
Optima trains future professionals with Lindström’s textile services
Optima Samkommun, a vocational education provider for young people and adults in Finland, prepares future chefs, bakers, and waiters for working life. In Jakobstad, Optima operates a teaching kitchen, a training restaurant, and a café that serves students, staff, and customers.
To provide the best possible working conditions for students and staff, Optima has been using Lindström’s textile rental services since 2018, as part of a smooth and sustainable collaboration.

Seamless textile services simplify everyday life
Optima uses the workwear service for chefs, waiters, bakers, and café staff, as well as restaurant textiles and kitchen towels for students and personnel. Mats are also provided for the public spaces. Åsa Anderssén-Tynkkynen, Head of Food Production and Rental at Optima, describes the service as both efficient and convenient:
Our staff and students have their own lockers where clean clothes are delivered on designated exchange days. Once everyone is familiar with the routine, the system runs smoothly and saves time.
Returns, exchanges, and additional orders are easily managed online through the platform eLindström. Åsa notes that adjusting orders when needed is straightforward and hassle-free.

Why Lindström?
Several factors influenced Optima’s decision when choosing a textile service provider:
- Cost-efficiency – no unexpected expenses for purchases or maintenance.
- Hygiene and safety – professional laundering ensures clean and fresh garments.
- Uniform and neat workwear – creates a professional and pleasant work environment.
- Sustainability – Lindström actively promotes circular economy and sustainability.
Optima’s collaboration with Lindström for HoReCa textiles began in 2018, while the mat exchange service had already been in use already before that. Before working with Lindström, workwear and maintenance costs were high, and acquiring new garments and textiles was a struggle.

Workwear that suits everyone’s needs
It is important to Optima that both students and staff feel comfortable in their workwear. That’s why having various models and sizes to accommodate everyone’s needs is a significant advantage. Waiters also have the option to change the colour of their shirts and aprons, allowing for variety without added hassle.
Through annual meetings with Lindström’s representative, Optima receives regular updates and can adjust the service to meet evolving needs.
The service has been friendly and accommodating from the very beginning. I’ve always experienced our collaboration as flexible and professional.
The right equipment is where working life begins
Optima recognises that the partnership with Lindström supports both the organisation’s operations and students’ learning experiences. Access to high-quality, well-maintained workwear teaches students to take responsibility for their equipment, which is a valuable lesson for their future careers.
Students develop good habits right from the start. Lindström’s service encourages them to take greater responsibility for their workwear by ensuring that dirty garments are returned on time, which is an important part of their professional preparation.
Åsa Anderssen-Tynkkynen, Head of Food Production and Rental, Optima
With a textile service that saves time and resources and benefits the environment, Optima can focus on what truly matters: training the professionals of tomorrow. With Lindström, daily operations run smoothly.
