Penn Emblem Co., Trevose, PA, recently renewed its Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Certification for the 2020-’21 year, making this the company’s 10-year anniversary with the WBENC, which is “the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs.” The organization strives to not only certify women-owned businesses, but also connect members for business opportunities, according to a news release.

Hr Björkmans Entrémattor, Arlöv, Sweden, recently acquired Liisa Entrémattor in Helsingborg, Sweden. The takeover will strengthen the company’s customer base and geographic presence, according to a news release.

Lavatec recently developed a patented drying solution, called the LAVACascade, that produces energy savings of at least 50%, according to a news release.

The supply chain crisis that plagued hospitals seeking personal protective equipment (PPE) – particularly isolation gowns – early in the COVID-19 pandemic, has largely dissipated, according to laundry operators contacted recently by Textile Services Weekly. But while reusable “iso” gowns have helped to alleviate shortages facing hospitals needing up to 30 iso gowns a day for each COVID patient, a mix of reusable and disposable PPE appears to be the emerging model for many hospitals.

Mark Mann, vice president of MIP USA Inc., and Michael Bernstein, CEO of World’s Global Source Operating (WGS), recently announced a definitive agreement whereby MIP USA has purchased the intellectual property, inventory, customer list and future supplier agreements from WGS on patient gowns, styles and prints, according to a news release.

Leonard Automatics Inc., Denver, NC, recently added Robert Spradley to its North American sales team. Spradley has provided sales and service as well as engineering support to the textile, garment manufacturing and laundry industries for more than 30 years, according to a news release.

The 2020 Virtual Marketing & Sales Summit video contest in which TRSA operator members’ promotional videos were rated by other members is evolving into a new competition for operators and supplier partners. Nominations are now open for these and the return of the other 2021 TRSA Annual Awards, to be presented in October at the Annual Conference, scheduled for Oct. 19-22 in Carlsbad, CA.

Updated guidance in English and Spanish versions for the industry’s employees on fundamentals of COVID-19 transmission and personal strategies for avoiding infection is now available in TRSA’s Coronavirus Resource Center.

President Joe Biden (D) spent his first day in office on Jan. 20 signing a total of 17 executive orders. Several of those orders will have a direct impact on businesses, including the linen, uniform and facility services industry.

MIP recently added four new staff members to its U.S. sales team, according to a news release.