Our Story
About HandCraft
Our Story
What started as a neighborhood dry cleaner in 1969 has grown into one of the region’s leading healthcare linen and apparel service providers.
Founded by John A. Nichols, HandCraft began as a simple dry cleaning and laundry operation built on hard work, relationships, and a commitment to quality. As the company grew, leadership transitioned to the second generation, with Keith Nichols, Jeff Nichols, and Jay Nichols helping shape HandCraft into the organization it is today. Through decades of strategic growth, operational investment, and a willingness to embrace change, the Nichols family transformed HandCraft from a local business into a healthcare laundry leader serving facilities across the Mid-Atlantic.
140 million+
pounds of linen serviced annually
170+
hospitals served
2,000+
non-acute medical practices served
700+
employees
400,000
sq. ft. of high-efficiency plant space
HandCraft’s journey into healthcare laundry began in the early 1980’s through an opportunity that was unexpected, but impossible to ignore.
At the time, the team had limited experience in healthcare textiles, but they had the determination to learn, adapt, and build something new.
After searching extensively for the right location, HandCraft found its future at 1501 Roseneath Road, the former Binswanger Glass headquarters in Richmond. The facility required extensive renovation and significant investment, but it offered what HandCraft needed most: room to grow. HandCraft made the intentional decision to shift away from a broad mix of services and focus on healthcare laundry, investing in specialized equipment, infrastructure, and operational expertise.
That decision changed everything.
With the Nichols family deeply involved in every stage of the transition, HandCraft launched its healthcare division and welcomed its first hospital customers. What began as a leap of faith became the foundation for decades of innovation, expansion, and long-term partnerships throughout the healthcare industry.
Today, HandCraft enters its next chapter with a leadership transition that reflects both continuity and forward momentum.
As Keith, Jeff, and Jay began implementing long-planned succession efforts, a new generation stepped forward to continue building on HandCraft’s legacy.
Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Curtis Nichols, son of Jay Nichols, HandCraft continues its tradition of family leadership while expanding its focus on employee experience, growth, safety, and customer success.
Supporting that vision are Chief Human Resources Officer Maggie Nichols and Chief Safety Officer Kattie Dibbert, daughters of Keith Nichols, Jay’s son-in-law, Ward Hackett, Chief Growth Officer, Hunter Nichols, Production Supervisor and son to Jeff, and Whit Anthes, Director of Non-Acute Operations, son-in-law to Keith. Together, this leadership team blends family legacy with experienced operational leadership to strengthen HandCraft’s culture, invest in its people, and position the company for continued growth.
Today, HandCraft remains grounded in the values that started it all: hard work, strong relationships, innovation, and a commitment to serving others.