Calendar

TRSA News
TRSA’s Board of Directors pays tribute to Roger Cocivera for his six years as President/CEO and pioneering work with the Production Management Institute.

Chairman’s Message
A new survey sponsored by TRSA’s Safety Committee shows progress in the industry’s safety record.
Jeffrey L. Wright

Commentary
TRSA programs, such as EMI, Healthcare/Tech Plant Summit and Convention, reflect a broad-based focus on strengthening the industry as well as individual member companies. Joseph Ricci

From the Editor
Are you ‘greening up’ your routes? We look at environmental trends and their impact on route management in the U.S. market. Jack Morgan

News from Washington
We look at a dozen common mistakes that business organizations frequently make in dealing with Congress and the administration. Addressing these pitfalls is especially critical in today’s environment.
Charlie Sewell

Corporate Briefs
Textile service and supplier news

Classified Advertising

Flashback
We dust off research from the mid-'60s that sought to eliminate downtime by route reps checking in at the end of their shifts. Funny thing is, this area is still a good target for lean-management best practices.

Freightliner Rolls Out An All-Electric Walk-In Van
Hybrids are fine, but … Freightliner is now moving boldly forward with electric walk-in-vans—the first models, they say, that are custom-built from the ground up for the WIV industry.—Jonathan Randall

Go Fish! Reel In Extra Revenue from Existing Accounts
Consider assigning a staffer as a “Route Building Specialist,” who’ll work to grow existing accounts by systematically pursuing opportunities to place mat samples and close new mat rentals.—David L. Watterson

Debunking the Five Myths of 'Rerouting'
Proactive communication and planning can help you implement a successful route-optimization program that improves earnings, while enhancing customer and employee satisfaction.—Troy Lovins

Five Steps to Better Route Planning
To boost route operations, look for a software vendor that can provide you with the technical and strategic backup you need. We offer guidelines for a successful route-optimization program.—Cyndi Brandt

Morgan Linen—The Quintessence of Quality
We learn how laundry equipment innovations and aggressive marketing efforts are helping this Albany, NY, independent make the most of hospitality opportunities in today's market.—Jack Morgan

Crush Price Objections
The recession has exacerbated the challenge of overcoming price objections. Here, you’ll learn how proper preparation and asking the right questions can help you sell on quality and service—not price.—Tom Reilly