HandCraft Services got its start — and made its name — as a dry cleaner in Richmond more than 50 years ago. But these days, the company’s big business is handling the medical industry’s laundry.

Brothers Jay, Keith and Jeff Nichols, HandCraft’s second generation owners and equal partners, say 90 percent of the company’s business now comes from hospitals and private medical practices.

“Health care is one of the most stable industries, and it’s going to keep on growing,” said Jeff Nichols.

Working mostly out of a 60,000-square-foot state-of-the-art laundry facility on Cofer Road in South Richmond, the company launders bedding, gowns, towels and a host of other laundry for its clients.

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FRANKFORT, Ill. — The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) accredited its 100th healthcare laundry when HandCraft Linen Services, Richmond, Va., earned the distinction in May, HLAC reports.

“We’re proud to have reached this milestone in HLAC’s history,” says HLAC Chairperson Patti Costello, executive director of the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES). “Laundries voluntarily seeking accreditation demonstrate they understand the importance of continuous benchmarking, process improvement, patient safety, and providing hygienically clean textiles to customers.” Read all »

Exchange Carts – Better Service and Profitability Click to view article.
Converting to an exchange cart program isn’t just a matter of collecting data in separate systems and having the customer service representatives provide monthly reports. In order to move to an exchange cart program, as proposed by HandCraft Linen Services, three key elements are required. Please press on the above link to see what these elements are and to read more on how exchange carts can be a better and profitability service.

TRSA (Textile Rental Services Association of America) Textile Rental Weekly December 8, 2008

From its start as a single dry cleaning store in Richmond, VA in the mid-1950s, HandCraft Services is becoming one of the fastest rising textile service companies in the nation. While the business has changed dramatically, including the opening of a new 60,000 sq. ft. facility last month, what remains at its core is a strong family.
At the new plant’s official opening on Nov. 25 in Richmond, the strength of this growing company was on display. HandCraft Services President Keith M. Nichols; President, Sales & Marketing Jeff Nichols and Vice President John J. Nichols welcomed more than 100 customers, dignitaries, friends and family members for the dedication. Their brother, Fr. Neal A. Nichols, blessed the facility, as each of their families looked on. The family’s matriarch, Mrs. John A. Nichols, widow of founder John Nichols, received congratulations from those in attendance. Read all »

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Bruce Beggs, Editor, American Laundry News Published 02/20/2009 – 10:42 A.M. CT

RICHMOND, Va. — Dedication of the new $9.6 million HandCraft Healthcare Linen Services Facility here heralds a new era of healthcare linen management innovation and another milestone for the family-owned company that began with a single drycleaning store nearly 40 years ago.

HandCraft Services President Keith M. Nichols, Vice President John J. “Jay” Nichols, and President of Sales and Marketing Jeffrey S. Nichols — sons of company founder John A. Nichols — welcomed Virginia Lt. Gov. William T. “Bill” Bolling and other guests to the new corporate headquarters and healthcare laundry facility on Richmond’s Southside. Read all »

Please read our feature article in the latest issue of M.D. News.

We would like to welcome our newest customers. Because of you 2008 is off to our fastest pace in company history.
We value your trust and sincerely appreciate all of our customers’ unending loyalty. Thank You!!