Portland, Oregon has bid farewell to a long-standing institution as DENNIS Uniform, a school uniform company with roots stretching back over a century, abruptly closed its doors. The closure, which took effect in late October 2024, resulted in the layoff of over 100 employees in Portland and the shuttering of all 40 DENNIS Uniform locations across the United States. This news has sent ripples through the local business community and the school uniform market nationwide.
Founded in downtown Portland in 1920, DENNIS Uniform initially specialized in nurse uniforms before transitioning to school uniforms in 1947. This pivot marked the beginning of their dominance in the school uniform sector, building a reputation for quality and reliability over decades. The company even gained pop culture recognition for providing the plaid uniforms for the hit movie “The Princess Diaries” in 2001, showcasing their reach and impact beyond just the local Portland area. For generations, DENNIS Uniform was a trusted name for families and schools seeking durable and classic uniform attire.
Image: Dennis Uniform building in Portland Oregon closed permanently, marking the end of an era for the local business.
The sudden closure was formally announced in a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice filed with Oregon state officials on October 19th. Interim CEO Lawrence Perkins cited the company’s inability to secure necessary funding as the primary reason for the nationwide shutdown. The WARN Act typically mandates a 60-day notice for mass layoffs, but DENNIS Uniform invoked the “faltering company” exception, arguing that they were actively pursuing financial solutions to avoid closure but were ultimately unsuccessful. This exception allows for a shorter notice period when a company is making genuine efforts to stay afloat.
“Our company has been working diligently to secure additional funding. Unfortunately, despite our material efforts to do so, we were unsuccessful in securing the necessary resources, making the layoffs unavoidable at this time. We will be closing all sites throughout the country,” Perkins stated in the official WARN notice.
The closure of DENNIS Uniform highlights broader challenges facing US-based apparel manufacturers. The original article points out the shift in clothing manufacturing away from the United States due to evolving trade policies and lower labor costs overseas. This trend has made it increasingly difficult for domestic clothing producers, even established brands like DENNIS Uniform, to compete effectively in the market.
DENNIS Uniform’s ownership structure also underwent changes in recent years. While initially a family-owned Portland business for generations, investment firm Spanos Barber Jesse & Co. acquired a majority stake in 2017. Further investment came in January 2024 from private equity firm Origami Capital, coinciding with the opening of a large distribution center in Fort Worth, Texas. The involvement of private equity firms raises questions about their role in the company’s ultimate demise.
Image: Dennis Uniform Portland Oregon storefront shuttered after company shutdown, leaving a gap in the school uniform market.
Private equity investments can bring capital and expertise to companies, often aiming to improve efficiency and profitability. However, as Angela Jackson, managing director of Portland Seed Fund, explained in the original article, cost-saving measures can sometimes lead to staff reductions and, in unfortunate cases, business closures. The pursuit of rapid growth and increased profitability, typical goals of private equity, may have inadvertently contributed to the pressures faced by DENNIS Uniform.
The closure of DENNIS Uniform in Portland represents more than just a business failure; it signifies the loss of local jobs and the end of a significant chapter in Portland’s business history. For families and schools who relied on DENNIS Uniform for their uniform needs, this closure necessitates finding alternative suppliers. The long-term impact on the school uniform market and the lessons learned from DENNIS Uniform’s experience will continue to be discussed in the Portland business community and beyond.
