PMI-Production

10 Hours of Classes
Washroom Management
(Includes Soil Sort and Titration Lab modules, 75 min. combined)
•    Physical chemistry of laundering: dilution, wetting, neutralization, dissolving, saponification, emulsification, deflocculation, suspension
•    Variables of washing: mechanical action, chemical action, temperature and time
•    Washing chemicals: surfactants in detergents and softeners, how alkalis build detergent performance, how enzymes catalyze soil removal, anti-bacterial and mildewcide (starch).
•    Wash formula development
•    Water impurities and softening
•    Bleaching: agents, factors that affect its performance, guidelines for performance
•    Steps in laundering: collection, sorting, loading, washing, extraction, finishing, repair/replacement, storage, return to customer.
•    Safe chemical handling: alkalies, acids, oxidizers, solvents; laws on right-to-know, labels, material safety data sheets
•    Includes lab exercise simulating titration for optimal wash chemistry

6 Hours of Classes
Case Study
•    Exercises in group decision-making and sharing expertise with peers
•    Final 2 hours of instruction on each of three days
•    Simulated work situations—everyday decisions in textile services plant management
•    Problem-solving applying principles discussed in that day’s classes

5 Hours of Classes
Plant Tour & Study
Case-study-type programming on a fourth day consists of a 3-hour morning excursion to see how another company in the industry operates by visiting a nearby processing facility. Attendees will discuss in class that afternoon the management practices used in the plant that coincide with PMI curriculum topics.

2-Hour Classes Each

Dryers
•    Optimizing washing and extraction to ensure efficient drying
•    Examining ductwork, lint collection to maintain critical airflow
•    Setting controls and gauges, tuning burners to generate proper heat

Energy:
•    Overview of utilities: electrical, natural gas, water
•    Structure/infrastructure: lighting; HVAC; building envelope; piping; insulation; Energy Policy Act and LEED concepts
•    Reclaim technologies: wastewater and dryer heat, boiler stack economizers, vent condensers
•    Energy-saving maintenance, equipment and building system operations

Production Scheduling
•    Expected productivity standards for each step in plant processing (sorting, washing, finishing)
•    Determining standard cycle times to determine necessary work hours for each step
•    Keys to implementing change: knowing your facility and team and determining opportunities

Safety/Ergonomics
•    Biomechanical and engineering principles to maximize individual performance
•    “Red flags” for workers to avoid: bending, lifting, pulling, twisting, excessive reach
•    Monitoring individuals for warning signs of overexertion
•    Work environment, station and task design to minimize hazards

Stockroom Management
•    Inventory: storage, space allocation, purchasing, grading, handling excess
•    Work orders: tracking orders, progress; processing; pulling garments, emblems
•    Sewing, heat-sealing, hemming, shipping

Tunnel/Continuous Batch Washers
•    Advantages of batch washers: labor savings, productivity enhancement, resource and floor space conservation Water flow: counter-flow vs. standing bath
•    Transfer styles: bottom, top, center
•    Common fears: keeping accounts separate, different classifications and formulas, improving quality, relying on a single machine for so much work.
•    Extraction: factors to consider in deciding when to spin or press and how to vary cycles

Tunnel Finishing/Conditioning
•    Wrinkle removal and drying; time, temperature, air flow and moisture variables
•    Amount and flow of steam, conveyor speed, section air temperature, airflow
•    Common wrinkling problems from roping, compression, thermal shock

Washer/Extractors
•    Sizing loads for high efficiency, conserving water, energy and chemistry
•    Taking advantage of newer machine features, including variable speed
•    Developing measures to evaluate wash formula effectiveness

1-Hour Classes Each

Linen Room Management
•    Promoting adherence to quality standards and preventing customer shortages
•    Improving load make-up accuracy and timing
•    Shipping on-time and achieving no customer “shortages”

Maintenance Management
•    Effective and efficient equipment operation regardless of plant size
•    Overview of management skills needed to ensure team effort in maintaining critical systems

Pack Out
•    Piece goods: wrapping and tying, sealing in plastic, bagging
•    Improving work station layout and procedures to increase productivity