Healthcare laundries are the top winners of TRSA’s 2025 Best Plants Gold level awards: Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services’ bulk processing facility in Lawrence, MA (90,000 square feet) and Novo Health Services’ Nashville, TN-area location (Madison, TN, 43,000 square feet).

They are among six recipients who will be recognized at TRSA’s Legislative Conference on Feb. 5 for their accomplishments as reflected in the Best Plants evaluation, which required completing a questionnaire calling for responses to 56 questions covering production, service, sales and administrative practices – and measurement of their execution. Emphasis also was placed on ownership/management commitment to equipping for efficiency as reflected in new technology adoption.

The Unitex plant (pictured above), opened in 2020, produces more than 160,000 pounds a day and has 221 employees. Marketing and account managers survey end users at least quarterly to determine customer satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 4. Performance measures cover responsiveness, frequency of in-person visits, customer service, transportation and delivery, product quality and overall linen service. Quality of each main linen item is also rated 1 to 4, prompting senior management response to improve concerns.

In 2024, Unitex transitioned the plant to new business management software (route accounting). This challenged the facility team to meet all customer delivery obligations during the transition, as well as train and develop the entire management team to operate within the new system. In real time, it indicates exactly where the operation stands in completing the day’s routes. Clean carts of linen are weighed in and the system sends/shares this information throughout plant operations.

Opened in 2016, the Novo facility underwent major refurbishment of existing equipment in 2024, upgrading two tunnel washers, presses, dryers, ironer/folder/feeders and blanket blasters. The tool room and engineering shop were renovated. About 7,000 square feet of plant space has been renovated, with the finished goods end of the plant adding 900-plus feet of trolley storage for garments shipped to depots. A boiler and make up water system/tank were added. The facility produces 55,000 pounds daily and has 75 employees.

Three indicators were cited as key to measuring performance. Pounds per operator hour is viewed as the best way to evaluate and enhance overall plant operations. Management also has an overall equipment effectiveness measure seen as comprehensive, too, along with earnings before taxes.

The service team visits all accounts monthly and communicates findings and follow-up action plans. Monthly meetings with each healthcare system review overall metrics and provide updates on deliverables and results from the previous meetings. Daily communication with each customer ensures needs are met and overall service expectations are clear.

Silver level 2025 Best Plants honorees who will be at the conference include:

  • PureStar, Norwich, CT. 2004, 35,000 square feet, 100 employees, 54,300 pounds, F&B (restaurant) and Hospitality (hotel). Branded Atlantic City Linen Supply, its management considers safety its top plant performance indicator, having reduced total injuries (TRIR) and away from work/transfer days (DART) to zero in 2024.
  • Alsco Uniforms, Vista, CA. 2024, 74,000 square feet, 101 employees, 44,000 pounds, F&B, Hospitality, Healthcare, Industrial. Replacing an existing facility in the market with better technology and capacity has allowed the company to serve more clients and grow.

Honorable mention:

  • UniFirst Corp., Hammond, IN. 2020, 64,500 square feet, ~80 employees, ~42,000 pounds, Healthcare, Industrial.
  • Wildman Businesss Group, Warsaw, IN. 1965, 87,000 square feet, 60 employees, 110,000 pounds, F&B, Industrial.

The 15th Annual Legislative Conference, Feb. 5-6, offers members the opportunity to influence the industry’s advocacy agenda and impact TRSA initiatives. On Feb. 5, volunteer leaders gather in TRSA committees to share information regarding best-management practices, trends, innovations and issues impacting their professions, companies and customers. Preparation begins for visits the following day to Capitol Hill, where members raise awareness of the industry’s social, environmental and economic benefits and educate legislators about its need for fair and balanced regulation.

Keynoters at the conference include:

  • Kaplan Mobray, a Wharton graduate who started in advertising, championed diversity at Deloitte and now serves as a consultant to multinational companies. Author of the 10Ks of Personal Branding, he’s recognized as one of the nation’s top business speakers for his leadership-development workshops, which he’s staged on five continents, helping individuals globally to build their brand, become better leaders and advance their careers. He will speak at the Supplier Partner Council Workshop on Feb. 4.
  • John Harwood, a journalist who analyzes U.S. elections, politics and the presidency. Over his three-decade career, he’s reported for the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNBC, CNN, PBS and NPR. He’s interviewed every president from George H.W. Bush to Joe Biden and received an Emmy nomination for his live CNBC town hall with President Barack Obama.

Click here to register for the conference.

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