Factors ranging from pent-up demand going back to the onset of the COVID-19 lockdowns to concerns about tax hikes, labor shortages and the precarious state of the hospitality and restaurant industries, have fueled a recent uptick in laundry mergers and acquisitions (M&As), according to three consultants who work with both buyers and sellers of laundries.

TRSA kicked off its 2022 webinar offerings with a Jan. 18 presentation titled “Interns & the Industry,” providing an overview of the association’s internship program and how it has benefited several TRSA operator and supplier partner members.

ImageFIRST Healthcare Laundry Specialists, King of Prussia, PA, recently was contacted by G’s Giving Gowns, a foundation based in New Jersey that provides handmade pediatric gowns for children fighting pediatric cancer. Giuliana D., the 11-year-old president and CEO, sought out ImageFIRST to sanitize and package 50 hospital gowns so they could be delivered to pediatric patients safely, according to a news release.

Mark Mann, 58, the vice president of MIP’s U.S. business unit, passed away on Jan. 14, according to a news release.

TRSA will offer a preview of its upcoming 12th Annual Legislative Conference by hosting a Feb. 17 webinar titled “2022 Legislative Conference Preview: Let’s Talk Issues.” The webinar will offer attendees opportunities to brush up on ways in which they can advocate for their industry and business.

Additional recent headlines from consumer media of interest to linen, uniform and facility services operators, and especially readers of Textile Services Weekly.

TRSA has developed a Supplier Partner Workshop that will take place on Tuesday, March 29, kicking off the association’s 12th Annual Legislative Conference. The program will focus on advocacy issues and policies that impact the supply chain, with a specialized workshop that will offer techniques and tools for handling difficult conversations with customers about issues like delivery troubles, labor shortages and more.

TRSA offices will remain closed on Monday, Jan. 17, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday commemoration.

R.W. Martin Co., Kent, OH, recently added Colin Garner and Tamara McBride to its staff. Garner joins the R.W. Martin team as an industrial machinery technician, while McBride will serve as an accounts receivable specialist.

Prudential Overall Supply, Irvine, CA, recently announced that it has acquired the customer accounts from Golden West Betterway Uniforms Inc., Oakland, CA.