Bill Munro, CEO of Munro’s Safety Apparel, took the helm of the family’s dry cleaning business after college. Shortly thereafter he created an industry uniform rental and safety apparel business recognized for its exceptional customer service across multiple industries. BIC Magazine recently sat down with Munro to learn more about Munro’s Safety Apparel’s transition and the company’s plans for the future.
Q: What led to your position at Munro’s Safety Apparel?
A: My grandfather started the company as a dry cleaning business in 1928, and then my dad took over in 1971. While I attended college, I worked for him part time. In 1976, he made me president so he could pursue other business endeavors.
In the 1980s, we worked with offshore companies a lot by supplying them with uniforms. When offshore companies started experiencing stagnation in the 1990s, I decided to enter into the safety apparel business. In the early 1990s, there were a lot of FR (flame-resistant) safety apparel companies selling FR uniforms, but none of them provided any good local service. The client would be in Texas, but the company selling him the clothes would be in California. I saw the need in the market and jumped on it.
We came from the dry cleaning industry, which is highly orientated around customer service. We provide unrivaled customer service to our customers because of this. Our industry uniform rental and safety apparel business is noticeable in all segments of the industry.
Q: What is the most important part of your position?
A: Leadership is the No. 1 part of my position. My leadership style is tough but fair. I also think handling financial dealings and maintaining my great personnel are key aspects of my job. I make sure I have the best people who work for me, and I work to keep them happy.
Q: What’s the most important thing a person should know before taking a career path similar to yours?
A: Depending on your age, you should research the industry and the market you’re looking to get into. You should make sure that market has a future and growth options. Also, you need to figure out if it will provide for you and your family. Look for long-term growth, not just short-term growth.
Munro’s Safety Apparel is unique because now my children work here; it’s in its fourth generation. They understand the business and the industry, and they’re able to research how to best grow the company.
Q: Are you planning on expanding your business?
A: We’re about to open a retail store in Baytown, Texas, this year. We’re also opening another retail location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, next year. We feel the FR market has four different phases: rental, customer purchase and launder, direct buy and retail. Among those four phases, we’re the only company that provides all four of them within the FR clothing industry. These retail stores will help us service the individuals on the Gulf Coast. We also recently hired our first sales manager, whom we’re really excited about.
We have more expansion projects in the pipeline, and our target market is the petrochemical Gulf Coast.
Q: How do you plan to address changes in the workforce/economy in the coming year?
A: Right now in Beaumont, Texas, we have the No. 1 job market in the country. My biggest challenge is to maintain the good folks who work here. I make sure we take care of them. As long as natural gas prices remain low in the area, which they should, then the economy should remain good around here. Natural gas is driving us, and we’re looking forward to working in this great industry climate.
For more information, visit www.MunrosSafety.com or call (713) 545-6470.
