UniFirst Corp. is in active discussions to be acquired by Cintas Corp., people familiar with the matter said, marking a renewed attempt at a deal after years of intermittent negotiations. The uniform rental and facility services companies have explored combinations before, though previous talks never resulted in an agreement.

UniFirst, known for its workwear and facility services, has a market capitalization of approximately $6.5 billion, while Cintas, a larger competitor in the same industry, is valued at around $38 billion. Any potential acquisition would create a dominant player in the uniform rental sector, combining two of the largest U.S. providers of corporate apparel and facility services.

The discussions come as consolidation in the uniform rental industry has been limited despite the complementary nature of the two businesses. Cintas has grown through acquisitions in the past, while UniFirst has remained independent. The renewed talks suggest both companies see strategic value in a potential combination, though no agreement is certain at this stage.