ITU is owned and operated by the Leef family, now in the fourth generation of ownership. Brothers Jim and David Leef are committed to building upon the four principles and continuing the tradition started over 75 years ago:

• Delivering superior service
• Obtaining the newest technologies
• Being innovators of new products and processes
• Remaining active in the community

MILESTONES

1930s — George H. Leef opened a Milwaukee, Wis., operation known as Industrial Service Company, and began providing shop towel services across eastern Wisconsin. Other products offered were floor sweeping compounds, glass and hand cleaners and salt treated textile for windshield de-icing.

1940s — Industrial Service Company purchased the De-Luxe Laundry in Milwaukee, and both plants saw dramatic growth in shop towel usage as manufacturers worked around the clock during World War II. The Grand Avenue Overall Laundry in Oshkosh, Wis., was purchased to serve northeastern Wisconsin.

1950s — The Industrial Service Company expanded service to relays and service depots making it more economical to reach outlying markets. Several operations in smaller Wisconsin cities were purchased and consolidated into a larger West Allis, Wis. plant. With his passing, Harry Leef’s son, Steve Leef, continued in the family business with Leef Brothers in Minnesota.

1960s — The Wisconsin company changed to Industrial Towel & Uniform, Inc. The Neenah, Wis., plant was built. It was the first “design for use” industrial laundry facility constructed to efficiently process new products such as: walk mats, rental uniforms and washroom towels. George H. Leef passed away and George L. Leef became president of ITU.

1970s — The current ITU headquarters in New Berlin, Wis., was established. It still remains one of the largest industrial laundry plants in the country. Route service was expanded to include the Chicago area. Milwaukee-based Peerless Overall Inc. was purchased.

1980s — ITU utilized solar heating of process water in Neenah and New Berlin. ITU pioneered new wastewater pretreatment technologies in all processing facilities.

1990s — SorbIts^®; products were introduced to customers as launderable absorbents. AbsorbTech, LLC was created and the plant was built in South Bend, Ind. ITU developed a solvent recovery system for printer towels that became patented. George L. Leef retired as president and James and David Leef stepped in to take ITU into the next millennium.

2000s — ITU purchased Farley’s Industrial Services, Inc. in Titusville, Penn., to enter markets in the Northeastern United States. AbsorbTech acquired businesses in Philadelphia, Penn., and Piedmont, S.C., to expand service areas to the eastern half of the U.S.