Editor’s Note: Division Laundry in San Antonio, Texas has rightfully earned their spot on the LAVATEC Hall of FAME. The facility survived a devastating fire, yet thrived due to its determination, expansion, exceeding client expectations, and equipment longevity. The laundry invested in the first of their three LAVATEC tunnel systems 31-years-ago, and the equipment is still operating today, servicing the facilities healthcare and hospitality client base. The 87-year-old company has had its share of – and overcame many – challenges.
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June 25 will forever be remembered by Patrick and Theresa Garcia and other leadership members at Division Laundry & Cleaners. The family-owned operation recently marked the 25th anniversary of the catastrophic fire in 2001 that destroyed the company’s facility, but didn’t kill the business.
Two-thirds of Division’s clients left after the fire, but the other third remained committed despite the work being outsourced to other plants throughout Texas. Their faith was rewarded two years later when a sprawling new 50,000 square-foot facility was built across the street from Lackland Air Force Base on San Antonio’s west side.
Some equipment running today actually pre-dates the new facility, including a 31-year-old LAVATEC tunnel washer system that is the centerpiece of a water conservation program saving over 15 million gallons annually. Other equipment, such as a majority of Division’s fleet of 46 box trucks, tractors and trailers, are emblazoned with a phoenix logo. The mythical bird symbolizes the successful rise from the ashes of that fateful day.
“That fire changed us and June 25 is always with us. It’s a reminder of what we overcame and a source of motivation to face whatever comes our way,” remarked Patrick Garcia Sr., Division’s president and CEO since 2010. “It tested us in ways I would not wish on anyone. But it also shaped who we are and what we stand for as a company, which is exactly why the phoenix logo means so much to us.”
A Family Tradition Building for Future Generations
The acquisition of laundry properties in Dallas and Houston in 2022, combined with opening a facility in Oklahoma, has helped the company expand the past four years. It’s a very different world since Division Laundry & Cleaners opened for business in 1939.
Mark Langford Photography210-229-9950mark@mlphoto.com
Military contracts accounted for a good portion of its business in the early years. Founder Peter Garcia began by laundering uniforms for the troops at Fort Sam Houston, and named the company after the 2nd Infantry Division at the post.
His commitment to quality service helped establish a foothold with clients that rings true today. As the state’s population has soared through the decades, many industries have flourished. The healthcare and hospitality markets sparked growth in the commercial laundry business, and Division has taken advantage of the opportunity to strengthen their relationships over the years.
“We are proud to say that some of our customer relationships go back nearly 54 years,” said Garcia, who has been actively involved in the community and currently serves on the board of the San Antonio Manufacturers Association. Next March will mark his 55th anniversary working at Division.
“Long-term relationships are something we value deeply. We don’t simply view these as customer accounts, but as true partnerships. We genuinely enjoy working with the people and organizations we serve, and believe that commitment shows in the loyalty we have built over the decades.”
That loyalty to customers, which includes hotel properties in San Antonio ranging from 250 to 1,000 rooms, was learned early in his career.
“Over the years I have worn just about every hat imaginable. I ran payroll and handled accounting while attending college and working 50 hours a week,” says Mr. Garcia, who later completed his undergraduate and master’s degree in economics. “Looking back, there is not a part of the business I have not touched, and I believe that is exactly what has prepared me to lead it.”
It required a family effort for the company to survive the fire and to accomplish what it has since. Son Patrick Garcia is the CFO, daughter Patricia and son-in-law Adam Luna are the COA and Director of Purchasing, respectively, and daughter Theresa Garcia is the COO.
“Beyond healthcare and hospitality, we also serve customers in the medical apparel, dust control, mats, and food and beverage markets. This range of services allow us to be a one-stop provider for our customers, meaning they can rely on us for multiple needs rather than managing relationships with several different vendors,” says Theresa Garcia.
She took a different path than her father and had other career choices in mind after graduating from college in 2010. But after starting as an administrative assistant before moving into operations where she worked closely with the plant manager in San Antonio, she learned the customer service and fleet management side of the business before taking on company operations responsibilities. She became COO after the Dallas and Houston acquisitions in 2022.
“Quality service,” she says, “absolutely remains a cornerstone of our business. Whether we are serving a hospital, a hotel, or any other type of customer, our commitment to consistent, reliable, high-quality results does not change, regardless of the market segment or the facility handling the work.”
Next week in Part 2, we’ll look at Division Laundry today and how they have overcome another big challenge – water conservation – with the help of LAVATEC laundry equipment.
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