UniFirst Corporation, a North American provider of customized business uniform programs, facility service products and first aid and safety services, celebrated its 23rd annual Founder’s Day—a tradition established in 2001 after the passing of the company’s founder Aldo Croatti, according to a UniFirst news release.
The Founder’s Day event was held at 270 UniFirst locations nationwide and in Canada. It brought together thousands of employee Team Partners to pay homage to Croatti who founded the company in 1936.
“At the heart of UniFirst is an enduring customer-focused culture that Aldo has instilled since day one,” said Cynthia Croatti, special consultant and advisor to the CEO, and daughter of Aldo Croatti. “Aldo’s legacy lives on at UniFirst and Founder’s Day services as our way to strengthen our commitment to our founding core values: Customer Focus, Respect for Others, and Commitment to Quality.”
Founder’s Day also provides an opportunity UniFirst locations to name its Employee of the Year (EOY), celebrating individuals who best exemplify the company’s core values. Each EOY received an award, a gift of recognition, and a bonus paid day off. Their names are engraved on commemorative plaques displayed at their respective UniFirst locations across North America.
“What distinguishes UniFirst from our competition is our people and their dedication to serving our customers. Our unique service culture, rooted in the values established by Aldo, continues to propel us forward as a trusted partner to our customers,” said Steven Sintros, UniFirst president and CEO. “Congratulations to all our Employees of the Year for their outstanding contributions. I’m proud of the way you always deliver for our customers, our company, and for each other.”
UniFirst also announced the recipients of its two higher-education scholarships, the annual Aldo Croatti Scholarship and the Ronald D. Croatti Scholarship programs. The former, awarded in honor of its namesake, assists children of UniFirst staff members in their academic pursuits. The latter, presented in recognition of the longtime president and CEO who passed away in 2017, helps full-time UniFirst employees who enroll in undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited college or vocational/technical school in the areas of information technology (IT), sales leadership, or business administration/leadership. To date, the amount awarded in scholarships stands at nearly one-million dollars.
