Celebrating 40th Anniversary, McDonald Uniforms Continues to Satisfy its Customers

March 16, 2013, Philadelphia, PA – Celebrating its 40th anniversary, McDonald Uniform Company is looking back at what helped it sustain continual growth during the last forty years.

“It’s been 40 years of learning, servicing and more learning. We have been fortunate to have relationships with many of our customers for more than 20 years. The word customer is not used much by me because we are friends,” said Dan McDonald Sr., President of McDonald Uniforms. “We have had a great staff over the 40 years. McDonald Uniforms has employed more than 60 people. McDonald Uniforms success was because of every one of these individuals who helped contribute to our daily mission of servicing the customer.”

Founded in 1973 by Joseph McDonald Sr., a retired mailman, the company started with 2 employees. At that time, Joe, familiar with his former employer, began distributing uniforms to his previous co-workers. “He sold Elbeco shirts, Fechheimer pants and Weinbrenner shoes. He kept it simple,” said Dan. “I remember coming home and my dad packing orders in the kitchen. He then would go to the dining room to do the invoicing.” The sales grew a little bit each year. Eventually, with an uncertain market with the postal service, Dan began selling blue goods to remain viable.

In 1989, Dan acquired the company from his father. The company moved from the garage to an industrial park in the Somerton section of Philadelphia. “I bought the company from my dad and put everything I had into it. I had 2 kids over the age of 10 years old that I had to provide for,” said Dan. The new location was a 2,000 square foot building with a 200 square foot showroom, 2 offices, a sewing room and an order processing area. McDonald Uniforms averaged about 8 walk in customers in 1991. By 2000, the number grew to 30 walk ins. With an outside sales team and a showroom, McDonald Uniforms was primed for the future.

In 2001, McDonald Uniforms faced the challenge of the internet and mail order catalogs. “It’s difficult to compete against companies selling online and out of a catalog that are located in the middle of nowhere. Their rent alone is minimal and they pay their staff minimum wage. Here in the city of Philadelphia, rents are high and we have hard working people who deserve better than minimum wage,” said Dan.

By 2003, McDonald Uniforms introduced its first postal service uniform catalog. Two years later, the e-commerce site of uniformbonus.com was released. “Our goal with the web site was to allow our customers and potential customer an ability to order online,” said Dan. The web site not only provided another method of ordering, but it enabled customers to save lots of money. The web site was the first to offer a $75 bonus to letter carriers spending their full allowance amount at one time. “I have been doing this a long time. Most of the letter carriers I service spend their allowance one time a year. Some tend to buy throughout the year when they need an item,” Dan said. This bonus to the allowance sparked business from all areas of the country.

In 2007, another web site was started, UniformSpec. Uniformspec.com is used by public safety first responders, transportation companies, corporations, colleges, apartment complexes and hospitals. It is the premier site in the industry. “I am proud of uniformspec.com. We worked very hard and spent a lot of money to get this site up and running. Every year we are enhancing by investing in new technology and development to give the user ease, comfort and satisfaction before and after each purchase,” said Dan.

Although focused on the future, McDonald Uniforms does not forget how far it has come in 40 years. Each year, McDonald Uniforms contributes to local fundraisers. “My personal goal is to always be able to give back to those that have supported McDonald Uniforms. My children have attended many of the fundraisers as little kids that we have contributed to. It is not just about giving for me, it is about giving but also being an active participant in our communities success,” said Dan.

McDonald Uniforms is a privately held Pennsylvania Corporation headquartered in Philadelphia. McDonald Uniforms is a leading distributor of uniforms, footwear and accessories to many types of industries. For more information, visit McDonald Uniforms website at www.uniformspec.com.

McDonald Uniform Co., Inc
Media Contact: Dan McDonald Jr
3019 Darnell Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154
(215) 673-7211
www.uniformspec.com

This release was published on openPR.