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April 11, 2013
Survey: Vast Majority of Respondents OK with Shortened Clean ’13 Schedule

CHICAGO — Seminars on linen loss, healthcare regs, service contracts, and certification programs garnering most pre-show interest

CHICAGO — More than 70% of respondents to this month’s American Laundry News Wire survey say they are OK with the Clean Show’s shortened three-day schedule this year, compared to the remaining 29.4% who are “indifferent about this change.”

One respondent proposed that the biennial convention be held “every five years,” but with a longer schedule. “Have mandatory attendance by all members, companies and organizations,” the respondent writes. “Have it for a full five-day week with...golf tournaments planned and social events for all in the evenings.”

In fact, a good number of respondents answered that the biggest factor in favor of visiting New Orleans for Clean was the “networking and socializing” opportunities (23.5%), while 11.8% favored the “exhibits of equipment and supplies.” Equal shares of 5.9% pointed to “educational sessions” and “combining business and pleasure.” The most popular response, however, was “all of the above” (52.9%).

The Association for Linen Management (ALM) and the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) are among the organizations hosting educational sessions during the June 20-22 show. Among ALM’s scheduled offerings, Reducing the Loss of Patient Linen and Scrubs and Standards and Regulations Affecting the Healthcare Laundry and Linen Industry have drawn the most pre-show interest among respondents. As for planned TRSA sessions, Textile Services Contracts and Negotiations and TRSA Clean Green and Hygienically Clean Certification Programs: Quantifying Your Commitment to Cleanliness and Sustainability are most anticipated.

More than one-third (35.3%) of those surveyed say they are planning to attend Clean, while 17.6% remain unsure. The remaining 47% aren’t planning to attend, with cost playing an important factor for some.

Among respondents who are not attending, about 45% “can’t afford the cost,” 27.3% “can’t spare the time,” and 27.3% said they “made other plans.”

“Employers do not give the time to attend seminars or trade shows,” writes one respondent. “We have to use vacation time to attend. In the past, employers would pay for employees to attend. Now, it comes out of our own pocket.”

While American Laundry News’ Wire survey presents a snapshot of the audience’s viewpoints at a particular moment, it should not be considered scientific. Subscribers to Wire e-mails—distributed twice weekly—are invited to participate in an industry survey each month. The survey is conducted online via a partner website, and is developed so it can be completed in less than 10 minutes.

All managers and administrators of institutional/OPL, cooperative, commercial and industrial laundries are encouraged to participate, as a greater number of responses will help to better define operator opinions and industry trends.

December 11, 2012
Survey: 60% of Operators Say 2012 Throughput Higher Than Previous Year’s

CHICAGO — Total estimated production for 2012 ranged by operation from 600,000  to 14 million pounds

CHICAGO — Sixty percent of respondents to American Laundry News’ final Wire survey for 2012 said their laundry’s poundage this year was “somewhat higher” in comparison to 2011 figures.

For everyone else who took the unscientific online survey, their 2012 throughput was at or below 2011 levels. Thirty percent reported processing “virtually the same amount,” and the remaining 10% lamented processing “much less.”

Total estimated production for 2012 ranged by operation from 600,000 pounds to 14 million pounds, according to these anonymous responses.

Operators whose production rose attributed it primarily to gaining institutional business or increasing total accounts (71.4%); adding, replacing or rebuilding equipment (14.3%); expanding a facility or relocating to a larger site (14.3%); and/or “other” (14.3%). (Respondents could choose any or all among several suggested factors or offer their own.)

Why did some operations fall short of annual goals or expectations this year? A slowing or loss of business due to the economy, staff productivity, maintenance efforts, administrative indifference or lack of support, and regulatory changes all were seen as receiving some of the blame, according to respondents.

Finally, respondents were asked how they thought their boss would grade their 2012 managerial performance. Half believed they would receive a B (50%), while 40% said they would receive an A. The less-than-sunny remainder (10%) said they would receive an F.

The Wire survey presents a snapshot of readers’ viewpoints at a particular moment but should not be considered scientific.

Subscribers to Wire e-mails—distributed twice weekly—are invited to take a brief industry survey anonymously online each month. All managers and administrators of institutional/OPL, cooperative, commercial and industrial laundries are encouraged to participate, as a greater number of responses will help to better define operator opinions and industry trends.

April 10, 2012
Survey: Desired Continuing Ed Includes Energy Conservation, Chemistry, Others

CHICAGO — Half of respondents have received industry-specific training

CHICAGO — Many managers and operators polled in this month’s AmericanLaundryNews.com Wire survey place great importance on continuing education, based on the number who said they have received training or certification or have attended educational sessions.

Asked to classify their industry knowledge, 44% of respondents say they are extremely knowledgeable (12%) or more knowledgeable than other managers or operators (32%).

Twenty-four percent say they are as knowledgeable as other managers or operators. Another 24% say they’re knowledgeable but “need to brush up on a few things.” Eight percent of respondents say they are too busy running their operation to spend time learning about the industry.

Half of the respondents have attended a training program or certification program specific to laundry/linen or textile services management, and 72% have attended or participated in an industry-related educational session (association conference, convention seminar, webinar, service seminar, etc.).

Roughly 47% are planning to attend or participate in an educational session in the next year, while 22.4% are not. The remaining 30.6% are unsure.

When respondents were asked to pick an area they’d like to learn more about, there was no clear favorite. Energy conservation was the leader at 20%. Three categories—laundry chemistry, labor management, and operating costs—tied at 16% each. Sales and marketing was just behind at 14%.

There was another three-way tie between maintenance, different types of equipment, and “other,” each of which garnered 6% of the votes.

Thirty-four percent of survey respondents are planning to attend the 2013 Clean Show, which will offer a wide-ranging agenda of educational seminars. Fifty-four percent are not planning to attend, and the remaining 12% are undecided.

While the Wire survey presents a snapshot of readers’ viewpoints at a particular moment, it should not be considered scientific.

Subscribers to Wire e-mails—distributed twice weekly—are invited to take a brief industry survey anonymously online each month. All managers and administrators of institutional/OPL, cooperative, commercial and industrial laundries are encouraged to participate, as a greater number of responses will help to better define operator opinions and industry trends.

To sign up for the Wire, click the “Subscriptions” button at the top right-hand corner of this page and follow the instructions.

July 21, 2009
Survey: Respondents Give Clean ’09 Mostly High Marks

CHICAGO — Nearly 91% of respondents to July’s unscientific Wire survey said they attended Clean ’09 in New Orleans, and nearly 70% of them reported being “fully satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with their experience as a whole.

April 21, 2009
Survey: Vast Majority of Wire Respondents Seeking Business in Trying Times

CHICAGO — During these difficult economic times, positioning a laundry as a valuable service to end-users or clients has never been more important. With that in mind, American Laundry News asked its Wire e-mail subscribers this month if they were actively seeking new business or were satisfied with maintaining the status quo.