ImageFIRST Acquires PureTex Solutions' Healthcare Clients to Expand Linen Laundry Services

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from Business Wire that on November 18, 2019, local time, ImageFIRST, a leading laundry service company in the U.S. healthcare industry, announced the acquisition of PureTex Solutions’ (PureTex) healthcare clients. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

PureTex Solutions, established in July 2013, is a textile rental and laundry service provider based in Orlando, Florida, USA. The company is dedicated to providing healthcare textile rental services to leading outpatient facilities in Central Florida. Its innovative product lineup includes antimicrobial linen apparel, thermal blankets, high-absorbency, lint-free surgical towels, and two-layer heat-sealed mattresses (designed to prevent wear and separation).

Medical garments and linens, such as scrubs, lab coats, and patient gowns, play a vital role in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. PureTex is dedicated to providing the healthcare industry with premium textiles that prevent the intrusion of harmful bacteria. Through its products and services, PureTex offers maximum protection for physicians and patients, thereby enhancing the experience for both patients and healthcare professionals.

By acquiring PureTex’s contracts with these healthcare clients, ImageFIRST has immediately commenced the transition of their textile rental and laundry services. The ImageFIRST Tampa team, led by General Manager JC Ryan, is managing the transition and linen processing for these clients.

ImageFIRST, founded in 1967 and headquartered in Pennsylvania, USA, is the largest and fastest-growing linen rental and laundry services company in the United States, specializing in the ambulatory healthcare sector. The company’s laundry services comply with CDC and HLAC standards to help prevent infections.

ImageFIRST operates 41 facilities across China, serving over 14,000 healthcare institutions weekly by providing linens, patient gowns, scrubs, and other products, while also managing clients’ linen inventories for cost control. Furthermore, the company’s inventory control services help clients reduce costs. These superior service offerings have enabled the company to achieve a 95% customer retention rate.

To address the frequent issue of incorrect inventory retrieval of linen textiles in hospital wards within medical systems and surgical centers, and to ensure that healthcare facilities have access to the necessary linens, ImageFIRST has introduced an RFID-based bed and laboratory apparel management solution. This initiative aims to help healthcare industry clients avoid bed shortages, reduce management costs, and ensure that relevant personnel have accurate visibility into inventory levels. Healthcare institutions and health system departments can also collaborate with ImageFIRST to develop customized management protocols tailored to their specific needs.

ImageFIRST has consistently expanded its footprint across China by combining organic growth with acquisitions. Reportedly, the acquisition of PureTex’s healthcare clients marked ImageFIRST’s fifth add-on acquisition completed in 2019. The company’s most recent acquisition occurred this May, when, with the support of private equity firm Calera Capital, it acquired a majority stake in Faultless Healthcare Linen, a laundry service provider offering linen washing and leasing services to healthcare facilities in St. Louis and Kansas City, to further expand its linen cleaning business.

ImageFIRST CEO Jeff Berstein stated, “We are delighted to expand our presence in Florida through this acquisition. We are confident that the ImageFIRST Tampa team will deliver exceptional service to these new customers.”

(Compiled by Wang Fang)