Plant of the Year and Volunteer Leadership Accolades Highlight Ceremony

Posted April 12, 2024 at 1:42 pm


NOVO executives Wanda Javier (left) and Dragan Grabovac (right) pose with TRSA Chair Jim Kearns (center) after winning TRSA's Plant of the Year award.


NOVO Health Services’ Miami facility took home the TRSA Plant of the Year honor during the April 10 Industry Awards Dinner at the 14th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. This honor was bestowed among 60 awards to member companies and individuals present at the event in 11 categories of awards.

The presentation to NOVO culminated the awards dinner, capping the evening after Charles Edelman received the Volunteer Leadership Award. Edelman, corporate safety director, Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services, Elmsford, NY, chairs TRSA’s Safety Committee. He’s been a steadfast contributor to TRSA education programs as a speaker and organizer, including the Maintenance Management Institute and HR, Health & Safety Summit.

The NOVO facility was saluted for efficiency, infection prevention, safety and ergonomics features, creating work conditions that promote employee retention. Opened in 2022 following a $25-million investment, the 80,000-square-foot plant has 186 employees and runs two shifts each day, six days per week. Advanced automation and a unique layout avoid production bottlenecks and ensure operational efficiency.

Garment production is enhanced with RFID tracking, tunnel finishing and folding robots. Automated batch separators, delivery systems and feeders improve efficiency by 30%. Material-handling efficiency is maximized with the latest sorting system and overhead monorail technology.

Metal antimicrobial walls and antimicrobial paints are used throughout the facility. Barrier wall washers improve separation, loading and unloading automatically. Cart washers are automated for greater efficiency and safety in ensuring disinfection. These were key contributors to the plant’s achievement of Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification.

NOVO was the only member company to take five trophies home from Washington. In addition to the plant accolade, NOVO was honored twice for Diversity Recognition, once for the company as a whole and once for the accomplishments of HR professional Wanda Javier. Also acknowledged: NOVO efforts to protect workers (SafeTRSA Safety) and promote the Miami plant (Best Video).

Unitex was one of four members to win four awards. Besides Edelman, CEO Rob Potack was honored individually (Company Community Service) for his leadership of the Mount Vernon Boys and Girls Club. Unitex won for companywide community service, too, and took home a Best Video for its virtual plant tour of its New Brunswick, NJ, facility.

The other three four-time winners:

  • Foltex USA, Columbia, SC: Above and Beyond Service awards to the company and individually to Joe Chernot, Chris Northcutt and Chris Williams.
  • ImageFIRST Healthcare Laundry Specialists, King of Prussia, PA: community, diversity, safety and Fleet Graphics.
  • Norchem Corp., Los Angeles: three video awards (profiling Emerald Textiles, Miller’s Textile Services and Ace ImageWear) and an exceptional service award to Karineh Minissian, VP/managing director.

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