Our company is a 112-year-old business that specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of institutional textiles for the healthcare, hospitality, and surgical industry in North America. We supply hotels, hospitals, laundries, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities with a wide range of high-quality, reusable textiles. Our mission is: To add value to our partners through a dynamic approach founded on transparency and integrity.
Tell us about yourself?
I am the fourth generation owner of George Courey Inc. and started working at the company when I was a summer student sweeping the floors of the warehouse. Over the last 15 years, I have performed almost every job within the company and am now the President & CEO. I have a Master’s degree in business, and while I was never pressured into joining the family business, I chose to be in this industry because it is a stable, recession-proof industry that is growing as the world’s population matures.
If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Our company went through a transformative time at the beginning of COVID-19, tasked with manufacturing millions of isolation gowns for the federal and provincial governments. Our federal contract required production to be done in Canada, and therefore, together with our partners, we hired over 400 people in a matter of weeks in order to produce these gowns in Canada. I had just been named CEO a few months prior to that, and the new reality of the situation was extremely stressful. If I could go back in time to the beginning of COVID-19, I would give myself the advice to trust more. Trust in me, trust my team, trust my partners, and most of all, trust the process and the structure of our business.
What problem does your business solve?
On the healthcare and surgical side of our business, we provide our customers with an alternative to expensive and environment-damaging disposable textile products. We have a full line of reusable surgical gowns, drapes, and wrappers, as well as reusable healthcare incontinent pads, scrubs, and gowns.
What is the inspiration behind your business?
We provide a reliable and consistent product to institutional clients who deal with tight budgets, who are understaffed, and who are often stretched thin. We have one of the most widespread, diverse, and knowledgeable sales and customer experience staff who help guide our customers into making smart value-based linen investments.
What is your magic sauce?
We have one of the largest inventories in Canada, which allows our clients to take advantage of economies of scale and just-in-time replenishment of all of their needs. Our knowledgeable sales staff is located in the communities they serve across the country. We also have a best-in-class customer experience team to ensure that we are exceeding all of our clients’ expectations.
What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?
Over the next five years, we have a comprehensive strategic plan to continue our surge into the U.S. market. Both on the healthcare and hospitality side of our business, there is a growing need for a supplier who can offer customized solutions for their linen needs. Our unparalleled attention to detail and focus on the customer experience will allow us to keep making gains within the country.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
The global supply chain crisis has created a challenge for all companies operating in our increasingly globalized world. A surge in sea freight container pricing, increasing lead times, and labour shortages have disrupted the flow of goods worldwide. Our company was able to leverage multi-decade-long relationships with key suppliers and pivot our supply chain strategy to mitigate these risks as much as possible for our clients. We have also boosted our commitment to domestic manufacturing solutions in order to meet the needs of our clients.
How can people get involved?
You can visit our website at www.georgecourey.com to learn more about the company or to request a quote. Someone from our dedicated sales or customer experience team will follow-up with you shortly after in order to guide you through the process and make sure you are making the right linen investment for your company.