There’s something profound about reaching 125 years in business. To be in business for over a century means there was plenty of adapting, innovating, and staying rooted in the communities you serve.
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re reminded that our story isn’t just ours. It belongs to every customer we’ve partnered with, every team member who’s walked through our doors, and every community we’ve had the privilege to serve.
The Foundation: Where It All Began
In 1901, John Ritchie Bisset opened Sudbury Steam Laundry in Sudbury, Ontario with a simple but powerful mission: serve the needs of the retail and wholesale laundry market in Northern Ontario. John saw an opportunity to provide something essential—reliable, quality service to communities that were just beginning to grow.
From those earliest days, one thing was clear: this wasn’t just about laundry. It was about understanding that the people who keep our communities running, the workers, the tradespeople, and the crews, deserve gear that works as hard as they do. That philosophy hasn’t changed in 125 years. If anything, it’s only grown stronger.
Three generations of the Bisset family have carried forward John’s vision, each one building on the foundation he laid. That’s more than a century of the same family showing up, putting in the work, and keeping promises. It’s a legacy worth celebrating!
Innovation Through the Decades
You don’t last 125 years by standing still. We’ve always been about looking ahead, listening to what our customers need, and finding better ways to deliver it.
A Pivotal Shift: Focusing on What Matters Most
In 1972, James Robert (JR) Bisset made a decision that would shape the next five decades of Northern Uniform’s story. Identifying a business opportunity in Sudbury, he chose to focus specifically on the uniform rental and mat rental needs of customers and incorporated Northern Uniform Service. It was a pivot that moved away from the broader laundry market to specialize in the services that businesses truly needed.
That decision opened doors. Since then, we’ve been able to branch out our service offerings and expand our service areas to include North Bay, Timmins, and Sault Ste. Marie, solidifying its regional presence, then to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), broadening our customer base.
In 2004, Northern Uniform expanded its footprint with the opening of an 11,000-square-foot service depot in Bradford, Ontario, creating a key operational hub for south-central Ontario. In 2023, the company continued that momentum by breaking ground on a new depot in the Timmins area. This is the proof that Northern’s commitment to service and growth remains as strong as ever.
We didn’t grow by becoming something we’re not. We grew by getting better at what we’ve always done best: keeping promises and taking care of people, while staying true to our roots as a family-owned, locally-operated business.
Leading Through Quality and Innovation
Our commitment to doing things right hasn’t gone unnoticed. We became the first uniform provider in North America to successfully attain and maintain ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System certification. We’re also registered to ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems certification. These aren’t just plaques to hang on the wall; they’re proof that when we say we’re accountable, we mean it.
We’ve also made tech advancements, such as our NU-Trak Online Portal, our web-based tracking application, available to all our customers giving teams quick access to everything from delivery schedules to individual uniform information. Plus, with RFID-enabled garments, we can track uniforms in real time, helping reduce losses, streamline inventory, and make sure the right gear gets to the right person every time.
The Modern Era: Solving Real Problems
Fast forward to today, and that spirit of innovation is alive and well. When our customers told us they were struggling with the complexity and cost of managing compliant hi-vis uniforms, we didn’t just nod sympathetically; we built the P.A.S.S. (Protective Apparel Safety System) Program which is a solution that eliminates upfront costs, handles all regulatory maintenance, and makes workplace safety accessible to operations of any size.
When we heard feedback about comfort and durability in demanding environments, we developed the NU-Vent Collection: breathable, high-performance gear designed for professionals who can’t afford to slow down.
These aren’t just random products added to the line, they’re responses to real conversations with real people doing real work. That’s how innovation happens when you’re listening.
The Values That Keep Us Grounded
Reaching 125 years takes more than good business sense. It takes principles you’re willing to live by, even when it’s hard.
Keep Your Promises. “Keeping promises since 1901” is our track record. We have customers who’ve been with us for decades because when we say we’ll do something, we do it.
Be Fair. We compete on exceptional service at a fair, transparent, and honest price. No hidden fees or surprise charges.
Tell the Unvarnished Truth. Sometimes the truth isn’t easy to hear, but it’s always the starting point for getting better. We pride ourselves on problem resolution and accountability.
Respect Each Other. Our customers, vendors, and employees all play a vital role in what we’ve built. We treat everyone with the respect and appreciation they deserve, because this success isn’t ours alone, it belongs to everyone who’s been part of the journey.
Do the Right Thing. Mistakes happen, and when something goes wrong, we own it and fix it. Accurate invoicing, attentive service, complete deliveries, prompt responses—these aren’t bonuses. They’re the baseline of what’s right.
The People Who Make It Possible
Here’s what 125 years really represents: generations of people who’ve shown up, done the work, and cared deeply about getting it right.
40 Years of Service:
- Ron St. Onge
30 Years of Service:
- Leo Courtemanche
- Andrew Suban
- Beverley Coutain
20 Years of Service:
- Song Hoi Lee
- Michaela Taylor
- Linh Tran
- Eric Swaboda
- Pierre Mayer
Grateful Beyond Words
As we mark this 125th anniversary, we’re filled with gratitude. You don’t reach 125 years alone. You get there because people believe in what you’re building, because they see value in what you do, and because you never stop working to earn that trust.
Here’s to the next years of service, innovation, and partnership. We can’t wait to see what we’ll build together!
