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March 26, 2013
TRSA Conferees Take Industry’s Agenda to Congress

WASHINGTON — Leadership & Legislative Conference concludes with more than 30 meetings with key figures in Capitol Hill offices

WASHINGTON — The Textile Rental Services Association’s Leadership & Legislative Conference concluded last week with more than 30 meetings with key figures in Capitol Hill offices. The sessions enabled company leaders to enlist support of members of Congress in advancing the industry’s most pressing government-relations causes.

Hill Day was the conference climax, following TRSA committee meetings and presentations at the Fairmont Washington, the first time in the event’s three-year history that all activities took place downtown. Attendance exceeded 130, a conference high. Operator (launderer) members outnumbered Associates (suppliers) by a nearly 3-to-2 ratio.

Sen. Lamar Alexander, the former Tennessee governor and two-time presidential candidate, primed attendees for their congressional visits immediately before their departure. Alexander offered his view of the nation’s fiscal crisis, noting that only 40% of government spending is budgeted each year. That portion of expenditures is at 2008 levels and is set to grow with inflation. The remainder is mandated by prior legislation (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security) and is growing at three to four times inflation.

Issues TRSA members raised during the Hill meetings included competition from prison laundries, taxation of textiles as medical devices, and regulation of air emissions of volatile organic compounds from towel processing.

Following these meetings, participants regrouped at a Hill lunch spot to hear Rep. Mike Pompeo, a second-term House member from Kansas, who addressed the shop towel issue from his own perspective as a small business owner/operator.

The night before, at a TRSAPAC reception, Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan was honored as TRSA’s first-ever Legislator of the Year. He introduced 2012 legislation to level the playing field in competing with prison industries.

The industry-leadership portion of the agenda took place at the Fairmont March 18-19. Activities consisted mostly of committee meetings, where participants voiced their individual preferences for how TRSA should allocate resources. But the program included keynote speakers as well. Alex Castellanos, CNN political analyst, offered a cloudy forecast for clearing political gridlock in Washington. Alex Passantino, former head of the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), gave participants pointers on overtime pay issues.

Randall Wentsel, Ph.D., senior managing scientist, Exponent Inc., explained the research his firm has conducted for TRSA that proves how reusable shop towels, foodservice napkins and healthcare isolation gowns are more sustainable than their disposable counterparts.

September 5, 2012
Angelica Corp. Expands into Memphis Market

NORCROSS, Ga. — New 55,000-square-foot plant to service 16 million pounds annually, but has capacity to double volume

NORCROSS, Ga. — Hospital laundry services provider Angelica Corp. has opened its newest plant, located in Memphis, Tenn. The 55,000-square-foot facility will service 16 million pounds of linen annually, the company says, but has the capacity to double that volume.

Angelica says it will service most leading healthcare systems in the area, including Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp.

“We are excited to be opening our new Memphis plant,” says Mel Davis, East Region senior vice president for Angelica. “We have been serving many Memphis-area customers for nearly 10 years from our Georgia facility, and we look forward to expanding our employment in the community, in addition to increasing our partnership with our local customers.”

Angelica provides comprehensive healthcare linen management services and a wide range of additional laundry services to hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities, the company says. It serves more than 4,200 facilities nationwide.

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.

November 30, 2011
ARTA Shifts 2012 Education Seminar Dates

FAIRWAY, Kan. — The American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) has shifted the dates of its 2012 Education Seminar slightly based on the event’s proximity to Passover and Easter, according to an association press release.

The April 3-5 conference at The Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn., will focus on “Marketing Reusables in 2012: How Clean is Clean, How to Sell Clients — and Control Stop Losses after the Sale.”

“We realized both Passover and Easter were the weekend following the conference, so we’ve moved our dates to April 3-5 to make travel easier for attendees,” ARTA President Steve Tinker explains.

The conference is open to ARTA members and non-members, as well as ARTA’s sister associations. The agenda and speakers are being finalized, but the education program will include these topics:

  • Hotel Guest, Hospital Patient or Visitor: Is Your Health at Risk?
  • Infection Prevention — A Clinical Perspective
  • Infection Prevention 101: Practices for the Laundry
  • Standards of Clean — How Do We Measure It?
  • Antimicrobial Finishes — Claims vs. Reality
  • Infection Prevention and You: An Interactive Session
  • Update on Cotton/Textile Issues
  • Update on LCA Research: The Case for Reusables
  • Thinking Outside the Box: Client Needs vs. Tradition
  • Capturing the Healthcare Sale: Operators Share Strategies and Tactics
  • How to Stop Linen Losses and Retain Profitability
  • How to Develop Your Stop Loss Plan: An Interactive Session
  • Roundtable/Operator Panel/Case Studies on Stop Loss Strategies

ARTA will offer discounts on multiple registrations, as well as sponsorships and exhibit opportunities for suppliers.

For more information on ARTA and the seminar, contact Executive Director Nancy Jenkins at njenkins@arta1.com.

November 1, 2011
ARTA 2012 Education Seminar

The American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) will host its 2012 Education Seminar on April 3-5, 2012, at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn. Focus of the meeting will be client education and employee customer service training.

The meeting is open to ARTA members and non-members, as well as sister associations. In addition to sessions featuring information and tools on client in-service training and employee customer service training, the conference will provide updates on technical and production issues that affect the marketing of linen and medical textiles.

For more information, contact Executive Director Nancy Jenkins, njenkins@arta1.com, or visit www.arta1.com.

November 1, 2011
ITRA 2012 Mid-Year Training

The Independent Textile Rental Association will host its 2012 Mid-Year Training on Feb. 19-21 at Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call 800-477-7843.

October 17, 2011
ARTA Schedules Next Education Seminar for April in Memphis

FAIRWAY, Kan. — The American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) has announced the dates and location for its 2012 education seminar —April 5-6 at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn. The meeting will focus on client education and employee customer service training.

“With the advent of the green movement, all businesses are scrutinizing the environmental impacts of their operations,” says ARTA Executive Director Nancy Jenkins. “In the healthcare market specifically, national organizations such as Practice Greenhealth and the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) are encouraging their members to increase the use of reusable medical textiles as an effective means to minimize waste.

“The challenge for our clients is that many have only ever known disposable items. It’s up to our industry to provide the education and in-service training that can help healthcare workers increase their use of reusable textiles in an effective and nonthreatening manner.”

ARTA’s 2012 meeting in Memphis is open to members and nonmembers, as well as all sister associations. In addition to sessions featuring information and tools on client in-service training and employee customer service training, the conference will provide updates on technical and production issues that affect the marketing of linen and medical textiles.

October 3, 2011
Career Track: IPA, Alliance, Leonard Automatics, Venus Group

DULUTH, Ga. —IPA, makers of scrubEx and alEx™, has named Sarah James its sarah jamesdirector of product management. Serving in a new position created to capitalize on growth opportunities, James is responsible for complete product positioning and strategy for the company.

James earned her MBA from King College in Bristol, Tenn., and has six years of healthcare laundry experience. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Association for Linen Management (ALM) and is currently the chair of the marketing committee.

IPA manufactures automated scrub suit and linen dispensing systems for the healthcare market.

RIPON, Wis. — Alliance Laundry Systems has promoted Jennifer Whitney to financial services manager.

jennifer whitneyWhitney will continue to work with all of Alliance’s finance groups, including Speed Queen Financial Services, UniMac Funding, Huebsch Financial and IPSO Finance. In her new role, she will be responsible for all equipment loan underwriting and origination, finance program and promotion development, marketing services support, and distributor and customer relationship development.

For more than 13 years, Whitney has been a key member of Alliance’s finance team. She recently worked in a dual role where she successfully developed Alliance’s acquisition financing portfolio and worked as a liaison to marketing services and ALSU.

“We’re extremely honored to offer Jennifer this opportunity, especially since she’s played such a key role in our division,” says Todd Rice, director of Financial Services for Alliance Laundry Systems. “We look forward to her continued success and congratulate her on a job well-done.”

Whitney received her B.B.A. in finance and business administration from Valparaiso (Ind.) University. Prior to joining Alliance, she worked for JP Morgan Chase, formerly known as Bank One.

DENVER, N.C. — Leonard Automatics has added two new employees to its staff, the company reports.

ron wilkinsRon Wilkins (left) joins the company as mechanical engineer. He brings years of engineering and design experience to Leonard, in addition to an understanding of industry-standard software packages and mechanical processes.spradley

Robert Spradley (right) is the company’s newest service technician. He is a career service tech who has worked in high-tech environments all over the world, Leonard says. As a specialist in system installation and integration, he brings years of experience and a wide range of knowledge to the company.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — David N. Page has been selected as the new vice president of healthcare for the Institution Division of Venus Group, the company reports.

david pageHe has been in the healthcare industry for more than 25 years, including 11-plus years with Medline and 10 years with Angelica.

He brings to Venus Group a wealth of knowledge covering topics from utilization of management programs to optimize operational efficiencies and reduce total linen program costs, to product knowledge within the industry, to having key contacts in some of the larger healthcare facilities and buying groups.

Page is a member of several healthcare associations, and the company plans to draw upon his expertise to develop its healthcare business.

June 29, 2011
Continental Girbau Honors Top Girbau Industrial Distributors

OSHKOSH, Wis. — Continental Girbau recently presented the Girbau Industrial Distributor of the Year awards to Laundry Pro of Florida Inc., Lakeland, Fla., and Laundry Systems of Tennessee, Sevierville, Tenn. The honor recognizes excellence in distribution and sales.

Led by Ron Jansen, Laundry Pro is a full-service vended, on-premise and industrial laundry equipment distributorship. “Ron Jansen is a great supporter of Continental and took the challenge of being the first to embrace Continental’s new Girbau Industrial brand,” says Continental President Mike Floyd. “He exceeded with flying colors, having installed the first Girbau Industrial TBS-50 Batch Washing system, complete with conveyors, press and ST-100 Drying Tumblers.”

Laundry Systems of Tennessee, led by President Jeff Large, is a well-established full-service vended, on-premise and industrial laundry distributorship. “For years, Jeff Large has been among our most technically equipped distributors in North America,” says Floyd. “He embraced our Girbau Industrial brand from the beginning. His installation of two Girbau Industrial ironing systems in Nashville proved a huge success for all involved.”

Girbau Industrial products include the TBS-50 Batch Washer, SPR-50 Press, ST-100 Drying Tumblers, several models of high-capacity washer-extractors, drying tumblers and finishing systems, as well as feeders, folders, stackers and conveyor systems.

December 20, 2010
Gaylord Opryland Resort Reopens After Historic Flooding

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gaylord Entertainment Co. last month reopened the 2,881-room Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The property had been closed since experiencing damage following historic flooding on May 2-3.

October 8, 2010
Opryland Resort Rebuilds in Record Time (Part 2)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Gaylord Opryland Resort is taking guest reservations for a Nov. 15 reopening, just six months after massive springtime flooding from the adjacent Cumberland River left the hotel, the legendary Grand Ole Opry and the company’s other area facilities severely damaged.

As of mid-September, clean-up and remediation work had been completed and construction was under way, according to Pete Weien, senior vice president and general manager, who posted an update on the resort’s website.

October 6, 2010
Opryland Resort Rebuilds in Record Time (Part 1)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Gaylord Opryland Resort is taking guest reservations for a Nov. 15 reopening, just six months after massive springtime flooding from the adjacent Cumberland River left the hotel, the legendary Grand Ole Opry and the company’s other area facilities severely damaged.

As of mid-September, clean-up and remediation work had been completed and construction was under way, according to Pete Weien, senior vice president and general manager, who posted an update on the resort’s website.

July 28, 2010
After 10 Years on the Job, It Might Be Time to Look Around

I have had numerous discussions with my fellow laundry managers in recent years about job security. This certainly has been a hot topic around the country. Can you stay at a job too long? Is the concept of working for just one or two employers during your career a thing of the past?

Our discussions revealed three key issues:

ASCERTAINING MARKET VALUE

June 2, 2010
ASHES Relocates 2010 Conference to Maryland

CHICAGO — Due to last month’s flooding of the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Tennessee, the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES) has moved its 2010 Annual Conference — slated for Sept. 26-30 — to the Gaylord National Resort at National Harbor, Md., 15 minutes from Washington, DC.

January 8, 2010
2010 Panel of Experts Stands Ready to Serve (Part 3 of 3)

This year’s contributors introduce themselves, describe their operations, identify challenges and list their accomplishments for 2009.

Textiles: Elizabeth Easter, Ph.D., University of Kentucky, Lexington, Ky.

November 25, 2009
IPSO Adds SAMCO to Its Distributor Base

ATLANTA — IPSO recently added Southern Automatic Machinery Co. (SAMCO) in Atlanta as a full-line distributor of its commercial laundry products. SAMCO is responsible for distributing IPSO coin and on-premises laundry equipment in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee.

January 23, 2008
Greet the 2008 American Laundry News Panel of Experts (2nd in a Series)

In the second of a series, this year’s contributors to the American Laundry News Panel of Experts introduce themselves, describe their operations, identify challenges and list their accomplishments for 2007.

September 7, 2006
Alsco Acquires National Linen & Uniform Service

ATLANTA — Private equity firm Kelly Capital sold significantly all assets of its National Linen & Uniform Service (NLUS) affiliate to Salt Lake City-based Alsco just prior to the Labor Day weekend. Terms weren't disclosed.

The deal includes branches in Florence, Ala.; Doraville, Atlanta and Savannah, Ga.; Shreveport, La.; St. Louis, Mo.; Charlotte, N.C.; Charleston and Columbia, S.C.; Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville, Tenn.; Lubbock, Texas; and Alexandria, Portsmouth and Roanoke, Va.

August 17, 2006
Cissell Mfg. to Close Louisville Plant Within Six Months

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Cissell Manufacturing will close its Louisville manufacturing plant employing 125 people within the next six months, according to a report in The Courier-Journal, along with a Portland, Tenn., plant that employs 35.

Alliance Laundry Systems purchased the commercial laundry division from Cissell's parent company, Laundry Systems Group, last month.

An Alliance spokeswoman says the Cissell plant makes the same kind of products that Alliance makes in Wisconsin.

July 7, 2006
Re-establish Trust to Stop Hoarding

During a working lunch the other day, a sales representative from a manufacturer of microfilament mops asked me how to solve an inventory problem. One of his customers regularly purchases mops but never seems to have enough.

June 9, 2006
Customer Recovery is Much More Than Saying You're Sorry

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — No one is infallible. Eventually, no matter how finely tuned you believe your laundry or linen operation to be, someone under your direction is going to make a mistake. It may even be you.

A customer will be overbilled. A route driver or linen distribution aide will fail to make a timely delivery. An order will come up missing some items.

May 18, 2006
NAILM Prepares for Educational Conference Next Month

RICHMOND, Ky. — Little time remains to register for the 2006 National Association of Institutional Linen Management (NAILM) Educational Conference slated for next month in Memphis, Tenn., association officials report.

The June 8-10 event will feature a wide variety of educational sessions and other activities.

Building alternative revenue streams, managing energy costs, customer recovery, waste management, disaster planning and group purchasing plans are among the seminar topics.

January 4, 2005
How Long Should You Stay In a Job?

Over the past five years, I’ve had many discussions with fellow laundry managers about job security. This certainly has been a hot topic around the country. Several managers have asked, “Can you stay in a job too long?” and “Is the concept of working for just one or two employers during your working years a thing of the past?”

Here are the main issues that always come up in our chats:

MARKET VALUE