UniFirst, the third-biggest publicly traded uniform concern, gets 90% of its revenue from the laundry business. It boasts 70 consecutive years of revenue growth, all of them profitable. Cash flow per share has risen for most of the past decade, allowing the Wilmington, Mass., company to buy out rivals. "Since 2001, we've made more than 50 acquisitions," notes Chairman Ronald D. Croatti.

While business from the automotive and housing sectors has slid, demand from the oil patch is strong. The company's fire-retardant and nuclear-decontamination businesses also are growing faster than expected, observes Baird analyst Schneider.

UniFirst had record results for the first nine months of its fiscal 2007 year, ended in May, and expects the same in 2008. Revenue was up 10%, to $674.6 million, while net jumped 20%, to $34.4 million, or $1.78 a share. Wall Street expects profits of $2.44 a share for the full fiscal year, and $2.72 for fiscal '08, ending next August. To date, UniFirst has benefited from price increases and a drop in the price of natural gas, which powers laundry facilities. Croatti says the company, noted for stringent cost controls, has invested in more energy-efficient equipment and motion-activated lighting.

The Bottom Line:

Softness in U.S. employment has hurt uniform companies' shares. But the pessimism is overstated. Look for the stocks to rise 15% or so over the next 12 to 18 months.At its recent price of 38.28, UniFirst stock is about flat this year. But bulls think it will rally into the mid-40s within a year.