West Michigan Uniform, Inc.

West Michigan Uniform, Inc. (WMU) is a family owned and operated uniform provider in Holland, MI that has recently received their second SBA 504 loan. Their first loan was to purchase an additional building for offices, embroidery and promotional products. To handle future growth and utilize changes in technology to the laundering industry, WMU made the decision to purchase new equipment, which they also financed through an SBA 504 loan. The new equipment allows the company to be more efficient by reducing both utility and labor costs.

Patrick Van Tuinen, Steven Van Tuinen, Mitchell Van Tuinen, and Jan Van Tuinen are all second generation owners of the over 50 year old business that provides uniforms on a daily basis for over 15,000 employees associated with their various clients. Along with uniform rentals, they also provide mat rentals, corporate apparel, embroidery and promotional products to businesses in the area. The eagerness of the owners to continue the growth and development of their family owned business by expanding production capabilities put them in an excellent position to capitalize on growth opportunities and help to ensure they can continue the family operation for many generations to come.

Bradd Pierce, GLCF’s Senior Loan Officer, partnered with Mike Eling, Vice President Commercial Banking at West Michigan Community Bank, to provide both bank and SBA 504 financing for the project. This allowed the bank to finance 50% of the costs, the 504 loan provided 40% of the costs, and the borrower contributed 10% to the overall project. Patrick Van Tuinen said, “The program was essential to West Michigan Uniform creating new jobs through the expansion of our embroidery and screen printing operations and positioning ourselves for further growth in uniform and mat rental services. The process with GLCF was smooth and the staff was extremely helpful and responsive to our questions.”