Plant Operations Committee

Click Here To Preview Agenda of March 27, 2012 Meeting

Core Priorities

Education
As TRSA’s panel with the greatest expertise in industry operations practices, the committee can be a key resource for developing plant/production programming such as conference seminars and other communications on production processes, procedures and best practices. At the same time, emphasis is placed on personnel issues in operations, not just equipment, such as reducing turnover in laundry processing positions or recruiting and retaining better maintenance technicians who can handle the new automated, complicated equipment found in our plants today.

Emerging Textiles
How does the industry wash and design new textiles for efficiency and cost containment? Business practices must be adjusted as new products emerge, either because of the development of more robust fabrics (microfiber), raw material degradation (lower quality cotton) or lower-cost options (imported fabrics). The committee can gather data and prompt information-sharing between companies to foster improvement across the membership.

Emerging Technology
What production technologies are available in other industries that our industry does not use? Why? The committee is exploring these questions, seeking answers to lead members’ plant operations to new frontiers that improve productivity. Attention is also dedicated to innovations within the industry such as steamless laundries and next-generation radio-frequency ID.

Energy
The committee has launched an online benchmarking service that allows operators to anonymously share energy and utility consumption data with each other. Each participating plant reports its use of fuel (i.e., natural gas, propane and fuel oil), electricity and water. Participants then view the same reports by other plants in the same geographic region of similar size (in terms of clean dry pounds processed) and product mix, such as healthcare, mostly industrial, mostly mats and towels, etc. Committee members will monitor participation in the program and suggest improvements.

Production Methods and Benchmarking
This represents a concentration in the committee’s interest in Education. Resources such as the Production Manager’s Manual and Production Methods for the Textile Services Industry should be updated and benchmarking data improved to assist general and plant managers and supervisors in understanding the production process and impact of their performance. The Textile Laundering Technology “bluebook” should include the latest developments in wash chemistry and machinery. Plant systems can be reviewed for efficiency and members can be given advice on how to leverage new equipment.

Members
David M. Struminger (Chair), Mohenis Services, Petersburg, VA
Charles Berge, American Laundry Systems, Betendorf, IA
Robert Brill, Republic Master Chefs, Los Angeles, CA
Mark Brim, Brim Laundry Machinery, Dallas, TX
Ronald Bubes, Linens of the Week, Washington, DC
John Dobrez, Spindle Technologies, Woodridge, IL
Michael Dreher, Kannegiesser USA, Grand Prairie, TX
Tom Egebrecht, Chicago Dryer, Chicago, IL
Andy Feldman, Baltic Linen, Atlanta, GA
Gerard Kwiatkowski, Morgan Services, Chicago, IL
Duane Martinson, E-Tech, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
Manuel Nieto, ARAMARK Uniform & Career Apparel, Burbank, CA
James Pellerin, Pellerin Milnor, Kenner, LA
Tim Stuewer, G & K Services, Minnetonka, MN
Mike Vaders, Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply, Sunbury, PA
Jens Voldbaek, Jensen USA, Panama City, FL
Kurt Wagner, Alsco Inc., Salt Lake City, UT
Douglas Waldman, Superior Linen Service, Tulsa, OK
J.B. Werner, G.A. Braun, Syracuse, NY

Staff Liaison
Tom Newell
tnewell@trsa.org
877-770-9274 or 703-519-0029, ext. 104