American Laundry News - October 2014

UniFirst, Cintas fined in EPA settlements

BOSTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that separate settlements will require UniFirst Corp. and Cintas Corp. to obtain Clean Air Act permits, as well as pay penalties, to resolve cases of alleged violations of the federal law at several of the companies’ New England facilities.

Both companies allegedly failed to obtain air pollution control permits for their facilities in the area, according to the EPA.

They will now be required to follow a set of “best management practices” regarding laundering of dirty shop towels, which the agency says can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during washing and drying.

UniFirst will pay $309,980 in penalties; Cintas will pay $150,000.

In a written statement, Cintas says that its violations involved the absence of pre-construction and operating permits required for handling soiled shop towels, but that actual emission levels at the laundries in question were “a small fraction of the level of potential emissions that triggered the preconstruction requirement.”

UniFirst says in a written statement that “there is no evidence that emissions at any UniFirst facility ever increased” when washers or dryers were replaced at its New England facilities, which required new air permits from EPA that weren’t obtained. ALN

Bigger crowds, more exhibits expected at November’s Hotel, Motel show in NYC

BY THERESA BOEHL, EDITOR

NEW YORK — When the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS) arrives here next month, it will bring with it some 17,000 participants for an exhibit featuring 650 or more companies, all housed in a space of more than 100,000 square feet, say show organizers. The annual show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center will be presented Sunday, Nov. 9, through Tuesday, Nov. 11.

According to show management company Hospitality Media Group (HMG), the exposition will attract representatives from hotel and restaurant chains, management companies, resorts, military lodging, healthcare foodservice, casinos, bed and breakfasts and more.

“Shows tends to reflect the industries they serve and certainly the hotel and restaurant is doing pretty well right now, so we expect to be up both in our exhibit category and in our attendance category,” says Phil Robinson, show director of IHMRS.

Those wanting to get an early start can attend the Hospitality Leadership Forum, to be hosted on Saturday, Nov. 8. The day will feature panel talks, a keynote luncheon, afternoon concurrent

sessions and plenty of opportunities to network. It will run 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The 5th Boutique Design New York (BDNY) show will be held concurrently, and will include

CDC: Forgo laundering Ebola patient linens, discard as regulated medical waste

BY THERESA BOEHL, EDITOR

ATLANTA — Under new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hospitals treating patients confirmed as having the Ebola virus are advised to forgo laundering all potentially contaminated linens and discard them as regulated medical waste.

The new guidance comes as hospitals prepare for the possibility of treating patients arriving from West Africa with the deadly virus, which has killed more than 2,400 people on that continent,

according to the World Health Organization. At press time, only Atlanta’s Emory University Hospital and Omaha’s Nebraska Medical Center had treated patients who arrived in the U.S. from West Africa infected with the virus.

According to the CDC, the Ebola virus is spread through direct contact with blood and body fluids of a symptomatic infected person, as well as through exposure to contaminated needles and other objects, but adds that “the role of the environment in transmission has not been established.”

While the CDC says there is no epidemiologic evidence of the virus being transmitted through “either the environment or fomites that could become contaminated during patient care,” such as bed rails, door knobs or even laundry, the severity of the disease calls for “higher levels of precaution” in reducing potential contamination.

RECOMMENDATIONS

On Aug. 22, the CDC released Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals for Ebola Virus, updated

from a version released earlier that month. The update includes more details about recommendations for textile care management in healthcare facilities treating patients potentially infected with Ebola.

Among the precautions hospitals are urged to undertake for patients with “probable or confirmed” Ebola virus is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including disposable gloves, a fluid-resistant or impermeable gown, eye protection and a

Panel of Experts

Small sorting tasks are key for meeting larger production goals.

exhibits highlighting the latest design products for hotels, restaurants, spas and casinos.

The Newspaper of Record for Laundry & Linen Management

S.C. Firm Keeps Rental Housing Linen Flowing Q&A: How one operator takes advantage of the available tools and technologies for producing clean linens.

IHMRS is expected to draw some 17,000 participants when it comes to New York next month. (Photos: HMG)

CHICAGO — If the Ebola virus were to spread to the United States, it would prompt a review of the infection control procedures at the laundries of almost 80% of respondents to the latest American Laundry News Your Views survey.

Of those surveyed last month, nearly a quarter provide laundry service to a healthcare facility as an on-premises laundry. Close to the same percentage provide the service as a contracted, outsourced laundry, while 17.5% identified themselves as providers of the service on a contracted, cooperative basis. A little more than 30% say they don’t provide laundry service to a healthcare facility.

Regarding changes that laundry/linen managers would consider making to better protect workers and customers in case of an outbreak of Ebola, equal shares of 3.6% point to contacting their chemical supplier for advice or contacting customers to be sure communication is open regarding potentially infectious linens.

A little more than 10% say they would be prompted to take a closer look at measures for helping employees avoid contact with soiled linens and re-train them where necessary.

The majority, however, don’t want to take any chances: 62.5% say they would take all three actions if the Ebola virus spread to the U.S. But 19.6% believe their current processes are sufficient, and no changes are needed. No respondents say it would be necessary to test linens frequently to check for quality levels.

“Unfortunately, we will be very reliant on our customers to keep us informed of what we are handling,” says a respondent. “Most are not good at special handling when it comes to the linens—their answer is to throw it away.”

“Educate all staff members, then [do] re-training on a quarterly period through video and reading material. Also, I would include this training for newcomers’ orientation,” another respondent says.

Agencies and non-profits—such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) and the Association for Linen Management (ALM), for example—are

sources of information for how to handle potentially infectious linens, according to nearly three-quarters of survey respondents.

“I am seeing conflicting recommendations on handling textiles, which causes concerns [about] whose recommendations to follow,” one respondent says.

“I believe the word ‘procedure(s)’ is widely overused in our industry as a term that makes us feel safe and combats red tape,” comments another respondent. “As managers, we can write and implement procedures. That’s a great answer for the authorities. Truth is, if we haven’t trained our staff, inspected the product and continue to monitor our facilities, then we haven’t really done anything. “

When asked whether they thought outbreaks of contagious diseases like Ebola would pose problems for linen services in the future, respondents were virtually split: 45.5% thought so, while 54.5% thought otherwise.

“I remember when AIDS was the ‘new’ epidemic and people were worried about soiled linens,” a respondent comments. “When we understood that standard precautions were sufficient to handle those linens, fear and worry ended. The same process will happen with Ebola.”

Concerning the Americans stricken with Ebola who were brought back to the U.S. for treatment, 48.2% believe the action was appropriate, while 21.4% disagree with the decision. A little more than 30% say they’re not sure whether it was the best course of action.

“Would anybody in their right mind want to transport a defective and leaking atomic bomb to their home to try to defuse and contain it, when you have everything needed at the location or would be able to transport it to that location?” a respondent asks. “I think not. What is the difference?”

While the Your Views survey presents a snapshot of readers’ viewpoints at a particular moment, it should not be considered scientific; due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100%. Subscribers to American Laundry News e-mails are invited to take the industry survey anonymously online each month.

All managers and administrators of institutional/OPL, cooperative, commercial and industrial laundries are encouraged to participate, as a greater number of responses will help to better define operator

and identify industry trends.

Publisher

Charles Thompson

Phone: 312-361-1680

E-Mail: cthompson@ americantrademagazines.com

Editorial Director

Bruce Beggs

Phone: 312-361-1683

E-Mail: bbeggs@ americantrademagazines.com

Digital Media Director

Nathan Frerichs

Phone: 312-361-1681

E-Mail: nfrerichs@ americantrademagazines.com

Editor

Theresa Boehl

Phone: 708-280-1750

E-Mail: tboehl@ americantrademagazines.com

Production Manager Roger Napiwocki

Contributing Editor Jean Teller

National Sales Director

Donald Feinstein

Phone: 312-361-1682

E-Mail: dfeinstein@ americantrademagazines.com

Main Phone: 312-361-1700 Fax: 312-361-1685

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American Laundry News (ISSN 1091-9201) is published monthly. Subscription prices, payment in advance: U.S. 1 year $39.00; 2 years $73.00. Foreign, 1 year $89.00; 2 years $166.00. Single copies: U.S. $7.00; Foreign $14.00. Published by American Trade Magazines LLC, 566 West Lake Street, Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER, Send changes of address and form 3579 to American Laundry News Subscription Dept., 440 Quadrangle Drive, Suite E, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Volume 40, number 10. Editorial, executive and advertising offices are at 566 West Lake Street, Suite 420, Chicago, IL 60661. Charles Thompson, President and Publisher. American Laundry News is distributed selectively to qualified laundry and linen management and distributors in the United States. No material appearing in American Laundry News may be reprinted without written permission. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising for any reason.

© Copyright AMERICAN TRADE MAGAZINES LLC, 2014. Printed in U.S.A

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“

Your ‘check-in time’ is now

i

t’s tradition that we devote much of our October issue to hospitality laundry/linen operations. Survey data from the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2014 Lodging Profile illustrates that they must be busy, because the guestrooms, swimming pools, restaurants and other amenities in U.S. hotels, motels and resorts are in frequent use.

The lodging industry generated pre-tax income of $41 billion in 2013, up 10.2% from the prior year, and $163 billion in sales, a 5.4% increase over 2012.

Travel and tourism remains one of our nation’s largest services export industries, and one of America’s largest employers.

The industry includes a number of interrelated businesses— lodging properties, airlines,

From The Director’s Chair bruce beggs

restaurants, cruise lines, car rental firms, travel agents and tour operators, among others.

In 2013, the number of international travelers who visited the States was a record 69.8 million.

Yes, hospitality has never been hotter, and providing high-quality

laundry/linen services is a must. We’ve tackled that topic from a number of different angles in this issue:

• Editor Theresa Boehl previews the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS) coming up in November;

• Consultant Glen Phillips addresses developing new hospitality business and the role of a business plan;

• Our Product Showcase features Napery & Table Linen;

• Boehl also examines how RFID tracking of linen and uniforms offers hospitality a sense of control and cost containment.

Plus, there are other stories, both related to and unrelated to lodging. We’re pleased that you’ve decided to stay with us. Your “check-in time” is now. ALN

Judge rules in favor of LLT in ‘Lavatec’ trademark infringement suit

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A federal judge has sided with Lavatec Laundry Technology GmbH (LLT) and its U.S. subsidiary Lavatec Laundry Technology Inc. after a bench trial regarding ownership and the rights to the trademark “Lavatec.” The defendant, U.S.-based Lavatec Inc., is the former wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Lavatec AG and Lavatec Wäschereimaschinen GmbH & Co. KG (“Lavatec Germany”).

The dispute centered on which company owned exclusive rights to the “Lavatec” trademark once Lavatec Germany filed for bankruptcy in 2009. Both LLT and Lavatec Inc. claim to have acquired the trademark through their “respective purchases of the assets of the former Lavatec entities,” according to the Memorandum of Decision and Order signed by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill on Sept. 3.

The ruling states that LLT, which acquired all of the intellectual property rights of Lavatec Germany, is owner of the trademark in the United States.

In his judgment, Underhill says that Lavatec Germany was the first to use the “Lavatec” mark in the

United States and never relinquished its right to use it in this country. He further stated that Lavatec Inc. did not acquire “any right of ownership in the mark.”

Mark Thrasher, president of Lavatec Laundry Technology Inc., made the following comment about the ruling: “It clarifies for customers and the marketplace the one Lavatec brand serving their laundry system needs—manufacturing and sales, supported with parts, technology and best-in-class service around the world.”

When contacted by American Laundry News, Lavatec Inc. issued this statement: “The decision on the ownership of the ‘Lavatec’ trademark will definitely be appealed. Further, there are still unresolved issues as to the usage of the mark and we await clarification and final ruling from the judge.

“It is business as usual for Lavatec Inc. with parts, service and manufacturing of laundry equipment. This case has only decided the ownership of the trademark and does not affect the Lavatec Inc. name of the company or any products or services that we offer.” ALN

the importance of helping your employees retire

i was blessed with the opportunity to work with a number of long-term staff members when I took over the management of Commonwealth Linen Services. We’ve had a number of employees who have worked full-time well after reaching 65. They perform their jobs at a high level, and we are glad to continue their employment.

Over the past years, a number of them have chosen to retire. That decision can often be a difficult one and is based on a number of factors.

Health can be a primary consideration for any employee looking to retire, though a number of the employees over 65 regularly outwork recent high school graduates. Their ability to stay focused and on task normally overcomes anything physical they might have lost over time.

But unfortunately, as one gets older, certain parts of the body do begin to break down.

I have one employee who is 79 years old. She draws her Social Security, her company pension and her regular paycheck. Late last year, I convinced her to go to a part-time schedule because her hip was giving her so much trouble.

I talked to her about retirement, but she said she wasn’t ready to retire and didn’t have anything else she wanted to do. Last month, she finally agreed it was time to retire.

In the end, her health was the deciding factor, not her productivity.

I have another employee who will be 71 years old early next year. She has been drawing her Social Security since she turned 65. She is productive and a real asset in the smallorder filling area of the laundry. She has worked for the laundry for more than 40 years.

As A mAnAger, it is impOrtAnt tO remember thAt mOst empLOyees OnLy retire Once. ... we hOnOr their service tO Our OrgAnizAtiOns by Accepting the respOnsibiLity Of heLping them thrOugh the prOcess.

She loves working, but believes she will be of more help to her family if she stays home and helps with the medical needs of some of her family members. This employee knew what she wanted to do, but needed help getting through the retirement paperwork maze.

I offered to help her and have been working with her as she plans to retire at the end of the year.

I have known other employees who reached the age of 65 and were simply ready to move on and do other things in their lives. These people are very motivated. With a little guidance, they are on their way.

I have coordinated retirement dates with these employees and thanked them for their many years of service.

Whenever someone retires, we hold a big retirement luncheon, celebrating the employee and recognizing their valuable contributions to the organization. We always invite all of our previously retired employees to these events.

As a manager, it is important to remember that most employees only retire once. They have never done it before and most likely will need help filling out the paperwork. We honor their service to our organizations by accepting the responsibility of helping them through the process.

Eric Frederick is director of laundry services for Carilion Laundry Service, Roanoke, Va., and a past president and manager of the year of the Association for Linen Management. You can reach him by e-mail at efrederick@carilion.com.

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Registrants of IHMRS can attend the BDNY for no additional cost.

EXHIBIT FLOOR

Spanning three days, the trade show will give attendees the opportunity to explore the various products and services offered by the exhibitors representing many areas in the industry: cleaning and maintenance, housekeeping and laundry equipment; uniforms, linens and bedding; food and beverage; tabletop; sustainability and energy management; and technology, among others. The exhibit will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday.

“We’ve found that as the trade show industry has evolved … people look at the show for not just the products and services they see, but also for the networking,” says Robinson. This year’s show will feature three design spaces— focused on kitchen design, bar and beverage design, and technology—meant to provide a more interactive experience for attendees. “So rather than having just a booth with seating … we create an environment using those exhibitor products, using actual space where people can exhibit and network,”

he says.

Robinson adds that while some informational sessions and tutorials will be held on the show floor, other educational opportunities such as seminar sessions will be held elsewhere in the facility.

The exhibit hall is once again split into five divisions: Green, Tabletop, Operations, Kitchen Design and Technology.

The Green division is presented in partnership with Green Lodging News, and has doubled in size to include 150 exhibitors. Focused on waste minimization and energysaving technology, this division also includes the Green Education Center, a central hub for education and networking, according to HMG.

Sunday afternoon will feature a panel session titled Hotel Energy Management All Stars. Other panel topics to be presented on Monday and Tuesday include LEED Platinum hotels, green certification and waste management.

Developed in conjunction with TabletopJournal.com, the Tabletop division will showcase the latest in table linens, dinnerware, glassware, lighting and more, in what HMG says will be creative and inspiring displays.

The show’s largest, most wideranging category is Operations, which show organizers say will feature “everything needed to effectively manage a hospitality establishment day to day.” Here,

attendees will find exhibits related to cleaning and maintenance, housekeeping and laundry equipment, uniforms, and bedding and linens, among many others. Events, networking and on-floor education will be offered at the Swingers Lounge.

Many exhibitors offering products and services related to laundry and linen will be housed in the Operations division, according to Robinson. (See the sidebar at right for a list as of presstime.)

The Kitchen Design division will be home to equipment demos, tastings, book signings and programming on technology in the kitchen, in addition to displays on the products and services of more than 150 exhibitors, according to HMG.

For those wanting to stay on top of the latest hospitality-related technologies, the Technology Division brings together a range of solutions, including tablet and mobile apps, energy management, in-room entertainment, social media and others. Tech decision-makers are invited to try out a broad range of tablet apps and other software at the I.MENU EXPO, curated in partnership with i.Business Magazine. Consumer innovation, leveraging social media, content marketing, and protecting property from data breaches will be among the topics covered as part of the division’s educational program.

The full list of exhibitors is available at www. ihmrs.com. Also available at the website is a Buyer’s Guide listing the products and services of IHMRS exhibitors, among other companies; IHMRS exhibitors are marked with an IHMRS icon. Categories are splits into various sections: boutique design; business services; construction and design; financial/legal/insurance services; food services and supplies; government agencies and associations; hotel operations; hotel security; real estate; and technology.

SOCIAL EVENTS

Before diving into three busy days at the exhibition, attendees are welcome to attend the International Hospitality Ball on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Hoteliers and industry suppliers will gather at the Grand Hyatt New York, 109 East 42nd St. (at Grand Central), in black tie attire. The event, which will feature a reception, dinner and dancing, is hosted by the Hotel Association of New York City. Because of high demand, attendees are

IHMRS Exhibitors

Following is a list of IHMRS exhibitors that offer products or services of interest to those engaged in laundry/linen services:

• Amenity Services, Tustin, Calif.; booth 2424

• American Hotel Register Co., Vernon Hills, Ill.; booth 2519

• B&C Technologies, Panama City, Fla.; booth 2641

• Boca Terry, Deerfield Beach, Fla.; booth 2329

• Braun, Syracuse, N.Y.; booth 2728

• Chicago Dryer Co., Chicago; booth 2937

• Cintas Corp., Chicago; booth 2730

• CleanBrands LLC, Warwick, R.I.; booth 2551

• Cuddledown, Yarmouth, Maine; booth 3005

• Ecolab, St. Paul, Minn.; booth 2119

• Electrolux Professional, Charlotte, N.C.; booth 2043

• Elegant Hamper, Edmonton, Alberta; booth 2064

• European Finishing Equipment, Secaucus, N.J.; booth 2563

• Faribault Woolen Mill, Faribault, Minn.; booth 2828

• GM Fleet and Commercial, Detroit, Mich.; booth 1673

• Gourmet Table Skirts, Houston, Texas; booth 1937

• Green Suites Hotel Solutions, Upland, Calif.; booth 2248

• GreenEarth Cleaning, Kansas City, Mo.; booth 2344

• Guest Valet, New York, N.Y.; booth 2528

• Harbor Linen, Gibbsboro, N.J.; booth 2928

• Harris Pillow, Beaufort, S.C.; booth 2143

encouraged to purchase their tickets as early as possible.

On Monday night, the 34th Annual Gold Key Award for Excellence in Hospitality Design Gala is set to take place 6:30–10 p.m. at the Mandarin Oriental, 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street.

The event will include a cocktail reception, dinner and presentation of the winners and finalists in each of 19 award categories.

In addition, the 2014 Designer of the Year will be announced.

Finally, Bob Thomas, Signature Carpet, will receive the Icon of the Industry award, presented by NEWH Inc., the Hospitality Industry Network. The NEWH/ Cliff Tuttle Scholarship will be awarded to a student in his name.

Both first-time visitors and those familiar with New York City can find plenty of activities and attractions in the area to keep them busy. Visit the show’s NYC Guide at the website for information from the city’s convention and visitors bureau, along with local events, transit information, a local weather forecast, a parking guide and special offers.

• HD Supply, San Diego, Calif.; booth 2319

• Kartri Sales Inc., Forest City, Pa.; booth 3001

• Laundrylux, Inwood, N.Y.; booth 2043

• Leggett And Platt, Carthage, Mo.; booth 3124

• Masa S.P.A. Industrie Tessili, Cairate, Varese; booth 1918

• Navien, Irvine, Calif.; booth 2349

• Olympic Laundry Service, Havertown, Pa.; booth 3025

• Pellerin Milnor Corp., Kenner, La.; booth 2939

• Procter & Gamble Professional, Cincinnati, Ohio; booth 1711

• Protect-A-Bed, Wheeling, Ill.; booth 2401

• Reverie, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; booth 2536

• Rubbermaid Commercial, Woodstock, Ga.; booth 2815

• Simmons Bedding Co.,Atlanta, Ga.; booth 3119

• Sprinter Vans, Montvale, N.J.; booth 1473

• Standard Textile Co., Cincinnati, Ohio; booth 2803

• Star Textile Inc., Madison Heights, Mich.; booth 2737

• Sunflower Hometex Inc., Sterling, Va.; booth 3317

• Tablecloth Co., Paterson, N.J.; booth 1726

• The Turkish Towel Co., Peabody, Mass.; booth 2554

• TQ Industries, Seguin, Texas; booth 3034

• UniMac, Ripon, Wis.; booth 2448

• Welspun USA, New York, N.Y.; booth 2829

• White Towel Services, Fort Worth, Texas; booth 2463

• Xeros Inc., Manchester, N.H.; booth 2155

Special information for family travel and for first-time visitors is available as well.

LODGING

The official travel partner of IHMRS, Travel Planners Inc., is offering discounted rates at more than two dozen hotels in New York City. Attendees who register through the IHMRS site will receive exclusive benefits such as no prepayment, immediate confirmation, and the ability to cancel a reservation with no penalties.

Travel Planners can be reached at 800-221-3531.

The IHMRS show is co-owned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Hotel Association of New York City and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association. Association partners include the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI), the International Society of Hospitality Purchasers (ISHP), Women in Lodging (WIL) and Healthcare Foodservice Managers (HFM).

To learn more about the event and to register, visit www.ihmrs.

Exhibitors will hold informational sessions on the show floor.

The Green division will feature the Green Education Center for tutorials and networking.

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Tools f the Trade

New literature from Tingue, Brown & Co. aims to help onpremises hotel laundry operators run their flatwork ironers safely and efficiently while achieving a highquality finish at the lowest possible cost, the company reports.

Developed for general managers, executive housekeepers, and laundry operations staff, the new literature features a checklist covering the company’s complete range of flatwork ironer textile supplies, cleaners, lubricants, replacement parts, and accessories that on-premises hotel laundries typically need on hand to ensure non-stop operation.

According to the company, the literature also

includes illustrated flatwork ironer condition surveys for organizing maintenance checks, logging the status of each system or part, and predicting maintenance requirements. The company offers to conduct ironer condition surveys on-site at no charge and to train operators to perform preventative maintenance, also on-site.

The new literature addresses cylinder ironers and deep-chest ironers, and includes an FAQ about ironer safety, proper cleaning and maintenance, and the causes of wrinkled and stained linens.

www.tinguebrownco.com 800-829-3864

A super-concentrated detergent formulated for linens washed in front-loading washing machines has been introduced by Sunburst Chemicals. Reliance has been developed with wetting agents and detergents that the company says “break down surface tension and penetrate deep into the soils, removing stains and soils from fabric.”

Soils and greases don’t permanently stain fabrics, according to Sunburst, because of the detergent’s non-ionic active blend. Rinsing is faster and more effective, even in high-efficiency machines, due to Reliance’s controlled sudsing.

The detergent is dispensed through a closed-loop system, helping to prevent spills and deliver

the right concentration, allowing for maximum cost efficiency and a reduced chance that employees will come into contact with chemicals.

www.sunburstchemicals.com 800-899-7627

The new ICN series of hardmount washer-extractors from IPSO® has been designed for on-premises laundry facilities, with features meant to help operators increase efficiency through reduced water consumption and decreased utility costs, the company says.

Available in 20-, 40-, 60-, 80- and 100-pound models, the ICN series comes with three control panel options. With Maestro G1, operators can choose from four pre-programmed cycles, and with Maestro G2, nine customizable wash programs are available with three water levels to choose from for better control of water usage. Thirty programmable water levels are offered with Maestro G3. Rapid-advance temperature-controlled fill, cycle time remaining and test cycle for diagnostics are additional features of the

ICN series, the company reports. IntelliSpin technology, which uses up to 200-G-force extraction speed to remove water from linens, is available on variable-speed 20- to 80-pound models. This helps reduce drying times, IPSO says, resulting in fewer bottlenecks at the dryer and matched cycle times between the washer and the dryer.

The models also come standard with slow-drain and leak detection.

The ICN series washer-extractors are constructed from welded steel, stainless steel and cast iron, and come with a three-year warranty, as well as a five-warranty on major parts, according to the company.

www.ipso.com 800-872-4776

The PC-80 flatwork ironer is now available from Girbau Industrial, and comes in 118-, 130and 138-inch finishing widths. The ironer features up to three 32-inchdiameter rolls and can deliver up to 93% energy efficiency, according to Girbau Industrial.

Other features of the PC-80 are a rigid chest with a mirror-polished surface, large flow channels and touch-screen Inteli Control.

Ironer models are available in natural gas, thermal oil or steam.

The company says the PC-80 can produce ironing speeds reaching 147 feet per minute, and with the

exclusive AutoSpeed® system, the ironer adjusts its speed and temperature according to fabric type and moisture content.

“The PC-80 not only offers total control over the ironing process, it delivers superior ironing results and greatly improves productivity,” said Joel Jorgensen, Continental Girbau Inc. vice president of sales and customer services.

“It perfectly fits the needs of mid- and high-volume laundries looking to finish hospitality and healthcare linens,” he adds.

www.girbauindustrial.com 800-256-1073

Designed with automotive customers in mind, AmeriPride Services’ new auto shop options include the Diamond Plate Shop Shirt and Performance Shop Pants and Shorts, both made exclusively for AmeriPride by Red Kap®. Inspired by car culture, the new offerings boast durability, comfort and convenience for those in “rigorous automotive and other industry jobs,” the company says.

The Diamond Plate Shirt is made from a polyester/cotton blend that the company says resists damage and stains, holds color and features an “eye-catching” diamond plate pattern. The shirt also has placketcovered snaps, reinforced pockets and a sewn-in collar for a professional look, the company says.

The Performance Shop Pants are made with the industry’s first industrial-friendly stretch canvas, according to AmeriPride, allowing for easy movement. Other features include a hidden waistband closure, reinforced cargo pockets and specialty pockets. The pants fit like a pair of relaxed jeans; the shorts have a 13-inch inseam for a “current, updated look.”

“Many of our customers need apparel that allows them to work comfortably and efficiently under demanding conditions, and our unique uniform options from Red Kap give them the edge to get the job done, and look professional while doing so,” says Andrew Steiner, vice president of marketing and customer operations at AmeriPride.

www.ameripride.com 800-750-4628

manufacturers: Have you introduced a new product? Revamped your system? Released a new catalog? E-mail your product news, along with a high-resolution image, to news@ americantrademagazines.com and we’ll consider publishing your news free in Tools of the Trade.

For those who want the look of an elegant emblem without spending too much, Penn Emblem has created PennTrans™ Satin Stitch Effect transfers. These transfers are a low-cost alternative to direct embroidery, says the company, and they have the “sheen and soft hand of embroidery, as well as resilience and durability.”

The transfers are digitally printed in vibrant color, and the company says they apply easily to a broad range of fabrics and

temperature-sensitive textiles. Satin Stitch can be used to brand performance polos, uniforms and other business-casual wear.

www.pennemblem.com 800-793-7366

Flatwork ironer adjusts speed, temperature based on fabric type, moisture content

New detergent formulated to fight stains, soils with non-ionic active blend

New transfers provide low-cost alternative to expensive emblems

Uniform options for auto shop workers made for durability, comfort and modern style

HANG AROUND WITH THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY

With over 10,000 people and 400+ exhibitors, the Clean Show is the most important event in the textile care industry. This is your chance to explore all the latest technologies, products and concepts, presented through live demonstrations and classroom based seminars.

For more information visit cleanshow.com.

April 16-19, 2015 Georgia World Congress Center Atlanta, Georgia USA

Business opportunities in hospitality: The role of a business plan

BY THERESA BOEHL, EDITOR

TAMPA, Fla. — Dramatic changes are starting to take place in the hospitality industry, as hotels begin to recover from the long recession that plagued the industry and so many others. These changes, says Glen Phillips, owner of international consulting and engineering firm Phillips & Associates, can mean new opportunities for hotel laundries to gain business in unexpected ways.

Phillips spoke on Developing New Business in the Hospitality Industry at the ALM educational conference earlier this year, detailing recent shifts that point to increased growth in this area, and highlighting ways that laundries can take advantage of that growth.

“There was a lot of money spent on hotel laundries and a lot of over-capacity in that area,” Phillips says. To make use of production capacities that are more than needed for their own facilities, hotel laundries are beginning to form business relationships that allow them to take on outside work. On the flip side, some properties are looking for ways to outsource laundry services and reduce their overall operational burden.

So how can operators begin to profit from these changes? For Phillips, it’s all about careful planning and projecting. He explains that a solid business plan can help hotels identify potential new markets and seek a steady stream of new customers. Commercial laundries, too, can use a business plan to get a piece of the newly available business.

A CHANGING MARKET

Phillips points out that while linen usage per guest is dropping each year, overall poundage of textiles processed has increased between 3% and 5% each year since 2008.

“By all estimates, room poundage will continue to increase in the future, consistent with the rise in population,” he says. New hotels are sprouting up in major metropolitan areas all over the world, but an increase in construction of new hotels doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in on-premises laundry facilities.

“Outsourcing is changing,” he adds. “We’re not going to see a lot of hotels investing money in laundry. They’re going to outsource those [services] wherever they can find a usable and quality provider. And that’s one of the things that we need to stay in tune with.”

PLANNING IT OUT

No matter how you envision your laundry taking advantage of the new changes in the market, be sure your

approaches are based on a solid framework—specifically, a thorough and well-researched business plan.

“A business plan can do so much for you and your management team,” says Phillips. It helps determine the feasibility of a project, outlines what the procedures will be for operating the business, and can even be a tool for securing financing for new ventures. Additionally, a good business plan will identify who potential new customers are, as well as who the competitors are and what their current market share is.

Phillips advises operators to put together a business plan any time there’s “a kernel of thought about expanding your business to do outsourced work,” or any time you’ll need such a document to present to a lending institution, either for funding a new business or for a merger or acquisition.

CREATING STRUCTURE

A good business plan resembles a building structure, Phillips says, in that it has a strong foundation, a solid structure and, finally, a roof on top that brings all of the elements together. In terms of content, the “foundation” should include an executive summary, a description of the company or business, and an explanation of the products and/or services.

Next, operators will need to come up with a description for the project and tackle things like management, ownership, marketing strategies, technological advantages and a production/operating plan to form the “structure.” All of this is topped off by the “roof,” which should include information on financial details, capital expenses, operating pro formas, balance sheet items and two-year cash flow projections.

Sound overwhelming? It doesn’t need to be, according to Phillips, if you follow a logical sequence in developing your plan.

First, start by developing several basic measures: the total annual pro-

cessing load by pieces and pounds; the number of operating hours per week; and the hourly production requirements. From there, you’ll be able to come up with estimates for space, equipment and staffing requirements. That information will lead into what the projected costs related to those elements will be.

“All of that funnels down into your final financial profile,” says Phillips. “And it’s that financial profile that really means the most to a banker.”

Don’t worry that producing estimates will sometimes feel like a shot in the dark.

“It would be nice if we all had crystal balls,” says Phillips. “We don’t. So you just have to take an educated guess.”

Another tip: Don’t neglect to take “soft costs” into account. Phillips defines soft costs as those related to extra elements of a project that might not be apparent at first glance. In the case of new equipment, for example, you would want to consider the costs related to installation, rigging and electrical work, among other things.

WRITING IT OUT

Once you have all the information you need, it’s a matter of buckling down and getting it on paper.

“None of us likes to write,” says Phillips. Still, do your best to make the business plan thorough and convincing, and be sure it includes an executive summary that’s “hard-hitting, interesting and persuasive.”

Before you go to any bank, be sure you’re confident in the information in the production plan and the financial plan specifically.

“If you don’t cover all of the costs in the situation, I guarantee that someone else looking at the report along the way will bring it up,” Phillips warns.

Finally, be aware that every business plan is unique. Some will need to be quite detailed, while others may not. Phillips says the business plan he proposes is just an outline, but in reality there’s no wrong or right way to develop a business plan.

“Develop the plan and then be diligent about working to that plan, because that’s the only thing that’s going to get you through.” ALN

Glen Phillips, Phillips and Associates, speaks to an Association for Linen Management educational conference audience earlier this year. (Photo: Theresa Boehl)

“OUTSOURCING IS CHANGING. WE’RE NOT GOING TO SEE A LOT OF HOTELS INVESTING IN LAUNDRY.”

—GLEN PHILLIPS

Le Méridien Indianapolis revamps laundry as part of renovations

by Theresa boehl, ediTor

INDIANAPOLIS — When the Le Méridien hotel opens here in downtown in December, it will boast not only a completely new look and renovated rooms, but a totally revamped laundry as well.

The structure, located at 123 S. Illinois St., was built in 1928 and opened as a 200-room hotel called the Lockerbie, according to Nicholas Clark, general manager of Le Méridien. Later it was the Warren Hotel, and was again purchased in 1983 and renovated as a luxury hotel called the Canterbury.

Clark says with this renovation, the ownership group is spending top dollar to make sure that “everything a guest touches or sees will be brand-new.”

And while guests will presumably never touch or see the hotel’s laundry, it, too, is equipped with brand-new equipment to process the high-quality linens meant to give guests a luxury experience.

“Efficiency was the main factor here,” says Clark about what considerations went into choosing new laundry equipment.

“We knew we needed a sheet ironer to facilitate a luxury look of clean, crisp linen. To accommodate that, we reduced the number of washers and dryers, and went with newer, more efficient models.”

Clark says a wall was removed, opening up space for a small-piece towel folder as well. He expects that when fully operational, the 640-square-foot facility will process 385,000 pounds of guestroom linens in the first year of occupancy and employ three full-time workers.

“It [was] an old, outdated laundry in the basement like a lot of them are in older hotels in downtown areas,” says Curtis McDowell, Indiana sales consultant with Loomis Bros. Equipment Co., which provided the equipment for the renovation.

Having the laundry located in the basement created some obstacles when it came to installation.

McDowell says the problem was averted by disassembling some of the equipment after testing at the factory and then reassembling it on-site.

Loomis supplied washers with high-G-force extraction, energyefficient dryers and automated equipment for folding of towels, all with the goal of modernizing the laundry and preparing it for the new linens it will be processing, according to McDowell.

In total, the laundry will have

two 60-pound-capacity Milnor washers; two 75-pound-capacity Milnor EcoDry dryers; a Chicago Dryer Co. Tandem 16-inch ironer/folder; an Air Chicago towel folder; and a Clean Cycle Systems Lint Lasso.

“By adding an ironer, we were able to take some of the production away from the dryer/tumblers, so we were able to reduce the dryers from three to two,” says McDowell.

Though Clark initially saw the creation of Le Méridien’s new laundry as nothing more than a necessary evil, he’s now proud of what they’ve accomplished.

“To be completely candid, we really did not want to have to process laundry for a 100-room hotel,” Clark says. “I am very pleased with the end result and think this laundry will be one of the more efficient operations that exists at a hotel of our size.”

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Le Méridien is renovating both its interior and its laundry facility. (Photo: Bruce Buck)

PAnEL Of ExPERTs

Sorting, arranging for better efficiency

time needed to fold the linens will decrease, allowing workers to assist in other areas of production.

Ensuring convenience of personal protective gear can help with efficiency, too. Having to spend time searching for protective gowns, gloves and masks reduces employee productivity.

according to the specific employee at an end-user’s location.

So in today’s plants, we need to look at when sorting should take place. What technology is out there to take over this task, and will it have an effective ROI based on the operation’s business plan?

etc.—once again optimizing the linen’s life cycle.

Reviewing your facility’s production flow and various job tasks can reveal inefficiencies that should be addressed to make the processes more efficient. I would enlist the help of your employees; they may have suggestions for increasing their own productivity or that of their co-workers.

Each task in the production process requires space, along with various tools. The idea is to have all the tools within the workspace. Generally, the soiled linen will enter the laundry on the soil side and will be sorted and transported either by cart or by sling to the washers. An examination of the process may reveal slings/carts aren’t always available for sorting, and the sorters have downtime or spend time searching for carts. Implementing a process in which the wash-aisle personnel transport the empty carts to a dedicated area near the soil sorters may help reduce downtime for the sorters. A task on the clean side that often proves to be made more efficient is the relocating of a folding table. By moving it to the middle of the finishing area instead of the far end, thousands of steps can be saved for the folders getting the carts from the dryers. The

These are just a few examples. In reviewing each task in the laundering process, from receiving the soiled linen to transporting the clean linen, there are likely some additional simple ways to arrange tools to make the process more efficient.

Again, your employees may have some suggestions for improved productivity. Providing clean, quality linens is a team effort.

Today, most sorting still starts on the soiled side of a facility. The goal here is to get the items sorted to the proper item, soil and/or processing classification. Once again, size may not be a sorting classification at this time, as downstream technologies may be available to handle this.

What is the importance of sorting? Effective pre-sorting allows goods not only to be processed optimally through the wash/dryer aisle, it also allows for goods to be immediately ready for final processing as the plant’s finishing technology allows.

I know some readers may have to post-sort for one reason or another, and those reasons may be valid. But the bottom line is that concessions will need to be made on the processing side, as one now has to wash according to the heaviest level. I would still recommend sorting take place before the dryers to at least optimize the processing at the dryer aisle. At the very least, goods will have to be sorted before they get to the processing stations of the finishing operators, to the level required by the finishing technologies used.

The operators of a plant’s finishing equipment should be able to process goods through

the equipment without stopping to sort items. This is where technology helps speed the process, especially when it comes to sorting by size.

As I mentioned earlier, today’s garment/apparel systems can take the clean sorting down to the specific set of garments used by a specific employee, or can separate by size for bulk processing.

Large-piece flatwork systems can measure goods on the fly, allowing not only for changes to the fold of the item as it goes through the system, but also allowing for separating by size as the items are stacked.

Small-piece folders can sort by multiple sizes, allowing for all room terries to be processed at once.

This is a question that has certainly evolved over the years. Today, it’s just as much about what technology has done to enhance the process. As an example, most major garment/apparel processors—whether utilizing bar codes or chips—let the system do the sorting. Once personnel hang garments to go through the steam tunnel, the system takes over from there, sorting the garments

With many plants dealing with anywhere from 100% cotton to 100% synthetic goods these days, sorting allows for the items to be washed and dried to the manufacturer’s specifications, hopefully ensuring the linens will have the life cycle they should.

Items sorted by classification tend to be similar in terms of soil level, allowing for the fine-tuning of one’s wash aisle in terms of chemistry, water usage,

“Every minute counts when working to produce clean linens in a timely fashion. How can simple sorting or arranging of items throughout production help to make the process more efficient?”

Chemicals supply Carrie Armstrong Ecolab Eagan, Minn.

Equipment manufacturing Gary Ostrum G.A. Braun Syracuse, N.Y.

(Photo: Theresa Boehl)

Identifying important factors for where and when to use finishing technologies for sorting begins and ends with a thorough analysis of plant operations. In doing so, one can understand which process allows for the best processing quality and highest production at the most attractive cost for one’s facility.

From the start of the laundering process to final finishing, all healthcare linen items require separation. Wash formulas are based on the anticipated soil deposited on those linen items. Heavily soiled items such as operating room linens and incontinent care products require heavier wash formulas and laundering durations.

Separation starts with the sorting and washing of items by not only category but by the specific items. Proper separation ensures that the wash process success-

fully removes soil and creates the products we serve our clients and their patients—hygienically clean linens.

From the wash chemistry and laundering process to the drying segment, specific formulas, durations, dryer temperatures and drying times are closely monitored by laundry managers on an ongoing basis to ensure that proper laundering occurs.

Textile composition is a key factor in this entire process. The move toward higher-polyester blends, and in some cases 100%

polyester, has had a huge impact on separation and the wash process.

In the healthcare linen business, there are basically 10 bedor patient-linen items that make up the bulk of the items used by hospitals and outpatient clinics. While in reality there may be hundreds of items served, these basic patient-linen items are generally sorted, laundered, processed, counted and packed separately from most other linen menu items.

During the production and

management process, a “needs” list is often used to help manage the internal movement of linens from washing through to the final stages of each individual account’s packing process.

Again, it’s important that separation of linen by item carries on. Separation actually carries on well beyond the laundry plant’s walls and delivery carts, eventually coming to an end once again where it all began—with the patient.

Sorting needs to be done at some point in the laundering process, whether it’s done before washing or on the clean side after being processed.

I have always pre-sorted before washing to make the process more streamlined. By doing this, you can categorize each item or sort by soil class. Washing will be made more efficient if you use the correct formula for the particular soil class.

This also translates to easier finishing on the clean side. For instance, towels can go straight to a folder and you can run one size of towels without having to sort through smaller towels, speeding production.

You’ll also be able to place a certain type of towel on a shelf or in a laundry cart without question. Sheets will go straight to the ironer without workers having to worry about sorting through towels or whatever else may be mixed in, so sheet production will increase as well.

With a smaller laundry, you can wash everything together and post-sort, but this will slow production down a bit, and you will also end up using more chemicals in the wash since you won’t be able to adjust for various soil classes. This will reduce the life of the linens, causing your linen costs to rise.

In my opinion, pre-sorting is the best option. It may take a little more labor on the front end, but it will drastically increase productivity on the back end and create a more efficient process.

CLM MEETS

In the commercial healthcare linen business, not all items are created equal, especially during the laundering process. Soiled healthcare linens come in two basic wash categories: heavy soil and light soil.

There is nothing more important to production than making sure no worker runs out of work. It’s more important than individual speed, IQ, arm length or worker flexibility and endurance.

Anytime workers run out of work, they have the opportunity to run errands of a personal nature, or to come up with a theory about why the work stopped flowing, or may have to go check with a supervisor about what to do next. This may seem very minor, but it’s disruptive, and therefore not minor at all.

simple but important. If possible, wash only full loads. If there isn’t enough linen of one category for a full load, then mix it.

Keep in mind that even a “missort” is distracting. Someone is going to have to sort it at some point. It isn’t productive to have your gown folder pull the scrubs and the baby blankets from the gowns, or the washcloths from the towels, or the draw sheets from the full sheets. Post-sorting went out years ago, and for good reason.

Clean work going to the folders needs to be ready for the folding staff, so there is no need for them to slow down or go get it. If there is a cart or a sling that needs to be moved, assign that task to someone who is not running a folder.

If you use bags, ties, covers, tacky wrap, etc., those items need to be where the staff doesn’t have to swim upstream to get to them.

Do you have a position or two in your plant that isn’t dedicated to a sole machine—a dryer operator, perhaps? Is it possible to use that position for moving things around that need to be relocated?

The same principle applies to the soil-sort room. The drivers or the personnel bringing the soiled linen down can put the carts in the order you need, so the soiled-room staff does not need to rearrange the work or hunt for specific items or equipment. They must be able to work on what is in front.

crisis with less-than-stellar results, find out what happened and why it went so badly. Decide how it will be handled in the future. We all know it will happen again. If we are prepared, we can keep the production workers producing and not waiting for us to figure it out once more.

and value?

sortation of items takes place in order to eliminate redeposition of soil or colors onto other items. Otherwise, an entire wash load of product can get ruined and result in the need to inject new product into the system.

With proper sortation of products, laundries can also save on energy and chemicals, as different products may require different wash formulas and time needed to process.

After being washed and extracted, it is very important that items stay separated as they move throughout the facilities to enable a smooth, timely and efficient workflow. Whether the items are hand-folded, bundled, wrapped and put onto carts for delivery or hung onto hangers, put through steam tunnels and then sorted by item, it all begins with proper sorting from the initial point of contact.

Managers need to develop a system where no one has to go looking for something to do— ever. Supervisors need to implement that system and tweak it when necessary. When production workers are doing anything else, their production comes to a halt. There is nothing worse for the process.

With all of that said, sorting is

Workers on the wash aisle need some dependable order in their storage area. Usually their work is positioned by others, but however it’s done, it must be consistent. These workers are usually creative and can find what they need under adverse circumstances, but why not ensure they can work more productively?

All decisions should be made by management ahead of time. Workers should never have to make a judgment or decision, and shouldn’t have to wait on management to make up its mind. Management should anticipate possible situations and preemptively determine what should be done.

If you’ve made it through a

When the shipping department workers prepare the finished work for distribution, they should organize it in the most advantageous order for the next handlers. If that works, you’ll be surprised at how cooperative you will find the staff bringing the soiled back to you. Everyone has a vendor, and everyone has a customer. If that fact is a driving principle, your life becomes much simpler.

A lesson my parents drilled into me on a daily basis was if you are going to do something, do it right the first time. They taught me that by working through the thought process first, I could eliminate the need to repeat the task due to sloppy work and avoid the possibility of damaging something along the way.

In my younger years, this advice hadn’t resonated with me quite yet. I remember one time I decided to help out at home by doing the laundry. Being young and always in a rush, I figured I’d just throw it all in the wash, add some detergent and bam—clean clothes.

Unfortunately for me, since I did not take the time to do it right from the start, the wash didn’t come out as pristine as I had anticipated.

Instead of the whites being whiter, it was more like the whites being pinker due to those few red T-shirts I never took the time to separate prior to loading the washer.

The lesson I learned holds true in our industry today. Starting in the soil room with soil sort, it is imperative that the proper

Without proper sortation of items, we risk the chance of items not being cleaned properly, soil redeposition onto other items, injection of new product into the system and the addition of many unforeseen minutes to our processing time to correct those errors, whether it be in washing, drying, pressing and/or garment sortation prior to route make-up.

The bottom line here is that if we take the time to do it right from the start, the production flow in our laundries will be more efficient. ALN

Isn’t it funny how the lessons our parents taught us as children were silly then, but today have a totally different meaning

Commercial Laundry

Richard Warren Linen King Conway, Ark.

(Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)

face mask during cleaning and disinfection. Leg covers, shoe covers and any additional barriers should be used as needed, and any reusable gloves worn during cleaning should be disinfected and “kept in the room or anteroom.”

The CDC lists even those not directly involved in patient care— including those involved in laundry and housekeeping activities— as “healthcare personnel” who should follow the recommendations for PPE during cleaning and disinfection activities.

The Association for Linen Management (ALM) reports that it obtained clarification from the CDC on several points regarding textile care management during a late August conference call. According to ALM, the CDC stated the following with regard to PPE in cases of a confirmed Ebola patient:

“There should be no concerns with following normal laundering of the care provider’s uniform. If there is a breakthrough in any of the PPE and exposure occurs, the individual would report and follow the healthcare [facility’s] blood or body fluid exposure plan.

The additional step would be to contain and discard the uniform exactly the same as other textiles used in that specific room.”

Discarding all “linens, nonfluid-impermeable pillows or mattresses and textile privacy curtains” from a confirmed infected patient as regulated medical waste will reduce the risk of exposure among staff, says the CDC.

Additionally, disposable materials such as “any single-use PPE, cleaning cloths, wipes, single-use microfiber cloths, linens [and] food service” should be placed in a leakproof containment and also discarded as regulated medical waste.

The waste bag should be placed in a rigid waste receptacle to minimize contamination of the exterior of the bag.

Incineration of the materials can also be effective against “viral infectivity,” but facilities should check with their states’ regulated medical waste programs for more guidance, according to the CDC.

In cases where the Ebola virus is suspected in a patient but not confirmed, the CDC says linen should be left in the patient room until test results are obtained, which can take 24-72 hours. If the tests show the patient is not infected, the linen can be processed according to “regular procedure” at a facility; if the patient does indeed

have the virus, the linen should be discarded and treated as regulated medical waste.

Healthcare facilities are advised to avoid placing patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola virus in carpeted rooms. Upholstered furniture and decorative curtains should be removed from the patient room before use as part of the CDC’s guidance to avoid contamination of “reusable porous surfaces that cannot be made single use.” Only a mattress and pillow with plastic or other covering should be used.

Additional recommendations regarding the use of disinfectants, dealing with spills and recommendations for disposing of waste can be found in Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in

Hospitals for Ebola Virus, available online at www.cdc.gov. Those involved in textile care management in healthcare facilities are encouraged to review the document in full, as not all recommendations are outlined here.

On Sept. 6, the CDC released a Health Care Facility Preparedness Checklist for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)

The checklist, also available at the CDC website, outlines the infection control procedures a facility should review in preparation for treating a patient with the virus, and includes recommendations for the review of environmental cleaning procedures, PPE, infection control supplies, and education and training of healthcare personnel, among others.

REACTIONS FROM INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS

“Overall, the CDC is extremely confident our healthcare system can handle any threat from Ebola. It is an ‘envelope’ virus and is easily killed by standard cleaners,” the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) says in an e-mail to its membership. “It is important to reassure clients and employees that our healthcare system and professional launderers can easily defeat the Ebola virus.”

The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) released a statement reminding accredited laundries to “maintain their diligence in following the safe laundry procedures set forth in its standards for processing healthcare textiles.” Gregory Gicewicz, president of HLAC, states that the council has outlined procedures that are “particularly relevant” to the Ebola situation that can be found in Accreditation Standards for Processing Reusable Textiles for use in Healthcare Facilities, 2011 edition, available at HLAC’s website, www.hlacnet.org.

On its website, ALM provides a link to a forum where association members can post questions related to handling potentially contaminated linens. ALM says it will work to get the questions addressed and provide responses to members. ALN

Introducing the Compact 5-in-One Ironing System

It’s like nothing else. The Girbau Industrial Compact 5-in-One Ironing System delivers a compact design and superior flexibility that allows medium- and high-production laundries to quickly feed, iron, fold, stack and accumulate. It processes a variety of items using up to four lanes and offers a two-lane crossfold option. This space-saving system generates processing speeds of up to 82-feet-per-minute; is available in 24-, 32- and 48-inch diameters with 102- and 130inch finishing widths; and features natural gas or liquid propane (LP) heat sources.

(Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

NAPERY AND TABLE LINENS

AMERICAN DAWN INC.

Table linens touch every customer at every event, and they must represent the company with a fresh, clean, safe, consistent, reliable and elegant touch.

American Dawn offers USAmade, Signature Plus™ fabric table linens from Milliken. The linens have a soft luxurious hand, with consistent, long-lasting color—whites stay white and colors stay bright, according to the company.

Signature Plus table linen products also feature soil/stain release in the company’s environmentally responsible, reusable textiles with energy-efficient processing, the company says.

www.americandawn.com 800-821-2221

cialty items, all made in the U.S., such as placemats and fitted cloths, custom sizes for unique size tables, and fabrics that include wide widths for fewer seams.

www.tableskirts.com 800-527-0440

RIEGEL—MOUNT

VERNON MILLS

Riegel, a division of Mount Vernon Mills Inc., introduces Vintage Charm table linen for an elegant and sophisticated look.

Vintage exudes charm, says the company, with natural-looking burlap-like napkins. The 16-by22-inch napkins have serged edges and look remarkably like any expensive burlap counterpart, Riegel adds.

Unlike natural jute or burlap, Vintage Charm napkins are made from 100% OB+ MJS polyester designed to age well. The napkins will not shrink, fade, tear or pill, and are tested to withstand commercial laundering, according to the company.

ROYAL BLUE INTERNATIONAL

Royal Blue International supplies bedding, terry products and patient apparel through five divisions of operation: healthcare, hospitality, government, textile rental, and athletic clubs and spas.

and torque, less shrinkage during washing, quick drying, stability against deformation and standard 3M soil-release finish for improved release.

MJS napkins come in a standard 20-by-20-inch size and are available in 12 colors. Tabletop sizes range from the standard 42-by-42 inch and 52-by52 inch, etc., up to a 132inch round.

www.royalblueintl.com 800-693-5426

VENUS GROUP

Venus Group, formerly Venus Textiles, is committed to the laundry industry by providing easy-toprocess, high-end napery items, the company says.

Venus offers Milliken and Co.’s Signature® products with domestic manufacturing in the group’s Southern California corporate office and distribution center.

Venus stocks more than 35 colors of napkins and tablecloths, ready for immediate shipment.

Venus recently began stocking Milliken fabric in 122-inch- and 134-inch-wide Horizon fabric.

vortex spun in both directions and have lock-stitched hems using seven to eight stitches per inch.

Filament products generally rate higher on most soil-release tests than all-spun products, providing long-lasting protection, and the fabrics have excellent starch acceptance, says Pinnacle.

The Infinity linens are available in 6.4-ounce and 6.8-ounce fabrics. Both weights are durable and absorbent fabrics, and they are stocked in white, black and a growing palette of colored napkins.

Gourmet Table Skirts & Linens introduces the Gourmet Swirl, the company’s newest HD Damask designs. The Swirl fabric is made by Milliken and is exclusive to Gourmet.

The fabrics offer quality and color consistency wash after wash, and an innovative soil technology means washing at lower temperatures, according to the company. Combining Gourmet’s cut-and-sew operation and Milliken’s domestic mills, the company says it is able to meet any deadline request.

Gourmet Table Skirts & Linens offers spe-

Vintage Charm table runners and placemats can provide a unique accent for special events, dinners or banquets.

Riegel is also the name for Mount Vernon’s Consumer Products Division, a one-stop textile shop with expanding product offerings.

www.riegellinen.com 800-845-2232

The company’s new 7.2-ounce MJS table linens, napkins and aprons are spun by Murata’s jet spinning system, with a yarn structure different from conventional ring-spun and open-end yarns, the company says.

Ring-spun yarns are composed of a twisted fiber structure, while MJS yarn consists of wrapped fiber on cone fibers.

The wrapped-fiber structure of the MJS yarn results in a number of added features: improved water absorption, more resistance to piling, better permeability, less twist

This plain-weave, banquet-style cloth offers stain-release features, as well as resistance to shrinking, fading and linting. The fabric enables Venus to manufacture round, seamless tablecloths in 120-inch and 132-inch sizes in most colors. The tablecloths are normally shipped within a week of order, the company says.

www.venusgroup.com 800-421-6599

PINNACLE TEXTILE INDUSTRIES

Among the wide array of napery and linens offered by Pinnacle Textile Industries is the Infinity line, made of 100% Murata vortex spun fabric, according to the company. Items are Murata

Also available are the APEX linens, made with 6.2-ounce Murata jet spun polyester. This hybrid fabric combines the absorbency and soft hand of Murata Air Jet Spun technology with the soil release and extra durability of filament polyester, according to the company. For added protection, all whites and all colors are treated with 3M Scotchgard™ protector.

www.pinnacletextile.com 800-901-4784

[Milliken & Co.]

MILLIKEN & CO.

Milliken’s Signature® Stripe, a new 20-inch-square bistro napkin fabric, is a simple yet sophisticated table-top accessory that is easy to process in the laundry. The napkin can be bleached with other white napkins and it won’t lose the stripe border, the company says.

www.millikentablelinen.com 800-322-8326

GOURMET TABLE SKIRTS & LINENS

[Pinnacle Textile Industries]

[Riegel—Mount Vernon Mills]

COMPILED BY JEAN TELLER, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Best textiles

The Centura® Table Linens line from Best Textiles consists of 100% spun polyester napery and tabletops. Keeping the importance of fiber and fabric construction in mind, the company weaves fabric in its factories from 100% spun polyester yarn, and the colors are high-pressure jet dyed for fastness and minimal wash down.

Centura® Table Linens have a soft touch and stain release power that has proven to stand up to the rigors of industrial washing, according to the company. With two distribution centers in the

U.S. and the ability to ship factory-direct containers, Best Textiles says it is able to be versatile when it comes to customization and can optimize the cost and delivery of textiles.

www.besttextiles.com 800-241-5060

Calderon textiles

Calderon Textiles offers a wide variety of napkins and table linen, including the company’s own Celebration™ line of imported table linen.

This linen includes white cloths in eight different sizes and is made from 6.4-ounce spun polyester. Napkins also are available in nine colors.

Since 2009, Calderon has manufactured table linen and dining scarves made from Milliken & Co.’s Signature Plus™ fabric. The fabric’s soil-release capabilities allow for a lower wash temperature (120 F), the company says.

Calderon helps users customize a dining or banquets program utilizing any of the 26 Signature

textile rental, healthcare and hospitality industries.

www.calderontextiles.com 800-252-1986

Garnier-thieBaut

In 100% cotton, polycotton or 100% polyester, the Bistro napkin from Garnier-Thiebaut offers restaurants a customized means of building a brand and image.

The cotton Bistro napkin, sized 22-by-16.5-inches, is customizable for design, color, weave, custom logo and finishing, the company says.

Garnier-Thiebaut Inc. is a

French textile-design company manufacturing high-quality table, bed and bath linens. With the acquisition of Hilden America in 2010, Garnier Thiebaut USA has a complete portfolio of table linens, bed linens, terry and room accessories, the company says.

www.gtlinens.com 888-812-6670

Coming in December’s Product Showcase: Detergents, Chemicals & Injection Systems

Plus™ classic colors. Washing and drying instructions are available on the Calderon Textiles website.

In business since 1983, Calderon Textiles provides products and customer service to the

[Best Textiles]

[Calderon Textiles]

[Garnier-Thiebaut]

Grand strand keeps rental housing linen flowing

by b i LL b rooks

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Every business has a specialty, and churning out clean linens is the bread and butter of Grand Strand Linen. During peak tourist season, the linen supply service processes and delivers up to 120,000 pounds of towels, bedsheets and tablecloths weekly for the area’s rental housing community.

My company, UniMac, sat down with owner David DiMarino to discuss the tools and technologies that allow Grand Strand Linen to efficiently process such a high volume of linens—even amid the sand, bronzers and suntan lotions that come with the territory.

Describe Grand Strand Linen’s customer base and how it affects the

laundry operation.

DiMarino: Guests come from around the world for a vacation in North Myrtle Beach. Upon their arrival, it’s our job to have a customized assortment of perfectly folded, packaged and labeled linens already waiting at the rental condo or house.

Our goal is to contribute to a hassle-free vacation experience for the 2,550 rental units we service, yet we are simultaneously challenged to protect the large investment we make in those premium linens. Linens are often treated as if they’re disposable— for example, using hand towels as bike polishers or pillowcases as laundry bags—and that means wear and tear. Additionally, we frequently face stains that are not water-soluble.

These challenges make reliable, state-of-the-art equipment a crit-

ical component of Grand Strand Linen’s success and customer’s satisfaction. Our industrialstrength machines are engineered to stand up to a high throughput and their advanced control sys-

tems offer the technology and flexibility for optimal fabric care.

What technologies are integral to your facility’s efficiency?

DiMarino: Our throughput has increased and our utility costs have decreased since we’ve installed more and more machines equipped with state-of-the-art technologies. One technology

Grand Strand Linen, North Myrtle Beach, S.C., processes and delivers up to 120,000 pounds of linens weekly. (Photos: Grand Strand Linen)

Luxury guests expect you Savings deserve

critical to processing linens quickly and more effectively is the spray-rinse technology on our washer-extractors, which uses less water and leaves less residue on linens compared to a bath rinse alone. Thanks to spray rinse, the percentage of linens we must spot-treat and rewash has dropped from 15% to 6%. These washer-extractors also have fantastic extract speeds, saving us approximately 10 minutes of dry time because less water is left in the load.

That time savings is extended again at the tumble dryer with over-dry prevention technology. This feature allows us to set moisture levels so the machine shuts off exactly when linens are dry—not after a standard such as 40 minutes. It takes the guesswork out of dryness, preserves our linen’s integrity and doesn’t waste our employees’ time, utilities or natural resources. The machine pays for itself in the first year of use based on utility and labor savings alone.

Linen replacement represents 13-25% of an OPL’s annual costs. How do you keep this cost low?

DiMarino: We can’t control how guests or the beach will treat our linens, but we can control how our equipment does. We used to spend approximately $70,000 a year on bath towels alone—that amounts to about 22,000 new towels purchased annually. Combining the benefits of sprayrinse technology and over-dry prevention, we are getting three or four seasons out of these towels, rather than one or two. That amounts to about $40,000 in savings per year on towels alone.

Overall, we’ve cut our linen replacement costs in half. Those numbers are even more impressive with the busy season getting longer. It’s currently about 24 weeks, compared to 12 weeks when we started doing business in 2010.

With such a high volume of linens that need to be cleaned, what strategies are in place regarding wash formulas?

DiMarino: We’ve worked very closely with our chemical company to select and fine-tune wash formulas, regularly test pH levels and effectively program the 41 wash cycles offered by our washer-extractors’ advanced control system.

Each machine is hooked up to a chemical pump and programmed to automatically match the right chemical and wash

program for the items being laundered.

For example, an employee presses “white towels” and can walk away knowing the wash formula is correct. The advanced control system gives us the confidence and flexibility to select cycles based on our unique wash needs.

Additionally, the custom water circulation system installed throughout our 22,000-square-foot facility helps us further maximize the wash formula. In such a large building, the circulation system ensures water temperature is accurate when it enters the washer-extractor. We’ve found that water that’s at least 160 F does the best job of getting linens bright and clean the first time.

Any other advice for OPL managers?

DiMarino: Grand Strand Linen started out with just three washer-extractors and three tumble dryers. Those numbers are now 18 and 14, with capacities ranging from 35 to 255 pounds.

With so many machines and such a high volume of linens coming through our doors, the advanced control systems’ reporting functions allow us to pull performance reports, be reminded of regular maintenance checks, ensure throughput is on track with client billing and more.

Another tip when dealing with such a large throughput is to sort linens by type—towels, sheets, pillowcases, etc.— before putting them in the wash. This makes the transition from dryer to iron or dryer to folding station much smoother.

My last piece of advice is to work closely with your distributor to select the right equipment mix for your needs. We plan to expand further and add five more 100-pound-capacity washer-extractors in the near future. We attribute much of the rapid growth we have had in just four years of doing business to that relationship.

ALN

Bill Brooks is national sales manager for UniMac®, a provider of on-premises laundry equipment. He can be reached at bill. brooks@alliancels. com or 920-748-4437. For more information on UniMac, visit www unimac.com/OPL101 or call 800-587-5458.

B&C’s entire line of washers, dryers, and finishing equipment is built for long life, engineered for performance, and ultimately designed to save you money.

Grand Strand Linen washes premium linens for 2,550 vacation rental units.

Brooks

Laundrylux promotes Milch to VP OPL sales, PLUS

INWOOD, N.Y. — Laundrylux reports that it has promoted Cody Milch to vice president of OPL sales throughout North American for Electrolux, Wascomat and PLUS.

In Milch’s new position, he will work with the OPL/PLUS team—Dan Goldman, Ernesto Rodriguez and Mike Kelson—as well as the company’s distributors, according to Laundrylux.

Milch and his team members will develop relationships with architects, consultants and others to “specify our products into projects, leveraging our unique access with Electrolux Professional’s commercial kitchen division,” the company says.

Milch joined Laundrylux as the company’s PLUS Product Manager last year.

“Only Electrolux [and] Laundrylux have the capacity to provide a full suite of commercial and professional laundry and kitchen equipment to OPL customers in hospitality and healthcare,” says Milch. “I look forward to growing and developing this process and creating opportunities and sales resulting for our distributors.”

Venus Group adds two reps

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — Venus Group, a company specializing in the production of textiles, has added two new representatives, Steve Bobo and Keith Loitz, to its staff.

Bobo was hired as a corporate account specialist. He has

Track Career

worked in the textile industry for more than 40 years, and he most recently retired from Milliken and Co., where he served in various positions, including hospitality team leader, for 21 years. He and his team assisted hospitalityfocused companies in adding Milliken products to hotel, convention center and cruise-line industries.

Prior to his work within the hospitality team, Bobo was a human resource manager in multiple Milliken manufacturing plants in South Carolina, North Carolina and New Hampshire.

Bobo graduated from Lander University, where he majored in business management and marketing.

Loitz, regional sales manager, will work with hospitality and institution-focused accounts in the central and southern regions of California. Previously, he worked as a corporate sales representative for Prudential Overall Supply, an industrial uniform and mat company based in Southern California.

He has also worked in sales with Restaurant.com and MOGL as an account executive. He attended Moorpark College and California State University.

Penn Emblem adds new e-commerce web developer

PHILADELPHIA — Keith Hoover will be Penn Emblem’s new e-commerce web developer, the company reports.

Hoover originally worked for Weis Markets, where he was responsible for integrating PeopleSoft and Kronos for two years.

At Hoover’s new position at

Penn Emblem, he will be responsible for building, maintaining and expanding the web development of the company.

“We are excited to employ new talent within our company,” Penn Emblem says.

New hires, promotion at Gurtler Industries

SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. — Gurtler Industries Inc., manufacturer of detergents and specialty chemicals for the commercial laundry industry, reports having made several personnel moves recently.

Isaac Coleman serves as manager of market development for Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Troy Unkle is also a manager of market development, serving Michigan and Ohio. He has 28 years of laundry industry experience.

Mike Malartsik has worked with Gurtler for six years and has been in the laundry industry for

34 years. His recent promotion to vice president of special projects will allow him to work with distributor programs and advertising and trade shows. He will continue work with Gurtler’s international accounts and some corporate accounts.

Tingue, Brown & Co. hires sales rep, sr. consultant

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. — Tingue, Brown & Co. says it has appointed Jason Sotiroff as a new representative for the firm in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Sotiroff has earned a bachelor of science in marketing from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in business administration from University of Illinois.

Sotiroff has held various positions in the construction industry, which include customer service representative, credit manager and independent contractor.

Donald Maida has been named senior consultant at TBR Associates, one of the Tingue, Brown companies.

Maida has more than 30 years of operational experience in the laundry and textile services industries, the company reports. He has a bachelor of science in marketing and business administration from Fairfield University, has attended the Executive Management Institute, and in 1999 received the National Linen’s President’s

award for “the 18-month operational and profitability turnaround of an operation in St. Louis, Mo.,” according to the company.

Before joining TBR Associates, Maida was director and vice president of operations for an industrial laundry in New England.

Performance Matters adds consultants, management execs

FORT MILL, S.C. — Performance Matters, a strategic consulting company serving the textile rental services industry, has added Bill Ernst and Brent Casebolt as senior consultants, and welcomed Steve Royals as its new chief strategy officer (CSO), and Currie Gilbert as director of business strategy.

In their new roles, Ernst and Casebolt will craft new strategies for clients to improve and streamline their business processes.

“I’m looking forward to putting my knowledge and experience to work for the benefit of our clients,” says Ernst, who brings more than 33 years of management experience to the company.

Casebolt has specialized in developing training material and operating guidelines, as well as overseeing products and services of large territories, according to Performance Matters.

Casebolt says he is “excited to begin developing lasting relationships with

Milch

Unkle

Coleman

Malartsik

Bobo

Sotiroff

Ernst Casebolt

Hoover

Performance Matters’ client base.”

Before joining Performance Matters, Royals worked in global sales and executive management in emerging and Fortune 500 companies. Royals will now be assisting founder and CEO of Performance Matters, Troy Lovins, in “creating and executing strategic initiatives.”

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of leading positive change on the industry and delivering sustainability value, both financially and culturally, to the independents,” he says.

Gilbert brings more than 14 years of account service and strategic management experience to the company, and will be focusing on monitoring, introducing and maintaining business strategies at Performance Matters.

“I’m looking forward to building deep and long-lasting relationships, not only within this great organization, but with our clients as well,” says Gilbert.

Flexco hires Hay as product manager

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — Belt conveyor manufacturer Flexco has welcomed Katie Hay as its newest product manager, the company reports. Hay will focus on the company’s light-duty mechanical belt fastener and belt conveyer products.

Hay will be based out of the company’s Downers Grove facility and will be responsible for the marketing strategy and activities associated with her product line.

Hay, who has 28 years of experience in product management with manufacturing and industrial products, says, “My goal is to move our marketing plan forward and to guide ideas for new, innovative products.”

“Katie has a broad skillset in product management, including strategic planning, new product development, technical troubleshooting, communications plans, pricing strategies and much more,” says Beth Miller, director of marketing at Flexco. “Even in her limited time here, [her] skills have proved useful

LLT adds new VP of sales, project/sales support engineer

BEACON FALLS, Conn. — Lavatec Laundry Technology (LLT) has hired Keith Ware to be its vice president of sales, and Lanier Bone its new project and sales support engineer.

Ware’s extensive industry experience includes his eight years at Crothall Laundry Services;

his work as Southeast division senior vice president at Tartan Textile Services; as vice president at ThermalRecycle; as regional sales manager at AquaRecycle; as vice president of laundry consulting at Victor Kramer Company; and his 10 years at the Walt Disney Company’s Textile Services, where

he managed an operation of three facilities, cleaning 100 million pounds of linen and 13 million garments annually, according to LLT.

Ware has a degree in commercial resort management from Penn State University.

Bone has worked in the industrial laundry service industry for 17 years, starting at Gartner Systems USA as a sales engineer. He has also worked at Jensen USA, and has been a general manager for Crothall Laundry Services, Sodexo USA and Isothermal Textile Services.

“Having worked in laundry management for several years, I’m planning to establish myself as a premier design engineer and help LLT strengthen their reputation for having the best layout and system solution in the industry. One of the first things I’ll be working on is to have the ability to model drawings in 3-D,” says Bone. ALN

on several areas of our marketing programs.”

Ware Bone

Royals

Gilbert Hay

rFid tracking offers hospitality industry sense of control, cost containment

by theresA boehL, editor

As anyone who processes or manages textiles in the hospitality industry knows, keeping track of where linens are at any given time can be an overwhelming task. Luckily, for those willing to make the investment, there are advanced technologies that can help laundry/linen managers keep tabs on their uniforms and other textiles, no matter where they’re processed.

Technology that utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) is one such solution, as it allows for wireless identification, tracking and data transfer through small RFID chips sewn into or heatsealed to a piece of linen or a uniform.

American Laundry News spoke with contacts at hotels that use RFID to manage linens and uniforms, as well as some representatives from commercial laundries involved in textile rental and processing for the hospitality industry, to hear about their experiences

with the technology and how it has affected operations.

MANAGING HOTEL LINENS

For Yolima Rodriguez, executive housekeeper at the Intercontinental Buckhead Hotel, a 422-room property in downtown Atlanta, the feeling of having more control and a better idea of the location of linens and uniforms are the main benefits of using an RFID system.

Three years ago, the hotel began using the system to track items like sheets, pillowcases and bath towels sent to a third-party laundry. Just this year, the hotel implemented another system strictly for hotel employee uniforms, also processed off-site. Both systems are enabled by software from InvoTech Systems.

Rodriguez says the ability to see what’s moving in and out of the laundry helps her know how the third-party laundry is doing in terms of making sure the right number of pieces are returned.

The RFID system at Intercontinental makes use of ultrahigh frequency (UHF) chips, which allow for scanning of an entire cart of linens at a time for immediate counting and reporting.

“So at the end of the month, we’ll be able to see how many pieces we sent out that month, and how many pieces we received, what [pieces] were returned, and if we lost something,” she says.

It’s that kind of “evidence,” she says, that wipes out the “human factor” that can lead to errors and misunderstandings about where missing linen ended up. Rodriguez says she no longer has to argue with the laundry that processes her linen about orders that came back short.

“I can say to them, I sent you

100 pillowcases, and you just sent me 96,’” she says. “And now, with this system, you know what I say is what the system says.”

In terms of uniforms, having the system cuts down on the mysteri-

(Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)

ous disappearances of employee garments.

“For instance, with the uniforms, an employee could say, ‘I haven’t received my pants for the last three days,’” Rodriguez

explains. “So I can see exactly when the last time he put [those pants] in the dirty area was, or I can tell him exactly the last time that he gave us that piece of uniform.”

Rodriguez says the feeling of control enabled by the system is enhanced by reports it generates that give information on the number of washes an item has received, which helps her make estimates about linen replacement.

At the Waldorf Astoria in New York, an RFID system helps Qian Li, housekeeping coordinator, keep track of employee uniforms at the 1,508-room hotel. Li says the hotel has about 1,400 team members in the system and more than 10,000 pieces of garment in circulation.

The hotel is equipped with five Metalprogetti B2k systems, installed in 2010. The B2k is an automated uniform loading, dispensing and collecting system that can be integrated with RFID technology. At the Waldorf Astoria, every garment is outfitted with an RFID chip that carries the team member’s information, such as name and department.

Li says the hotel used to spend a lot of money buying replacement uniforms when team members would take them home or damage them. Now, having information on the whereabouts and the state of the uniforms allows Li to find a better solution than simply issuing more garments.

“The system offers you a report of live inventory, so you will know what and how many to order,” she says. “No need to spend your time on counting and waste money on something that you don’t really need.”

The system runs around the clock, so workers can get their uniforms whenever they need them. But anyone thinking of adopting a similar system should be prepared to train employees on its use, according to Li.

“Tell [employees] how the system is working, why it is better than the system before, and what they need to do,” she advises. “The cooperation of well-educated team members will make your life much easier.”

Dealing with high-tech equipment may mean you’ll need a dedicated employee who can handle technical aspects of the system, Li adds.

“You need a very handy person

on-site to know how to take care of the system—software and hardware,” she says. “This is new technology in (the) United States— not too many people know how it works. Although Metalprogetti offers very good support, you still need someone on-site to do physical work.”

COMMERCIAL LAUNDRIES

Hotels aren’t the only businesses installing RFID technology for tracking and inventory of linens. Commercial laundries are also integrating it to streamline their processes and produce more accu-

rate deliveries for their hospitality clients and others.

Tony Poploskie, vice president of GBS Linens, Anaheim, Calif., says his company’s RFID system helps staff know when they’ve filled an order accurately. GBS Linens is a linen rental company servicing the special events industry. The company rents, processes and manufactures a variety of linens for both small and large hotels.

“It allows us to keep pretty good track of the linen and obviously it helps with the inventory control,”

Poploskie says. GBS Linens has been using RFID software supplied by Positek RFID for about 10 years.

In terms of the benefits it can provide the company’s hotel customers, Poploskie says knowing the inventory status at its various facilities around the country helps the company fill the larger orders requested by hotels.

“The inventory is what we call real-time inventory,” says Poploskie. “The Positek system ‘talks’ to our in-house rental software system, and it updates two to four times every hour.”

And for the company itself, being able to confirm that certain types of soiled linens are on-site means it can simply process those soiled linens to fill an order, rather than scrambling to make something brand-new.

“Our manufacturing costs went down because we didn’t have to manufacture as much,” says Poploskie.

Additionally, since the system can facilitate the sorting of orders simultaneously rather than doing them one at a time, the company

was able to grow without increasing warehouse staff.

Having access to usage data is importance to the business, too, he adds. It helps the company find the best pricing based on how long the linens last, and has caused it to re-examine wash formulas to help extend the life of the linen.

“That helps us, and it also helps our clients, because we’re handling similar linens for them, and it helps us get more turns for them for their linens,” he says.

Poploskie has no regrets about installing RFID technology, though it seemed a bit risky when the company was planning installation about a decade ago.

“There are a lot of inherent problems with being pioneers … we had a learning curve,” he says. “And the people who have followed us have kind of benefited from that.”

Poploskie advises other laundries considering adopting the technology to “plan very carefully and then go back and plan some more.”

He says operators should also be sure the system can integrate with other software and systems already on-site.

“That was a major thing we had getting into it,” he says, “because Positek kept track of the linen, but not the orders—that’s not what

they do. So we had to make sure that it meshed well with our order tracking software.”

For Kevin Gallagher, production manager/IT manager at Gallagher Uniform, Battle Creek, Mich., implementing an RFID system was a “game-changer.” The family-owned and -operated company focuses primarily on garment rental, and has supplied to a variety of businesses, including a large casino and some other hospitality clients.

Gallagher Uniform uses the RFID chips as part of a Datamars system to read how many washings a garment has had, how long

it’s been assigned to a certain person, and even the identities of all previous wearers. This information can be shared with customers through reports available through “G-Trak,” the company’s online service.

“It’ll give our customers what we call a garment listing report,” Gallagher explains. “So any individual wearer can look up all their garments, tell where they’re at, see when the last time it’s been delivered to them, and they can communicate effectively with us.”

Gallagher says RFID readers distributed throughout the plant pick up information on the uniforms

so that they can be sorted by each individual wearer.

“And at the end of the system, everything is ready for delivery again with minimal human interaction,” he says.

Three years ago, the company implemented a “bundle-verify” process: a bundle of garments to be delivered to the customer is scanned and verified by the company’s internal software, which will give the bundle the final verification in the form of a green “go” signal. A red “stop” signal means something’s not right.

“It’s a way for us to effectively say our deliveries are complete,” says Gallagher. “We verified it and it’s good to go out the door.”

In terms of benefits for the company’s hospitality clients, he says its use of the RFID technology allows clients to focus on the hospitality business, not the uniform business.

Adopting new technology is never easy, and Gallagher advises companies to be sure they have a good idea of how they intend to use the RFID technology before making that “sizable investment.”

“So again, if you’re investing and you haven’t really made the plan as to why you’re investing or how you’re going to get the most out of your money, that’s a risk worth considering.”

ALN

RFID technology was a “game-changer” for Gallagher Uniform. (Photo: Gallagher Uniform)

Rwanda hospital updates laundry equipment to help reduce infection

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Kibagabaga District Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda, recently received a new industrial dryer supplied by American Dryer Corp. (ADC). The ADE 758 dryer was shipped from here to Kenya and imported to Rwanda. The 200-bed healthcare facility hopes the new dryer will help reduce infection.

The International Organization for Women and Development (IOWD) purchased the dryer through an ADC distributor in the Middle East, according to Mike Davidson, chief financial officer of ADC.

The group of IOWD volunteer doctors and nurses travel to Rwanda to care for women suffering from fistulas, an abnormal connection between organs that occurs after an obstructed labor without medical assistance.

Before the availability of the dryer, medical staff would line-dry clean linens, exposing them to contaminated areas with ants and bird feces. These elements led to high infection rates in the facility.

“We were finding mold on operating room articles,” says Barbara A. Margolies, executive director of IOWD.

“Having a proper working laundry is essential for any functioning hospital.

Now, with this dryer, we can dramatically reduce the infection rate, an absolute necessity.”

To help with ongoing care of the

dryer, ADC donated a box of spare parts, manuals and schematics.

“This is a very big deal for the staff,” says Margolies. “They’ve never had American-quality machines before. They feel very special to have this machine.”

“It’s quite a trip for a dryer made in Fall River, Mass., although it’s indicative of ADC’s global reach and reputation,” says Chris FitzGerald, CEO of ADC.

“We’re pleased to see one of our units put to such important use, and we look forward to having our equipment and customer service team support IOWD and the Kibagabaga District Hospital for many years to come.”

AmeriPride partners with community organizations for ‘Day of Service’

MINNEAPOLIS — In celebration of its 125th anniversary, AmeriPride says its branches across the United States and Canada will participate in a ‘Day of Service,’ where employees will spend all or a portion of their workday volunteering for a local organization.

Some initiatives being planned include preparing meals at a local soup kitchen, donating towels, participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and supplying and distributing school supplies to underprivileged students at a local elementary schools, among others.

The program allows individual branches to decide which causes to support, encouraging them to participate in ones they have a personal connection with, according to AmeriPride.

“We’re proud of our longevity in the industry and growth as a company, as well as the positive impact we’ve made on the businesses and communities we serve,” says Bill Evans, president and CEO of AmeriPride Services. “This Day of Service initiative is a great way to celebrate our successes while giving back and engaging with our neighbors in our branch communities.”

In other recent fundraising efforts celebrating the company’s anniversary, AmeriPride raised more than $125,000 for the Twin Cities United Way. It reports that it won the Twin Cities United Way “Best in Show” award for “an annual campaign which significantly increased participation and funds raised.”

UniMac names Super Laundry

Year

RIPON, Wis. — UniMac has named Columbus, Ohiobased Super Laundry its 2013 Distributor of the Year, the company reports.

The award is presented to the top-performing UniMac distributor based on total sales volume for the year.

Bill Brooks, UniMac national sales manager, says that when determining the recipient of the 40-plus-year-old award, “We not only look for a company with impressive sales growth, but one that shows proven dedication to its customers and providing the best in quality service.”

“With its expanding geographical footprint and exceptional customer service, Super Laundry has made its mark as both a valued member of UniMac’s distributor network and of the on-premises laundry industry,” he adds. “The company prides itself on being a consultant and partner with their clients, and their sales are a reflection of the quality and support they provide to their customers.”

“We are honored to partner with the No. 1 on-premises laundry equipment brand in the U.S.,” says Tom Duckworth, vice president of Super Laundry.

This is the first time Super Laundry has won UniMac’s

its 2013 Distributor of

UniMac recently presented Columbus, Ohio-based Super Laundry with its 2013 Distributor of the Year award.

Employees of the Kibagabaga District Hospital (from left): Mr. Schadrack, laundry staff; Madame Getilide, in charge of laundry; and Jules Bideri, head of maintenance.

Distributor of the Year award in its 28 years of business, according to UniMac.

In Memoriam: Mark Smoyer, Shared Hospital Services

TOPEKA, Kan. — Mark Ralph Smoyer, president of Shared Hospital Services, Portsmouth, Va., died July 27 at his home in Virginia Beach, Va., reports the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA). He had been diagnosed with cancer in late 2013.

Smoyer held several positions over a 20-year period with Hospital Central Services Cooperative (HCSC), Allentown, Pa., and was active in several industry associations, including serving as board member for the International Association for Healthcare Textile Management (IAHTM), and as a member of ARTA.

ARTA Director Bill Moyer referred to Smoyer as his “mentor” when he first started as a supervisor at HCSC in 1981.

“Mark was one of the sharpest and most witty individuals I ever knew,” Moyer writes in a letter to Smoyer’s wife, Robin. “I could talk to him about basically anything and always valued his input. I kept in touch with Mark over the years and consider him a close friend.”

Through the Lehigh Economic Advancement Project, Hospital Central Services Cooperative Inc. will receive a $2.25 million, 15-year loan at 2.25%, according to the Pennsylvania Office of the Governor. The company, which processes laundry for hospitals and healthcare facilities, is planning to construct a 21,000-square-foot addition.

Hospital Central Services Cooperative also received an offer for a $300,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant. In total, more than $4 million will be invested in the site. The Cooperative will retain its 162 current employees and create 38 new positions.

“We’re creating an environment to spur the resurgence of Pennsylvania manufacturing,” Governor Tom Corbett said in an announcement.

PIDA has approved nearly $15.1 million in low-interest loans for projects in counties throughout the state. The projects are expected to create 229 new jobs and retain 664 jobs. According to the governor’s office, PIDA provides capital for building acquisition, construction and renovation work, primarily for companies looking to establish headquarters in the state.

ARCO/Murray among magazine’s ‘fastestgrowing companies’

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. — For the third consecutive year, Crain’s Chicago Business has listed ARCO/Murray among its 50 fastestgrowing companies in the Chicagoland area, the company reports. ARCO/Murray, coming in at No. 36, says it has experienced a 303% growth in the last five years and its team has doubled in size over the last two years.

Calendar

October

7-9 Jensen USA Service Seminar: Flatwork Finishing Panama City, Fla. Info: 850-271-5959, ext. 129

7-10 Pellerin Milnor Service Seminar: Washer-Extractors New Orleans, La. Info: 504-712-7716

9 Association for Linen Management Webinar: Be Kind to My Linen Your Budget Will Thank Me Info: 800-669-0863

15-17 Textile Rental Services Association Production Summit & Plant Tours Oklahoma City, Okla. Info: 877-770-9274

20-22 G.A. Braun Service School: Washer-Extractors Syracuse, N.Y. Info: 800-432-7286, ext. 254

20-24 Association for Linen Management American Laundry and Linen College Richmond, Ky. Info: 800-669-0863

27-31 Pellerin Milnor

Service Seminar: CBW® and PulseFlow® Systems New Orleans, La. Info: 504-712-7716

November

5-6 Textile Rental Services Association Maintenance Management Institute Dallas, Texas Info: 877-770-9274

18-19 Textile Rental Services Association Healthcare Conference San Diego, Calif. Info: 877-770-9274

18-20 G.A. Braun Service School: Finishing Equipment Syracuse, N.Y. Info: 800-432-7286, ext. 254

20 Association for Linen Management Webinar: Setting and Adjusting Par Levels—It’s PARamount to Meeting Needs Info: 800-669-0863

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A cooperative laundry in Allentown will get a boost from the state for its facility expansion, thanks to investments approved by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA).

Following this growth, the company has relocated to new headquarters in Downers Grove. The office features interactive teleconferencing rooms, a training center, a design center, and some additional amenities for leisurely pursuits, such as a basketball court and a café with a built-in bar. ALN

23-24 G.A. Braun Service School: Dryers Syracuse, N.Y. Info: 800-432-7286, ext. 254

20 Textile Rental Services Association CEO/Executive Roundtable & Plant Tour—Healthcare San Diego, Calif. Info: 877-770-9274 ALN

Co-op laundry to expand through Pa. economic advancement project

Smoyer

BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENT

Equipment, Inc. a

MPS offers the finest mat processing available with over 100 years of combined experience in mat cleaning, equipment manufacturing, and industrial distribution. MPS is developing innovative products that will increase productivity and profitability. All MPS products undergo rigorous testing to ensure the highest quality standards & durability.

Products include the Rapid Mat Roller (6 feet) and the Quick Mat Roller (4 feet), which are available for immediate delivery. Also note, MPS provides technical support, parts and service for all High Roller and EZ Roller machines. Your success is the foundation of our success. Call JP Equipment, Inc. today to discuss this exciting new product line 800/925-3236.

C GAS IRONER FOR SALE

MODEL - IS18120 YEAR 2010 Good condition • $20,000 Call for more information 201-727-4700 Ext. 4888. Ask

PARTS FOR SALE

PARTS, PARTS, PARTS

Huge stock of parts for most laundry equipment & boilers. Also traps, valves and lubricants. Overnight delivery. Steiner-Atlantic, 800-333-8883 Fax: 305-751-8390 parts@steineratlantic.com www.steineratlantic.com

WASHEX PARTS

Hard-to-find Washex parts, on-site rebuilding, tech support. LAUNDRY PARTS CENTER 800-352-4492 Fax: 305-827-3991

Service and Sales Representative

Interested in a fast growing company with great innovation, drive and teamwork? We manufacture and sell products within the Industrial Laundry Industry. We are looking for Engineering Sales Reps with a Service background, and whom are very familiar with Flatwork Ironers. Base pay, plus commission and installation fees earned. If interested send your resume to cprunk@cicus.com. No phone calls please.

Service Technicians

Loomis Bros. Equipment Company, a St. Louis based Milnor and Chicago dealer, looking for experienced OPL and heavy equipment technicians to join our growing service team. Serving MO, KS, IL, and IN we currently have openings in St. Louis and Indianapolis. Some travel required. We offer top compensation, medical, 401k and profit sharing. Reply in strict confidence to toms@loomisbros.com.

Company

American Dawn www.americandawn.com 7

B&C Technologies www.bandctech.com 19

Clean Show 2015 www.cleanshow.com 9

Consolidated Laundry Machinery www.clmco.com 13

Continental International Corp. www.cicus.com 26

Davis Packaging www.davispackaging.net 26

Direct Machinery Sales Corp. www.directmachinery.com 28

East Coast Water Systems www.eastcoastwatersystems.com 20

EDRO Corp. www.edrodynawash.com 14

Girbau Industrial www.girbauindustrial.com 15

G.S. Manufacturing www.gsm-cart.com 27

G.A. Braun www.gabraun.com 11

Hanning Elektro-Werke www.hanning-hew.com 21

IES www.iesclean.com 10

IPSO www.ipso.com 23

Jensen www.jensen-group.com 22

J.P. Equipment www.ineedjpequipment.com 28

Kannegiesser USA www.kannegiesser.com 17

Kemco Systems www.kemcosystems.com 27 LaundryCareers.com www.laundrycareers.com 28

Lavatec Laundry Technology www.lavatec-laundry.com 32

Lubbert Supply www.lubbertsupply.com 24 Maytag www.maytagcommerciallaundry.com 5

McClure Industries www.mcclureindustries.com 22

Pellerin Milnor www.milnor.com 3

Royal Basket Trucks www.royal-basket.com 12

Sellers Manufacturing Co. www.sellersmfg.com 24

Stanco Industries www.stancoind.com 28

The Griffin Group, Inc. www.thegriffingroup.cc 28 U.N.X. Inc. www.unxinc.com 18

Gardner Machinery Corporation

P. O. Box 33818, Charlotte, NC 28233 Ph.: (704)372-3890; Fax: (704)342-0758 www.gardnermachinery.com

Pellerin Milnor Corp.

P.O. Box 400, Kenner, LA 70063 504-467-9591, Fax: 504-468-3094 www.milnor.com

WASHER-EXTRACTOR

Pellerin Milnor Corp.

POUNDS OR MORE

P.O. Box 400, Kenner, LA 70063 504-467-9591, Fax: 504-468-3094 www.milnor.com

Pellerin

P.O. Box 400, Kenner, LA 70063 504-467-9591, Fax: 504-468-3094 www.milnor.com

P.O. Box 400, Kenner, LA 70063 504-467-9591, Fax: 504-468-3094 www.milnor.com