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May 21, 2012
TRSA Continues Push to Phase Out NPE Usage by End of 2014

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — EPA: Industrial laundries “well along the way to reaching phase-out goals”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. —At a high-level meeting last week at the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency, officials of the EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics and the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) continued their positive relationship by collaborating on plans to promote and document the steady elimination of nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) from wash chemistry.

The meeting followed EPA’s May 9 release of its analysis of NPE alternatives, which cited TRSA’s “industrial/institutional (I/I) laundry” constituency phasing out NPEs. EPA cited laundry wash chemistry formulators’ response to market demand for NPE alternatives and laundry operators’ pledge to eliminate NPE in saying the industry is “well along the way to reaching phase-out goals.”

The cooperative effort began in 2010 when TRSA told EPA that it would lead an industrywide phase-out of NPEs from all liquid detergent formulations by Dec. 31, 2013, and all powders one year later.

“This meeting with EPA officials represents continued cooperation between TRSA and regulators. I am pleased with the quality and expansion of our relationship,” says TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci.

May 17, 2012
ALM ‘Plan for Excellence’ Leads to Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Extensive array of educational sessions, plus association activities and networking events

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Association for Linen Management returns here on June 24-27 for its 72nd Annual Conference.

The “Plan for Excellence” event at The Seelbach Hilton is built on an extensive array of educational sessions, as well as association activities and networking/social events.

An optional pre-conference program on June 24 will feature sessions on Implementing AORN’s Recommended Practice for Surgical Attireand Success by the Numbers...Production Standards & Metrics.

Keynote speaker Paul Fayad, CEO of HHA Services, will kick off the conference June 25 as he identifies the essentials to being Equipped for Success.

The morning of June 26 brings a new feature as participants “eavesdrop” on a panel discussion about the industry’s changing structure, its place in the investment world, and how these changes may impact business structure and design. Panelists include Swisher Hygiene’s Doug Story, Laundry-Consulting.com’s David Chadsey and ARCO Murray’s Ed Kwasnick.

Breakout sessions throughout the conference include:

  • Efficiencies in the Wash Process, Steven Tinker, Gurtler Industries — The program will address rewash and reclaim numbers that can be costly and finding solutions to problem soils without tipping the balance sheet.
  • An Exchange Cart Program that Works, Barbara Williams, Standard Textile — Whether you’ve been building exchange carts for years or are just starting a program, this session will provide solutions to problems and opportunities to maximize successes.
  • Is It Time for a Tunnel?, Chadsey — Tunnel/continuous batch washers provide savings in chemicals, water and labor. But how do you make an accurate assessment of the situation vs. a “guess”?
  • Linen’s Role in Improving Patient Outcomes, Carol Stamas, CLLM, and Janice Larson, CLLM, Encompass — Understanding the inherent nature of the products, how they impact healing, and their appropriate use can make the difference in patient and fiscal outcomes.
  • Satisfaction Surveys That Work, Jerry Palmer, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) — This program will focus on designing a survey tool to identify what the patient/customer deems important and using that information to improve services and retain customers.
  • Quality Assurance: Textiles in Patient Care Areas, Nancy Bjerke, MSN — A quality healthcare laundry provides hygienically clean textiles to the hospital customer. But what steps are taken to maintain the hygienic integrity of those products once they arrive at the facility? Identify areas of issue or concern, and the approach to managing those situations.
  • Customer Satisfaction Rule 1: Communication, Jennifer Fairchild, EKU — This session will provide attendees with keys to listening, accurately understanding what their customer wants vs. needs, and assessing performance.
  • Isolation Gowns for Lean & Green Operations, Peter Menaker, CLLM, American Dawn — Reusable gowns definitely provide a green approach but how can facilities manage the costs (inventory and processing) while assuring clinicians safe and quality products?
  • Prep for the Consultant, Jeff Cohen, MedAssets — The C-Suite (CEO, CFO and COO) has just announced that it has hired a consulting firm to assess operations and identify areas where improvements can be made. What will they expect from you? And what can you expect when all is said and done?
  • Infection Control: Bed Change Considerations, Marcia Pierce, EKU — Can you “marry” good utilization and the related cost savings with the concerns over infection prevention?
  • Out for Bid, Menaker — This will be a discussion of the critical elements of the product bidding process and the problems that you can encounter.
  • Real Performance Improvement in Linen Utilization, Sarah James, RLLD, IPA — This session will go beyond concepts to walk you through an actual situation where linen utilization provided significant outcomes in a healthcare facility.

ALM will also name the year’s top laundry manager and allied tradesperson during the conference.

To learn more about the conference, visit the association's website.

May 16, 2012
Panel of Experts: Stains and the Worst of the Worst (Part 2 of 2)

CHICAGO — Input from at-large, linen supply and hotel/motel/resort sectors

MEMBER AT LARGE: DOUGLAS STORY, SWISHER HYGIENE

There are a lot of stains out there that we all work to try to remove in our day-to-day efforts, everything from medical stains in the healthcare industry to various types of waterproof make-up stains in the hospitality industry, but the stain that I find most difficult to remove is the idea of producing linen with “no or zero stains.” This is an extremely difficult issue to deal with because many actually believe they can produce linens/fabrics with absolutely zero stains every time, every day.

Is this possible? Well, yes, it is possible. We could process all linens on wash formulas that would produce a quality level in most classifications about as close to a “zero stain” program as possible. So why don’t we? Why don’t we go with what many of the manufacturing QC gurus call a zero-defect operation, or in our case the zero-stain process? In manufacturing, would a zero-defects operation cost you more money than a process that yields a few defects?

Yes, especially in an operation where we do not technically have control over the quality of the raw material coming in the door. Linen or fabric is our raw material. Unfortunately, hundreds or thousands of 100% cotton sheets having the same structure and design were not necessarily produced from the same raw material. Some need a greater level of soil removal than the rest. Our goal is to provide our customers with linens that are as clean and structurally sound as the linens were when the items were new.

OK, so why don’t we launder the product to produce zero stains? Isn’t that what the customer wants? Yes, but in reality they do not want stains delivered, so our quality control operation should make sure that doesn’t happen. At the same time, the customer and/or the laundry want to make sure the finished goods are protected from excess damage via wear and tear. Laundering fabrics of all types is one of the few “manufacturing” processes in which the raw material and the finished goods are structurally and generally the same.

Here are a few reasons why we shouldn’t process work to deliver zero stains:

  • In every wash load, there are a mix of linens from heavy soil to light soil, while the average washer formula is written to deal with moderate- to heavy-soiled items.
  • If we processed the linens for zero stains, we would be subjecting the lightly soiled items in every load to excess mechanical, chemical and processing treatment that could damage or shorten the life of the majority of finished products. Lightly soiled items generally constitute 50-70 % of a washer load (there are exceptions, i.e. bar towels).
  • Extra time (increased labor), extra water, wear and tear on equipment, more chemicals, shortened linen life, and higher energy consumption are just a few of the costs that will be increased in one’s drive to produce a zero-stain product.

So what’s a laundry manager to do in search of a zero-stain product? Keep quality control on top of product quality delivered to the customer while the plant works to maximize quality while minimizing the downside potential to the final product and the operation.  

Over the years, many studies have developed acceptable levels of stain/rejects for various operations. The averages of these studies are as follows:

  • Hospitality (hotel/motel linen) — 2.5-4.0% rejects
  • Healthcare — 3.5-5.5% rejects
  • Nursing Home — 4.0-5.5% rejects
  • Linen Supply — 5.0-6.0% rejects

The secret to a highly efficient laundry operation is not to have zero stains. No, in this case of production management, it is better to have a percentage of stains within acceptable levels in order to protect the finished product and the sustainability of your operation or business.

We all want to produce the best product possible, but we are going to have to accept a level of rejects that many in true manufacturing businesses could not.

LINEN SUPPLY: STEPHEN MARCQ, GENERAL LINEN SERVICE

The most stubborn stains to remove (as opposed to those that defy removal, such as stainless steel and cement stains) are mildew, ink from pens left in pockets, and a variety of medical ointments.

steve marcqI am sure others will provide excellent technical advice here on how to contend with these after the fact, but this is truly a case of prevention being the best cure. Ongoing customer education and gaining early buy-in to linen conservation practices is the key, beginning with training on using a product for its intended purpose, and providing the appropriate grade article for that use. Other tips include recommending higher-grade towels for light duty in the front of the house, and saving second-quality ones for the heavy cleaning tasks.

Pre-sorting of linen immediately after use is critical to prevent stains. This include bagging tablecloths and napkins separately from bar mops and aprons, keeping shop towels separate from industrial garments, and so forth. As always, encouraging customers to only put linen into the soil bags will help prevent staining, especially in situations with weekly pickup schedules. Selling bags of ragged-out towels at a good price to “hard” users can be a good strategy as well.

Place laminated signs with pictures of the items that should go in each bag on the wall over the bag stands, and replace as necessary. Convince the customer that taking good care of your linen while it’s in his establishment is not only good for you, it’s also good for his long-term linen costs.

HOTEL/MOTEL/RESORT LAUNDRY: JR NORRIS, DELTA UNIFORM AND LINEN

Stubborn stains can be a real challenge in today’s commercial laundry facilities, because stains can have a negative effect on production, leading to a smaller profit margin. We are lucky to have an experienced dry cleaner as our owner. We also have two ex-dry cleaners on our production staff, so stubborn stains have met their match here.

jr norrisThe key to not setting stains or avoiding a mountain of rewash is sorting. Proper sorting in your facility can eliminate headaches and money being washed down the drain. Make the minimum effort to pre-sort those pillowcases and terry and your production times and rewash will be greatly reduced. If the stains are caught during the sorting process, they can be pre-spotted and processed without incident.

On occasion, no matter how hard you try, stains will slip by the attentive eyes of the sorters. The majority of the stains we encounter are lipstick and make-up, primarily mascara. Make-up wears off during the night on pillowcases and sheets. Other times, the mascara is whipped off using hand towels, bath towels or washcloths. These oil-based stains are then transferred to the linen and terry. As we all know, oil-based stains need chemicals in order to be removed effectively.

Mascara, make-up and any other oil-based stains are best removed by using a solvent-based stain remover such as Pyratex. At Delta, once a stain is discovered, it is separated and sent to rewash. We employ one person who is responsible for stain removal. Once the type of stain is determined, the linen is treated based on the spotter’s recommendation and experience, then sent for rewashing. Always remember to wash treated textiles shortly after spotting.

Click here for Part 1.

May 14, 2012
New Hampshire’s Kleen, Envoy Services Announce Merger

MANCHESTER, N.H., and LEBANON, N.H. — New company called Kleen Envoy LLC, dba Envoy Services

MANCHESTER, N.H., and LEBANON, N.H. — Industrial laundry service firms Kleen LLC and Envoy Services LLC have merged into Kleen Envoy LLC, doing business as Envoy Services, the companies announced.

The event brings together Kleen and Envoy Services’ wholly owned subsidiary Sterling Linen Services LLC. Turning Bridge LLC, a laundry consulting and software business founded by Envoy in 2009, is also included.

The combination of Kleen, Sterling and Turning Bridge creates the largest, most comprehensive laundry service firm in New England, the group says.

Envoy Services will leverage the diverse talents and capabilities of both organizations to strengthen its value proposition to healthcare and hospitality laundry customers. More specifically, new and existing customers will, according to Envoy, experience:

  • Broader selection of services designed to reduce costs and simplify customer operations
  • Improved quality and redundancy delivered through multi-plant operations
  • Enhanced customer service delivered by a broader team with a track record of success

“We’re thrilled to be joining forces with Envoy Services,” says Greg Gosselin, Kleen president. “The merger allows us to better align resources with our respective strengths. This will absolutely be beneficial to the company and our valued customers.”

Going forward, Gosselin will continue to provide leadership by focusing on customer-facing activities. In this role, he will be instrumental in maintaining strong relationships with current clients and capitalizing on new growth opportunities.

“All of us at Envoy Services have a great deal of respect for Kleen LLC, and we are excited to bring our team’s talents to the merged organization,” says Dennis Kim, a principal in Envoy Services and president of Sterling Linen Services; he will oversee operations of the entire Envoy portfolio. “We are confident that by working together we can advance both organizations’ strategic objectives.”

Kleen will focus its efforts on the healthcare sector while Sterling will target the hospitality market. Turning Bridge will continue to target both markets and will be cross-sold into the broad customer base of Kleen and Sterling.

May 9, 2012
U.S. Exhibitors Pleased with Texcare International Results

FRANKFURT, Germany — Establishing new contacts, opening up markets

FRANKFURT, Germany — With Texcare International wrapping up today, many exhibitors with U.S. ties expressed delight in this year’s event and vow to return to the World Market for Modern Textile Care in four years.

Robin Thurgood, vice president and general manager of Rennco, brought his Michigan company’s industrial laundry packaging solutions to the show and found attendees intrigued by the prospect of packaging linens automatically rather than by hand.

“This is our first foray into Europe,” Thurgood says. “I’m not sure there’s anything like us over here yet. I’m not sure they’ve gone into this style of packaging. They’re all very interested.”

Dexter Laundry exhibited at Texcare in hopes of opening up new on-premise and coin laundry markets for its washers and dryers, according to Kevin Hietpas, vice president of sales and marketing.

“Honestly, I think we’re more ready for the customers on the coin side, but we’re seeing what the OPL market is like here in Europe and elsewhere in the world, what those customers need,” Hietpas says. “I think we’re close on some counts (and) we’ve got additional product development to do in other areas.”

Dexter has used the show to establish new contacts and will follow up with many potential opportunities with a long-term view, he adds.

The largest booth in the exhibition belonged to Germany’s own Kannegiesser, and Phil Hart, executive vice president of Kannegiesser USA, says the company’s founder is devoted to exhibitions and displaying a full range of high-technology products and systems to the industry.

“It’s been a very full booth,” Hart says. “The number of visitors has been quite high. And the variety. It really is a worldwide show. One of the side benefits of this is we can introduce customers from various parts of the world and just let them talk, let them compare notes and there’s a certain synergy that goes on at that point.”

Sustainability was a buzzword for this exhibition. AquaRecycle President Jeff Lebedin found that it wasn’t water recycling that had visitors to his booth talking but rather the recycling of dryer exhaust made possible by his company’s ThermalRecycle equipment.

“There are a lot of centralized laundries in Europe, and they do a lot of tunnel washing,” says Lebedin, whose company is based in Georgia. “We just don’t see a huge market yet for recycling water, but when it gets into the dryer part of it, recycling dryer exhaust is in its infancy in our industry because very few companies know what it costs them to dry their linen.”

There were 264 exhibitors from 26 nations represented at the five-day show. The United States was third in number of companies attending behind host nation Germany and Italy.

May 5, 2012
Texcare International Opens in Fully Booked Hall

FRANKFURT, Germany — There are 264 exhibitors hailing from 26 countries

FRANKFURT, Germany — Energy and resource efficiency are key factors in the professional textile care sector, and sustainable and efficient technology and processes for dry cleaners, laundries and textile service providers were on display as Texcare International opened its five-day run on Saturday.

There are 264 exhibitors hailing from 26 countries in Hall 8 and the adjoining Galleria. “The mood in the sector is very good,” says Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, who accompanied media members during a guided tour of the show floor. “Hall 8 is fully booked up. All international market leaders have registered and will present their cutting-edge technologies. They expect the world’s leading trade fair for their sector to generate powerful business impulses.”

Marzin likened Texcare to the “Olympics of textile care,” referencing the show’s every-four-years cycle.

The main theme of Texcare International 2012 is sustainability and the machinery and plant construction industry will present resource and energy-efficient solutions designed to make companies more ecologically and economically competitive in the future.

Underscoring this is the new BLUECOMPETENCE initiative of the Federation of German Machine and Plant Manufacturers, spotlighting sustainable machines and systems that are in line with economic, ecological and social demands.

“We aim to show that sustainability is not just a buzzword,” says Elgar Straub, director of VDMA Garment and Leather Technology, who led the guided tour for the trade media. “On the contrary, technology is the key to resource conservation. For our sector, Texcare International is the ideal platform for future-oriented presentations.”

The Texcare Forum opened its schedule of educational lectures with “Future Day,” featuring an agenda devoted to training opportunities and efficient marketing concepts for dry cleaners.

Texcare International continues today and runs through Wednesday.

May 2, 2012
TRSA Safety Summit Slated for May 21-22

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Pushing the industry to be Safer Together

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) is sponsoring Safer Together, a May 21-22 Safety Summit intended to generate increased safety awareness within the textile services industry while providing an opportunity for practical, hands-on analysis of trends and issues.

A panel featuring some of the textile services industry’s most recognizable names will convene during the Bloomington, Minn., meeting to discuss their companies’ commitment to safe practices and the importance of establishing a top-down safety culture, TRSA says.

Participants will include Bill Evans, president/CEO of AmeriPride Services; Scott Farmer, CEO of Cintas Corp.; Karl Fillip, president/CEO of Alliance Laundry & Textile Services; and Jeff Wright, executive vice president and CFO of G&K Services.

Additionally, there will be breakout sessions to discuss executive management support, driver/fleet safety, wash aisle and lockout/tagout, injury prevention programs, and ergonomics.

Discussions will identify risks in laundry plant and service work that require improved mitigation and propose solutions.

Safety experts emphasize that while management often claims a “commitment to safety,” the real or imagined pressures of production can and often do defeat safety programs as the majority of these efforts focus on compliance and requirements, not zero-based objectives, TRSA says.

The Summit will foster novel approaches by identifying the most difficult obstacles the industry faces in eliminating injuries and illnesses and developing consensus proposals for overcoming them. Conclusions will drive TRSA programming such as best practices documentation, conference presentations, education/training, research/benchmarking and other resources.

To learn more, visit the TRSA website.

April 30, 2012
Career Track: Companies Announce New Hires, Promotions

CHICAGO — Kannegiesser, Braun, others report personnel moves

KANNEGIESSER PROMOTES HART TO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — The owner of Herbert Kannegiesser GmbH recently promoted Phil Hart to executive vice president of Kannegiesser USA.

Phil HartDuring the company’s recent Canadian sales meeting, owner Martin Kannegiesser announced that Hart’s role in the company will expand, moving him into supervisory positions with different departments, while continuing to be responsible for the company’s daily operations.

Hart joined Kannegiesser USA in 2004 as vice president of marketing, bringing with him more than 10 years of industry and product experience.

TURN-KEY INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING HIRES BERNSTEIN AS SENIOR VP

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A veteran of the textile industry, David Bernstein recently joined Turn-Key Industrial Engineering Services as senior vice president. Bernstein’s role will be in business development, consulting, and adding new services to the firm’s lineup.

david bernsteinThe fourth generation of his family in the textile rental industry, Bernstein brings a unique perspective and a diverse work résumé to his new position. He has more than 20 years experience, including stints as president of Consolidated Laundry Machinery Co., as director of the Uniform and Textile Services Association (UTSA), and as chief operating officer of F-MATIC.

“All of us at Turn-Key are ecstatic to be welcoming David as a member of our team,” says Chip Malboeuf, Turn-Key president. “His experience, skill set, intelligence and enthusiasm for the industry will not only enhance our current offering, but will also allow us to provide our clients with additional services to increase their revenue and improve their operations.”

In addition to his professional experience, Bernstein is two-time chair of the UTSA Plant Operations Committee, an inductee into the Plant Operations Hall of Fame, an instructor and task force member for the Production Management Institute (PMI) and Maintenance Management Institute (MMI), and a former member of the board of directors of the Western Textile Services Association (WTSA). He resides in Park City, Utah.

TINGUE, BROWN & CO. PROMOTES LAVIGNA TO PURCHASING DIRECTOR

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. — Paul LaVigna has been promoted to the role of purchasing director for the TB division of laundry industry supplier Tingue, Brown & Co. He will work out of TB’s satellite office in Clifton Park, N.Y.

paul lavignaLaVigna brings extensive experience to his new role, much of it gained through his years with the U.S. Army, where he was a procurement and logistics officer. More recently, he was an operations manager for a nationwide retailer. He has been in corporate operations with TB since August 2010.

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, LaVigna lives in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., with his wife and two children.

“I am grateful for the opportunity this new position provides,” LaVigna says, “and I look forward to working with all of Tingue, Brown’s partners in the laundry industry.”

VENUS GROUP HIRES INDUSTRY VET MCBRIDE AS SALES MANAGER

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — Venus Group has a new Midwest regional sales manager. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Mike McBride is now responsible for the textile company’s sales and growth efforts in the Midwest.

mike mcbrideHis diverse résumé has allowed him to meet many Midwest dry cleaners and laundry owners as well as people with national textile chains. He started with Procter & Gamble as a field representative and trainer, then moved to Cleaners Hangers Co. as a sales representative. His most recent post with Cleaners Hangers was as vice president of sales and marketing.

McBride earned a degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he was also a member of the 1973 NCAA national champion football team.

G.A. BRAUN ADDS SLETTE TO FINISHING EQUIPMENT TEAM

matt sletteSYRACUSE, N.Y. —The G.A. Braun Finishing Equipment Engineering Team has a new member. Matt Slette brings to the product development team a diverse experience in modeling components in 3D and developing 2D working drawings, bill of materials, and assemblies for production, Braun says.

Slette graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering technology from California Polytechnic State University. He is based at Braun’s corporate headquarters in Syracuse.

April 26, 2012
Worldwide Laundry Receives Maytag's OPL Excellence Award

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — Honor acknowledges effective, efficient service to OPL customers

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — Worldwide Laundry Inc., Miami, was recently recognized with the On-Premises Laundry (OPL) Excellence Award during the Maytag® Commercial Laundry 54th Annual Meeting in Marco Island, Fla.

The honor acknowledges the distributor’s effective and efficient service to its OPL customers.

“Worldwide Laundry consistently delivers exceptional results by responding to customers’ inquiries in less than 24 hours, through its strategic direct-marketing efforts and by fostering relationships within the OPL market,” says Bob English, general manager of global commercial laundry at Whirlpool Corp.

“Our reputation as an efficient and dependable distributor is a top priority for us,” says Marco Giancola, vice president at Worldwide Laundry. “Maytag® Commercial Laundry manufactures top-of-the-line products with industry-leading warranties, which help meet and exceed customer expectations daily.”

Worldwide Laundry is a full-service laundry equipment, parts and supplies company with 40 years of combined experience in the distribution of on-premise, coin laundry, and drycleaning equipment at competitive prices worldwide.

Marco and Chuck Giancola and Robert Gonzalez were on hand to receive the award for Worldwide Laundry. Also present at the awards dinner was Fritz Maytag, great-grandson of founder Fred Maytag.

April 24, 2012
Texcare International Preview: Buzzword is Sustainability

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — Around 250 exhibitors and 15,000 trade visitors expected

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — Sustainability will be the dominant theme of Texcare International — World Market for Modern Textile Care when it returns here in two weeks.

Show organizer Messe Frankfurt says all international market leaders—including the Alliance International brands, Barbanti, Beirholms Vaeverier, Ecolab, Girbau, Heprotex, Jensen, Kannegiesser, Kreussler, LG Electronics, Lavatec Laundry Technology, Macpi, Miele, Multimatic, Pellerin Milnor, Renzacci and Veit—have registered to exhibit during the May 5-9 show.

Altogether, Messe Frankfurt expects to welcome around 250 exhibitors and 15,000 trade visitors. As in previous shows (the event is staged every four years), the proportion of manufacturers from outside Germany will exceed 60%; the most important exhibitor nations besides Germany are Italy and the United States, Messe Frankfurt says.

“Texcare International is the leading meeting place for the sector,” says Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt. “Only in Frankfurt do the top companies from all around the world launch so many new products. Only here is it possible to make so many business contacts. And only at the world’s leading trade fair for the sector can visitors gather so much detailed information.”

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS SUCCESS

One of the main objectives of industrial textile care is sustainable economic development because business success depends greatly on efficient machinery and plant coupled with effective processes and durable textiles.

As an information platform, Texcare International plays a key role by offering a comprehensive overview of the latest trends in the mechanical engineering sector, as well as in the fields of detergents and textiles, Messe Frankfurt says.

Plant and control systems that provide energy at the right time and in the right quantity are the key to the future. Thus, steam-on-demand is the starting point for highly efficient, low-loss heating processes. But other developments in the field of consumption-dependent control technologies are also expected at Texcare.

Recycling is another key issue and includes highly efficient recovery systems for the optimum use of heat energy, as well as the best possible circulation system and practical, economical process-water treatment processes. Additionally, existing technologies, such as solar energy and bioenergy, are generating new impulses in the world of industrial textile care.

IT’S IN THE WASH

Sustainability is also of great importance to manufacturers of detergents and washing additives. With the development of effective low-temperature processes, the chemical industry is making a significant contribution to the reduction of energy consumption.

New, customized concentrations of active agents improve washing results while cutting the need for post-treatment or rewashing. Other important issues at Texcare will include ecologically harmless “green” detergents, washing and impregnating agents. Discussion will be offered on a variety of topics, including nonhalogen solvents that are not marked as hazardous, as well as alternatives to hydrophobizing agents.

Moreover, increased attention is being given to the ecological balance of a product and the sector will pay increased attention to systems such as carbon footprint, cradle-to-cradle and life-cycle assessment.

MODERN COLORS, DESIGNS

Instead of the monotone royal blue and standard twill fabric of the traditional boiler suit, modern colors and designs, as well as multi-faceted materials and surfaces, now characterize the image of trade and industry. Elegance and style have conquered large sections of the workwear sector. Even protective clothing is oriented more than ever before to fashion.

Exhibitors from the textile and apparel industry, as well as the accessories and finishing sectors, will present the latest trends for a modern, functional and professional appearance. Concepts for corporate fashions will also play an important role.

Designs and colors are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Fabric manufacturers are taking up decorative elements from the 1970s, using striped patterns in herringbone and satin weaves, creating new Panama looks, reinventing the cavalry style and interpreting denim for workwear applications.

In addition to vintage-look hues, the current color spectrums are supplemented by fashionable natural and earth shades. Other highlights are classics from the world of suits and costumes, such as black, graphite, anthracite and night blue, which are now playing a leading role on the workwear stage.

Streetwear trends mainly influence the collections. The outfits are more robust in appearance, the pockets bigger, the cut more casual although practical, the material combinations and color mix less conventional, and the details more stylish.

INTEGRATING PROTECTION, COMFORT

In the past, the focus was on providing comprehensive protection against as many possible dangers at work as possible. Now, aspects such as moisture management, breathability, climate comfort and freedom of movement are growing in importance.

The latest developments in the fiber, yarn and textile industry diminish the symptoms of physical stress by minimizing the effects caused by perspiration and an increased core-body temperature. Special mixtures make it possible to produce fabrics for modern protective clothing that combines quality protection with a comfortable wearing climate. Additionally, the industry is working on further improvements to the elasticity of protective and professional clothing.

TEXCARE FORUM

Apart from the activities surrounding what is sure to be a busy exhibition floor, the international Texcare Forum will give the sector an opportunity to find out about the latest developments in the fields of science and research, as well as to exchange ideas and opinions with colleagues from home and abroad.

The Association of the Textile Service Industry (Industrieverband Textil Service – intex) and the German Dry Cleaning Association (Deutscher Textilreinigungsverband – DTV), in cooperation with Messe Frankfurt, will treat attendees to a free educational program for two hours each afternoon.

For the first time, each day of the Forum is individually themed. The conference will be of particular interest to dry cleaners and laundries on May 5-6 and to textile service companies and laundries on May 7-8. Here are some of the topics (tentative):

  • May 5, Future Day — Professional textile care in 2012; E-DryClean: online instruction for European dry cleaners; experiential marketing of dry cleaning; how textile service providers can face the challenges of the future.
  • May 6, Innovation Day — Teamwork between research and practice; recycling of personal protective equipment from the standards and certification perspective; innovative control options for laundry and finishing processes using test fabrics; antimicrobial textiles from laboratory to practical usage.
  • May 7, Sustainable Day — Holistic view of sustainability; ISO 26000 standard; energy efficiency; efficiency management in commercial laundries; water and energy savings for laundries.
  • May 8, Market Day — Regulatory and market trends for European textile services; the U.S. textile services market; HORECA (hotel/restaurant/café) market and the potential for textile services; professional textile services and the market demand in 2030; workwear developments.

WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION

Texcare will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 5-8 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9. Admission tickets can be purchased quickly and easily online at Texcare.com. Cost in advance is 15 euros (roughly $20) for a one-day ticket, 35 euros (roughly $46) for the entire show. If purchasing at the box office, cost will be 22 euros (roughly $30) for a one-day ticket, 48 euros (roughly $63) for the entire show.

For additional show information and updates, visit Texcare.com.

American Laundry News will be attending the show — Watch for updates beginning May 7!

April 18, 2012
Swisher Hygiene Acquires Two More Linen Services Companies

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Adds facilities in South Florida, Nevada

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Swisher Hygiene reports that it has acquired certain assets of two more linen services companies: Green on Whites Inc. in South Florida and CMI LV Inc., also known as Cactus Mats, in Nevada.

Green on Whites provides linen and facilities rental services to foodservice and hospitality customers in the greater Miami market.

“Our South Florida operations have expanded considerably in the last year through acquisitions and especially organic growth, which has led us to be at near capacity at our current facility in the region,” says Steven R. Berrard, Swisher Hygiene CEO. “Through this acquisition, we have secured a larger platform which will enable us to further grow our linen services presence in South Florida.”

Swisher Hygiene paid approximately $371,000 in cash, assumed certain liabilities, and issued a promissory note equivalent to as many as 77,495 shares of common stock for Green on Whites.

Cactus Mats provides linen and facilities rental services, including the rental of floor mats, towels and mops, primarily to foodservice and retail customers in the greater Las Vegas market.

“We continue to build our full-service coverage and strong presence in the Southwestern U.S. through today’s acquisition, which will expand our linen service coverage in the major metropolitan region of Las Vegas, as well as enabling us to additionally cover the greater Phoenix market going forward,” Berrard said at the time of the Cactus Mats acquisition.

Swisher Hygiene paid an undisclosed amount of cash and issued a promissory note equivalent to as many as 71,429 shares of common stock for Cactus Mats.

April 16, 2012
TRSA Launches Hygienically Clean Certification Program

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Relies on third-party, quantified biological testing and inspection

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) has launched the Hygienically Clean certification program to recognize textile services companies’ commitment to cleanliness through third-party, quantified biological testing and inspection.

The certification process eliminates subjectivity by verifying that textiles cleaned in these facilities meet hygiene standards appropriate for any type of business that uses garments, linens, towels, floor mats, mops and other professionally laundered items, the association says.

A specific designation for laundries with medical work—Hygienically Clean – Healthcare—is available and another will soon be offered for those who serve restaurants and other businesses where food safety is paramount—Hygienically Clean – Food Service.

To attain a Hygienically Clean certification, a laundry must deploy best management practices (BMPs) and pass bacteriological testing and facility inspections. Tests use the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) 61 protocol:

  • Allows a minimal amount of bacteria to remain after textiles are laundered
  • Pass/fail criteria of less than or equal to 20 colony forming units (cfu)

A laundry is not required to use particular processes, chemicals or BMPs to achieve certification—whatever tactics management feels are necessary can be used to achieve TRSA’s Minimum Performance Specifications as measured by bacteriological testing.  But BMPs must be documented in a written quality-control manual.

“Managers in many types of workplaces are becoming more conscientious about the sanitation of their processes,” explains TRSA President/CEO Joseph Ricci. “They want to be more confident that they are taking every step possible to prevent human illness in their facilities and their customers’.”

To approve laundries for Hygienically Clean certification, TRSA inspects them to review their documentation and observe their BMP deployment. After this initial on-site inspection, facilities are examined on a three-year basis. Bacteriological testing begins with one evaluation in each of the first three months the laundry is certified, then one every six months.

To learn more about the program, click here.  

April 12, 2012
AHE Unveils New Professional Education Brand Identity

CHICAGO — ENGAGE brand reflects leadership in providing on-target education

CHICAGO — The Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) has unveiled its new professional education brand identity—ENGAGE.

It reflects AHE’s leadership position in providing on-target education pertaining to the healthcare environment. Each of AHE’s professional education programs will operate under this master brand.

“The AHE brand, launched in 2010, conveys a sense of professional excellence,” says Patti Costello, AHE executive director. “This strategic business decision leverages the strength of the AHE’s brand while emphasizing a wide array of educational offerings and reflects AHE’s commitment to career-long learning.”

April 9, 2012
TRSA Celebrates Centennial in 2012

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Today, the industry accounts for more than 200,000 individuals employed at

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA), representing independent, regional and national laundry operators and associates in the $16 billion reusable textile services industry, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

Most Americans benefit at least once a week from the cleanliness and safety provided by the industry—through its laundering and delivery of reusable linens, uniforms, towels, floor mats and other products for the healthcare, hospitality and industrial/manufacturing sectors, TRSA says.

“TRSA members launder reusable textiles and provide other products and services that help businesses project a clean and attractive public image,” says TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci, CAE. “Our industry reaches every major business and industrial region and city in the country.”

Textile services companies maximize efficiencies for laundering uniforms, hotel and hospital linen, garments, and restaurant linen by utilizing high-capacity, high-speed laundry equipment to minimize cost and consumption of water, energy and chemistry. Most of these companies are family-owned and -operated and have evolved from providing family laundry service in the late 1800s to serving the growing healthcare sector.

Today, the industry accounts for more than 200,000 individuals employed at 2,000-plus facilities nationwide. TRSA calculates that 1.8 million U.S. business locations are textile services customers generating roughly 15 billion pounds of laundry per year delivered by the third largest fleet of vehicles (behind only FedEx and UPS).

Healthcare and hospitality businesses account for about two-thirds of the laundry volume, with the balance to manufacturing and service industries that use customized work uniforms.

“Our industry has evolved as customer needs have evolved,” notes Ricci. “Before the turn of the century, textile services companies delivered clean, reusable items by bicycle and horse-drawn carriage as a less costly, time-saving alternative. Reusable textile service has long been the greener, more sustainable alternative to disposable products, home and on-premises laundries by reducing waste and conserving water and energy.”

April 4, 2012
Clean Show Selects GES as Official Contractor

ATLANTA — Show committee picks Las Vegas-based company from

ATLANTA — The Clean Executive Committee has selected Global Experience Specialists (GES) to serve as the official services contractor for the 2013 Clean Show in New Orleans.

Three companies submitted proposals for the June 2013 show. “GES did our show in New Orleans in 2009 and did a great job,” says John Riddle, president of Riddle & Associates, the Clean Show’s management company. “We look forward to working with them again in 2013.”

Chicago hosted the first Clean Show in 1977. United Exposition Service Co. was the official services contractor for that event and subsequent shows. GES purchased United in 1993, and the Las Vegas-based company has continued its partnership with the Clean Show for many shows since.

GES produces 3,000 exhibitions and events annually.

The Clean Show—officially titled the World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning—attracts people across all segments of the textile care industry, from single-owner, coin-operated laundry and drycleaning establishments to giant industrial and institutional laundries and textile rental companies.

 

April 2, 2012
Global Textile Services Organization is Born

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The International Textile Services Alliance (ITSA) has been developed to pursue certain common objectives

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The International Textile Services Alliance (ITSA), a global community of executives from national and regional business-to-business textile service associations, has been developed to pursue certain common objectives, the founding associations have announced.

ITSA will work to create a cooperative international business-to-business textile services community to share and compile studies, research, best practices and market figures; and to identify common issues, challenges and research projects to minimize redundancies and maximize resources.

ITSA is founded by the European Textile Services Association (ETSA) and the Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA), together with intex from Germany and the Federatie van de Belgische Textielverzorging / Féderation Belge du Textile (FBT) from Belgium.

The Alliance will be formally launched in May at Texcare International in Frankfurt, Germany.

Membership in ITSA is open to business-to-business textile service associations and limited to one representative from each country. The organization will be managed by a Steering Committee composed of representatives from several of the founding organizations, including:

  • Robert Long, Secretary-General, European Textiles Services Association (ETSA)
  • Joseph Ricci, CEO, Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA)
  • Maarten Van Severen, Committee President, Federatie van de Belgische Textielverzorging / Féderation Belge du Textile (FBT), Belgium
  • Klaus Jahn, Geschäftsführer, intex Verband, Germany

Inaugural ITSA members include:

  • Australia - Textile Rental and Laundry Association Australia Limited (TRLAA)
  • Belgium: FBT – Federatie van de Belgische Textielverzorging / Fédération Belge de l’Entretien du Textile asbl.
  • Denmark: BVT – Brancheforeningen for Vask og Tekstiludlejning
  • Finland: Tekstiilihuoltoliitto Ry
  • France: GEIST – Groupement des Entreprises Industrielles de Services Textiles
  • Germany: intex – Industrieverband Textil Service e.V.
  • Italy: ASSOSISTEMA – Associazione Sistema Industriale Integrato Servizi Tessili e Medici Affini
  • Norway: NRV – Norwegian Dry Cleaning & Laundry Association
  • Sweden: ST – Sveriges Tvätteriförbund
  • Switzerland: VTS – Verband Textilpflege Schweiz
  • United Kingdom: TSA – Textile Services Association
  • United States of America — TRSA – Textile Rental Services Association of America

ITSA will meet annually to address important issues and trends impacting the international textile services community. These meetings will be hosted by the “local” association coinciding with leading international conferences including Texcare International, Expo Detergo International and the Clean Show.

March 29, 2012
ARTA Education Conference Next Week to Focus on Marketing Reusables

FAIRWAY, Kan. — There's nothing like learning from peers who have blazed a trail of success

FAIRWAY, Kan. — There’s nothing like learning from peers who have blazed a trail of success. That’s why the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) will feature operator roundtable sessions—on sales and controlling linen losses—each day of its 2012 Education Conference next week in Memphis, Tenn.

The Tuesday through Thursday conference is titled Marketing Reusables in 2012: How Clean is Clean, How to Sell Clients – and Control Losses After the Sale. In addition to operator roundtables with Q&A, ARTA will host speakers from the Mayo Clinic, 3M, Encompass Group, the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) and more.

A technical service representative from 3M will address Standards of Clean – How Do We Measure It? Francis Zieman, RN, BSN, MS, CSPDT, will provide an overview of tools and methods to measure cleanliness and then invite members of the audience to test different items, based on written instructions.

HLAC Inspection Chair Judy Reino, Reino Linen, will review best practices during Infection Prevention 101: Practices for the Laundry. Her review will include facility design, personnel, equipment and processes, transportation and clean-linen storage.

Mayo Clinic’s Cindy Molko, RLLD, director of linen services, will offer practical advice you can take back to the office in the session, Infection Prevention and You.

Some other sessions include an update on Cotton and Textile Issues in 2012: What to Expect from Tom Langdon, vice president of sourcing and purchasing for Encompass Group, and Hotel Guest, Hospital Patient or Visitor: Is Your Health at Risk? by Steve Tinker, vice president, Gurtler Industries.

The two operator roundtables planned, Capturing the Healthcare Sale and Case Studies on Stop-Loss Strategies, will feature profit and not-for-profit, regional, and national operators sharing their strategies for selling reusable surgical textiles and controlling losses. All sessions will leave time for Q&A from the audience.

ARTA’s conference will take place at The Peabody Hotel and is open to members and nonmembers, as well as all sister associations.

The Welcome Reception hosted by MIP and Encompass kicks off the event on Tuesday. Attendees who arrive that afternoon can sign up for a tour of Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare Laundry or visit Graceland.

The education program starts Wednesday with sessions running all day, and includes a group lunch. Attendees can mingle and network at the Sponsors’ Reception that evening at The Cotton Museum and Exchange.

The conference ends at noon on Thursday. Continental breakfast is included both days before education sessions begin.

Registration is still open. Visit the ARTA website or contact Executive Director Nancy Jenkins at njenkins@arta1.com for more information.

March 28, 2012
OSHA Enforcement Chief Says Voluntary-Improvement Recognition Under High Scrutiny

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Agency team is evaluating the effectiveness of programs such as the Voluntary Protection Program

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is “struggling” with incentive programs that recognize employers for exemplary efforts in preventing workplace injuries and illnesses, Richard E. Fairfax, deputy assistant U.S. labor secretary, told an audience of Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) members on Tuesday.

Fairfax, speaking to TRSA’s Leadership & Legislative Conference, said limited resources have prevented OSHA from expanding these efforts after they grew significantly in recent years, particularly during President George W. Bush’s administration.

In more recent years, OSHA has concentrated on evaluating their effectiveness. “I think the world of the program,” Fairfax says of the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP), but he indicated that such endeavors might need better quality control.

The VPP, Safety & Health Achievement and Recognition Program (SHARP) and other honors awarded to employers, including many in the textile service industry, are under evaluation by an OSHA team Fairfax appointed last summer. “I told them to take as long as they want, to do a top-to-bottom review,” he says.

In the meantime, he urged employers to take advantage of other compliance assistance programs, such as the free OSHA consultation service for companies with 250 workers or less. Agency personnel who visit a business and find violations don’t notify the federal office of these unless the location’s management refuses to fix them. This program saw a budget increase in 2011, Fairfax notes. Each OSHA area office employs a compliance assistance specialist who performs these inspections.

“Our senior and best compliance officers have moved into those positions,” he explains. “They’re not allowed to do anything in enforcement.” They exist for training and outreach and usually “all it takes is a phone call to the office” to involve them in a voluntary compliance effort.

Fairfax also pointed out that the agency hopes to increase its use of private-sector safety pros to help with other employers’ preventive efforts. In this special government employee (SGE) program, such an individual receives three days of free OSHA training, and then participates annually as a member of an OSHA team evaluating other companies’ safety procedures. The agency wants to increase the number of SGEs who can help permanent OSHA staff work with employers in preventive efforts.

Fairfax’s presentation included numerous statistics on the agency’s enforcement activities in 2011, such as a leveling of inspection totals from the prior year (down about 300 to 40,600) and a 6,000 decline in violations to 91,000. The textile services business had no willful or repeat violations, a rarity among industries, Fairfax says.

Those findings are consistent with TRSA’s SafeTRSA education and benchmarking program, which has logged results of improved safety practices among member companies during the past five years:

  • 42% reduction in total recordable injuries and illnesses rate (TRIR)
  • One-third reduction in DART Rate (days away from work, restrictions or transfers)
  • Most recent annual improvement of 5% in TRIR and 2.5% in DART rate
March 26, 2012
Swisher Hygiene Acquires Savoy Linen Services

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New acquisition provides linen rental and laundry services primarily to

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Swisher Hygiene has acquired the assets and business of Savoy Linen Services, a Connecticut-based linen services company.

Started in 1924, Savoy provides linen rental and laundry services primarily to foodservice customers in the southern New England and greater metro New York City markets. Concurrent with the acquisition, Paul Vazzano, the owner of Savoy, joins Swisher Hygiene and will contribute to the continued growth of its linen services business.

“The acquisition of Savoy is a continuation of our efforts to build upon our existing presence in the linen and dust control markets and expand throughout North America,” says Steven R. Berrard, Swisher Hygiene CEO. “We will be very deliberate in making value-added acquisitions and building additional facilities in order to further expand our linen production capabilities, properly leverage our customer base and create additional cross-selling opportunities for our full-service platform.”

Total consideration paid by Swisher Hygiene included cash and a promissory note that may be converted to a maximum of 171,428 shares of Swisher Hygiene common stock.
 

March 22, 2012
TRSA Hosts First in Series of Executive Roundtables

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — TRSA and Walt Disney World host roundtable discussions involving

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) last month hosted the first of six Executive Roundtables planned for 2012, providing members with benchmarking information designed to improve operations, performance, productivity and safety.

TRSA President Joseph Ricci says his association’s members are always looking for opportunities for innovation. “Differentiation with unique goods and services provide a niche for new market entry and the financial premiums associated with those opportunities,” he explains.

This gathering covered issues impacting the restaurant/food-and-beverage and hotel/lodging markets. A representative of Darden Restaurants—the world’s largest full-service restaurant company, including the Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse brands—took part in the roundtable discussion, promoting the exchange of information from customer to service provider.

Industry consultants from Pertl & Alexander led discussions on linen loss and replacement for hospitality and food-and-beverage (F&B) applications. Attendees were invited to tour three Walt Disney World laundries, each with a special application and purpose.

The Housekeeping Plant processes rooms linen and pool towels for the nearly 30,000 Disney World hotel guestrooms. It produces more clean linen than any other single laundry location in the world—nearly 120 million pounds annually. The 16-year-old facility operates seven tunnel washers (that are targeted for replacement) and an automated open-pocket cell. 

The emphasis on throughput production is clear, but not at the risk of sacrificing quality. Quality control is ongoing, including a station that randomly evaluates linen before shipment.

Bob Corfield, president of Laundry Design Group, appreciated the production and efficiency of the housekeeping plant, but was eager to see how Disney handled its considerable costume and uniform requirements.

After a short bus ride, the group toured the Costume Facility that processes 29,000 costumes and cast member uniforms every day. 

Curt Gray, chief administrative officer for AmeriPride Services in Minnetonka, Minn., says he felt more at home in the uniform plant environment. His goal was to better understand how a world-class organization like Walt Disney World integrates its service culture into the industrial laundry environment.

After going through the plants, Gray commented that the net result of what Disney accomplishes appears to be the sum of doing a lot of little things right.

The Costume Facility tours like a morph between a large drycleaning shop and a production industrial plant (it also processes all walk-off mats used in the theme park). Equipment includes four drycleaning machines, two wetclean washers, and an assortment of washer-extractors.

Terri Amey, Disney’s costume plant manager, attributes the production and quality to the plant’s “cast.” Average term of service among full-time employees there is 19.5 years.

Pablo Lucchesi of Crown Linen, Miami, was particularly interested in touring Disney’s Food and Beverage Plant, as F&B is a growth center for his company.

Disney’s F&B facility provides table linen for the 200 park restaurant outlets servicing 32 different color options.

F&B delivery drivers arrive at work at 2 a.m. Pickups and deliveries are made in the early-morning hours using lowboy trailers. They are equipped with ramps that eliminate lift-gate requirements, reducing delivery times and improving operator safety.

The next TRSA Executive Roundtable is scheduled for May and will involve operational and market issues specific to national textile services companies.

March 20, 2012
Talley Machinery Corp. Acquires Norman Control

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Supplier drawn to acquisition by

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Laundry parts and equipment supplier Talley Machinery Corp. has acquired laundry equipment manufacturer Norman Control, Cary, Ill. Talley will manufacture the line of Norman Control equipment, parts and accessories at Talley’s state-of-the-art Greensboro facility, the company reports.

Hydraulic lift tables, lighted inspection tables and pneumatic cart dumpers are among the laundry machines to be featured, while the associated replacement parts and accessories are stocked and ready for quick delivery.

Recognized for its expertise in machining high-quality replacement parts for varied laundry equipment and in remanufacturing flatwork ironers, Talley has gradually expanded its range of products and services since joining the Tingue family of companies to include extractor press membranes, ironer drive conversions and several other machinery upgrades.

“The Norman Control laundry machines have been well known for their quality workmanship and dependable operation for a long, long time,” says Randy Vansparrentak, Talley Machinery vice president. “Yet it’s their safety and ergonomic benefits that are drawing increasing interest from the laundry industry and that’s what most attracted us to the acquisition.”

March 19, 2012
Proposed Textile Standard Takes Aim at Sustainability Practices

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — New standard set to identify and define

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — As the commercial laundry industry commits to a more sustainable future, ASTM International is proposing a new standard to identify and define sustainable management practices to help commercial laundries reduce their impact on the environment.

The standard, known as ASTM WK35985 or Practice for Sustainable Laundry Best Management Practices, is being developed by a subcommittee under the jurisdiction of ASTM International Committee D13 on Textiles.

Gary Gramp of the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) is chairing the task group developing the new standard. “We are looking to further reduce our carbon footprint and enhance our environmental stewardship by developing ASTM WK35985. Our goal is to encourage the implementation of best management practices for sustainability at all commercial laundry facilities.”

Gramp says the methodology for assessing the best practices will certify that any given laundry process is sustainable and compliant to the standard. The proposed standard hits on such areas as water-reuse technology; heat recovery; environmentally friendly and low-temperature detergents; wastewater treatment; and energy-efficient lighting, among others.

In addition to commercial laundry facilities, Gramp says potential stakeholder groups include users of reusable textiles in the restaurant, hospitality and healthcare industries; government agencies; and environmental organizations.

The next ASTM Committee D13 meeting is set for June 24-27 in San Diego. For more on the proposed standard or to participate in its development, contact Gary Gramp at 703-519-0029, ext. 111; e-mail ggramp@trsa.org.

ASTM International is an international firm focused on standards development and delivery systems. Visit astm.org to learn more about the organization.

March 14, 2012
Cost Control is Mission One for Space Coast Hospital Services (Part 2 of 2)

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — Education, training lead to savings

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — Bill Carey has been in the laundry business his entire adult life. Six years ago, he took over the helm at Space Coast Hospital Services, a not-for-profit hospital cooperative laundry.

“Our mission is to help our hospitals reduce their cost of linen services,” Carey says. “If we don’t help them, somebody else will. We are operating in an extremely competitive environment right now, and we have to deliver.”

Education, Training Lead to Savings

Besides linen management, another area where Space Coast Hospital Services has reduced client linen costs is in isolation gowns. Carey credits Bobby Coble, territory manager, acute care, Encompass Group, with helping meet client needs.

“Traditional gowns tie in the back,” Coble says. “Ties in the back are more difficult for patients to untie. Disposables were reportedly preferred by many patients because they could just rip them off and throw the gown away.”

Encompass came up with a gown that ties on the side, enabling patients to more easily take it off and making the garment more acceptable for isolation applications, according to Coble.

Space Coast Hospital Services provides linen management support in each hospital in areas of linen utilization and educational programs. It also partners with Encompass, which provides customers with a linen-management tracking tool to pinpoint cost and usage by user area.

Pam Perdicaro, Carey’s service manager, reaches out to hospital clients to help them better understand laundry and linen operations, and how correct procedures can reduce their costs.

Quarterly hospital linen service director meetings and semi-annual on-site linen awareness programs emphasize training. “Nursing needs to understand that any additional linen left in a room has to be removed and sent back to the laundry for processing when the patient leaves,” Perdicaro says. “Storing additional items in a patient room just adds to their costs.”

There is improvement after the meetings and training, according to Perdicaro, but the laundry has found that regular reviews are needed to keep things fresh in everyone’s mind.

For example, the laundry learned that some certified nursing assistants were discarding soiled incontinent pads that could have been laundered. “They were throwing away the items that they thought were ‘too dirty,’” Perdicaro says.

“Another major area of linen cost that we manage is linen loss from transport,” Carey says. “We now provide specific EMT packs of linen for transporting patients leaving a hospital. The packs contain linen items needed, but they may have a small stain or tear that would keep them out of our standard linen inventory.”

It is an efficient way to utilize linen that would otherwise go to rag out, while in turn reducing clients’ linen losses, Carey says.

“Information and training saved one of our clients $350,000 over the last five years by reducing their pounds per adjusted patient day,” he says.

Staff is Key to Co-op Laundry’s Success

Carey credits his staff with initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Plant Operations Manager Ray Esche evaluated truck run and idle times to reduce diesel consumption.

“We used to have to keep our trucks idling during the unload process in order to power the lift gates,” Carey says. “We worked with our lift gate supplier to install remote lift-gate power outlets at the dock. Now, the lift gates work off electricity, allowing the diesel engines to shut down.”

Space Coast Hospital Services also installed governors on its delivery trucks to limit highway speeds to 68 mph. Fuel consumption reports show that transportation miles per gallon were increased by 14.5% for the truck fleet.

Kelley Desjardins, production manager, tracks daily plant processing production every day.

“We bonus our production employees for performance,” Desjardins says. “Once the plant performance threshold is met, the production employee needs to reach at least 98% of the production standard for any bonuses to kick in. Bonuses increase as pounds per operator hour increases for the entire plant.”

The plant, originally built in 1982, was expanded and upgraded with tunnel washer technology in the early ’90s. Two Milnor tunnel washers and four Chicago Dryer Co. finishing lines meet core production requirements.

Although designed for 15 million pounds per year on a single shift five days a week, economic conditions have reduced processing requirements.

“In order to reduce operating costs and still keep our people working, we went to four production days, eliminating Wednesday linen processing,” Carey says. “Office, maintenance, and delivery still operate five days per week.”

Thirty-one of 67 employees have worked at Space Coast for more than 10 years. “Our people are the key to our success, and employee retention is very important to us,” Carey says.

He remains positive about the future. “We are well positioned for additional business. We will continue to be a high-quality linen service and will always stay committed to our mission of providing the best service and quality product at the lowest possible cost.”

Click here for Part 1.

March 12, 2012
Linen King Acquires Fifth Healthcare Laundry Facility

WICHITA, Kan. — Newest addition increases company’s processing capacity to

WICHITA, Kan. — Linen King, an Oklahoma-based textile rental services company that provides commercial laundry services to the healthcare and hospitality industries, recently acquired Via Christi Hospital’s Laundry, an off-premise laundry facility here.

With approximately 20,000 square feet in space, the facility has the immediate capacity to process more than 15 million pounds of laundry each year. This is Linen King’s fifth dedicated healthcare facility in the south-central United States.

The new facility will allow the company to streamline operations and service its Wichita area customers, while freeing up capacity in the company’s Oklahoma facility.

Linen King will work to build up the base volume of the long-term contract with Via Christi Hospitals that was part of the purchase.

Linen King partnered with Clairvest Group, a Toronto-based private equity firm, to acquire the healthcare laundry.

“The purchase of the Via Christi facility represents a significant milestone for our company and is expected to generate immediate value,” says Linen King CEO Leonard McCullough. “The new facility increases our capacity and allows Linen King to expand its presence into new markets.”

The company operates five facilities across four states and annually processes more than 50 million pounds of laundry.
 

March 6, 2012
International Executive Housekeepers Association Changes Name to IEHA

WESTERVILLE, Ohio — The change better reflects the organization’s brand and the professionalism of the cleaning industry

WESTERVILLE, Ohio — By a vote of its board of directors, the International Executive Housekeepers Association will now be known simply as IEHA, with the tagline “Uniting facility managers, worldwide,” to better reflect the organization’s brand and the professionalism of the cleaning industry.

“Organizational branding is contingent on organizational identity, and ours has changed," says IEHA President Eric Bates. “Our ‘new’—but established—simplified name of IEHA reflects that change and allows us to grow IEHA as a brand keenly representing members’ skill and career development interests.”

“Just as personal identities grow and mature, so do professional identities,” adds Beth Risigner, the association's CEO/executive director. “The International Executive Housekeepers Association (commonly known as IEHA) has become a mature organization with a strong identity around member skills accreditation, certification, education, health and safety. At one point, we considered changing our name completely, but decided instead to capitalize on the equity we have built in the IEHA name and retain www.ieha.org as our primary web domain.”

IEHA plans to make a complete switchover of all internal documents and the website to the new name and logo by January.