Fourth Generation: Universal CEO Tom Austin's wife Lisa is the great-granddaughter of Peter Spalding, who founded Spalding La ... undry in 1896. Lisa's father, Bill Tate, left Spalding to start Universal in 1979. We have been providing quality linen services in Louisville Kentucky for over 100 years. Universal, formerly Universal Linen Service is an independently-owned and operated textile service provider, has completed the renovation and expansion of a new 50,000 sq. ft. facility on its property located at 1807 Commerce Road, south of downtown Louisville. Adding new laundry equipment, remodeling the building, and improving technology systems totaling $5 million, Universal’s state-of-the-art facility is able to process linen, garments, and floor care products faster and more efficiently in a more environmentally sensitive manner. Housed in a renovated 1924 facility, that was placed on the National Historic Register in 1989 and remodeled in 2007 to accommodate the new equipment, Universal’s new facility allows the company to sort, wash, dry, iron and fold linens for its customers in the food and beverage, healthcare, lodging, and uniform industries. Also with the capability to clean floor mats and launder and press apparel and uniforms, Universal’s new plant is completely driven by technology and automation, increasing efficiency and turnaround time. read more