Bulwark Protection platform, offering over 300 years of combined FR experience.
• Horace Small Uniforms A uniform brand honoring and equipping professionals who work in demanding conditions with intuitively designed uniforms, including apparel tailored for parks and recreation professionals.
• Kodiak / Terra Safety Footwear Kodiak is a pioneering Canadian bootmaker; Terra is safety footwear designed for work with premium protection and innovative craftsmanship engineered for comfort and on-the-job safety.
• Propper Tactical Gear Tactical gear equipping first responders and law enforcement professionals with durable and reliable apparel, including BDU Trouser Button Fly in Battle Rip 65/35 Ripstop (F525014001), tactical pants, performance polos, and weather-resistant jackets.
• Cherokee Medical Healthcare Apparel Healthcare apparel brand offering scrubs and medical workwear, including the Cherokee Scrubs Women's V-Neck Top (WW645), the Men's V-Neck Top (81906), and additional brands Healing Hands, Medelita, Infinity, Heartsoul, AllHeart, Silverts, Dickies medical, Med Couture, and Classroom.
• First Tactical Public Safety Apparel Public safety apparel providing professional-grade tactical uniforms, including the Men's Short Sleeve Performance Knit Flex Series Active Polo (SK92), outerwear, and accessories designed for law enforcement, first responders, and security professionals.
• Reflective Apparel High-Visibility Safety Wear High-visibility safety apparel manufacturer since 1989, designing ANSI 107-2020 compliant safety garments using YKK zippers, 3M Scotchlite reflective materials, 3M Thinsulate, and Teflon coatings.
• ServiceWear Scrubs Medical Line The company's own medical scrubs line offering durable classics to premium fashion-inspired collections, backed by 100% social-compliance adherence and strong global sourcing, with extensive inventory for healthcare workers.
• Chef Designs Culinary Apparel Food service and culinary apparel brand offering professional uniforms from front-of-house to back-of-house, featuring MIMIX mobility technology and OilBlok Technology for cleanliness.
• OMNIA Partners Cooperative Purchasing Program Cooperative purchasing program providing 42.5% off list pricing, no oversize or nonstock charges, free pant hemming, free shipping on orders over $100, no user fees, fixed annual pricing, and pre-competed bid requirements. Contract R251002 with lead agency Region 4 Education Service Center, effective through September 2028 with two-year extension option.
• Customization & Embellishment Services Up to 6,000 customization options including embroidery (logos at $6.50 each), screen printing, emblem attachment, and reflective striping, with free artwork setup, to support branded uniform programs for organizations of all sizes.
• Promotional Products (ServiceWear Promotional) Promotional products offering a 12% discount off manufactured published retail price on thousands of items, made available through the ServiceWear Promotional sister site.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42.5% savings off list pricing through OMNIA Partners cooperative purchasing
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OMNIA PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2009Since 2009, ServiceWear Apparel has been the premier supplier partner to OMNIA Partners (formerly National IPA, TCPN, and US Communities) for uniforms and work apparel. OMNIA Partners is the largest cooperative purchasing organization covering both private and public sectors. ServiceWear holds the Apparel, Uniforms, Accessories, Products, and Services Contract (R251002) with lead agency Region 4 Education Service Center. The current contract is effective through September 2028.
• Workwear OutfitterscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Primary manufacturing partner, formerly known as VF Workwear. Workwear Outfitters is the world's workwear authority and leading manufacturer of innovative work apparel and safety footwear. Based in Nashville, Tennessee with over 5,800 employees globally. Brands include Red Kap, Bulwark, Workrite Fire Service, Horace Small, Kodiak, Terra, Work Authority, Walls, Liberty, Image Authority, Chef Designs. Also exclusive licensee for Dickies apparel in B2B channel. Often referred to as the 'Seamless Partnership'.
• PropperminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-quality manufacturing partner providing tactical workwear and uniforms for first responders and law enforcement professionals.
• Reflective ApparelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing partner since 1989 providing high visibility safety apparel compliant with ANSI 107-2020 standards. Uses premium components including YKK zippers, 3M Scotchlite reflective materials, and 3M Thinsulate.
• First TacticalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeader in Public Safety Apparel industry providing top-quality public safety apparel and gear designed for demanding environments through extensive customer feedback, engineering, field testing, and real-world deployment.
• Cherokee Medical (Careismatic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare apparel partner offering brands including Cherokee, Healing Hands, Medelita, Infinity, Heartsoul, AllHeart, Silverts, Dickies, Med Couture, and Classroom. Focused on improving lives of healthcare workers.
• Charles RiverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing partner providing additional workwear and apparel options.
• OccunomixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing partner providing additional workwear and apparel options.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Cintas: Largest US uniform rental and direct-purchase provider with $9B+ revenue across uniform, restroom, first aid, and safety services. Competes head-to-head with ServiceWear's direct-purchase model in mid-market and enterprise workwear accounts and is the primary incumbent ServiceWear is trying to displace.
• Workwear Outfitters: World's largest workwear manufacturer (Red Kap, Bulwark, Dickies B2B, Horace Small, Kodiak) and ServiceWear's primary supplier and 'Seamless Partnership' partner. Both partner and potential channel competitor if Workwear Outfitters expands its own direct B2B distribution.
• Aramark Uniform Services: Diversified uniform and food services arm of Aramark, offering uniform rental, purchase, and managed apparel programs across North America. Competes with ServiceWear across enterprise and public-sector accounts as part of a much broader services portfolio.

Direct peers

• UniFirst: Major North American uniform rental and direct-purchase operator serving manufacturing, hospitality, food service, and healthcare customers. Overlaps directly with ServiceWear on uniform program replacement and competes for the same B2B accounts.
• Prudential Overall Supply: Family-owned uniform rental and direct uniform supplier operating across the western and southern US. Closely comparable mid-size competitor to ServiceWear with both rental and direct-purchase programs in industrial and service-sector workwear.
• ImageFIRST: Healthcare-focused linen and uniform rental/purchase provider serving hospitals, ambulatory, and dental customers. Comparable to ServiceWear's healthcare vertical (scrubs, lab coats, Cherokee Medical line) and competes for the same private healthcare and lab accounts.
• Vestis: Uniform and workplace supplies provider spun off from Aramark in 2023, focused on uniform rental, managed services, and direct purchase in food service, healthcare, and industrial segments. Direct competitive overlap with ServiceWear across culinary, healthcare, and industrial verticals.
• Mission Linen Supply: Regional uniform and linen supply company serving hospitality, food service, healthcare, and industrial customers across the western US. Direct mid-market competitor to ServiceWear with adjacent industrial laundering and direct-purchase offerings.

Others

• Grainger: Industrial MRO distributor carrying workwear, safety apparel, and facility maintenance products through a large catalog and online channel. Not a direct uniform specialist but an adjacent channel where industrial buyers also purchase workwear, making it a partial substitute for procurement dollars.

Emerging players

• Lands' End Business: B2B uniform and custom apparel division of Lands' End selling direct-purchase uniforms and logo apparel to enterprises, healthcare, and hospitality customers. Closest emerging direct-purchase competitor to ServiceWear without a rental model overlay.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/servicewear-apparel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ServiceWear Apparel