TRSA News
Tough times call for experienced, well-educated managers with the skills you need to improve productivity, save energy, water and more. PMI can be a big help.

Chairman’s Message
Today’s economic challenges make unity critical to the long-term prospects of the textile services industry.
Gregory P. Jeltema

Commentary
The Clean Show can help you get through the recession by positioning your company for long-term success. Come to Clean in New Orleans.
Roger F. Cocivera

From the Editor
As members gather for the Tech/Plant Summit in Phoenix, the focus is on the economy. But technology, government relations and plant safety also are high on the agenda.
Jack Morgan

On the Environment
TRSA’s Bob Schaffer and Tony Wagner recently got positive results from a meeting with EPA officials to review mass vs. concentration limits.
Bob Schaffer

News from Washington
Congress has passed its massive stimulus bill, but it’s anyone’s guess how much impact the legislation will have on the economy. Still, the law’s focus on areas such as construction and manufacturing could benefit textile services.
Tony Wagner

HR Adviser
Today’s workplace diversity places more responsibilities on employers in various areas, such as with employees who insist on wearing traditional clothing for religious reasons. Employers must make reasonable efforts to accommodate these practices.
Steven J. Fellman

Corporate Briefs

Business Intelligence = Smarter Decision-Making
Advanced Web-based dashboards, dubbed “Business Intelligence,” are helping textile service companies improve route performance by making more data available faster.—Ed Keegan

Power Moves—Building/ Retrofitting Plants for Improved Energy Efficiency
Cut through the hype about ‘wind farms’ and ‘green’ operations for a review of realistic options for improving efficiency, from stack economizers to solar panels and more.—Gerard O’Neill

A Proven Tool—RFID Tracks Textiles Faster, Better
Over 10 years, RFID chips and appropriate software have developed into an asset that can enable operators to manage inventory more efficiently and with far less labor.—William Dougherty

Preventive Maintenance—Make the Commitment!
A PM program with effective software, adequate staffing, coordination with production and managerial follow-through can pay for itself in less than a year.
—Frank Gundrum

Keep on 'Colmacing'!
Colmac Industries Inc. celebrates 50 years of building a business and overcoming challenges along the way, with a small-town, can-do spirit of entrepreneurship.—Ruth Davis

How Enhancing Safety Improves the Bottom Line
Managers who integrate safety into their business plans—rather than viewing it as an add-on—are in a position to make progress in both reducing accidents and fueling growth.—Terry L. Mathis

Confined-Space Training: A Wealth of Resources
A Tulsa, OK, operator recently used SafeTRSA’s confined-space e-tool to customize that area of its safety program. Staff also received training in a confined-space simulator.
—Russell Holt

Which Road to a New Plant?
Thinking about a new or refurbished plant? The author weighs the pros and cons of ‘Design/Build’ vs. ‘Plan and Spec,’ with attention to the timing and costs associated with each method.—Elliot J. Mata

'Green for Green'—Money for Environmental Improvements
Various textile service companies recently have tapped grants worth thousands of dollars to help them buy energy/water-saving equipment. Learn more about the ins and outs of this process.—D. Douglas Graham

Dealing with Potentially Insolvent Customers
Given today’s economy, you need to understand the high points of bankruptcy law, and how you can protect your business from highly indebted customers.—Steven J. Fellman and Brendan Collins

Avoiding the 'Brain Drain'—Lessons In Succession Planning
The recession has slowed the initial movement of baby boomers to retirement, thus giving employers more time to plan to replace senior managers. Will you be ready when things turn around? —Tim Coleman