DBL – An overview of the textile rental service

DBL – Deutsche Berufskleider-Leasing GmbH: A simple explanation of the company

DBL (Deutsche Berufskleider-Leasing GmbH) is a network of regional textile rental service providers. Regionally rooted partner companies supply businesses in the skilled trades, industry, healthcare, gastronomy, hospitality, and many other sectors with workwear, protective clothing, and textile rental solutions. What makes DBL special is its combination of personal, local service with nationwide, consistent quality standards and comprehensive coverage across Germany. Serivces include consulting, the provision and individual customization of textiles, as well as regular collection, professional care, repairs, and delivery back to the customer by trained service drivers using the company’s own fleet. In this way, DBL helps businesses reliably provide their employees with well-maintained, hygienically processed, and ready-to-use workwear and other textiles at all times – efficiently, sustainably, and from a single source. 

Table of contents

• What is DBL?
• How is DBL organized?
• How does the DBLnetwork work?
• What services does DBL offer?
• In which regions does DBL operate?
• Which industries does DBL serve?
• Sustainability
• Quality und Hygiene
• History
• Frequently asked questions

What is DBL?

DBL (Deutsche Berufskleider-Leasing GmbH) is a network of legally independent and economically autonomous textile rental service providers. Under a shared brand, owner-managed medium-sized family businesses work together to supply companies throughout Germany with workwear, protective clothing, and other textile rental solutions.

The focus is not on selling textiles, but on providing a comprehensive rental service. Following a personal consultation, DBL finances workwear and other textiles for the customer, personalized them upon request, provides them for use, collects them after use, professionally processes them, repairs them when necessary, and returns them ready for use. This ensures that companies always have well-maintained, hygienically processed, and fully functional textiles available without having to manage procurement, storage, laundering, or repairs. 

An essential characteristic of DBL is its network structure. Regional companies provide customers with personal, local support and understand the specific requirements of their region. Simultaneously, they benefit from the advantages of a nationwide network with shared quality standards, a coordinated product range, and comprehensive coverage. This also enables companies with multiple locations throughout Germany to receive consistent service. 

Today, DBL is one of the leading providers of textile rental services in Germany and supplies companies across numerous industries, including the skilled trades, industry, healthcare, food processing, hospitality, gastronomy, and retail. In addition to workwear and protective clothing, the range also includes rental entrance mats, among other textile solutions. 

How is DBL organized?

As a nationwide network of regional, medium-sized textile service providers operating under the shared DBL brand, several legally independent partner companies work together across different locations.

Each DBL partner manages its customers independently within its region – from consultation and outfitting employees to the collection, professional processing, and delivery of textiles. This allows companies to benefit from dedicated contacts, short distances, and personal service locally. Partners in Austria and Poland extend the service area into neighboring European countries.  

At the same time, all partners are part of the DBL network. Together, they continuously develop services and collections, establish consistent quality standards, and coordinate their processes. Areas such as marketing, purchasing, digitalization, and sustainability are also coordinated across the network. This allows DBL to combine the flexibility of regional companies with the advantages of a nationwide network. 

This organizational model enables DBL to reliably serve both small and medium-sized businesses as well as companies with multiple locations. Customers receive the same high-quality standards everywhere, while personal service continues to be provided by the responsible regional DBL partner. 

The managing directors of DBL are:

Gerhard Alliger and Dirk Hischemöller: Sales and Marketing

Andreas Iser: IT and Organization

What services does DBL offer?

DBL provides companies with a comprehensive textile rental service that goes far beyond simple supplying workwear. The goal is to reliably provide businesses with textiles that are ready for use while relieving both the companies and their employees of all organizational tasks related to procurement, care, and administration.

The range of services includes, among others:

• Rental workwear for the skilled trades, logistics, retail, and many other sectors
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliant protective clothing, including professional care and maintenance
• Care and healthcare clothing for care facilities, mobile care services, and medical practices
• Rental entrance mats for entrances, workplaces, and individual advertising purposes

The service covers the entire textile cycle: from personal consultation and selecting the appropriate collections to individual customization with a company logo or name emblem, as well as regular delivery, collection, professional processing, quality control, repairs, and replacement of worn textiles. 

Depending on the industry and specific requirements, DBL also manages wearer administration, size changes, reorders, and the documentation of compliant textile care processes. This allows companies to benefit from equipment that is always available, hygienically processed, and ready for use – without having to operate their own laundry, manage textile storage, or take on additional administrative work. 

The service is individually tailored to each business. This ensures that companies receive exactly the textile solution that fits their requirements, industry, and everyday work environment. 

How does the service work?

DBL’s textile rental service follows a clearly structured process. From the initial consultation through regular service, DBL handles all the steps related to workwear and other rental textiles. Companies do not have to manage procurement, customization, care, repairs, or replacements themselves. 

1. Consultation and needs assessment

At the beginning, the regional DBL partner works with the company to determine its individual requirements. Factors considered include the industry, job activities, legal requirements, desired collections and colors, and the number of employees.

2. Selection and Outfitting

The appropriate textiles are then selected. These may include, for example, workwear or protective clothing. Upon request, textiles can be customized with a company logo, name emblem, or other identifying features. 

3. Delivery and use

The clothing is provided to employees and can be used immediately in their daily work. Depending on requirements, each person receives several sets so that sufficient clean clothing is always available. 

4. Collection and professional processing

Used textiles are collected at defined intervals and professional processed at the facilities of the regional DBL partner. This includes (compliant) laundering, drying, quality control, and – where necessary – repairs or replacement of damaged textiles.

5. Return delivery

After processing, the textiles are returned to the company on time and ready for use by DBL’s own service drivers. They are then organized in storage systems at the company. This cycle continues an ongoing basis, ensuring that businesses are permanently supplied with well-maintained, hygienic, and functional workwear.

Everything from a single source

The entire service is individually tailored to the company’s requirements – from delivery intervals and size changes to reorders and outfitting new employees. This allows companies to benefit from reliable, predictable, and convenient textile services while focusing on their core business.

In which regions does DBL operate?

DBL operates nationwide and provides companies throughout Germany with textile rental services. This is made possible through a network of regional DBL partners who serve their customers directly on site. Each partner is responsible for a defined service area and understands the requirements of companies in ist regions. 

This regional service model provides short distances, dedicated contracts, and reliable service. At the same time, customers benefit from the advantages of a nationwide network with consistent quality standards, coordinated processes, and a shared range of services. 

Companies with multiple locations can also receive nationwide service from DBL. The regional partners work closely together to ensure consistent service – regardless of whether locations are in northern, southern, eastern, or western Germany. 

Always there – 23 locations nationwide

• Founded: 1971
• 17 independent, medium-sized, family-owned companies
• 23 locations nationwide 
• Approximately 2,500 products
• 32,213 customers
• 61,896 wearers
• 3,293 employees
• 503 service vehicles

Which industries does DBL serve?

DBL provides companies in numerous industries with individual textile rental solutions. Since each industry has different requirements for workwear, hygiene, or protective functions, the product range and service are individually tailored to the respective areas of use. 

The main industries include:

• Skilled trades – robust and functional workwear for trades such as HVAC, electrical work, painting, carpentry, or roofing.
• Industry – workwear and protective clothing for manufacturing, metalworking, mechanical engineering, chemical, and other industrial sectors. 
• Healthcare and nursing – hygienically processed workwear for care facilities, mobile care services, medical practices, and emergency services. 
• Food industry and food-related trades – HACCP-compliant workwear for bakeries, butcher shops, and food production and processing.
• Hospitality and gastronomy – workwear for hotels, restaurants, and catering businesses. 
• Logistics and retail – durable workwear for warehouses, transportation, shipping, and sales areas, as well as fresh food counters.  

• Service companies – uniform and representative clothing for service, reception, facility management, and many other areas of application

   

Regardless of the industry, companies benefit from an individually tailored rental service and the option mats through a leasing model as well.

Sustainability

Sustainability is an integral part of DBL ‘s textile rental service. The goal is to keep textiles in use for as long as possible, use resources efficiently, and continuously optimize the entire textile cycle. DBL follows the principle of the circular economy: textiles are not used once and then replaced, but are regularly cared for, maintained, and used for many years. 

Professional textile processing is an important component of this approach. Modern washing processes ensure that workwear is hygienically clean while also being treated as gently as possible. Regular quality checks, repairs, and alterations extend the service life of the textiles and prevent unnecessary replacement. 

DBL also continuously invents in resource-efficient technologies at its laundry facilities. Modern systems help reduce the consumption of water, energy, and laundry chemicals while making processes more efficient. Many locations also use heat recovery, water treatment, photovoltaic systems, or other measures to improve energy efficiency. 

The regional network model also contributes to sustainability. Customers are served locally by their responsible DBL partner, helping to keep transportation distances short and allowing deliveries to be planned efficiently. 

For DBL, sustainability means more than environmental protection. Durable products, safe working conditions, high quality standards, and long-term partnerships with customers, employees, and suppliers are also part of responsible and future-oriented business practices. In this way, DBL combines environmental, economic, and social responsibility in a sustainable textile rental service. 

Quality and Hygiene

Quality and hygiene are the foundation of DBL’s textile rental service. Companies need to be able to rely on workwear and other rental textiles not only looking well maintained, but also meeting the relevant hygiene and functional requirements. For this reason, DBL relies on standardized processes, structures quality controls, and professional processing at its regional partner facilities. 

The laundry process uses validated and documented procedures tailored to the respective textiles. Depending on the area of use – for example, in industry, healthcare, or food processing – different requirements regarding hygiene, material protection, and protective functions are taken into account. In addition, requirements under EN 14065 and guidelines issued by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) are met, with some locations also holding certifications in accordance with RAL-GZ 992. After some processing, the textiles are inspected, repaired or replaced if necessary, and only the delivered again. 

Professional care plays a particularly important role for protective clothing and workwear with specific hygiene requirements. Improper washing can impair protective functions or fail to meet hygiene requirements. Through professional processing, DBL helps ensure that the clothing retains its function and quality over time. 

By labeling each individual garment with a barcode, DBL ensures that every employee always receives and wears their own personal workwear. Mix-ups are therefore avoided. 

The DBL rental service offers special systems for the separate storage of worn and freshly processed workwear. A suitable system is available for every customer, depending on their requirements and the space available at their facility.

This allows companies to be confident that their employees are always equipped with hygienically processed, well-maintained, and ready-to-use textiles – regardless of the industry or area of use. 

The history of DBL

The DBL network was founded in 1971 by the laundry companies Ahrens KG, Carl Eggers KG, Grins & Kohlenberg, C.R.E. Kotzenberg KG, Kuntze und Burgheim KG, and Heinrich Wulff KG.

By 1986, 15 companies had already joined the DBL network. In 2001, the network had 23 locations. Its own collections were developed, and in 2022, the official partnership with Strauss began.

From the very beginning, the central idea was to combine the strengths of independent, regionally rooted companies with the advantages of a shared organization.

Instead of relying on centralized structures, DBL continues to operate as a network model to this day: independent partner companies work together under a shared brand and benefit from uniform quality standards, jointly developed services, and continuous exchange of experience.

Today, DBL has a nationwide presence and serves companies of various sizes and from a wide range of industries. The basic idea has remained unchanged: personal service provided by regional partners, combined with the capabilities of a strong nationwide network.

Numbers and facts

Awards and partnerships:

• Recommended by the BVLK (Federal Association of Food Inspectors)
• Partner of GALABAU Association
• Partner BLU
• Member of the DTV (German Textile Cleaning Association)
• Red Dot Award for the DBL Meisterhaft Collection
• Employer Branding Award DACH 2026 in Silver for „Endlich Montag“ (Finally Monday)- campaign in the attraction/hidden champions category 
• Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design (2019)
  DBL received the prestigious Red Dot Award for its “Helden” (Heroes) campaign, which communicated the textile rental service in an attention-grabbing and humorous way. 
• Cooking Award Gold (2023)
  The concept gastronomy collection received the cooking award in Gold. Factors contributing tot he award included ist design, combination options, and the collection’s sustainable quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

•  What does DBL stand for?
  Deutsche Berufskleider-Leasing GmbH
• Is DBL a franchise?
  No. It is a network of legally independent, economically independent, medium-sized companies in the textile leasing industry.
•  Who owns the DBL locations?
  The respective local company—usually a family-owned business. Some companies operate multiple locations.
•  Does DBL operate throughout Germany?
  Yes.
• Can DBL serve multiple locations of one company?
  Yes.
• Where is the clothing washed?
  At one of the 23 locations.
•  What distinguishes DBL from a conventional laundry?
  Its nationwide network enables DBL to supply companies throughout Germany with the same quality standards, as well as its logistics system, which delivers the workwear directly to businesses. In addition, DBL provides the textiles to companies through a leasing model instead of simply washing clothing owned by the customer.

Why does a company have a name such as „DBL Wulff“, „DBL Böge“ or „DBL Marwitz“ and still belong to DBL?

DBL is not a single company with branches throughout Germany. Instead, it is a network of legally independent regional textile service providers. The partner companies are independent, usually family-owned businesses with their own history, management, and strong regional roots.

The name of a DBL partner therefore consists of two components: “DBL” indicates membership in the nationwide DBL network, while the second part of the name—for example, Wulff, Böge, or Marwitz—is the name of the respective company. This allows the regional identity to be maintained while customers can immediately recognize the company’s membership in the shared network.

For customers, this model offers the best of both worlds: They benefit from personal service through a regional contact with short lines of communication and in-depth knowledge of the local area. At the same time, they have access to the services of a nationwide network with uniform quality standards, coordinated processes, and nationwide coverage. This also enables companies with multiple locations to be reliably served throughout Germany.

The partner companies within the DBL network are economically independent businesses. In their daily market presence, they use the shared DBL brand name, such as DBL Wulff or DBL Böge. In contracts, invoices, or the commercial register, however, the respective official company name is used. The brand name makes it immediately clear that the company is part of the nationwide DBL network. The company name, on the other hand, is the legal designation of the respective business and is used, for example, in contracts, invoices, or the commercial register.

Comparison of brand names and company names within the DBL network:

Address and Contact details of  the DBL Headquarters:

DBL - Deutsche Berufskleider-Leasing GmbH
Gutenstetter Straße 2A 
90449 Nürnberg

Phone:                           +49 911 965858 0
Fax:                               +49 911 965858 910
E-Mail:                           info(at)dbl.de

Managing Directors:        Gerhard Alliger, Dirk Hischemöller, Andreas Iser-Hirt
Commercial Register:      HRA 12385, Amtsgericht Fürth
Ust.-ID:                         DE115665083