Gunderson breaks ground on next phase of growth

Heather Graves

Staff

July 27, 2026

NEENAH – Gunderson Uniform & Linen is expanding operations with a new, 65,000-square-foot linen and uniform processing facility in Neenah – a project Vice President Sara Gunderson said is designed to increase laundering capacity and accommodate the company’s continued growth across Wisconsin.

“This project is really the result of years of thoughtful planning,” she said.

With steady growth across health care, hospitality and other industries throughout Wisconsin, Sara said the company’s Menasha facility has reached its limits, no longer offering the space or flexibility needed for continued growth.

“While increased demand certainly contributed to the decision, this investment is also about being proactive and investing in the future by building a smarter, more sustainable operation,” she said. “We are committed to ensuring we’re prepared not only for today’s customers, but for the next generation of customers, employees and technology as well.”

Sara said the expansion is about making “a smart investment” in the future of the company and its customers.

“It’s the next step in continuing to deliver the high-quality and responsive service people expect from Gunderson – now with even more capacity and efficiency,” she said.

A service legacy

Founded in 1952, Gunderson Uniform & Linen – which The Business News first featured in its Sept. 23, 2022 issue highlighting its 70th year in operation – is a family-owned and -operated Wisconsin company providing linen rental, uniform rental, healthcare linen services, facility services and commercial laundry solutions across the state.

Over the years, Sara said Gunderson has grown from a small family business into one of the region’s trusted providers of linen and uniform rental services.

“Throughout that growth, one thing has never changed – our commitment to doing business the right way and building lasting relationships with our customers,” she said.

That commitment, Sara said, remains one of the company’s key differentiators in an industry increasingly shaped by scale and technology. 

Gunderson’s ability to combine the resources and technology of a much larger company with the responsiveness and personal relationships of a family-owned business, she said, is what sets it apart. 

“Our customers know who they’re calling,” she said. “They know their route representative, and they know we’re invested in their success.”

Building for the future

Located at 1712 Dixie Road in Neenah, Sara said the facility represents a long-term investment in the company, the Neenah community and its Wisconsin operations, with sustainability playing a key role in the facility’s design. 

“The building will incorporate an advanced water reclamation system and energy recovery units that will significantly reduce water and energy consumption while supporting more efficient operations,” she said. “These green initiatives reflect our long-term commitment to environmental stewardship, responsible growth and creating a modern workplace that will serve our employees, customers and the community for years to come.”

Sara said Gunderson will continue operating under TRSA’s Hygienically Clean Healthcare and Hospitality certifications and maintain Clean Green standards.

“[These] reflect our commitment to responsible operations as well as high-quality outcomes,” she said. “For us, sustainability isn’t a separate initiative – it’s simply part of running a smarter, more responsible business.”

That’s why, Sara said, the project represents more than a facility expansion for Gunderson.

“It’s one of the most significant investments Gunderson has made in its history, and it reflects our confidence in our employees, our customers and the future of our company,” she said.

As a family-owned business, Sara said Gunderson approaches major decisions with a generational mindset, focusing on investments that will create lasting value.

“This facility ensures that we’re positioned to continue serving Wisconsin healthcare clients and hospitality businesses with the same personal service and high quality we’re known for, while giving us the ability to evolve as our industry continues to change,” she said.

Precast concrete, steel design

Sustainability, Sara said, is one piece of a broader design strategy focused on creating a facility built for the long term.

She said the building features precast concrete and structural steel construction designed to provide durability, flexibility and room for future growth. 

“Precast concrete provides the durability and efficiency needed for a high-volume industrial operation, while the structural steel design creates large, open production spaces that allow us to optimize workflow and accommodate future equipment,” she said.

Just as importantly, Sara said the new facility provides flexibility for the future.

“As technology evolves or customer needs change, the building has been designed so we can continue adapting without outgrowing the facility,” she said. “It’s truly a long-term investment that supports both today’s operation and tomorrow’s opportunities.”

Sara said the new facility’s capabilities are designed to work together to create a more efficient and adaptable operation.

A more streamlined layout, she said, will allow products to move through the facility with fewer unnecessary touches, improving productivity while supporting stronger quality control throughout the process.

“The new equipment and building layout also allow for stronger quality control throughout the process, helping us continue to deliver consistency for every customer,” she said.

Sara said the facility also was designed with future automation in mind, allowing the company to integrate new technology more easily as it evolves.

“Combined with additional processing capacity, those investments allow us to continue growing while maintaining the responsiveness and personal service our customers expect,” she said.

Investing in the next generation

Sara said she and Doug Gunderson – her brother, business partner and president of Gunderson Uniform & Linen – hope the project is viewed as more than a new facility.

“Yes, it’s a new building – but more importantly, it’s a commitment,” she said. “It’s a commitment to our employees by giving them an outstanding place to work. It’s a commitment to our customers by ensuring we continue delivering exceptional service. And it’s a commitment to Wisconsin by investing locally and building a company that’s here for the long haul.”

Sara said the facility isn’t about replacing what Gunderson has built over the last 75 years – “it’s about ensuring we can continue delivering that same trusted service for the next 75.”

The project, Sara said, also reflects Gunderson’s continued investment in Wisconsin and the communities it serves.

“We’re making significant investments in technology, our employees and our communities, while remaining locally owned and locally managed,” she said. “That combination of innovation and personal service is what truly sets Gunderson apart.”

As work starts on the facility expansion, Sara said Gunderson is “incredibly optimistic” about the future.

“This new facility positions us to continue growing responsibly, creating jobs, investing in new technology and expanding our capabilities while remaining true to the values that have guided our company for nearly years,” she said. “We believe the best way to honor our history is to continue investing in our future.”

As a family-owned and -operated company, Sara said the project is especially meaningful to the Gunderson family.

“Our grandfather (Douglas) started Gunderson in 1952, and our dad (Gary) spent his life growing the business before handing it over to Doug and me,” she said.

Though both have since passed away, Sara said she believes they would be proud of what the Gunderson team has accomplished.

“We’d like to think they’re looking down on us as we begin this next chapter,” she said. “Everything we’re building is rooted in the foundation they created.”

With construction now underway – following a groundbreaking earlier this month – Sara said Gunderson expects to complete the transition into the new facility by next spring.