Industry News

While the COVID-19 pandemic inspired “social distancing” as a now-universal safety measure, technology has helped companies fill the resulting communications gap – virtually – through “Zoom” and other web-based conferencing tools. These programs allow individuals and groups to confer online, with or without video. We asked HR specialists and a professional recruiter for the linen, uniform and facility services industry to reflect on these changes, as well as the broader issues impacting recruitment/retention trends since the pandemic struck one year ago this month.

TRSA recently hired former Milliken executive Alan Maness as an industry liaison to serve its membership in the linen, uniform and facility services industry. Maness will begin his role at the association on March 1.

Ethisphere, a New York-based leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, recently announced the 135 honorees representing 22 countries and 47 industries that have earned the designation of World’s Most Ethical Companies® in 2021. Four TRSA supplier partner companies were named to the list; three of them received honors for the 15th consecutive year.

Crown Linen, Miami, recently partnered with Applied Silver Inc., Hayward, CA, to bring the antimicrobial textile treatment technology SilvaClean® to the hospitality industry in South Florida, according to a news release.

Kannegiesser ETECH, Minneapolis, recently announced that Tony Schult will take over the role of executive vice president, effective Feb. 1.

Regent Apparel, South San Francisco, CA, is celebrating its centennial year of serving the linen, uniform and facility services industry. The company, which is now in its fourth generation of family management, is the oldest uniform supplier to the industry that has remained under continuous family ownership, according to a news release.

TRSA recently hosted a webinar to prepare its members for its upcoming 11th Annual Legislative Conference & Industry Awards Dinner scheduled for March 24-25.

What does a successful corporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiative look like? Angela Howard, vice president, people development and human experience for Spindle, Woodridge, IL, described her vision by citing an analogy from consultant Verna Myers, who said, “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.”

Servall Uniform and Linen Supply of Rapid City, SD, recently achieved Clean Green recertification. Servall is an independently owned and operated laundry serving customers across a four-state region. Their re-certification reflects the company’s continued dedication to operational efficiency and sustainability.

The prolonged outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide has created a need within the various sectors of the linen, uniform and facility services industry for information on the stability and survival of SARS-CoV-2 not only on various surfaces, but also its ability to survive the wash process. TRSA recently partnered with the Textile Services Association-UK, the European Textile Services Association (ETSA) and several other European national associations on a research project to gather this information. De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, England, carried out the study.