TRSA launched a new era for the association on Oct. 14 with its announcement of a new “Supplier Partner” initiative. The goal of this effort – outlined during a 2 p.m. webinar – is to boost the value of industry suppliers in the association through a range of innovations, including a new “Supplier Council” with an expanded role in advocacy and association governance, plus a strategically focused sponsorship/advertising program dubbed the “2021 TRSA Business & Marketing Opportunities.”

Riegel Linen’s parent company, Lion Equity Partners, recently entered into a definitive agreement with Bed Bath & Beyond to acquire T-Y Group and Harbor Linen with an anticipated closing of Oct. 26. When combined with Riegel, this acquisition will form an industry-leading provider of textiles, amenities and more for hotels, cruise lines, restaurants, linen suppliers and healthcare facilities, according to a news release.

Wildman Business Group, Warsaw, IN, recently announced the sale of Wildman Imprints, the promotional products distributor division of Wildman, to Stran Promotional Solutions. The transaction was finalized on Sept. 26, according to a news release. Terms were not disclosed.

TRSA has launched a website, me.trsa.org, for its new Middle East Chapter. The site introduces linen, uniform and facility services in the region to TRSA programs that enable them to access TRSA’s expansive knowledge base of industry trends and best practices to improve efficiencies and market growth.

Miller’s Textile Services, Wapakoneta, OH, recently announced two major personnel moves as the company prepares for next year’s 75th anniversary as a supplier of uniforms, linens, healthcare textiles and more. Andrew Thornbury, who’s led plant operations since 2016, advances from vice president of operations to COO. Greg Hart, a 22-year executive with Cintas Corp., will now oversee customer outreach as Miller’s director of sales & service.

As promised to Textile Services Weekly readers last Monday, here is the link for week two of the TRSA Marketing & Sales Video Contest. Watching these videos each week provides you with the opportunity to consider new approaches to video marketing that may help create or increase your local awareness for your company’s products and services.

Due to travel restrictions because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Annual Conference content is limited with TRSA hosting several in-person and virtual events on Oct. 21-22. These include the Board of Directors Meeting with several board members attending in-person and an in-person and virtual Annual Business Meeting at The Westin in Alexandria, VA.

TRSA recently concluded its Workwear & Facility Services webinar series with an hour-long panel presentation titled, “COVID-19 and Plant Operations: Workwear & Facility Services Executives Panel.”

Dave Flattem, 60, a sales consultant at MIP Inc., recently passed away, according to a news release. After joining the sales staff at MIP in May 2019, Flattem oversaw business development in the Midwest U.S., as well as “special projects” as required.

Among other challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic that initially struck North America in mid-March posed a dilemma for plant operators. As travel restrictions increased, those companies with plants certified through TRSA’s Hygienically Clean certification program were finding it difficult to have inspectors come to their plants to complete the certification process, or to renew certifications with a new inspection as required once every three years following the initial certification.