Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) today announced that its uniform rental facility in Charlotte, NC has received Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) "Star" status from the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). VPP "Star" status is the state's highest recognition for the practice of and commitment to exemplary occupational safety and health.
"You've joined a very exclusive family in North Carolina today," said Cherie Berry, Commissioner of NC Department of Labor during the official flag-raising ceremony held today at 6300 Harris Technology Blvd., Charlotte. "Out of about 220,000 businesses in the state, only 137 companies have achieved the Carolina star. You are very special people and you should be very proud," she added amid a round of jubilant cheering. Berry also noted the difficulty of achieving the honor, which she said has requirements more rigorous than the federal VPP Star award.
The same operation received "Rising Star" status from the agency last year, but the status was recently elevated to "Star" after achieving more stringent qualifications as required by North Carolina OSHA. The facility becomes the sixth Cintas uniform rental operation to receive similar designation, the eighth company-wide and the first in the state of North Carolina.
The Cintas uniform rental facility in Charlotte began the VPP process in 2007. The designation required close collaboration between management and employee-partners and successful completion of a strict and rigorous audit. Approximately 140 people work at the facility.
"It's a privilege for me to share in the 'Partners Helping Partners' way of life, where each of us takes full responsibility for the safety and well-being of ourselves and others," said Robbie Poole, General Manager. "I am so proud of our wonderful partners for their commitment to the Cintas safety culture."
Cintas Corporation currently has more than 140 facilities actively pursuing recognition by a governmental agency like OSHA or another safety program certifying body. This includes operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico.
About Cintas
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom supplies, promotional products, first aid, safety, fire protection products and services and document management services for approximately 900,000 businesses. Cintas is a publicly held company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS, and is a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
Contacts:
Cintas Corporation
Heather Maley
Corporate Communications
Manager
513-701-2200
maleyh@cintas.com
