GET TO KNOW IESTYN JONES, THE FOUNDER OF JONES SUPPLY CO.

Our editorial team sat down with Iestyn Jones, the founder of Jones Supply Co. to chat about how it all got started, the importance of sustainability, and the vision behind the brand.

So let’s start for the beginning. Where, when, and why did you start Jones Supply Co.? 

JONES: When the pandemic started, I went back to where I grew up in the U.K. to help volunteer. I’ve been working in the uniform industry for more than 10 years and wanted to help out in any way that I could so I helped produce PPE uniforms.

I started working with an innovative company based in Portugal that supplies an organic and nontoxic antimicrobial finish to the PPE industry.

I soon realized the need for this in the hospitality industry, so when I got back to Brooklyn, I decided to launch a uniform company that offers sustainable garments, aprons, and sundries finished with this advanced antimicrobial technology.

There’s so much to expand on here, but first, could you tell us more about the sustainability aspect?

JONES: Sustainability was new to me so I started at the source. I followed the supply chain and went straight to the mills in Europe that produced the yarns. I purchase my organic cottons directly from them, cutting out the middle men so I get the best quality fabrics at an incredible price.  

It goes beyond just the fabrics, of course. I am designing workwear uniforms that are built to last and are meant to be worn season-to-season. Our model is prepared-to-dye so we only produce exactly what we need. Shelves filled with unused products? That’s not us.

Going back to the antimicrobial technology, it sounds pretty genius if you ask me. How does it work exactly? And are you seeing a need for this in the hospitality industry?

JONES: You’re right, it’s a next-generation technology. It’s 99% efficient against viruses, bacteria and fungi on our garments. We want the wearer to feel safe, and of course they’ll look stylish to boot.

So far, my clients have been excited about this technology. It’s pretty rare so we’re happy to be able to bring this to the hospitality market on well-made garments like ours. I think it’s the way of the future, and that you’ll start to see it everywhere.

It’s amazing to get on the ground floor of something innovative that we haven’t seen before so congratulations on that front. What else is on the horizon for Jones Supply Co.?

JONES: There’s a new product launching in the fall that I am super excited about it. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what it is at the moment but it’s going to be a game-changer for the industry. You’ll be the first to know when it launches.