Clean 2019: Operators Seek Automation, Innovation
Editor’s Note: This Executive Insights department ran in the June issue of Textile Services magazine. Make sure you pick up a copy of the June magazine at the Clean Show in New Orleans and visit the TRSA booth (No. 1533) as well as the Textile Services booth (No. 4653).
What types of goods or services are you most interested in seeing at the 2019 Clean Show?
“We are always excited and interested to see the latest in innovation from vendors at Clean. With a tight labor market and the cost of labor increasing, finding equipment and systems that assist us in reducing labor or improving productivity is essential. Emerald will have over 20 team members attending this show and will take advantage of the educational sessions that TRSA provides.”
—Greg Anderson, Executive Chairman | Emerald Textiles | San Diego, CA
“Our teams’ goal is exploring present and future trends in automation. Given the challenging climate of the labor pool, we are assessing alternative measures. The Clean Show offers a perfect opportunity for valuable insight.”
—Gary Gonzalez, President | NuWest Textile Group | Concord, CA
“Every other year I totally enjoy seeing old industry friends, while experiencing firsthand the advances made in our industry over the preceding two years. The Clean Show offers a great insight into who and what our industry is, from technological advances to new suppliers and products. Nowhere else can I see all that our industry offers. For up-and-coming management and business leaders, the Clean Show allows them to see from an international perspective the equipment and products available to advance our businesses and our industry, as well as how large our industry is. Our company management is able to see all of the contributing market segments, which comprise the laundry, linen and uniform industry. It is truly one perspective that every management person should be exposed to when developing into our industry leadership.”
—Roger D. Harris, President and CEO | Metro Linen | McKinney, TX
“Let me say this, four days at the show never seem to be enough! We know how much money and energy our suppliers invest, so the best we can do at Prudential Overall Supply is to reward them with equal work. I joke sometimes, but these four days feel like the hardest four days in the year. It’s serious work for all nine of us. The Clean Show allows for side-by-side comparisons, found almost nowhere else. We always visit the large exhibitors and reacquaint ourselves with new and improved equipment. But Clean is much more! It stimulates thoughts and ideas, big and small. I find myself spending time with suppliers that we’ve never used, or I’ve never heard of. Having attended the show continuously for more than 25 years, we never have come home without new ideas and new vendors. This year, here at Prudential, we especially are hoping to find more automation for our plants. This could be small or large. I don’t know of another operator that isn’t struggling to find qualified folks to work in our plants. Labor, at almost any rate, is difficult to get at best. We believe the days of inexpensive, long-term production labor are coming to an end. This requires us to automate – not just as a matter of ROI – but due to the fact that feeding a tunnel or ironer, folding any towel, or pressing a shirt or pant is simply not a job that many people care to do. As such, we hope for robotics and automation. We are looking to partner with folks – even if in the early stages – to reduce, dare I say eliminate production positions we can’t fill, similar to what other industries have done before us. How would you feel about running a plant with a half dozen people?”
—Stefan Schurter, Senior Vice President | Prudential Overall Supply | Irvine, CA