St. Louis-based Angelica Corp. is seeking a buyer for its manufacturing and marketing division, which sells uniforms to the hospitality industry. Included in the sale are the Image Collection, Extending Your Stay, and Angelica Image Apparel catalogs, which are distributed by a direct sales force of about 70, says chief financial officer Ted Armstrong.
The $459 million manufacturer/marketer will retain its 300-store Life Uniform and Shoe Shops division, which also sells via catalogs and e-commerce. The Life Uniform catalog, which launched in September 2000, sells scrubs, smocks, and apparel for healthcare professionals. “Our future focus will be on healthcare, including our textile services segment, where significant industry consolidation opportunities exist,” Armstrong says, “and on our Life retail stores segment, which continues to see growth.” Angelica has hired Atlanta-based Kurt Salmon Associates Capital Advisors to explore the sale of the division. It expects to receive offers by early February.