TRSA Adds ‘General’ Membership Classification

Posted May 11, 2012 at 10:54 am

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Ken Koepper, 703.519.0029, ext. 109; kkoepper@trsa.org
TRSA Adds ‘General’ Laundry Membership Classification -5/11/12
 

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 11, 2012—TRSA, the only organization representing national, regional and independent operators and associates in the $16-billion textile services industry, announces a new General Membership classification for private- or public-sector organizations dedicated to processing their own textiles. This expansion will enhance the association’s representation as the primary advocate and educator of all large-scale laundry operations.

“TRSA has long promoted, and will continue to promote, that processing laundry on the largest scale possible is the most sustainable, effective and efficient laundering method,” said Woody Ostrow, chairman of TRSA’s Board of Directors. “The Board agreed that TRSA traditional (Active) Members have many more significant similarities with these General operations than differences. All TRSA launderers and Associates will benefit from sharing information with the most highly reputed on-premise, institutional and cooperative laundries.”

Ostrow, of CleanCare Linen, Pittsburgh, observed that these operations already benefit from TRSA’s successes in fighting for fair, balanced regulation and pro-business policies. They similarly gain from improvements in laundry equipment, supplies and services prompted by discussions at TRSA meetings. Through direct participation in TRSA conferences, committees and leadership, General Members will accelerate improvement in their business practices and professional development, he said.

The addition of these operations creates a broader base for TRSA’s assessments of industry performance and the economic and environmental benefits of proven best practices. General and Active Members will compare efficiencies and effectiveness in serving the textile needs of all kinds of businesses, particularly hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, hotels and other healthcare and hospitality establishments.

The expansion brings TRSA into line with the international trend in associations serving uniform and linen supply laundries, as institutional and co-op operators and sometimes drycleaners are typically their colleagues in these groups worldwide.

“TRSA must continue to lead innovation, facilitate best practices and highlight emerging technologies that accelerate productivity and performance,” Ostrow said. Performing these functions over the years has enabled TRSA to fulfill its legal requirement as a trade association to foster competition. By expanding these efforts to cover its new General Members, TRSA is recognizing their competitiveness.

“The textile services industry is ever-improving and adapting,” he noted, pointing out historic developments in business models such as rental, COG/NOG and direct sales. “As these have emerged, TRSA has always accommodated them. Today, as we celebrate our 100th year, our new membership category perpetuates our philosophy that education and professionalism grow our industry for the benefit of all competitors.”

About TRSA and the Textile Services Industry

Based in Alexandria, Va., TRSA represents the $16-billion textile services industry that employs nearly 200,000 people at more than 2,000 facilities nationwide. These companies provide laundered textiles and other products and services that help businesses project a clean and attractive public image. The industry reaches every major business and industrial region, Congressional district and city in the country. 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, mats and other products for the healthcare, hospitality and industrial/manufacturing sectors. TRSA member companies’ services minimize environmental impacts on air, water and solid waste disposal while reducing costs for millions of customers.

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