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April 21, 2010
Safety First, Quality Second, Production Third, Textile Services VP Says

I spend a great deal of time monitoring safety, quality and production with my staff. I read American Laundry News as often as I can, and would like to offer you a letter regarding our plant operation and how we view pounds per operator hour (PPOH).

We believe in safety first, quality second and production third. Our motto here is, “Complete the first two correctly and the third will always follow.” The question is, do the numbers really match at the end of the day?

March 31, 2010
Reader Appreciates Panelist's Workplace Safety Article

In 2010 I am planning on implementing a workplace safety program within environmental service. This has been on my to-do list, but I have been struggling due to the need to identify the direction of the program.

I was reading the February issue of American Laundry News. On page 18, there is a wonderful article on workplace safety written by Tamica Goree, Ph.D. I am hoping that a “word of thanks” can be sent to her.

December 16, 2009
Know Your Scores: Measure Quality from Laundry to OR

Quality and excellence. We all want them, but what you can’t measure, you can’t improve.

When I joined The Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha eight years ago, I found performance measures. As a result, I have made the aggressive pursuit of quality and safety part of the culture at Nebraska Medical Center. Operating with quality at the forefront of all of our organizational endeavors is not only the right thing to do; the external environment now demands this. As we all know, assessment of quality by both patients and payers is on the rise.

December 2, 2009
Reader Disputes Claim of ‘Oldest Operating’ Service

I was just reading your story about how Superior Linen Supply Co. last year overcame a plant fire to keep servicing their customers (18 Months After Fire, KC Linen Supplier Going Strong).

October 28, 2009
Scrub Locker System Offers Benefits

I would like to introduce some thoughts on why, after full evaluation, many hospitals are finding the room to install uniform exchange lockers for scrubs. One of the first reasons to move from an open system is that the hospital can limit which staff members have access to scrubs. In an open system, staff members can help themselves. In a closed system, with lockers, only individuals authorized by the institution have the ability to access scrubs. Further, the number of cycles a staff member can use in a given week can be limited.

(Editor’s note: This is a response to Eric Frederick’s column, Scrub Rental: Look at Costs, Storage.)

I would like to introduce some thoughts on why, after full evaluation, many hospitals are finding the room to install uniform exchange lockers for scrubs.

October 14, 2009
Reader Challenges ‘Self-Managed Team’ Definition

Having personally built pure, self-managed work teams and consulted with companies on the same, the definition of self-managed work teams in your September 2009 article [How does one build a self-managed team?, also part of our Clean Show coverage here] is not accurate.

August 21, 2009
Exec Committee Pleased with Clean ’09, Seeks Input for 2011

The Clean Executive Committee (CEC) would like to thank all of those who made Clean ’09 an unqualified success! First and foremost, thank you to the nearly 10,000 textile and garment care professionals who spent time, money and energy to attend this year’s show in New Orleans.

July 29, 2009
Wiping Cloth Company President Suggests Ragged-Out Textiles Still Hold Value

There were many excellent points brought up by your Panel of Experts. I feel that you missed an opportunity to suggest to your readers that they should consider selling their discards to a reputable wiping cloth company. Next time you run a story on this subject, I would be pleased

I read with interest your article in the June 2009 issue of American Laundry News titled Define criteria for ragging out linen, then train staff to recognize signs, take action. There were many excellent points brought up by your Panel of Experts.

I feel that you missed an opportunity to suggest to your readers that they should consider selling their discards to a reputable wiping cloth company.

July 3, 2009
Distributor Prefers Catchy Equipment Names to ‘Boring’ Model Numbers

I was so pleased to read Eric Frederick’s upbeat article, Who Says Laundry Work Can't Be Fun? He is right; the “Blanket Blaster” is far more explicit than just “Blanket Folder model blah, blah, blah.” Others from that stable include Flipper, a small-piece stacker/folder, and Pik-Quik, a flatwork separating system.

May 8, 2009
Clean Show’s Education Provides Leg Up on Competitors, Sponsors Say

The Clean Show is fast approaching and the Clean Show sponsors are preparing to deliver a world-class show for you in New Orleans. Every industry, every nonprofit and every charitable organization faces challenging times today. The textile care industry is no exception. As sponsors, we want each of you to look upon us as your partner in times such as these. We encourage you to look to the Clean Show and its sponsors, industry manufacturers and suppliers, and your peers for solutions to problems each of you is facing. We are all in this together, and each of us has a part to play in maintaining and building a better industry.

An open letter from the Clean Executive Committee:

The Clean Show is fast approaching and the Clean Show sponsors are preparing to deliver a world-class show for you in New Orleans.

Every industry, every nonprofit and every charitable organization faces challenging times today. The textile care industry is no exception.

February 4, 2009
Reader Says Image Precedes Respect

As usual, Eric Frederick’s column in your December issue (Respect for the Industry Has to Start with Us) addresses a thought-provoking subject. What is most disturbing and needs to be addressed is the fact that although his “acquaintances” were aware that he operated a large healthcare central laundry, they thought of his operation being a Laundromat. Considering his professional stature within the industry, there seems to be little doubt that some massive changes in its image are required.

As usual, Eric Frederick’s column in your December issue (Respect for the Industry Has to Start with Us) addresses a thought-provoking subject.

November 7, 2008
Is ‘Prophecy’ Coming to Pass?

In response to Eric Frederick’s column, Signs Point to Textile Supply Issues, Price Increases, it wasn’t too long ago he addressed the lack of domestic production to satisfy the needs of the healthcare market. In so doing, he astutely emphasized the importance of purchasing items from a quality-conscious dealer that guarantees deliveries.

At that time, I commented on the practice, based on the eruptive environment in the Asian market that could radically affect availability. It now seems my “prophecy” may be upon us.

October 3, 2008
HLAC Accreditation Requires More Than Just Reading a Book

In August, American Laundry News invited its Wire subscribers to participate in an online survey on the value of accreditation. The survey results revealed that about half indicated accreditation was worthwhile, while others were either unsure or felt accreditation did not offer any additional benefits.

February 8, 2008
TCATA CEO Says New Orleans 'Vibrant City' Once Again

As you already know, the next Clean Show will be held in New Orleans in June 2009. Understandably, there has been some concern expressed by a few TCATA members about the condition of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. The condition of the city’s infrastructure, crime rate and hotel/restaurant staffing capacity are legitimate concerns, ones that I would have if I were considering exhibiting or visiting the city. Having visited New Orleans recently, I want to offer you my personal impressions.

Editor’s Note: This letter was distributed to members of the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) on Thursday and is being reprinted here with permission.

August 30, 2007
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Of all the fabric terms that the reusable textile industry has wrestled with over the years, “linen” is second only to “muslin.” Despite the arguments about their being more expensive and harmful to the environment, those marketing disposable surgical gowns and drapes had little if any problem selling against what they referred to as muslin.

August 6, 2007
Vendor Suggests New Technology Eliminates Need for Blow-Downs

The July edition (page 14) of American Laundry News dedicated a substantial amount of space and ink [to] discussing the problems that airborne lint and dust create. The problem is universally recognized, but what about the suggested solution?

June 16, 2007
Frederick's Article About Sales Representation Has Merit

Mr. Eric Frederick’s article (Vendor pays hefty price for devaluing 'human element') in your May issue certainly has merit. Too many sales management executives look only to the bottom line when evaluating representation. Territorial sales are very circular by definition, and in equipment sales, experience has taught me that one, two or even three years is not a long time to evaluate the worth of a territory.

Dear Sirs:

Mr. Eric Frederick’s article (Vendor pays hefty price for devaluing 'human element') in your May issue certainly has merit. Too many sales management executives look only to the bottom line when evaluating representation.

Territorial sales are very circular by definition, and in equipment sales, experience has taught me that one, two or even three years is not a long time to evaluate the worth of a territory.

October 10, 2006
Linen Inventory Article is Recommended Reading

I am writing to express my appreciation for the cover article featured in the September 2006 issue of American Laundry News (LN). The article was comprehensive in content and vividly presented.

I am writing to express my appreciation for the cover article featured in the September 2006 issue of American Laundry News (LN).

The article entitled Readiness, Regularity Take Dismay Out of Taking Stock and authored by Michi Trota, an editorial assistant for LN, was comprehensive in content and vividly presented.

August 8, 2006
NAILM Name Change Essential, Says Former Board Member

For years, NAILM boards have been attempting to change the name of the National Association of Institutional Linen Management, but each and every time the membership virtually turned down the recommendations of the board or the board just felt it was not worth the debate with the membership.

For something so critical, it would be nice to get the NAILM membership to participate – both regular members and associates, rather than only a minority, similar to national elections.

April 20, 2006
Board Member Introduces Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC), a nonprofit organization formed for the purpose of inspecting and accrediting laundries responsible for processing textiles for hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

March 13, 2006
Textile Mill President Concerned About Imports Trend

There has been a trend occurring that laundry operators and hotel owners should be aware of concerning their bed linens. Many of the large textile mills have been, in effect, forcing properties that had been using domestic bedding to use imports instead. Due to their inability to compete using the higher quality, domestically made products that have always been the hallmark of a well-adorned hotel room, they are now closing many of their domestic production facilities and are becoming importers of sheets and pillowcases from countries all over the world.

There has been a trend occurring that laundry operators and hotel owners should be aware of concerning their bed linens.

Many of the large textile mills have been, in effect, forcing properties that had been using domestic bedding to use imports instead. Due to their inability to compete using the higher quality, domestically made products that have always been the hallmark of a well-adorned hotel room, they are now closing many of their domestic production facilities and are becoming importers of sheets and pillowcases from countries all over the world.