The Roscoe Difference
We Find Pride In Every Job
What makes Roscoe so different than other companies like us? There are many reasons, and each team member would say several great things about us. We've narrowed it down to 9 key factors that make Roscoe different than others that include:
- The Hometown Choice – Roscoe is family-owned and operated right in Chicago
- Intelligent Sales – Our Sales Team will be sure that Roscoe's products and services fit your needs
- Knowledgeable Service – Our Service Team will ensure prompt, friendly service
- High Quality Production – Our Production Team will keep your rental merchandise clean and in top condition
- Top-Tier Mats – Our Mat Team ensures your mats are clean and top quality
- Professional Linen & Wipers – Our Linen and Wipers Team inspect the product to make sure you get clean, quality linen and wipers
- Impeccable Garment Finishing – Our Garment Finishing Team ensures your uniforms are clean, wrinkle-free, and in good repair
- Organized Garment Sorting – Our Garment Sorting Team makes sure you receive every garment coming to you
- Responsive Maintenance – Our crack Maintenance Team keeps the operations running smoothly
The Difference That Family Makes
Family-Owned & Operated Since 1921
Roscoe is proud to be a third – going on fourth-generation – family-owned and operated company, founded in 1921 by George C. Buik and J.P. O’Connell. Today, the company is run by George’s grandson, CEO Jim Buik, along with great-granddaughter Julia Buik.
“Take pride,” the company motto, reflects four generations of hard work, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a strong sense of community. And with an average tenure of 13 years, our team members, too, are a central part of our growing work family.
A Tradition of Excellence
It’s no secret that local providers outperform national competitors in every area. In a study conducted by an independent firm, family-owned and local businesses provided higher quality and more customized services, along with better:
- Value for Cost
- Quality Personnel
- Product Quality
- Fair Billing
A Tradition of Holding Ourselves Accountable
Roscoe was built on the pride of a job well done. Since the early 1920s, our company has evolved, expanding our products and services to meet the changing needs of our customers and staying at the forefront of advances in technology. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is our commitment to our customers. Our founders' commitment to continuous improvement lives on in the dedication of the team we have today. It’s a commitment that drives us to continually put our processes under the scrutiny of third-party audits and evaluations.
A Tradition of Commitment and Responsibility
Companies ranked as “Best Places to Work” have a few things in common, notably employees who are engaged and passionate about their work. At Roscoe, our employees stick around and make their careers with Roscoe, ensuring that we are a family business in a much broader sense. This is a key foundation of our continued growth and success. Roscoe team members share more than a workplace; we share a commitment to exemplary service. We care deeply about providing services that are:
- Sustainable
- Technologically Advanced
- Certified
A Tradition of Engagement and Support
Giving back to and supporting the Chicago community is a core value of Roscoe’s culture. We are involved in a wide variety of local charities and actively support our family of local businesses. CEO Jim Buik is committed to the ongoing support of our community and industry. He plays active leadership roles in both because there’s more to running a family business than the bottom line.
In this regard, we are also incredibly grateful and proud to support the work of numerous organizations that provide mentoring, economic development, and resources to promote the success of family and small businesses across the Chicago area and beyond. These include the Illinois Small Business Advocacy Council, the Business Executives Association of Chicago, the Lawndale Business Renaissance Association, the Loyola Family Business Legacy Institute, and DePaul University’s Entrepreneur and Family Business Council, among others.
Key Differentiators
Below are the key areas that differentiate Roscoe and why we are called The Chicago Work Uniform Rental Company. See how we compare with other textile rental companies and contact us for a quote.
| Substantiated Value Differentiation Areas | Roscoe | Others |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra High Frequency RFID Automatic Garment Scan & Sort System |  | ? |
| Garments Scanned 18 -24x & Bundle Verified Before Next Delivery | | ? |
| ISO-9001:2015 Certified Quality Management System | | ? |
| OSHA SHARP Certification (Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program) | | ? |
| TRSA Hygienically Clean Certified & Clean Green Certified | | ? |
| Route Service Reps Have Longest Average Tenure in Industry | | ? |
| Industry-Leading Customer Satisfaction Research Results | | ? |
| 95% of New Hire Garments Delivered in One Week | | ? |
| 98% of Garment Repair Needs Identified by Dedicated Inspection Team | | ? |
| Longest Run of Environmental Compliance in the Industry | | ? |
| Route Service Reps Paid Salary vs. Commission on Every Invoice Charge | | ? |
| Dedicated & Consistent 3-5 Person Team Supports Each Customer | | ? |
| Daily Customer Call Detail Log Distributed Company-Wide by end of day | | ? |
| President Readily Accessible for All Customers | | ? |
| HACCP Certified (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) | | ? |
| Floor Mats Embedded with Ultra-High Radio Frequency Chips For Delivery Integrity | | ? |
| Multiple Sustainability Awards from Industry and State of Illinois | | ? |
| Routinely Hosts National Competitors For Technology Tours | | ? |
| State of the Art Finishing System Provides Higher Quality Garments | | ? |
Community Service
At Roscoe, we take pride in serving our community and those most in need. Below are some of the nonprofit organizations that we support:
Angel Tree
Every child has a story and for 2.7 million children in the US, that story may be filled with the abandonment, loneliness and shame that come from having a mom or dad in prison. For many, it may also include following their parents down the same destructive road to incarceration. Angel Tree®, a program of Prison Fellowship, reaches out to the children of prisoners and their families with the love of Christ. This unique program gives Roscoe an opportunity to help meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the families of prisoners.
Chicago Scots
Roscoe is a proud supporter of the Chicago Scots. Chicago Scots value two things above all: people and homeland. Founded in 1845, Chicago Scots was Chicago’s first and longest-running not-for-profit organization where they have been working to promote Scottish culture throughout Chicagoland.
Coat Angels
How Coat Angels works is simple. Each year, they collect names from teachers and social workers at schools in neighborhoods facing devastating poverty rates. Then they host fundraisers and collect contributions from individuals and businesses, including us at Roscoe. With the money they raise, the volunteer team shops sales and discount stores and works with retail partners, then they bag and personally deliver coats, fleeces, hats and gloves to some of the neediest children in Chicago. We invite you to explore the site, and learn how you can help ensure that no child goes cold this winter.
Greater Chicago Food Pantry
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is Chicago’s food bank. We provide food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. We do this in partnership with 650 agencies and programs including pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and responses for children, older adults and veterans. This network distributes food where it is needed most throughout Cook County. Since 1979, the Food Depository has made a daily impact on hunger across Cook County. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 70 million pounds of food, 35% of which was fresh produce. Every day we distribute the equivalent of 160,000 meals.
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Northern Illinois Food Bank is the source of nutritious food, innovative feeding programs, and hope for more than 71,000 people each week. As a nonprofit organization with a goal of solving hunger, they rely on community partners like Roscoe. We invite you to join us through volunteering at one of our their centers West Suburban Center in Geneva; North Suburban Center in Park City; Northwest Center in Rockford).
Lawndale Business Renaissance Association
Roscoe is proud to be a Charter Member of the Lawndale Business Renaissance Association. LBRA takes on the task of revitalizing the area's industrial and commercial businesses. This is being accomplished by helping to bring new businesses; working to retain businesses and helping them grow through assistance in use of economic development programs and incentives.
Lincoln Park Zoo
The Roscoe family made the decision to participate in the zoo’s Pride of Chicago campaign as part of the celebration of the Roscoe Company’s 100th anniversary. With a well-known lion as the Roscoe mascot and a company culture built around its “Take Pride” motto, the idea of contributing to one of Chicago’s most iconic institutions was too perfect to pass up.
Sarah’s Circle
Sarah’s Circle is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Chicago that provides a full spectrum of services for women, including housing and life necessities, to help permanently overcome homelessness. Roscoe takes pride in supporting and donating to Sarah’s Circle to support local women in the Chicago community.
Salvation Army: Metropolitan Division
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Metropolitan Division is a fully equipped and empowered Army of Christ’s followers passionately and effectively engaged in holistic ministries that are restoring people spiritually, emotionally and physically.
United Way
Throughout the city and suburbs, the United Way in Chicago works with donors, volunteers and agencies to make our Chicago communities strong and healthy. When you partner with United Way, you’re making a difference in metropolitan Chicago.
The Roscoe Company has been a steadfast supporter of the United Way for three generations. Roscoe Team Members have maintained a 100% participation level for the United Way charities since 1987. Our per capita giving is one of the best in the city particularly as we match 100% of every Roscoe team member’s donation.
