Milliken and G&K Services Extend Exclusive Relationship to Distribute BioSmart? to Food Services Industry

Spartanburg, SC and Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) March 12, 2008 -- Milliken® & Company, one of the world's largest privately-held textile and chemical manufacturers, and G&K Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: GKSR), a market leader in branded identity apparel programs and facility services, announced today that they have extended their exclusive relationship to distribute BioSmart? towels and garments to the food industry. In part, the parties extended their relationship as a result of continued strong interest from customers in food processing facilities, groceries, and restaurants.

BioSmart? is a patent-pending textile technology from Milliken that binds chlorine bleach(a) to textiles and reduces the spread of common bacteria and viruses from cross-contamination. G&K Services remains the exclusive distributor of BioSmart? products for the food industry, which is marketed through G&K's ProSura? food safety solutions program. Milliken's patent-pending fabric, coupled with G&K Services expertise in wash chemistry and industrial laundry protocols, together play a key role in delivering the effectiveness of BioSmart?.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website notes on its Food Safety page that, "While the food supply in the United States is one of the safest in the world, CDC estimates that 76 million people get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 Americans die each year from food-borne illness." Uniforms, towels and equipment, if not properly controlled and sanitized, can contaminate food at any point during food processing, distribution or preparation.

G&K Services' patent-pending ProSura? food safety solutions program helps processing plants, restaurants, retail meat, deli, produce and bakery departments reduce cross-contamination by implementing proper sanitation and safety measures during uniform laundering and delivery processes. This program also supports hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) programs by ensuring measures and controls are properly documented. The use of BioSmart? garments and towels provides additional protection on fabrics against cross-contamination beyond delivery and during the workday.

"Our ProSura? program was a significant step forward in reducing the risk of cross-contamination through employee uniforms and towels. BioSmart? is an innovative enhancement to this program, providing a critical layer of protection for our food processors, grocers and restaurant customers," said Scott Wallace, senior vice president of marketing at G&K Services.

Market response has been positive. "BioSmart? has allowed us to bridge the gap between customers' written standard operating procedures and the realities of operating in a food environment by helping mitigate the risk of human error," noted Carter Bray, marketing director at G&K Services. "The reaction of the market has led G&K to develop additional BioSmart? products, which we expect to introduce before the end of this fiscal year."

The two companies are also working together to help customers promote superior cross-contamination protection and a safer work environment from utilizing ProSura? and BioSmart? programs. The promotion program includes logos, window decals, table tents, press releases and direct mail post cards which will soon be available to restaurants, grocers, food service facilities and processing plants for marketing and educational use.

"There's a real concern over potential bacterial contamination through textiles and clothing, particularly in the food services, healthcare and public safety industries," said Jack Spoon, business manager for Milliken's Workwear Fabrics division. "Programs like G&K Services' ProSura? program are instrumental for reducing costly risk for program participants. We're honored to work with G&K to deliver BioSmart? to the food industry."

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release concerning G&K Services, Inc.'s intentions, expectations or predictions about future results or events are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect the company's current expectations or beliefs, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to vary from stated expectations, which could be material and adverse. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, and the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Information concerning potential factors that could affect future financial results is included in G&K Services, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.

About BioSmart?:

Developed by Milliken, BioSmart? is a patent-pending textile technology that binds chlorine(b) bleach to the surface of fabric. Chlorine on the fabric will continue to kill germs after the fabric has been washed. Independent, outside testing has demonstrated that when BioSmart? fabrics are laundered according to care instructions with EPA-registered chlorine bleach, the chlorine killed 99.9 percent(c) of common bacteria and viruses, including Salmonella choleraesuis, E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Hepatitis A.

BioSmart? can be applied to synthetics, cotton and poly/cotton fabrics and are ideal for industries where bacterial contamination is a concern, including food processing and services, healthcare, public safety, hospitality, sports apparel, active wear and military. The protective coating is recharged with chlorine during laundering, so it is always functioning at full strength thus providing a longer shelf life and optimizing value for manufacturers, laundries and consumers alike. BioSmart? fabrics have passed the ISO skin irritation and skin sensitivity tests. In addition, BioSmart? fabrics are odorless, dry quickly and wick moisture.

About G&K Services, Inc.:

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, G&K Services, Inc. is a market leader in branded identity apparel programs and facility services in the United States, and is the largest such provider in Canada. G&K Services operates over 160 processing facilities and branch offices, serving more than 160,000 customers. To learn more about G&K Services, please visit www.gkservices.com.

About Milliken & Company®

Founded in 1865, Milliken & Company is a privately held textile and chemical company that employs approximately 11,000 associates worldwide. Milliken operates nearly 50 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and 8 other countries. Having over 2000 patents issued or applied for, the company produces over 19,000 high performance products. To learn more about Milliken, please visit the Company's web sites at www.milliken.com and at www.millikenapparelfabrics.com.

BioSmart? is a trademark of Milliken & Company. ProSura? is a trademark of G&K Services, Inc.

(a) When used in accordance with its EPA-registered label instructions.

(b) When used in accordance with its EPA-registered label instructions.

(c) Laboratory conditions using AATCC 100 test method.

###

Related Articles:
JellyBasket - Order Palmalito guava jelly by the case or gift basket!
Palmetto Canning Co., Inc. - Contract Packaging in glass or plastic for sauces, marinades, and other food products
CareMetix, Inc. - Contract Packaging for tube filling, form fill and seal, wet or dry chemical products including polyvinyl packaging.

Commissioner Staples Hosts First-Ever Statewide Dine-Out Day To Benefit Texas Food Banks
Local Restaurants to Participate in GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up, Kicking Off Texas Wine Month

Historical Restaurant Mirrors Change In Los Angeles' Food And Drink Scene
Los Angeles' noted Brown Derby restaurant played host to many stars during Hollywood's 'Golden Age.' The eatery was an example of novelty architecture, as it was built to resemble a brown derby hat. The Brown Derby was the first restaurant to serve chiffon cake, a recipe invented by an insurance salesman and later given wide distribution by Betty Crocker.

Practical Dining Guide Supports Sufferers of Food Allergies
Kim Koeller and Robert La France's innovative allergy book series, "Let's Eat Out! Your Passport to Living Gluten and Allergy Free" is a manual for safely dining across the globe when special dietary restrictions are a concern.

Dining Out and Food Shopping in Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes has a great reputation for its shopping but it?s also unsurpassed for another great pastime, eating out As well as shops in Milton Keynes, over the years it has also become a good place to dine, perhaps during the day while visiting its vast collection of retail outlets, with the family as a special treat or evening entertaining for that special loved one on a memorable occasion

Businesses - Leisurely Dining Or Fast Food
It occurred to me the other day, that so many people today liken their businesses to the way they eat - fast. Think about it.

When Fast Foods Become a Healthy Food Choice With Subway Diet
The Subway diet promotes a healthy dietary plan that can be obtained from eating at the Subway fast food chain which when coupled with regular exercise can be an effective means of losing significant weight without and risk The Subway diet became highly popularized when it was found out how effective are the nutritious foods prepared in Subway, a leading food chain restaurant that serves a variety of less than 6 grams of fats of sandwiches

Food And Drink Specialities Of Brussels - What To Eat & Drink During Your Stay In Brussels
You could be forgiven for wanting to visit Brussels for the eating choices alone. The city centre has a sprawling medley of restaurants serving up fine cuisines and ales and no trip to Brussels is complete without visiting a speciality Belgian Chocolate Shoppe and stocking up on sweet treats for the journey home.

Food, Glorious Food: Minneapolis-Saint Paul Farmers Markets Serve up Regional and Organic Bounty
Supplied by three urban farmers markets, celebrity chef-driven restaurants and independent local eateries offer seasonal variety and make the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area an enlightening food-focused getaway.

Recette Private Dining Emerges onto NYC's Gourmet Food Scene
Recette Private Dining announces grand opening, providing New Yorkers the unique opportunity to experience Michelin-quality modern French cuisine in an exclusive and rare setting.

Six good tips and interesting points to make on food and dining
Here we deal with the essentials the basic essence (stocks). These can be compared with the foundations you lay down when building a house. Once these are prepared you can build your dish on them.It is important that the cook / chef give time and care to these simple however very important step of preparation. Chicken stock is the foundation on which most people build all meat sauces. By adding roasted, grilled, or poached trimmings or bones, or infusions of herbs and vegetables, or different types of alcohol, you can introduce new flavours and develop an individual sauce for each dish.