TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci and a pair of industry association executives recently shared their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the linen, uniform and facility services industry during a recent podcast.
The American Laundry News podcast episode is titled “Viewpoints from Industry Associations.” The discussion featured representatives from the Association for Linen Management (ALM), the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA), along with TRSA. Sarah Brobeck, the president and CEO of ALM and Lucy Pettys, the executive director of TCATA, appeared on the podcast with Ricci.
A common theme throughout the conversation was workforce development. Association leaders pointed to ongoing labor shortages, the need for stronger training programs and concerns about attracting and retaining skilled technicians, engineers and maintenance personnel. They emphasized the importance of creating visible career paths that help employees see long-term opportunities within the industry.
The panel also discussed broader business challenges, including economic uncertainty, rising operating costs and the impact of tariffs, interest rates and other market pressures. According to the trio of association executives, companies continue to face increasing costs for labor, textiles, chemicals, utilities and equipment, making operational efficiency and productivity more important than ever.
Another major topic was industry consolidation. Ricci noted the growing discussion around consolidation in healthcare services as well as the proposed Cintas-UniFirst transaction. The discussion examined how consolidation could affect operators, suppliers and industry decision-making while creating both challenges and opportunities across the marketplace.
Despite these concerns, the discussion remained optimistic about the industry’s future. The executives highlighted the sector’s resilience, pointing to its ability to adapt through significant disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic. They also noted that customers increasingly expect more than clean textiles, creating opportunities for service providers to deliver greater value through data, responsiveness, operational expertise and consulting support.
The conversation also explored the growing role of technology, automation and sustainability. The association leaders said that laundries are increasingly using data analytics and automation to improve safety, productivity and decision-making while pursuing initiatives that reduce water, energy and chemical consumption. Sustainability considerations, including PFAS regulations and textile life-cycle management, continue to receive heightened attention across the industry.
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