In the competitive landscape of mat rental services, businesses often face a critical decision: should they opt for a local provider deeply rooted in the community or a national giant with extensive reach? This decision can significantly impact service quality, flexibility, and ultimately, the bottom line.

The mat rental industry, much like the uniform industry, was once dominated by family-owned companies that built strong, lasting relationships within their communities. However, many of these local businesses have since been acquired by large, publicly traded corporations. Studies indicate that communication and customer service often suffer under these well-known national providers compared to independent suppliers. At Northern Uniform Service, we have found that the main reason customers switch to us is due to a lack of trust in their national uniform provider.

National vs. Local: By the Numbers

The CSC Network, comprising over 175 independent retail laundries in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, conducted an unbiased uniform rental study revealing insightful data. When asked about the advantages of using a locally-owned rental launderer versus a larger, national rental uniform supplier, respondents frequently mentioned better, more personalized service (41%) and supporting the local economy (41%) as primary motivating factors.

Request more information about Local vs. National here.

Why Go Local?

Personalized Service and Local Knowledge

Northern Uniform Service, an independent, family-owned Canadian uniform rental company serving Ontario since 1901, understands the unique needs of businesses in Northern Ontario. Our local presence allows us to offer personalized service and quick response times. We know the local business environment, enabling us to provide tailored solutions.

Community Involvement and Support

As a local business, we are deeply invested in the success of our community. Choosing Northern Uniform Service means supporting a local business that, in turn, supports other local businesses and community initiatives. Independent companies make decisions that benefit their customers and employees, not corporate shareholders. This local engagement fosters strong, long-term relationships.

Flexible and Responsive

With fewer layers of management, we can make decisions quickly and respond attentively to our customers. Our local team is always available to assist you, ensuring that your mat rental service is handled and hassle-free.

Family-Focused Work Culture

Our family-focused work culture creates happier employees who care deeply about the products and services we provide. This commitment leads to higher customer satisfaction. We make more local purchases, strengthening the communities we serve.

Local Businesses Achieve Higher Quality

Our mission as your local mat rental provider is to serve our community’s businesses by helping them achieve:

• Safer work environments
• Lower costs
• Higher employee morale
• Higher productivity
• Compliance with statutory requirements and industry codes of practice

Our values are adopted by our team and used daily when interacting with both employees and customers. Staying in business for over 100 years has required both commitment and the ability to adapt and learn, but our core approach remains unchanged: providing high-quality, personalized service to our community.

National Mat Rental Services

Wide Coverage but Less Personalization

National companies often boast extensive coverage and resources. However, this broad reach can come at the cost of personalized service. With standardized processes, national providers may lack the flexibility to cater to the specific needs of businesses in North Bay.

Potential for Longer Response Times

Due to their larger scale, national providers may have longer response times for customer service and issue resolution. Their centralized operations can mean that decisions and actions take longer, which might not be ideal for businesses needing quick and efficient service.

Less Community Focus

While national companies contribute to the economy, they may not have the same level of community involvement and commitment as local businesses. Choosing a local provider like Northern Uniform Service means investing in the economic health and social well-being of your own community.

Which Is Right for Your Business?

The decision between local vs. national mat rental services depends on your business’s specific needs and values. If you value personalized service, quick response times, and community involvement, a local provider like Northern Uniform Service is an excellent choice. Our commitment to quality, flexibility, and community makes us a trusted partner for businesses in Northern Ontario.

If you’re considering starting a new mat rental program for your business or changing suppliers, here are a few things to consider. Understanding the differences between local and national providers can help you make an informed decision that best suits your company’s needs.

Comparison on Features between Local Providers and National Providers

About Northern Uniform Service

Northern Uniform Service is proudly based in Sudbury, extending our top-quality services across Northern Ontario to the Greater Toronto Area, and from Timmins to Hamilton, and Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay to Timmins. We operate a depot in Bradford, ON, and have recently opened a new depot in Timmins, ON, to better serve our expanding customer base.

We specialize in providing uniform rental, towel and mat rental, and other facility services to a diverse range of industries, including mining, food processing, construction, and manufacturing.

Since 1901, the Bisset family has been dedicated to serving the retail and commercial laundry market in Ontario. In 1972, James Robert (JR) Bisset recognized the growing need for specialized uniform and mat rental services and incorporated Northern Uniform.

Today, Northern Uniform Service is one of the only companies in North America to achieve both ISO 22000:2018 and ISO 9001:2015 registrations, underscoring our commitment to quality and safety standards.

Call to Action

Experience the difference with Northern Uniform Service. Contact us today for a FREE personalized consultation and quote. Let’s see how our mat rental services can benefit your business.