Our Timeline
A Company of Families
As a unified company, we make strategic partnerships to maintain the wealth of knowledge within our industry. We are the uniform experts not just because of our long history and experience, but because of our enthusiasm for working alongside and learning from our partner companies. Together we truly are stronger than ever!
1920
DENNIS Uniform is founded, manufacturing nursing uniforms and professional wear in Portland, serving the local working community.
1940
Julian Shipley purchases DENNIS, beginning three generations of DENNIS family ownership.
WWII
We shift focus and serve the war effort by supplying linens and apparel to military personnel shipping out of the Port of Portland.
1947
Our first line of school uniforms, including our very first plaid, launches. Our first retail store opens this same year.
1952
Alongside his brother-in-law, John Shipley, son of Julian Shipley, takes over management of the company.
1960s
Our retail stores grow and thrive over the following years, offering families dedicated locations and fitting expertise along with quick and easily available products.
1990s
We launch our first website and begin selling uniforms online as an early adopter of emerging technology.
2001
We supply the uniforms for the film The Princess Diaries!
2007
We partner with Larose School Uniforms (founded 1978), bringing Ivonne Larose, second-generation company leader, on board as DENNIS’ VP of New Business Development.
Read more about Larose School Uniforms on our Study Hall Blog.
2008
DENNIS is featured on John Ratzenberger's Made in America documentary series.
2018
AA Uniform (founded 1956) joins DENNIS, adding Barbara Blanck, second-generation company leader, as DENNIS’ VP of Sales.
Read more about AA Uniform on our Study Hall Blog.
2020
We develop and redesign our ecommerce platform, creating an industry-leading simplified shopping experience for families.
2022
Mills Uniform (founded 1947) and Canadian uniform provider Top Marks (founded 1986) join the DENNIS universe. Suzette Foley, third-generation company leader joins the DENNIS board.
Read more about Mills Uniform on our Study Hall Blog.
2023
We launch the DENNIS Distribution Center in Fort Worth, Texas, moving our fulfillment and main decoration facilities to one centralized location to provide faster, more streamlined shipping to our growing base of customers nationwide.
Today & Beyond
With 35+ retail stores across the country and a busy online store, we are the #1 school uniform provider in the US, serving over 2,000 top schools and outfitting more than half a million students every year!