Our history
Expertise forged over time
For over a century, Netexial has built its expertise alongside businesses and their trades.
Originally specialised in professional linen laundering, the company soon innovated and extended its expertise to new sectors: manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, food service, local authorities… while remaining true to a single commitment: delivering reliable, comfortable and durable professional clothing.
This heritage is the foundation on which Netexial builds today. Looking to the future, our brand stays firmly committed to the performance of trades and the protection of the people who practise them.
Key dates
1903 — British origins
The history of professional textile rental and laundering began in England in 1903, when A.P. Bigelow founded the Initial Towel Supply Company, a towel rental service for London businesses. Each customer's initials were embroidered on their towels — and so the name "Initial" was born.
1920s — French roots: BTB
In France, our story begins in the 1920s with the creation of BTB (Blanchisserie Teinturerie de Boulogne) by Maurice Decroix in Boulogne-Billancourt. Specialising in the laundering of kitchen linen, the company soon developed a rental and laundering service for professionals.
1996 — The Initial era
In 1996, BTB joined the international Rentokil Initial group and operated under the Initial Textile France brand. For nearly 30 years, the company refined its expertise in textile rental and laundering for thousands of French businesses, as part of a global network covering 50 countries and employing 30,000 people.
2025 — Independence: Netexial is born
In 2025, the French company left the Rentokil Initial group to become fully independent. This strategic turning point was marked by a new name: Netexial.
