Exciting News from our President & CEO, Jeff Ukrop!
Dear Friends:
It is with tremendous gratitude that I share some exciting news about our company, Ukrop’s Threads.
To begin, let’s start with a little history. In 1937, Joe and Jacquelin Ukrop, my grandparents, opened a 500 square foot grocery store in south Richmond. Like most business owners at that time, they used their surname establishing the business and Ukrop’s Super Market was born. Their goal was to run a small store, while leaning into the biblical principle commonly referred to as The Golden Rule. When their son, Jim, graduated from college 23 years later, he led the effort to open more stores. Later he was joined by his brother, Bobby. Working with a trusted team of talented associates, the brothers guided the company’s growth. Ukrop’s Super Markets became a grocery chain of more than 25 stores and several related businesses.
Then, in 2010, with the ever-changing competitive marketplace, our family made the decision to exit the retail grocery business. However, we retained the food manufacturing facilities (operating since 1989) by establishing Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods. These facilities would continue to supply grocery retailers with fresh food throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. In addition, Ukrop’s Threads (operating since 1998) continued to provide uniform management solutions to its customers across the country. With our family operating two businesses with similar company names, there have been instances of confusion over the years, even though the organizations have operated independently.
Our uniform operation, rooted in the grocery business, is much more than the historical bridge of the original family name. As a business serving companies nationwide, we believe it is important to simplify and differentiate our operating name. In 2021, we engaged professionals to help us shape the future of our uniform brand. Through this effort, we identified a name that would be simple, honest, and reliable. So, with the future in mind, our team is launching a brand refresh to include a new name and logo.
Considering all of this, I am excited to share that effective May 2, 2022, our company will be known as Threads Uniform Agency.
Threads Uniform Agency is represented by a cohesive team of talented individuals focused on meeting customers’ uniform needs. By threading together our unique experiences and the critical tasks involved –from listening and designing to sourcing, improving, counting, picking, and shipping—we look forward to building upon our valued relationships and our future opportunities to better serve you.
With the change in name, all of our people, services, and products you’ve come to know and trust will continue to support your business needs. In fact, our significant investment in technology, systems, training, and our people will only strengthen our resolve to be a world-class provider of uniform solutions.
As we eagerly approach the next 25 years of business, Threads Uniform Agency is even more committed to ensuring that every customer receives the highest level of service. fulfilling my grandparents’ founding purpose of living The Golden Rule…treating others as we personally would like to be treated.
Please know how much we appreciate the opportunity to partner with and serve you!
Jeff Ukrop
President & CEO