American Linen to buy Al Phillips' uniform unit

Advertiser Staff

American Linen, the state's biggest linen supplier, has agreed to purchase rival Al Phillips the Cleaner Inc.'s uniform rental business in a deal between the industry's top two uniform rental companies.

About 34 people are employed by Al Phillips' uniform business on Lagoon Drive and are expected to be laid off, according to a filing with the state Department of Labor yesterday by the company. But the filing also said American Linen indicated it would offer them employment after the deal closes.

Wayne Moore, general manager for American Linen, confirmed the sale but declined to comment further, citing a confidentiality agreement.

American Linen bought Young Laundry & Dry Cleaning's 160-employee commercial cleaning service in 1994 and is the largest player in the linen supply business in Honolulu. Young Laundry also competes in the uniform rental service as does Clean Living Dust-Tex.