TRSA News
TRSA’s Joint Committee Annual Meeting brought together members to confront a range of challenges and opportunities, from environmental marketing rules to safety innovation, recruiting, route optimization, the ‘DataFusion’ program and more.

Chairman’s Message
TRSA companies are embracing change, including the fact that there are fewer managers available today to work on association projects. TRSA’s committees need to change too to keep pace with the needs of today’s members.
Gregory P. Jeltema

Commentary
Amid today’s economic uncertainty, TRSA offers members abundant resources to help them continue the growth that many companies have enjoyed in recent years.
Roger F. Cocivera

From the Editor
Many view Detroit as a forsaken city, but business interests, including a prominent textile service company, see reason to continue to fight for their dream of a prosperous future.
Jack Morgan

On the Environment
Textile service companies face the prospect of closer scrutiny of the environmental impact of their operations. TRSA and LaundryESP® can help you meet heightened public expectations.
Bob Schaffer

News from Washington
Trial lawyers may not share your pro-business agenda, but their approach to lobbying Congress is highly effective and isn’t limited to PAC contributions. The industry could learn much from their example.
Lawrence A. Fineran

HR Adviser
We offer tips for finding the right people for nonmanagement jobs. Tactics include networking, online resources and advertising outlets you may have overlooked before.
Craig Lloyd

Corporate Briefs
Textile service and supplier news

People Are Not Your Organization's No. 1 Asset
A certified behavioral analyst and HR consultant reflects on the importance of ensuring employee accountability. She will present on this topic and related issues during the Sept. 18-19 TRSA CEO Summit in Boston.—Nancy Roberts

Same Song, New Orchestration
TRSA’s vice president reports on the latest technological advances aimed at improving efficiency at Unitex’s new healthcare laundry in Newburgh, NY. This plant, which builds on the trail-blazing innovations implemented five years ago at the company’s Mount Vernon, NY, facility, is fueling growth in the New York/Philadelphia markets. —George Ferencz

RFID Drives Savings
Adding radio frequency identification chips to textile service goods aids in inventory control, speeds production and reduces the need for special deliveries. What’s more, on average, laundries gain an ROI on these systems within two years of installation.—Bill Dougherty

Behavior-Based Safety: A Key Element in a Total Safety Culture
A plant safety professional outlines a program that goes beyond policies and procedures for safeguarding staff by encouraging managers and employees to look at what they do and root out activities that could undermine safety.—Russell Holt

The Answer is to Automate
The answer to rising costs and low prices for textile services is to invest in automating processes to save labor and energy, while improving throughput and customer service. Today, no one can afford a “This is the way we’ve always done it,” attitude.—Charles Berge

New Billing Module Benefits Healthcare Launderer
A new billing system has enabled a Kentucky company to improve the flow of goods through its plant, while also boosting on-time, accurate deliveries. Automatic weekly invoices mean less paperwork and better customer service.—Eric Smith

Bates Troy Expansion Boosts Efficiency
Bates Troy Healthcare Linen Service recently teamed up with G.A. Braun Inc. to expand its laundry with a new tunnel washer and five 500 lb. dryers. A state agency chipped in $400,000 to help fund the project through a grant aimed at encouraging companies to conserve energy and water.—Colleen O’Mara

Crosstown Ironer Move Revs Up Two Plants for Growth
Over a weekend, technicians dismantle an eight-roll Super Sylon ironer and move it across Denver to another plant where it’s reassembled, tested and ready to roll on Monday morning. We offer tips on moving equipment safely and efficiently.—Randy Vansparrentak