TRSA and TSA-UK Strengthen Partnership During Recent Visit

TRSA and the Textile Services Association (TSA-UK) have announced an important new stage in their partnership. Both associations have agreed to work closer together to share knowledge with each other across key areas, which will help to drive improvements in the services provided to both TSA-UK and TRSA members. The areas include training and certification as well as aligning future global industry strategies and policies.

TSA-UK recently sent a team to America to visit the TRSA’s headquarters in Alexandria, VA. While there they met with Joseph Ricci, the president and CEO of TRSA, and other members of the association’s leadership. A key element of the trip was the opportunity for the TSA’s team to examine the certification system and methodology that TRSA has developed. TRSA quantifies the industry’s commitment to cleanliness and sustainability through its Clean Green and Hygienically Clean certification programs. as well as its professional qualification, the Certified Professional Laundry Manager (CPLM) designation.

“You can only be impressed with what they have built,” said David Stevens, CEO of TSA-UK.

Additionally, Emma Andersson, the TSA’s director of finance and membership, was able to sit in on a meeting of the TRSA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, discussing approaches and sharing ideas on this vital topic.

They also attended TRSA’s 13th Annual Legislative Conference at the Westin City Center in Washington, DC. At the conference, Shyju Skariah, the TSA’s director of programmes and projects, gave a keynote presentation to TRSA’s Next-Generation Executives Committee, which focused on the TSA’s sustainability roadmap. He also explained how the TSA, supported by TRSA, has been collaborating with De Montfort University to support its research into subjects relevant to hygiene management in the commercial laundry industry, including comparisons with the domestic and on-premises laundry (OPL) markets.

The final day of the conference was focused on face-to-face meetings with federal legislators and key staff members. “This kind of contact between the government and the laundry industry is something we would love to arrange in the UK,” Stevens said. “Kevin Schwalb, the vice president of government relations at TRSA, has kindly agreed to support this agenda with us in the UK.”

Ricci added that, “Throughout my tenure with TRSA, we shared information about industry trends and best practices. Since the pandemic, we have increasingly worked closely with the TSA in the UK and have formed strong working relationships. The recent visit from the team has further built on this partnership.”

Stevens is confident that the trip marks an important new phase in the relationship for both organizations. “It was fantastic to meet with Joe and the rest of the team at the TRSA,” he said. “While their operation is 10 times the size of the TSA we have so much in common – after all, laundry is laundry wherever it’s processed. It was great to watch and learn from the TRSA team and also share some of the work we have done. It really felt like a win-win trip! Going forward, we are going to have regular meetings to build further on the relationship, and we are delighted that Joe agreed to speak at our Spring Conference about how we can continue to develop this partnership.”

The TSA Spring Conference takes place on May 3-4 in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. Click here for more information.