PHOENIX – Dennis Uniform, the largest school uniform provider in the U.S., is closing its operations in Portland and laying off over 100 employees, a move expected to impact schools in Arizona and beyond. Dennis Uniform, which supplies uniforms to numerous Arizona schools, made the announcement in a filing with Oregon’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) office. The company cited “severe financial distress” as the reason for bypassing the standard 60-day layoff notice.
The Portland-based company is a staple in school uniform production, and Arizona schools that rely on Dennis Uniform for their uniform supply may experience a disruption in services. Many Arizona schools may now need to seek alternative suppliers.
“Our company has been working diligently to secure additional funding,” interim CEO Lawrence Perkins stated, “but we were unsuccessful in securing the necessary resources, making the layoffs unavoidable.” The Portland location, which served as Dennis Uniform’s headquarters, will close along with other sites across the country.
Founded in 1920, Dennis Uniform has retail locations in 18 states and previously relocated some production and warehousing from Portland to Texas, resulting in additional layoffs. Many of the Portland employees affected by the shutdown are represented by United Food & Commercial Workers Local 555.
The closure of Dennis Uniform’s operations is expected to leave a significant gap in school uniform supplies, especially for the many Arizona schools it serves. Arizona families and schools should stay updated as the company begins its shutdown process. For more information, contact local Dennis Uniform representatives or visit their website.
