American Laundry News - March 2015

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WARREN, Mich. — The owner of commercial laundry Best Textile Services, Alexander Yfantidis, has pleaded guilty to intentionally setting fire on May 2, 2011, to his Macomb County laundry facility to collect on an insurance policy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In court, Yfantidis admitted he destroyed the facility in order to make a fraudulent claim to his insurance company. He pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud, and will pay restitution to those whose homes and personal properties were damaged by the explosion he caused.

“Committing any fraud scheme harms victims, but intentionally setting a fire creates a danger to public safety that far exceeds the financial loss,” says U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

“Mr. Yfantidis chose to break the law for his personal gain by putting community and firefighters at significant risk,” says Steven Bogdalek, special agent in charge with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “I would like to thank the ATF special agents, the Warren Fire Department and the United States Attorney’s office for their hard work and dedication in this investigation.”

Yfantidis’ sentencing was set for June 5. ALN

Clean Show returns to Atlanta after 28 years

By Carlo Calma

ATLANTA — Professionals from all facets of the laundering, textile care and drycleaning industries will convene once again April 16-19 for the biennial World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning— better known by most in the industry as the Clean Show.

“I’m anxious to see what this time slot in April will do,” says John Riddle, president of Riddle & Associates, the Clean Show’s management company.

“Atlanta is a good city [and] I think people are going to find out a lot of positive things are going on around here.”

RETURN TO ATLANTA

In its 38th year, the exhibition makes a return trip to Atlanta, some 28 years since the city last hosted the show in 1987.

The Clean Show’s theme this year is “One Industry. One Stage,” with the Georgia World Congress Center providing the platform for the exhibition.

This will be the third time that the Georgia World Congress

Center plays host to the show (it also hosted in 1981), particularly as recent renovations to the center allow it to accommodate the show’s size and unique utility demands.

As previously reported in American Laundry News, a new steam system has been installed at the center, covering approxi-

mately 125,000 square feet of exhibit space, according to Riddle & Associates.

“The Clean Show features working equipment and uses more steam than any other trade show in the world,” the company explains.

“[The show takes] the entire textile care industry, from the coin-operated stores to your huge

A-Town Bound

From A to Z: A list of Clean ’15 exhibitors, plus basic descriptions of their products and services.

Begins on Page 8

Class is in Session: Descriptions of the morning and afternoon educational sessions. Pages 36-37

You Are Here: A map of the Georgia World Congress Center floor plan, including booth assignments. Pages 24-25

commercial laundries, and everything in between in textile care, [and] we put them all together all on one stage. We’re all here,” says Riddle of the show’s theme.

“I can’t tell you that I see any trends different than what we’ve seen in the past, [but] we’ve got

New testing protocols introduced for Hygienically Clean Certification

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Companies seeking Hygienically Clean Certification will now have to undergo “new, more stringent” testing protocols, according to the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA).

The Hygienically Clean Advisory Board partnered with TRSA to develop the independent certification program, which helps commercial laundry facilities processing healthcare linens

to “ensure quantifiable hygienic outcomes.”

Individuals on the board represent various segments of healthcare and healthcare laundry, and many of them were drawn from TRSA’s membership, according to the association.

The initial step in getting the Hygienically Clean Certification involves submitting two random textiles to an independent laboratory approved by TRSA and

passing bacteriological testing on three consecutive rounds. An inspection prior to the testing is also required.

From there, companies will need to pass regularly scheduled testing protocols—including the Replicate Organism Detection and Counting (RODAC) microbiological test—four times a year instead of the previous twice-ayear protocol. Also incorporated into the new testing protocols

is United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 62, a test for seven microorganisms commonly found in healthcare environments. Companies looking to be certified will need to submit to this test twice a year.

In addition, recommendations for best practices for transportation and storage of clean linens are offered as part of the program.

Social Events at Clean ’15 Associations’ events offer informal networking opportunities.

Curbing Rising Utilities Costs

Reusable OR Textiles

What will it take to convert ORs from disposables to reusables?

The Newspaper of record for laundry & linen management

(Photo: James Duckworth/Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Michigan laundry owner admits destroying own

Survey: Most operators feel ‘highly secure’ in

CHICAGO — The laundry industry has been a steady source of employment for most managers who took the latest American Laundry News Your Views survey. In fact, more than 77% of respondents say that they have been in their current positions for more than a decade. For a little more than 12%, it has been 5-10 years. Other respondents (8.8%) report being in their current posts for 1-4 years, while a small percentage (1.8%) say they’ve held their current positions for less than a year.

“I’m at a great facility and love what I do,” one respondent comments.

As for job security, 63.2% of survey respondents report feeling “highly secure” in their positions, and another 22.8% report feeling “somewhat secure.” Things aren’t as clear-cut for small percentages of the remaining respondents; 8.8% say they are neither secure nor insecure, and just 5.3% say they are somewhat insecure. No one reports feeling “highly insecure” in their position.

“I have enjoyed working with people and the challenges of keeping up with technology and the healthcare marketplace,” one respondent shares. “I am planning to continue to work at a high level until I retire.”

Part of respondents’ feelings of security may come from their confidence in what they bring to the table. More than 82% say they feel sure that their experience and abilities are a good match for their role, and 14% say they are somewhat confident in their relevant skills. A small percentage (3.5%) doesn’t feel particularly confident nor unconfident; no one reports feeling “somewhat” or “highly” unconfident.

In terms of job responsibilities, a number of tasks stand out as being the most common (respondents could choose from any or all of a list of seven main tasks). Hiring, training and supervising staff are main responsibilities for 72% of respondents, and 68.4% also point to communicating with vendors as a major task with which they are charged.

Overseeing production (64.9%) and conducting meetings (61.4%) are also high on managers’ to-do lists, as well as overseeing linen distribution (57.9%), coordinating routine maintenance (56.1%) and preparing an annual budget (50.9%). Other important responsibilities managers list are communicating with nursing on linen stats; linen and parts ordering; and customer relations.

Every job comes with challenges. In this survey, managers point to employee issues as the most challenging to confront: More than 26% find it hard to deal with worker discipline, hiring/firing and training. Equal shares of 21% are challenged by pleasing customers/end-users and ensuring their facilities are profitable and/or efficient. Juggling a long to-do list weighs on the minds of a little more than 12%, and 10.5% say pleasing

upper management is taxing. Other challenges listed are dealing with old, worn-out equipment; managing family in the business; and maintaining a production staff.

“I love my job, but it is stressful,” a respondent comments.

“It’s a continuous battle on saving money, which I do understand, but upper management always wants to cut, cut, cut,” says another.

When reflecting on their career paths, respondents list a few things they would change, such as obtaining a college degree or getting more education/training relevant to the industry, working fewer hours, and even choosing another industry altogether. Still, some report that they are happy with their careers and their chosen paths.

“I wouldn’t change a thing,” says a respondent. “All past challenges have been a learning experience.”

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 opinions and identify industry trends.

from Page 1

Healthcare Linen Service Inc., and head of the Advisory Board. “The new testing procedure builds on the successful certification programs developed by TRSA to best address the needs of the healthcare facilities. Hygienically Clean Certification adds value to the commercial laundries that earn it and confidence to the organizations that opt to work with these certified laundries.”

Publisher

Charles Thompson

Phone: 312-361-1680

E-Mail: cthompson@ ATMags.com

Editorial Director

Bruce Beggs

Phone: 312-361-1683

E-Mail: bbeggs@ ATMags.com

Digital Media Director

Nathan Frerichs

Phone: 312-361-1681

E-Mail: nfrerichs@ ATMags.com

Editor

Theresa Boehl

Phone: 708-280-1750

E-Mail: tboehl@ ATMags.com

Advisory Board

Jim Buik • Richard Griffin

Greg Gurtler • Phil Hart

Michael Kirsch, CLLM

Janice Larson • Tom Marks

Atisha Mireles • Gerard O’Neill Richard Warren

Production

Manager

Roger Napiwocki

National Sales Director

Donald Feinstein

Phone: 312-361-1682

E-Mail: dfeinstein@ ATMags.com

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

Subscriptions

630-739-0900 x100 www.americanlaundrynews.com

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 41, number 3. 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.

© Copyright AMERICAN TRADE MAGAZINES LLC, 2015. Printed in U.S.A. No part of this publication may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher or his representative. American Laundry News does not endorse, recommend or guarantee any article, product, service or information found within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of American Laundry News or its staff. While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the magazine’s contents at time of publication, neither the editors, publishers nor its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom.

“ The tunnel is as advertised.”

Marberry Laundry produces approximately 8.5 million pounds of customer owned goods (COG) per year. Due to their significant growth and production needs, Marberry Laundry recognized replacing their washer-extractors with a tunnel washer would be best for their business.

As promised, the new Milnor PBW™ has created huge savings in time, energy, and dollars. Marberry has reduced their hours of operation since the implementation of the Milnor Tunnel Batch system from a 22 hour day to a 14 hour day. Shorter operating hours have allowed operational costs to be reduced across the board. Marberry has reduced their water usage by 66% and their gas usage has decreased by 15% since the implementation of the tunnel washer system.

To find out how your laundry can reduce a shift, contact an authorized Milnor distributor or call 504-712-7656.

Scan to read Marberry’s success story.

– John Marberry Jr., Marberry Laundry, North Aurora, IL

Clean: Give me an A-tlanta

next month’s Clean Show will mark my eighth writing about the textile care industry, and my first ever in Atlanta.

Just like every other edition before it, Clean 2015 promises laundry/linen managers a rare opportunity: the chance to see and inspect the newest high-tech equipment and systems all under the same roof.

Unlike Las Vegas and New Orleans, which are frequent Clean stops, it’s possible only a small share of the industry recalls the last time the event convened in Atlanta (it was 1987).

From The Director’s Chair BRUCE BEGGS

A steam system in the Georgia World Congress Center and a

vibrant downtown full of attractions await this year’s attendees.

Whether you’ll be visiting for business, for pleasure, or both, this Clean 2015 Guide has all the information you’ll need to navigate the April 16-19 event.

Exhibitor descriptions, a show floor map, the schedule of 40-plus hours of educational sessions, and more await you in these pages.

Armed with this special issue, and comfortable walking shoes, you’ll have everything necessary to make your Atlanta visit a Clean getaway to remember. ALN

In Memoriam: Paul Long, Western State Design

HAYWARD, Calif. — Western State Design is mourning the death of Paul Long, master technician, the company reports. Long, who joined WSD in 1991, had battled cancer and health issues for about three years when he died at his home on Nov. 6.

Prior to joining WSD, Long served as service manager for Western Laundry Systems, which was acquired by WSD in 1991. The company says that Long was “widely recognized by members of the laundry industry” for his skills as a service technician. He was one of a select few honored by WSD with the title of “master technician.”

“I had the opportunity to work and be trained by Paul after joining WSD in 1991 myself,” says Todd

Hyrn, director of operations. “Paul was always a willing to take your phone call and impart the knowledge he had into others.”

Long, whose hobbies included riding his Harley Davidson and visiting Southern California beaches, is survived by his mother, Vera; his father, Bob; siblings Susan, Beth Ann, and Louis; daughter, Lisa; son, Bobby; and three grandchildren. A celebration of life was held for Long on Nov. 14. ALN

Chapter 1: welcome to the laundry!

For years, I have wanted to collect thoughts based on my 40-plus years of laundry experience into a series of articles on the laundry industry and laundry management. This article begins that project. I hope my readers find it enlightening and educational.

The laundry business is a fascinating one with lots of opportunity for growth and development. It doesn’t matter where you start in the business. In 1972, I took a temporary job loading and unloading 600pound Washex washers in a hospital laundry while I tried to find a job related to my recreational land management degree from Utah State University. I found out too late that the jobs in my chosen field are very limited and almost impossible to get. I saw opportunity in the laundry business and simply decided to stay and see where it led me.

I quickly learned that my college degree had not been a waste of time: A number of promotions over the next 12 months came because I could substitute education for experience. I can honestly say that during my first four years in the laundry business, I worked in every area of the hospital laundry. This well-rounded experience gave me a great base upon which to develop my career.

As I grew in my knowledge of the laundry industry, I realized that the only product that a laundry creates is lint. The amount of lint we generate relates to the quality of the linen we process, the wash formulas we use, the temperature of the dryers, and the manner of finishing. Lint is both a fire hazard and a corrosive material to a lot of the mechanical equipment. The ideal situation is to produce as little of this product as possible.

A laundry is really just a recycling center for soiled textile products. We reclaim the products by washing them and finishing them so they can be reused again by our customers.

I came to understand early on that this “recycling” process is a lot like the various ecosystems that I studied in college. Any change to any of the parameters in the processing system or to the quality of the textile product will have a number of effects downstream in the cycle, which are either expected or unexpected. It’s the unexpected effects that we need to watch for and correct on a timely basis.

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Because of the complex and interrelated nature of all the factors affecting your laundry process, no two days seem to work out exactly the same. I have found this aspect of the industry fascinating, and I enjoy making the little changes necessary to keep the process functioning at a high level.

I can remember reading an article about a talk Vince Lombardi once gave on the Green Bay Packers’ basic sweep play. For eight hours, he talked about just that one play and all the adjustments that would need to be made for each type of different defense they might face. His players were so well-trained that the basic play was very difficult for opposing defenses to stop.

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Clean Show

some new companies coming and I think we’re going to have a great show,” Riddle adds.

“If anybody is in the textile care industry … you’ve got to be here in the show, because, this is going to sound cliché, but this is the Super Bowl of the textile care industry.”

Clean 2015 is set to take place in Building B of the convention center, in halls B2 to B5, with an anticipated total exhibit space

is the largest textile care exposition in the world that features working equipment, says Riddle & Associates.

The show traces its roots back to the mid-1970s, when industry manufacturers and suppliers found exhibiting shows annually was costly. Interest in consolidating into one biennial industry-wide show was expressed, and as a result, three associations collaborated for a 1975 show they called the Clean Show.

Three additional sponsors joined, eventually forming the World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning in 1977, giving birth to the Clean Show with which the industry is familiar today.

Current show sponsors include the Association for Linen Management (ALM); Coin Laundry Association (CLA); Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI); Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA); and the Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA).

“Exhibitors can meet people who are planning to expand or re-equip their businesses, and distributors seeking to expand or enhance product lines they carry,” the company says.

Riddle & Associates anticipates that more than 400 companies will exhibit at this year’s show. At press time, 388 companies were listed on the show’s site. (For a complete listing of exhibitors, see page 8.)

The biennial show not only provides an arena for networking and business opportunities, but also presents professionals in the industry this year with more than 40 hours of educational sessions, which all have a focus on “technical information, trends, business management, and environmental and regulatory issues.” (See article beginning on page 36 for full details.)

encompassing approximately 195,000 net square feet, according to Riddle & Associates.

This year’s show sees another return, as the exhibition reverts to its traditional four-day format, after Clean 2013’s shortened threeday schedule.

Distributors will have exclusive early access to the show floor beginning 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, with the show open to all attendees from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Show hours for Friday and Saturday are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while Sunday has a shorter schedule: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 2013 show, hosted by the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, attracted 10,300 industry professionals, including 1,663 people from 83 countries outside of the United States, according to Riddle & Associates.

A CLEAN HISTORY

Named 112th among 2013 Trade Show News Network’s Top 250 Trade Shows, the Clean Show

Initially, the show was hosted in Chicago, where it has been presented four times. In addition to Atlanta, the Clean Show has also been presented in Las Vegas (five times), New Orleans (five times) and Orlando (twice), as those cities became the only venues that could accommodate the show’s size and utility requirements.

In 1992, the show (which was being managed by the CLA) had grown in size and stature, leading sponsors to seek counsel with professional show management, according to Riddle & Associates, who was then hired to produce Clean ’93.

The move was a “natural fit,” the company says, as John Riddle had worked with the Clean Show’s operations since 1981.

NETWORKING & EDUCATION

Riddle & Associates explains that, according to Clean Show surveys, 94% of attendees are either business owners, executives or managers, with the largest percentage (56%) comprising business owners.

For Riddle, the show’s various educational opportunities provide a key benefit for attending the Clean Show.

“Education is key to the success of anything,” he says. “If you’re in this business, there’s a need for you to be here if you want to be in this business and want to grow.”

Educational opportunities don’t just occur at the show’s classroom sessions, but on the show floor, as well.

“The largest classroom in this industry is the exhibit floor. You can see things work. You don’t just don’t come up and look at pictures … You can compare [equipment],” says Riddle.

“Being able to compare equipment and think about buying it is absolutely [important] in somebody’s decision-making process.”

With plenty of exhibits and activities to do, managing one’s time at the Clean Show can be quite daunting.

To help with this, Riddle & Associates is again offering a Clean Show app for use on all smartphones, “allowing attendees to virtually connect with exhibitors, organize their day and navigate the

show floor.”

Those without smartphones can instead create an account on the “My Briefcase” feature on the show’s website.

Attendees can view and print the show’s floor plan, as well as browse the show’s list of exhibitors and select which companies they’d like to include in their itinerary.

Riddle & Associates acknowledges how the show has “moved with the times technologically,” and has once again established a “Cyber Café” at this year’s venue where attendees can check their e-mails.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Attendees can pre-register for the show online and take advantage of the $99 per person preregistration fee until March 31.

Frederick

After that date, it will be necessary to register on-site at the Georgia World Congress Center for a fee of $149 per person.

On-site registration hours will be 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 15; 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16; 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 17; 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 18; and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19.

The show is offering special discounted rates at a variety of hotels in downtown Atlanta. Reservations for official Clean 2015 hotels can be made on the show’s site through March 13.

For full registration and show information, visit www.cleanshow. com ALN

Carlo Calma is editor of sister publication American Coin-Op, and previously served as editorial assistant for American Laundry News

Continued from Page 4

I also really enjoy working with people. The laundry industry in the United States has historically been staffed by immigrants to the country. Entry-level positions allow them to gain an economic foothold in the country while they learn the language and assimilate into the country as a whole.

My current laundry employs workers who speak a combined 13 different primary languages. My turnover rate is extremely low, especially when compared with the housekeeping and dietary departments at the hospital we service.

I learned a long time ago that the best way to train a production employee is by the old Boy Scout method of “show and do.” This involves having a trainer working with an employee to demonstrate the job tasks, directing the trainee to do the tasks, and then stepping back in and correcting the technique. This is the most effective way to train, and works equally as well whether the two people speak the same language or have no common language between them.

Recognize that the expert in any job in the laundry is the one who does it for eight hours every day. Working with people and tapping into that source of knowledge is a challenge for every laundry management team member. Helping people improve their production, job skills and language skills, and supporting their efforts to move up in the organization is very rewarding.

If you are up to the challenge and not afraid to get your hands dirty, the laundry industry can be a great career—one that will keep you engaged and challenged every day of every year. ALN

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.

“EDUCATION IS KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF ANYTHING. IF YOU’RE IN THIS BUSINESS, THERE’S A NEED FOR YOU TO BE HERE IF YOU WANT … TO GROW.”

—JOHN RIDDLE, RIDDLE & ASSOCIATES

Atlanta

The following companies and organizations have reserved exhibit space in the Georgia World Congress Center for Clean 2015 as of Feb. 14, according to show manager Riddle & Associates.

o ABS Laundry 2856 Business Solutions

Route accounting, garment tracking and linen management software and systems.

o Absorbcore 3368 Urinal and commode mats.

o ADI American 820 Dawn

Textile products for food and beverage, lodging, healthcare and industrial markets.

o Air World Inc. 2506

Pads, covers, mesh net bags and other supplies for dry cleaners and laundries.

o Albatross 3045 USA Inc.

Drycleaning chemicals and detergents; compressed air equipment; spotting boards and kits; steam generators.

o Alcoa Wheel 418 Products

Aluminum wheels and accessories for the commercial vehicle market.

o Alliance Laundry 1810 Systems

Commercial laundry equipment and services under the Huebsch®, IPSO®, Primus®, Speed Queen® and UniMac® brand names.

The list totals approximately 388 exhibitors at press time; it’s possible that more exhibitors will be added in the final weeks leading up to the April 16-19 event. Where available, the descriptions of products and/

Thursday, April 16

8-9 a.m. Communicating in a Crisis: A Practical Guide TRSA to Protecting Your Reputation

Learn to communicate properly with media and customers during crises 8- Going Hi-Tech: Emerging Textile Technologies ALM 9:45 a.m. Examine the process and environmental impact of antimicrobial textiles 8:30- Is Great Customer Service Worth It? DLI 9:45 a.m. Find out how great customer service can affect your bottom line 8:30- Flip My Laundry: Best Practices for Remodeling Laundries CLA 10 a.m. Identify ways to design a store to maximize revenue per square foot 9-10 a.m. Industry Analysis: Domestic Trends, Emerging Markets TRSA A discussion of the potential growth of the textile services industry 1-2 p.m. TRSA Clean Green and Hygienically Clean Certification TRSA Programs: Quantifying Your Commitment to Cleanliness and Sustainability

Learn how to meet these certifications’ rigorous standards 2:30- The High-Tech Laundromat: Streamlining Store CLA 3:30 p.m. Operations Through Technology Store owners share their experiences with emerging technologies

Friday, April 17

8-9 a.m. All Things Google: Tips and Secrets to Your Best CLA Marketing Resource

Discover how to reach customers through this cheap and easy medium 8- The 4-1-1 on Equipment Acquisition ALM 9:45 a.m. Gain insight on the ways to approach the RFP process for capital investments

8:30- How to Sell to the #SELFIE Generation DLI 9:45 a.m. Review ways to sell dry cleaning to an Internet-connected generation 9-10 a.m. Healthcare Textiles in 2015 and Beyond: ARTA Strategies to Maximize the Sales of Reusables

Learn smarter and more aggressive ways to market reusable textiles

9-10 a.m. Maximum Performance: Getting the Most from Your CLA Laundry Attendants

Find out how goals can help your laundry attendants reach their full potential 1-2 p.m. Boiler Alert: Save Money on this Massive Expense DLI Get tips on maximizing your boiler’s efficiency and lowering insurance costs 2:30- Starting a Laundry on a Shoestring ALM 3:30 p.m. A discussion on selecting equipment, regulatory requirements and more

8-9 a.m.

or services provided here are general in nature and should not be considered all-inclusive.

Listings are subject to change without notice. Check www.cleanshow.com for any updates.

Saturday, April 18

Tips for Entering the Commercial Laundry Industry TRSA Review how the industry works and what competition already exists 8-9 a.m. Your Guide to Wash, Dry, Fold: Folding, Packaging CLA and Presentation Techniques

Find out how to present laundry so that it’s not only clean, but looks great 8- ALM Industry Chat ALM

9:45 a.m. Listen in on a panel chat with textile-care decision-makers 8:30- Success = More Than Just Drycleaning DLI 9:45 a.m. Learn how to expand services to accommodate customers’ needs 9-10 a.m. Commercial Accounts Marketing Toolkit CLA Identify strategies for growing a commercial account base 9-10 a.m. Fostering Communication, Ensuring Engagement TRSA Learn to implement a top-down, bottom-up communication approach 9-10 a.m. How to Convert OR Clients from Disposables to ARTA Reusable Surgical Textiles—Deliver Value to Keep Them Review case studies on converting customers to reusable OR textiles

1-2 p.m. OSHA Compliance: Identifying Laundry’s TRSA Most Cited Violations

A former OSHA administrator warns of “low-hanging fruit” violations

2:30- Problem Garment Parade DLI 3:30 p.m. Discover ways to prevent common claim-causing garment problems

Sunday, April 19

8-9 a.m. Acquisition Financing: Today’s Options CLA for Your Next Store Purchase

Join this discussion on the information needed to obtain financing and how to avoid potential financing pitfalls

8- Textile Effectiveness from a Clinician Point of View ALM 9:45 a.m. Learn about the value of a nursing perspective, as well as new technology and its impact on HACs and HAIs

8:30- Getting the Most Out of Your Association Membership TRSA 9:45 a.m. Maximize the resources available to you through your association membership, and learn how to be more engaged

8:30- Policing Employee Policies DLI 9:45 a.m. Find out if your company’s policies are current with today’s employment issues

9-10 a.m.

Top 10 Secrets Potential Laundry Owners Should Know CLA A former multi-store owner counts down the top 10 secrets that you need to know before purchasing or building a self-service laundry

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exhibitors

o Alliant Systems 412 Route accounting software for the textile service industry.

o A.L. Wilson 2606 Chemical Co. Stain removers and other chemicals for professional dry cleaning and laundry use.

o American 3706 Changer

Bill changers, bill breakers, token dispensers, ticket dispensers and card dispensers.

o American 2857 Coin-Op

Trade magazine and website for self-service laundry owners.

o American 2857 Drycleaner Trade magazine and website for drycleaning businesses and suppliers.

o American 2048 Dryer Corp. Dryers for coin-operated, on-premises and industrial laundry facilities.

o American 2857 Laundry News Trade magazine and website for managers and administrators of institutional/onpremise laundries and textile rental companies (commercial, industrial and linen supply).

o American 3357 Laundry Products Pads, covers, belts, belting and accessories for feeders, folders and flatwork ironers.

o American 3853 Laundry Systems

Consulting and engineering company specializing in commercial laundry consulting, plant layout/design, process mechanical systems, equipment installations, and more.

o American Reusable 534 Textile Association (ARTA)

Trade association promoting awareness of and appreciation for reusable textiles.

o American Textile 521 Systems

Bed linen and pillows; terry towels and bath products; sheeting; and miscellaneous textiles and toilet paper.

o American Trade 2857

Magazines

Publisher of American CoinOp, American Drycleaner, and American Laundry News

o Amethyst 3915 Health mats.

o AMS Products/ 3570 Object Design Nylon, cotton, mesh, polyester, biohazard and barrier laundry bags.

o Angeline Group 3261 Healthcare and hospitality textiles and other products.

o AquaRecycle 3433 Laundry-wastewater recycling systems and dryer heat-recycling system.

o ArbelSoft 425 Point-of-sale computer software for dry cleaners and coin laundry operators.

o ARCO/Murray 2061 National

Construction Co. Design/build contractor focused on the laundry industry.

o ArtiClean Ozone 3143

Laundry Systems

Ozone laundry systems.

o ASCO Numatics 1806 Fluid-control and fluid-power products.

o Association for 533 Linen Management

SPONSOR: Nonprofit educational association for laundry/ linen managers from hospitals, hotels, nursing homes, correctional facilities, government institutions, management companies, and commercial laundries.

o Association of 941

Wedding Gown Specialists

Nonprofit trade association for members specializing in wedding gown cleaning, preservation and restoration.

o Automation 3519 Dynamics Automated sorting, counting and weighing equipment for various laundry applications.

o Autovalet Systems 3676 Automated uniform and scrubwear dispense and return systems.

o AWOIS 3723

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exhibitors

Ozone laundry systems.

o B&C Technologies 1011

Commercial and industrial washer-extractors, dryers, ironers and finishers, and OEM parts.

o B&G Lieberman 4022 Co. Inc.

Sewing supplies, replacement buttons, sewing machines, boilers, irons and vacuum pressing boards.

o Beck’s Classic 3460

Reusable incontinence care products, including bibs, clothing protectors, underpads, briefs and diapers.

o BeCreative 360 853 Marketing and promotions for dry cleaners.

o Big Bill 606 Flame-Resistant Protective Apparel Workwear apparel for the uniform market.

o bizzie 3777 Drycleaning franchise focused on locker delivery service.

o BLC Textiles 3159 Wide variety of imported textiles for the textile rental industry.

o Bobco Systems 3952 Inc.

Material-handling systems for laundry operations.

o BOWE Textile 3576 Cleaning GmbH Drycleaning equipment.

o Braun 2232 Batch tunnel washing, conventional washing, materialhandling, drying, and finishing equipment.

o Brim Laundry 2548 Machinery Co. Inc. Washer-extractors, largecapacity dryers, and touchscreen control systems; OEM replacement parts and supplies.

Bo Brooks-Waterburn 1507 Insurance services for coin laundries.

Maxi-Movers

Laundry and linen carts, trucks, tables and hampers, and chemical storage tanks.

o Chicago Dryer Co. 1632 Flatwork linen separating, feeding, ironing and folding systems.

o Chief Clean 3360 Commercial janitorial dust mops and wet mops, handles and frames.

Steam boilers, feedwater treatment systems, boiler chemicals, and hydro steam cleaners.

o Clean Cycle 3925 Systems Filters, a div. of TQI LLC Lint filtration systems.

o Cleaner Business 525 Systems Point-of-sale software systems for dry cleaners.

ers and combination ironer/ folder/stackers.

o Coin Laundry 740 Association

SPONSOR: Not-for-profit trade organization representing member coin laundry owners, equipment manufacturers and distributors.

o CACO 3344

Manufacturing Corp.

Coin laundry furnishings, including folding tables, seating, clothes-hanging racks, and custom bulkheads.

o Calderon 3464 Textiles LLC

Commercial linens for the healthcare, hospitality, textile rental and retail markets.

o Caled Chemical 3276

Specialty cleaning products for professional dry cleaners and laundries.

o Card Concepts 1210 Inc.

Automated systems for Laundromats to handle cash collections, employee management, equipment service, and store marketing.

o Cart & Supply Inc. 410

o Centurion Medical 855 Products Soiled-linen collection system and liner recycling program.

o Century Place 4056 Apparel Rental-friendly and direct-sale knit shirts.

o Chandler Machine 4010 USA LLC

Industrial sewing machines for dry cleaners and laundries.

o ChemFree Corp. 1040 Parts washing systems and solvents.

o Chem-Tainer Ind./ 1032

Co Christeyns 3665 Laundry Technology LLC

Laundry detergents, sanitizers, dosing systems, and water and energy management equipment.

o Church & Dwight 3257 Co. Inc.

Laundry detergents and chemicals.

o Clayton Industries 1256

o Cleaner’s Supply® 3865 Wide range of drycleaning products.

o Clenacorp 3144 Waxes, lubricants, belting, ribbons, guide tapes, pads, covers and aprons for flatwork ironer and folder systems.

o CMV Sharper 2611 Finish Inc. Commercial cylinder iron-

o Colmac Industries 2649 Tunnel finishers; shirt and pant presses; hangering systems; and other products related to the commercial laundry, drycleaning and apparel industries.

o Columbia/ILSA 2532 Machines Corp. Drycleaning machines, metal degreasing machines, and conveyors.

o Commercial Coils 420

IT’S ABOUT TIME

Children play in the Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park surrounded by the downtown Atlanta skyline, including the new SkyView Ferris wheel.

(Photo: Gene Phillips/Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau)

CLEAN 2015 EXHIBITORS continue on Page

Ergonomic Technology Leader

exhibitors

Inc.

Replacement coils for laundry and drycleaning equipment.

o Compassmax/ 515 Maineline Computer Systems

S oftware and computer systems for dry cleaners.

o Computer 3160 Connections Inc.

Point-of-sale/management computer systems for dry cleaners.

o Computer Software 949 Architects

Software systems for managing route, healthcare, hospitality, garment, and dust control laundries, as well as linen tracking tools for hospitals, hotels and casinos.

o Computer 1207 Systems

Software systems for dry cleaning, garment tracking and uniform rental.

o Computype 3945 Heat-seal labels and

related equipment.

o Conni 4036

Reusable incontinence management, linen and mattress protection products for hospitals, long-term care and hotels.

o Consolidated 2769 International Corp. Industrial laundry machines, parts, textiles and supplies.

o Consolidated 2560 Laundry Machinery

Industrial dryers, shuttle conveyors, and mat rollers.

o Continental 3111, 3119 Girbau Inc./ Girbau Group

Laundry equipment for vended, on-premise and industrial laundries.

o Cost-Less Parts! 3719

Replacement parts for commercial laundry and drycleaning equipment, focusing on coin laundries.

o Covers Etc. Inc. 3176 Pads and covers for garment-finishing equipment.

o CRDN 3776 Drycleaning franchise focused on garment and textile resto-

ration services.

o Dajisoft Inc. 2757

Point-of-sale drycleaning software systems.

o Dante Bertoni 2968 S.R.L. Material-handling products.

Do Darman 4051 Manufacturing Co. Inc. Cloth-roll towel cabinets, paper dispensers, towelprocessing equipment, and

microfiber products.

o Datamars Inc. 933 Radio-frequency identification (RFID) products for laundry and textile rental applications.

CLEAN 2015 EXHIBITORS continue on Page 16

Georgia Aquarium features more animals than any other aquarium in more than 10 million gallons of water. (Photo:

Kevin C. Rose/Atlanta CVB)

exhibitors

o Davis Packaging 3960

Laundry packaging equipment and wrapping film.

o DCCS 3941 (Dry Cleaning Computer Systems)

Point-of-sale software systems for dry cleaners.

o Dexter Laundry Inc. 1316 Washers, drying tumblers,

card systems, and equipment financing.

o Diamond Chemical 1041 Co. Inc.

Laundry detergents, chemicals, dyes, and chemical injection systems.

o Dickies 1055 Occupational Wear Workwear designed for industrial laundries, uniform dealers and ASI distributor industries.

o Diversified 2676 Plastics Custom and standard

material-handling carts and plastic storage containers.

o Dow Chemical 2868 Perchloroethylene drycleaning solvent and specialty chemicals.

o Doxon Mfg. Co. 1155 Commercial laundry equipment parts.

o Drycleaning 832 & Laundry Institute

SPONSOR: Trade association representing member dry cleaners, launderers and wet cleaners.

o Duncan Fabricating 506 Co. Inc.

Coin laundry bulkheads and commercial appliance outlet centers.

o Durable Superior 415 Casters Casters and wheels.

o Dynaric Inc. 3168 Non-metallic strapping and strapping equipment.

o EAM-Mosca Corp. 2860 Polypropylene strapping and strapping systems.

o East Coast Water 1049 Systems

Water heaters, water softeners, and storage tanks.

o Eastern Funding 1407 LLC

Small-business financing for Laundromats and drycleaning businesses.

Eo Ecolab 2732

Laundry detergents and chemicals, consulting services, dispensing systems, and wastewater treatment.

o EcoTex 1149 Ozone laundry systems.

o EDRO 1033 Industrial washer-extractors, tumbler dryers, and ozone laundry systems.

o EKM 4072 Management Services

Consulting and engineering services focused on textile rental, institutional and resort laundering.

o Ekostar Textiles 3070

o Ellis Corp. 1018 Washer-extractors, tunnel washing system, dryers, ironers, feeders, folders, rail systems, conveyors, system controls, heat exchangers, stack economizers, water heaters and wastewater treatment.

o Encompass 2965 Group LLC

Sheeting, blankets and terry flat goods; incontinence pads and briefs; operating room and surgical linens; and patient and staff apparel, uniforms and lab coats.

o Energenics Corp. 911 Wet- and dry-type lint filters for dryer exhaust, and vacuum systems for lint collectors.

o Ensign Emblem 4040 Emblems, screen-print transfers and direct embroidery for industrial laundries.

o EnviroForensics 3371 Environmental engineering services for the drycleaning industry.

o ERC Wiping 3668 Products Inc.

Cotton wiping cloths, disinfecting wipes, rags, terry towels, paper wipers and spill control products.

o Ergocon Solutions 1355 Towel inspection and packaging system.

As

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exhibitors

o ESD 1432

Payment systems for laundry, vending and amusement industries.

o E-TECH 1542 Monorail and belt conveyor systems; material-handling control systems; and cart dumpers.

o European 2542

Finishing Equipment Tensioning finishers.

o Evercare/Butler 3468 Home Products Lint rollers.

o Everstrong 3957 Commercial Products Flame-retardant fabrics and linens.

o EzProducts 3953 International Inc. Systems for garment labeling, heat-sealing, decorating and mending.

o Fabricare 3849 Management Systems Computer software systems for dry cleaners.

o Fabritec 3465 International Drycleaning, wetcleaning, spotting, restoration and shirt laundry products.

o Fanafel (Valmet) 1307 Textiles for flatwork feeders, ironers and folders, including feed ribbons, padding and belts.

Fo Fashion Seal 1042 Healthcare Uniforms and image apparel for the healthcare industry.

o Faultless Starch 3859 Co. Laundry chemicals, starches, sizings and specialty items.

o Fawn Vendors 2771 Vending machines.

o Felins USA Inc. 3511 Tying, banding and bundling machines and systems.

o Felrap World Inc. 2673

Laundry wrapping equipment and supplies.

o FH Bonn 3140 Laundry and drycleaning press pads and covers.

o Fibertech Inc. 3476 Laundry trucks and carts.

o Fike and Fike Inc. 3973 Linen management and route accounting software.

o Fimas SRL 3065 Steam cabinets; vacuum, blowing and steam ironing tables; spotting tables; and pressing machines.

o Firbimatic 2940 Drycleaning equipment.

o Firestone 2060 Financial Corp. Equipment financing and leasing.

o First Film 2659 Extruding Drycleaning garment bags and film.

o First Preference 3818 Products Commercial laundry products and single-use laundry products.

o Flexco 1761 Conveyor belt equipment and supplies.

o FLM — Fairfield 2576 Laundry Machinery Monorail systems, soil-sort systems, lint collection systems, pneumatic conveying systems, automatic loading hoppers, chutes and folding tables.

o F-MATIC Inc. 3966 Odor-control and restroom hygiene products.

o Foltex 3765

o Forenta L.P. 2932 Drycleaning and laundry finishing and pressing equipment.

o Foster-Stephens 943 Inc.

Wedding gown and garment preservation systems.

o Fujitsu Frontech 3914 North America

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) products for laundry/ linen applications.

o Fulton Boiler 3365 Works Boilers and related equipment/systems.

o Garment 2973 Company

exhibitors

o Garnier-Thiebaut 2669 Inc.

Table, bed and bath linens for hotels, restaurants and retail stores.

o Gemu Valves 4054 Valves, and measurement and control systems.

o Golden Star Inc. 3742

Dust/wet mops and microfiber cleaning products.

o GreenEarth 3165 Cleaning

Patented liquid silicone-based drycleaning solvents.

o Greenwald 3010 Industries

Coin/card acceptors, metering and security products for self-service laundries.

o G.S. 3807 Manufacturing Material-handling systems, including baskets, bins, carts

and racks.

o Gurtler Industries 3748 Inc.

Advanced detergents and specialty chemicals for the commercial laundry industry.

o Hamilton 3522 Engineering Inc. Commercial and light industrial water-heating systems and boilers.

o Hangzhou A-tek 3172

Medical & Textiles Co. Ltd. Reusable healthcare textiles.

o Hans-Joachim 3965 Schneider GmbH Industrial ironing and finishing equipment and supplies.

Ho Harbor Linen - 2768 A Division of Bed, Bath & Beyond Institutional linens, case goods and apparel for the hospitality, healthcare, cruise line and foodservice industries.

o Harris Pillow 1208 Supply Inc.

Pillows and pillowcleaning systems.

o Healthcare 552 Laundry Accreditation Council

Non-profit organization formed to inspect and accredit laundries processing healthcare textiles for hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

o High Mark 3518 Manufacturing Inc. Coin-laundry bulkheads, drain troughs and furniture.

o H-M Company 1148 Drain troughs, lint interceptors and related products.

o HMC Solutions 710 Automated order-assembly system and 24/7 kiosk system for garment care.

o Hoffman Mint 3607 Laundry tokens.

o Hoffman/New 2848 Yorker

Drycleaning presses, shirtfinishing equipment, laundry presses, industrial laundry machines and specialty presses.

o Hong Kong 3359 Wells Ltd. Wire hangers for dry cleaners and uniform rental services.

o HPI Emblem 3958 Patches.

o Hunt Textiles 3556

Bar mops, kitchen/terry/shop towels, napkins, tablecloths, aprons, wet mops, dust mops, paper products, laundry bags and microfiber products.

o Hurst Boiler 3456 Boilers and related systems.

o Ideal Chemical 3815 & Supply Co.

Laundry and industrial chemicals, and textile care supplies.

o Imonex Services 3913 Inc. Coin acceptors.

o Impreglon Surface 661 Technologies Inc.

o Independent 3169 Textile Rental Association (ITRA) Network of independent textile rental companies.

o Indy Hanger 3820 Galvanized hangers.

o Infinite 446, 3977 Creative Enterprises Inc. Electronic message centers and signage.

o Ink Strokes Inc. 2760 Drycleaning-resistant heat seal and nylon labels.

o Innovative 411 Management Designs

IT consulting, project management, technical support, data warehousing, and other services.

o Irving Weber 433 Associates (IWA) Insurance services for dry cleaners and Laundromats.

o Italclean Srl 3156

Perchloroethylene and hydrocarbon drycleaning machines.

o ITD Trailers 3857

Custom linen-transport trailers.

o Itsumi USA Inc. 2742 Shirt finishers, laundry presses and rotary dryers.

Jo James Gutheim 3068 & Associates Management consulting services.

o J.B. Industries Inc. 560

o Jensen USA Inc. 1832 Washing equipment, finishing systems, material-handling systems, and system software and process technology.

o JiangSu Sea-lion 1342 Machinery Group (Corp.) Washer-extractors, dryers, ironers, and drycleaning, folding and finishing equipment.

o John Ritzenthaler 417 Co.

Chef apparel and other foodservice textiles.

o JP Equipment Inc. 1561 Industrial laundry equipment sales.

o JS Fiber Co. Inc. 2873 Hospitality and institutional healthcare textiles.

o Kibler Chemical 1056 Corp. Industrial water treatment equipment.

o Kleen-Tex 3473 Industries Inc. Washable track-control mats.

o Kreussler Inc. 2977 Laundry, drycleaning and wetcleaning chemicals and detergents.

o Kannegiesser USA 2210

KContinuous-batch washers, extraction presses, materialhandling systems, shuttles, conveyors, dryers, washerextractors, linen separators, feeders, ironers, folders and garment finishers.

o Kemco Systems 1255 Inc.

Water heaters, heat reclaimers, water recovery/reuse systems and water treatment systems.

o Keycolour Inc. 2477 Industrial laundry dye products.

exhibitors

LLac-Mac Limited 3911

Reusable surgical gowns and drapes, and other healthcare apparel.

Landen Strapping 2776

Plastic strapping machines, glue machines and stretch film wrappers, plus related supplies, parts and service.

Lapauw USA 3756

Flatwork finishing equipment, washer-extractors, garment finishing tunnels, cart washers, and more.

Laundroworks Card 2872 Systems

Card-based payment, control, and monitoring systems for multihousing and vended laundries.

Laundry Logic LLC 752 Computer software and systems for textile rental.

LaundryDealer.com 449 Online sales and marketing platform.

Lavatec Laundry 1513 Technology Inc.

Continuous-batch washers, washer-extractors, dryers, flatwork feeders, ironers, folders, stackers, material-handling equipment and mat-processing equipment.

o Leebaw 514 Manufacturing

Material-handling carts, garment carts, shelving units, lift tables and laundry/sling bags.

o Leonard 2248

Automatics

Tunnel finishing equipment, pressing equipment, conveyor products and production management systems.

o LG Electronics 649 Washers and dryers.

o Lochinvar LLC 4011

Energy-efficient boilers, water heaters, and storage tanks.

o Low Cost Mfg. Co. 548 Washer and dryer parts.

o Lyon 657

Lockers, shelving, storage racking and modular drawer cabinets.

including rail systems, conveyors and trolleys.

o Material Imports 2972 Textile products for hospitality, industrial, laundry and institutional customers.

o Maxi Companies 2806 Export management company specializing in commercial and industrial laundry and drycleaning equipment.

o Maximizer 1442 Water heaters, boiler stack economizers, wastewater heat recovery and water reuse systems.

Mo Maxtex Inc. 3961 Linen products for industrial laundries, and hospitality, resort and healthcare industries.

o M&B Hangers 2623

Wire hangers for dry cleaners and textile rental companies.

o MA Industries Inc. 461 Paper strapping.

o Maestrelli Srl 3356 Drycleaning and laundry equipment.

o Magid Glove & 4014 Safety

Work gloves, protective clothing, industrial hygiene, and safety equipment.

o Magline Inc. 4015 Aluminum material-handling equipment.

o Mainetti Group 4052 Garment hangers.

o Maruso USA Inc. 2869

Plastic hangers, shoulder guards, skirt hangers/clips, and tie holders.

o Material Flow 3771

Systems

Material-handling systems,

o Mayfield Group 3245 Advertising Bureau

Advertising and marketing services for retail fabricare.

o McClure Industries 532 Inc.

Laundry, linen and trash carts; motorized tuggers; cart dumpers; and cart washers.

o Medline Industries 2711 Inc. Healthcare textiles.

o Memories Gown 755 Preservation Wedding dress cleaning, preservation, packaging and shipping services.

o Messe Frankfurt Inc. 2772 Trade-fair organizer responsible for Texcare exhibitions.

o Metalprogetti 1232 Garment handling and distribution systems.

o Mevo Metzler 3671 GmbH

Evening streetscape on Peachtree Street and 12th Street in Midtown, Atlanta’s arts and entertainment district. (Photo: James Duckworth/Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Wire hangers, paper products, and plastic film for launderers and dry cleaners.

o Micross 3608 Automation Systems Hardware, control systems and counting systems for commercial laundries.

o Midwest 4057 Specialty Products

Disposable towel and wiper products.

o Midwestern 2657 Industries Inc. Wastewater-screening equipment and replacement screens and parts.

o Milliken & Co. 810 Fabrics for tablecloths, napkins, placemats, aprons and tableskirts; dust control products.

o MIP Inc. 2959

Reusable healthcare products, including bed linens, underpads, carts, bags, etc.

o Miura America 510 Boilers and related systems.

o Mobile 754 Computing Corp. Inc. (MCC)

Route-delivery software and systems for the linen and textile rental industry.

o MOD 3548 (Meese Orbitron Dunne Co.) Bulk linen and laundry carts.

o Monarch Coin & 407 Security Coin/token chutes, money boxes, locks and keys for coin laundry machines.

o Moonsoft 915 International Microfiber products, cleaning towels, and mop pads and materials.

o Morgan Olson 3733 Aluminum walk-in vans for the textile rental industry.

o Mountville Mills 3811 Inc.

Floor mats for uniform and textile rental companies.

o Multimatic 3033 Drycleaning machinery, specializing in conventional and alternative solvents.

o Navien Inc. 3470

o Newhouse 2877 Specialty Co. Specialty products for the laundry, drycleaning, hospitality and garment manufacturing industries.

o NIE Insurance 2706 Insurance services for dry cleaners.

o Nilodor Inc. 4013 Air care and odor control products.

No National Cleaners 3376 Association Trade association for professional garment/fabric cleaners and suppliers.

o National 1560 Combustion Co. Inc. (NATCO) Water-heating systems.

ABS Laundry Business Solutions 2856

Absorbcore 3368

ADI American Dawn 820

Air World 2506

Albatross USA 3045

Alcoa Wheel Products 418

Alliance Laundry Systems 1810

Alliant Systems 412

A.L. Wilson Chemical Co. 2606

American Changer 3706

American Coin-Op 2857

American Drycleaner 2857

American Dryer Corp. 2048

American Laundry News 2857

American Laundry Products 3357

American Laundry Systems 3853

American Reusable Textile 534 Association (ARTA)

American Textile Systems 521

American Trade Magazines 2857

Amethyst 3915

AMS Products/Object Design 3570

Angeline Group 3261

AquaRecycle 3433

ArbelSoft 425

ARCO/Murray National 2061 Construction Co.

ArtiClean Ozone Laundry 3143 Systems

ASCO Numatics 1806

Association for Linen Management 533

Association of Wedding Gown 941

Specialists

Automation Dynamics 3519

Autovalet Systems 3676

AWOIS 3723

B&C Technologies 1011

B&G Lieberman Co. 4022

Beck’s Classic 3460

BeCreative 360 853

Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga. Clean Show 2015 Floor Plan

Big Bill Flame-Resistant 606

Protective Apparel

bizzie 3777

BLC Textiles 3159

Bobco Systems 3952

BOWE Textile Cleaning 3576

Braun 2232

Brim Laundry Machinery Co. 2548

Brooks-Waterburn 1507

CACO Manufacturing Corp. 3344

Calderon Textiles 3464

Caled Chemical 3276

Card Concepts 1210

Cart & Supply 410

Centurion Medical Products 855

Century Place Apparel 4056

Chandler Machine USA 4010

ChemFree Corp. 1040

Chem-Tainer Ind./Maxi-Movers 1032

Chicago Dryer Co. 1632

Chief Clean 3360

Christeyns Laundry Technology 3665

Church & Dwight Co. 3257

Clayton Industries 1256

Clean Cycle Systems Filters 3925

Cleaner Business Systems 525

Cleaner’s Supply® 3865

Clenacorp 3144

CMV Sharper Finish 2611

Coin Laundry Association 740

Colmac Industries 2649

Columbia/ILSA Machines Corp. 2532

Commercial Coils 420

Compassmax/Maineline 515

Computer Systems

Computer Connections 3160

Computer Software Architects 949

Computer Systems 1207

Computype 3945

Conni 4036

Consolidated International Corp. 2769

Consolidated Laundry Machinery 2560

Continental Girbau/ 3111, 3119

Girbau Group

Cost-Less Parts! 3719 Covers Etc. 3176

CRDN 3776

Dajisoft 2757

Dante Bertoni 2968

Darman Manufacturing Co. 4051

Datamars 933

Davis Packaging 3960

DCCS (Dry Cleaning 3941

Computer Systems)

Dexter Laundry 1316

Diamond Chemical Co. 1041

Dickies Occupational Wear 1055

Diversified Plastics 2676

Dow Chemical 2868

Doxon Mfg. Co. 1155

Drycleaning & Laundry Institute 832

Duncan Fabricating Co. 506

Durable Superior Casters 415

Dynaric 3168

EAM-Mosca Corp. 2860

East Coast Water Systems 1049

Eastern Funding 1407

Ecolab 2732

EcoTex 1149

EDRO 1033

EKM Management Services 4072

Ekostar Textiles 3070

Ellis Corp. 1018

Encompass Group 2965

Energenics Corp. 911

Ensign Emblem 4040

EnviroForensics 3371

ERC Wiping Products 3668

Ergocon Solutions 1355

ESD 1432

E-TECH 1542

European Finishing Equipment 2542

Evercare/Butler Home Products 3468

Everstrong Commercial Products 3957

EzProducts International 3953

Fabricare Management Systems 3849

Fabritec International 3465

Fanafel (Valmet) 1307

Fashion Seal Healthcare 1042

Faultless Starch Co. 3859

Fawn Vendors 2771

Felins USA 3511

Felrap World 2673

FH Bonn 3140

Fibertech 3476

Fike and Fike 3973

Fimas 3065

Firbimatic 2940

Firestone Financial Corp. 2060

First Film Extruding 2659

First Preference Products 3818

Flexco 1761

FLM — Fairfield Laundry Machinery 2576

F-MATIC 3966

Foltex 3765

Forenta 2932

Foster-Stephens 943

Fujitsu Frontech North America 3914

Fulton Boiler Works 3365

Garment Company 2973

Garnier-Thiebaut 2669

Gemu Valves 4054

Golden Star 3742

GreenEarth Cleaning 3165

Greenwald Industries 3010

G.S. Manufacturing 3807

Gurtler Industries 3748

Hamilton Engineering 3522

Hangzhou A-tek Medical & 3172 Textiles Co.

Booth assignments and/or their configuration are subject to change without notice. Visit www.cleanshow.com for any updates.

American Trade Magazines

Publisher of American Laundry News Booth 2857

Hans-Joachim Schneider 3965

Harbor Linen 2768

Harris Pillow Supply 1208

Healthcare Laundry Accreditation 552 Council

High Mark Manufacturing 3518

H-M Company 1148

HMC Solutions 710

Hoffman Mint 3607

Hoffman/New Yorker 2848

Hong Kong Wells 3359

HPI Emblem 3958

Hunt Textiles 3556

Hurst Boiler 3456

Ideal Chemical & Supply Co. 3815

Imonex Services 3913

Impreglon Surface Technologies 661

Independent Textile Rental 3169

Association (ITRA)

Indy Hanger 3820

Infinite Creative Enterprises 446, 3977

Ink Strokes 2760

Innovative Management Designs 411

Irving Weber Associates (IWA) 433

Italclean 3156

ITD Trailers 3857

Itsumi USA 2742

James Gutheim & Associates 3068

J.B. Industries 560

Jensen USA 1832

JiangSu Sea-lion Machinery 1342

Group

John Ritzenthaler Co. 417

JP Equipment 1561

JS Fiber Co. 2873

Kannegiesser USA 2210

Kemco Systems 1255

Keycolour 2477

Kibler Chemical Corp. 1056

Kleen-Tex Industries 3473

exhibitors

o Norchem 3823, 3833 Corp.

Laundry chemicals; chemical dispensing systems; wastewater treatment and recycling systems; and system controllers and software.

o Novozymes A/S 455

Industrial enzymes.

o NuMat Systems 3270 LLC

Rubber-backed floor mats, and mat-processing equipment for the textile services industry.

o Omni Apparel 3964

Launderable butcher coats, lab coats, smocks and aprons for the food industry.

o Onnera Group 1448

o Othis USA 2665

Drycleaning finishing equipment.

apparel processing machinery, dryers, material-handling systems, and laundry computer networks.

o Performance 706 Matters

Consulting services for textile rental service companies.

Oo P&E Products 3277 Mat-rolling and -storage equipment.

o Parker Boiler Co. 2759 Steam boilers and indirectfired water heaters.

o Pellerin 1749, 2058 Milnor

Washer-extractors, automated tunnel washing systems,

Po Penco Products 3564 Inc.

Garment lockers, hygiene products and storage products for textile and linen rental.

o Penn Emblem Co. 3558 Emblems, and ID labeling and mending equipment.

o Pepin Mfg. Inc. 860 Lint removers.

o Phoenix Scale Co. 1014 Linen-processing and -tracking computer software.

o Phoenix Textile 2956 Corp.

Textile products and services for nursing homes and hospitals.

o Pinnacle Textile 1249 Industries LLC Uniforms, aprons, table linens and related products.

Plexus Industries 3645 Commercial laundry bags, slings and cart covers.

Point-of-Rental 2871

Pony S.p.A. 2765 Garment finishing and pressing systems.

Positek RFID L.P. 3525

RFID-enabled sorting and tracking software and systems for the textile rental industry.

Powerhouse 1461 Equipment Boilers.

PSP Industrial 2678 Laundry Equipment Turnkey solutions for laundry operations.

PurClean/ 3243 PurWater Water treatment equipment and systems.

QuickSort 3817 Automated assembly systems for dry cleaners.

Quietaire Cooling 1360 Inc.

Portable evaporative coolers.

RR&B Wire 3418 Products Inc. Laundry and utility carts and trucks, wire shelving, hampers, garment racks and other material-handling products.

RealStar USA 2865

Drycleaning machines using perchloroethylene, hydrocarbon, SolvonK4, GreenEarth, Rynex and other alternative solvents.

Reed Mfg. Co. 2307 Workwear and uniforms.

ReflectiveStripe. 952 com/Block Bindings & Interlinings

Custom reflective striping for workwear.

o Rema Dri-Vac 3041 Corp.

Air vacuum units, boiler feed systems, blow-off separators, boiler feed pumps, storage tanks and condensate systems.

o Rennco LLC 3457

Laundry bagging and packaging equipment.

o Renzacci SPA 3549

Drycleaning machines, washer-extractors, dryers and wetcleaning machines.

o Riegel Div. Mount 3271 Vernon Mills Inc.

Table linens, infant bedding products, hospitality sheeting and towels.

o R.L. Williams Co. 4060

Restroom products for the uniform, linen rental and dust control industries.

o Rotational 3469 Molding Inc.

Bulk linen trucks, exchange trucks, poly bushel trucks, extractor trucks and low-boy washroom trucks.

o Rowe Bill 852 Changers

Money-changing equipment.

o Royal Basket 3571 Trucks

Vinyl and canvas carts in various styles.

o Royal Blue 2960

Textiles

Importer of institutional linens for the textile rental, commercial, healthcare and hospitality laundries.

o R.R. Street 3265 & Co. Inc.

Drycleaning process additives, stain-removal agents and filtration products.

o R.W. Martin 1052 & Sons Inc.

Buyer and seller of single pieces of laundry equipment, complete processing lines, and entire processing plants.

o Ryco Conveyors 1858 Inc.

Design, sales and installation of material-handling systems.

o S. Thomas & 553 Associates Inc.

o San-Ai 1458 Industries Inc.

Laundry/drycleaning supplies and equipment.

o Sankosha 2919 USA Inc. Garment-pressing equipment. o SanMar 3411

Industrial workwear and wholesale imprintable apparel.

o Sealed Air Corp. 3565 Laundry/linen wrapping systems.

o SEITZ, Inc. 3949 Chemical additives for dry cleaners and laundries; powder and liquid detergents; and cleaning products.

o Sejong DNS 556 Laundry packaging.

The College Football Hall of Fame.

o Sierra Hygiene 2969 Products Turnkey paper programs for textile rental industry.

o Sigma Garment 954 Films

Garment film and flexible packaging.

o Sigmatex-Lanier 714 Textiles

Wide range of textile products for the linen supply, healthcare and hospitality industries.

o Simple Route 953 Accounting

o SNA 3373 Manufacturing LLC Foam hanger covers and shoulder guards. o Softrol Systems 3711 Inc. System controls and management information solutions for the automation of industrial uniform and textile laundry facilities.

o SonicAire 1808 Cleaning and cooling fans for laundries and drycleaning plants.

o Southwest 2756 Laundry Equipment Commercial laundry equipment and parts.

o Spartan 3841 Chemical Co. Laundry detergents and

chemicals.

o Spindle 3249 Software solutions for tracking laundry productivity and utility usage.

o SPOT Business 749 Systems

Computer software and systems for drycleaning operations management.

o Springpress 1306 Spring padding, waxes and cleaners for ironers.

o SRS Conveyors 1206 Material-handling equipment for the uniform and laundry industry.

o Standard 3917 Change-Makers Inc./ BCC Payments LLC

Currency change machines and electronic payment acceptance.

o Standard Textile 2349 Healthcare, hospitality and institutional textiles and apparel, and linen management services.

o Storms 3171 Industries Inc. Flatwork ironer textiles and supplies, cleaners and belt-

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Streetscape on Crescent Street in Midtown Atlanta, showing glass towers and popular restaurants.

(Photo: Kevin C. Rose/Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau)

ing; sling bags; cart covers; filtration and dust-control products.

o Strapack Inc. 3643

Plastic-strapping machines.

o Streamline 849 Solutions

S oiled-linen bags, cart covers, cart liners, hamper stands, laundry wrap, and other types of bags.

o Stry-Lenkoff Co. 956 Stock tags, labels and business forms for the laundry/ drycleaning industry.

o Superior Boiler 3572 Works Inc.

Boilers and b oiler room equipment.

o Superior Sewing 1154 Machine & Supply LLC Wide variety of sewing and garment care supplies.

To Talley Machinery 3452 Corp.

Parts, equipment and rebuild services for commercial laundries.

o TBR Associates 3552

Business consulting firm focused on textile services, commercial laundry and manufacturing industries.

o TCF Equipment 4012 Finance Inc.

Drycleaning equipment financing.

o Tecni-Quip 3925 Material-handling carts for healthcare facilities.

o Texas 1349 Automation Products Inc.

Heat-sealing machines and accessories.

o Textile Care Allied 541 Trades Association

SPONSOR: Trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of laundry and drycleaning equipment and supplies.

o Textile Rental 840 Services Association of America

SPONSOR: Trade association representing the textile services industry.

o Textile 1261 Technologies

Computer software systems for the textile rental industry. o The DECC Co. 1107 Abrasion-resistant release coating for dryer panels.

o Thermal 1960 Engineering of Arizona Inc.

Wastewater heat reclaimers, heat-recovery systems, shaker screens, water heaters, storage tanks, pumping systems, ceramic filtration systems and other products.

o Thermopatch 4019

Textile and garment identifi-

cation products and systems.

o 3M Body 1156 Protection Solutions Reflective materials for uniforms, transfers, etc.

o Tiffany Outdoor 3268 Advertising specialties and marketing services.

o Time in a Box 607 Preservation Co. Bridal, military and christening gown preservation enclosures.

o Tingue, Brown 3448 & Co.

Finishing equipment products and dedicated services for commercial laundries.

o Tolkar - Smartex 1549 Makina A.S.

Textile processing and commercial laundry machines.

o Trevil America 2568 Inc.

Tensioning equipment, wet cleaning systems, shirtfinishing equipment and laundry washers, dryers and flatwork ironers.

o Tri-State Technical 1361 Services/ TLC Equipment

Commercial laundry equipment and parts.

o Turn-Key 4025 Industrial Engineering Services Facility planning/design, project management, process improvement and building construction services for resort, medical, hospitality and industrial laundry providers.

Uo Union 2949 Drycleaning Products

Drycleaning equipment for use with perchloroetyhlene, hydrocarbon and alternative solvents.

o Unipress Corp. 2719 Shirt-pressing and finishing equipment for drycleaning, commercial and industrial applications.

o UniSec Div. of 2355 New York Machinery Drycleaning machines.

o United Brass 3069 Works Inc.

Pressing machine replacement parts, and steam valves, traps and regulators.

o United Textile 4044 Distribution Inc.

Dust control products, table linen, bed linen, towels, hangers, aprons and other products.

o United Wire 2609 Hanger Corp.

Wire and plastic hangers and related paper products for the uniform rental, drycleaning, laundry and apparel industries.

o Unitex 3442 International Inc. Microfiber products, towels, table linen, napery, fender/ seat covers, sheets, patient wear and other textile products.

o U.N.X. 3333 Incorporated Commercial laundry chemical products and dispensing systems for domestic and international markets.

o Utilimaster 720 Walk-in vans, parcel delivery vans and truck bodies.

o Vega Systems 1119

Washer-extractors; flatwork feeders, ironers, folders and stackers; continuous batch washing systems; and more.

o Vend-Rite Mfg. 3424 Co. Inc.

Soap venders, bag venders, snack/drink venders, coin laundry signs, plastic laundry bags and drop-off bags.

o Venus Group 3533

Tablecloths, napkins, aprons, sheets, towels, hospital linens and chef apparel.

o Veolia Water 756 Technologies

VF Imagewear Inc. 511 Industrial workwear, hospital-

ity garments, corporate apparel and protective apparel; managed uniform programs.

o Vintex Inc. 2876 Launderable barrier fabrics.

o Voltea 549 Water/wastewater treatment.

o Workrite Uniform 1161 Flame-resistant work apparel.

o World Emblem 3545 International Custom embroidered, sublimated and screenprinted emblems.

Wo WSI 1311 Chemicals and detergents; dispensing systems; wastewater treatment.

o Xeros Inc. 421

Commercial laundry system that utilizes polymer beads.

o YAC Japan 2615 Laundry and drycleaning equipment.

o Yamamoto 2811 Japan Inc.

o Wasatch Co. 3071 Textile products for institutional, hospitality, food service and healthcare industries.

o Wash Club NYC 760 LLC

o Wash Tech 4059

Heavy-duty washers and dryers for industrial laundries and dry cleaners.

o WaterSoluble 856 Bags.com Water-soluble bags for laundry applications.

o Webb & Son 3543 Sewing Machine Sales Inc.

Industrial sewing equipment, parts, workroom supplies and custom clamping for automated machines.

o Wedding Gown 3873 Preservation Co. Gown preservation services.

o WeiserMazars 3269 LLP Accounting and consulting services for textile rental companies.

o Weishi 3148 Machinery/Fuji Star Dryers, washer-extractors, steam equipment, drycleaning equipment and pressing equipment and supplies.

o Welspun 3976 Hospitality

o Wesvic Systems 1508

Automated system for tracking productivity of drycleaning and laundry equipment operators.

o WGS World’s 442 Global Source Hospital textiles.

o White 3933 Conveyors Inc.

Automated garmentsorting, storage and retrieval systems.

o Wholesale 3972 Textiles Inc.

o Winona Paper 416

o Woodbine 3343 Products Co. Hand-care products.

Washer-extractors, combination washer/extractor/dryers, and small-piece folders. ALN

World of Coca-Cola Museum. (Photo: Bruce Beggs)

By THeResA BoeHL, ediToR

ATLANTA — Though the Clean Show will provide many opportunities for social interaction, those looking to network in less formal settings may want to attend one of the social events being hosted by various industry associations.

Events are scheduled at various venues around the city, either before or after show hours. In some cases, tickets are required.

TRSA KICK-OFF TAILGATE

On Wednesday, April 15, the Textile Rental Services Association will host a kick-off tailgate event at the College Football Hall of Fame from 5:30-7:30 p.m. TRSA

has traditionally held a reception the night before the opening of the Clean Show; in years past, this reception has drawn more than 400 people.

Tickets include food and beverages—heavy hors d’oeuvres and a full bar—as well as an all-access pass to the venue. Dress code is casual, and TRSA encourages attendees to wear their favorite

college team apparel.

TRSA’s 2013 reception was at the House of Blues in New Orleans. Ken Koepper, director of marketing and PR for TRSA, says this year’s event “contrasts dramatically in the sense that the venue will be a larger part of the experience.”

“Participants will socialize and enjoy the interactive exhibits in

the Hall,” says Koepper. “In addition to viewing traditional exhibits, their customized tickets will provide them access to video content and other multimedia features about their favorite [college football] teams.”

He says all textile service operators, including on-premises laundry managers and owners, are invited to attend. Tickets for TRSA operator members are $75 before March 31, $95 after March 31, and $115 on-site. For associate members and non-member operators, tickets are $125 before March 31, $150 after March 31 and $175 on-site.

Registration is available at www. trsa.org/cleankickoff

ARTA/HLAC ‘BREAKFAST AT CLEAN’

The American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) and the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) will present “Breakfast at Clean” on Friday, April 17, from 7:30-9 a.m., in Room B315 of the Georgia World Congress Center. ARTA hosts a breakfast at every Clean Show; 2013 was the first year the two associations decided to co-host, and about 125 professionals attended.

Attendance is open to anyone in the industry; tickets can be purchased at www.arta1.com, and are $25 in advance or $30 at the door for ARTA members and HLACaccredited laundries. For nonmembers or non-accredited laundries, tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Those planning to attend must RSVP while registering online, or may do so by contacting Nancy Jenkins, ARTA executive director, at njenkins@arta1.com.

Attendees will be updated on ARTA’s planned activities for this year and next, and will also get an overview of new HLAC standards.

“Because HLAC is not a member organization, this is really the only venue for accredited laundries to meet and greet each other,” says Jenkins. “It’s also a great opportunity to connect before hitting the show floor.”

DLI/TCATA RECEPTION

A joint reception presented by the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI) and the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA) will take place Friday, April 17, at Ventanas, the rooftop venue at the Hilton Garden Inn, at 5:30-7 p.m. The free event is for TCATA and DLI members only. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

David Cotter, CEO of TCATA, says the reception will be a good opportunity for additional networking with others in the indus-

try, and for member professionals to discuss challenges.

Though DLI has been hosting a reception at Clean for many years, in 2013 the two groups decided to host the reception jointly. That event drew an estimated 450 textile care professionals.

“It was an overwhelming success,” Cotter says. “So we said, let’s do it again.”

ALM FAMILY GAME NIGHT

The Association for Linen Management (ALM) will host a members-only “ALM Family Game Night” on Friday, April 17, at 5:30-7 p.m. at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, the association’s headquarter hotel. The event is free, and members are welcome to bring a guest.

The reception is designed to allow ALM members to connect, and industry leaders will be recognized during the event.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a cash bar will be offered. Games and a giveaway will also be featured at the casualdress event.

Linda Fairbanks, ALM executive director, says the event is “a chance to thank our members, recognize the hard work they’ve done throughout the year and allow them to enjoy being together and celebrate their year’s success.”

ALN

TURNKEY SOLUTIONS FROM ELLIS

TRSA’s reception, presented at the 2009 Clean Show in New Orleans, drew hundreds. (Photo: TRSA/ Textile Services) ALM members gathered for a Mardi Gras reception during the 2013 Clean Show in New Orleans. (Photo: ALM)

ARTA President Ed McCauley at the association’s breakfast hosted at Clean 2011 in Las Vegas. (Photo: ARTA)

Best practices in curbing rising laundry utilities costs

explains.

So what are some ways managers can cut water costs? First, Chadsey says, evaluate your wash formulas.

BY CARLO CALMA

RICHMOND, Ky. — Laundry managers are charged with dealing with many operational tasks, including managing their facility’s overhead costs.

According to David Chadsey, then-managing director at Laundry-Consulting.com, utilities are among the highest costs in many laundry facilities, second only to labor.

In an Association for Linen Management (ALM) webinar titled Managing Laundry Utility Costs, Chadsey analyzed the “primary utilities” many laundries use and pay for, including water, sewer, gas and electricity, and explored the factors behind these rising costs, as well as how managers can better handle their usage.

“Understanding these costs [and] what contributes to these costs allows us to be better man-

agers and to be more successful in our operations,” he says.

MANAGING WATER COSTS

Usually, both water costs and sewer costs are billed on one invoice, according to Chadsey, and the combination is typically a laundry’s “largest utility cost.”

He says that, historically, conventional washer-extractors use between 1.5 and 2.5 gallons of water for every pound of linen processed.

“That amount of water used has a great deal to do with the soil load that we process, the classification and the corresponding wash formula,” says Chadsey, explaining that usage will also depend on which segment of the industry a laundry caters to.

Laundries processing hospitality linens will have a different wash formula than those that process heavy-soil healthcare linens, he

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“During my tenure coming up through [the] industry, early on, I worked for a chemical supplier, and I found out pretty quickly that a client was willing to give me the opportunity to use a lot of different baths. I could get that laundry cleaner for a lot less cost on my chemical side,” he explains.

Another way to reduce water consumption is to combine a wash and a bleach bath, adds Chadsey.

“There are some bleach products that are very compatible with certain detergent products,” he says. “If you combine a wash and a bleach bath … every one of these baths that we can eliminate, it’s significant in the amount of water that’s used in that formula.”

One other area Chadsey points at is managing a load’s water levels, which he says should “always be low when chemistry is added,” which can ultimately lead to a better wash quality.

“Any time there’s chemistry, our water levels should be low because

as there’s less water in there, that chemical concentration is going to be greater,” says Chadsey. “Also, with less water, you actually get more mechanical action.”

Before making the leap to changing a wash formula to save on water costs, Chadsey warns, it is “critically important” to involve your chemical representative, and to test the changes and the new

quest to save money on water, but Chadsey says that managers should do their homework before fully investing in the technology.

“With whatever water reuse [equipment] you may be looking at, it’s very important to understand what’s involved in the long term of running that,” he says.

“You need to understand what are the full requirements of implementing that. Oftentimes there [are] pits required, tanks or pumps. You may require additional water or drain valves on the washers.”

MANAGING SEWER COSTS

With regard to sewer costs, understand that laundries typically do not discharge the same amount of water as they use, according to Chadsey.

formula’s effectiveness over time before making “wholesale changes on all the machines.”

Water reuse/reclamation equipment is another avenue laundry managers can explore in their

“What happens is the municipality, they assume you discharge what you use; they don’t typically meter the water going out of the sewer, they meter the water coming into your facility,” he says.

So there is the opportunity to mitigate these costs through tracking the amount of evaporation, which occurs during the laundry

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“UNDERSTANDING THESE COSTS [AND] WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO THESE COSTS ALLOWS US TO BE BETTER MANAGERS AND TO BE MORE SUCCESSFUL IN OUR OPERATIONS.”

—DAVID CHADSEY

Water, sewer, gas and electricity costs add up—find little ways to save on these big laundry expenses

process and “results in actual sewer volume that is less than the water supplied.”

How much water a plant evaporates depends on operator efficiencies, according to Chadsey. And although there are formulas that can help operators estimate sewer volume, actual evaporation can be measured through the installation of a Parshall flume, which is connected to a laundry’s sewer line.

The cost for installation of such technology could be around $15,000, Chadsey says, but it will provide an accurate picture of the “actual sewer that flows out.”

MANAGING GAS COSTS

According to Chadsey, gas usage in the industry is typically based on the segment served, a facility’s product mix and its geographic location, and that a laundry manager’s goal for the number of Btu per pound of linen processed should be around 1,5002,000.

Direct-contact water heaters, wastewater heat recovery systems, stack economizers and tunnel-system centrifugal extractors are just some examples of the technology managers can invest in to manage thermal energy costs, according to Chadsey.

He also stresses the importance of properly loading dryers to save on this utility.

“The dryer is designed for a certain amount of [air] flow through the goods. If your dryer is not loaded to the right capacity, instead of the air having to flow through the goods, the air flows around the goods, and it’s very inefficient, so it’s very important to make sure you’re doing the right load sizes in your dryers,” says Chadsey.

Ensuring that the maximum amount of water is extracted from a washload is also key.

“Extraction efficiency is important because that’s the amount of water we’re going to get out of our goods before we have to use our thermal energy to get rid of that water,” says Chadsey.

“It’s a lot less expensive to spin it than it is to heat it.”

Among other practices, he also stresses the importance of maintenance tasks, like ensuring that hot-water piping is insulated, and that steam traps are properly maintained.

“Steam traps really should be maintained yearly to make sure they’re only opening up to allow the water through and not the raw steam through. You want to capture all of that raw steam for the work that we want it do.”

MANAGING ELECTRICITY COSTS

Historically, electricity is the “lowest primary utility cost” of laundry operations, according to Chadsey, and on average, laundry plant electrical usage is 0.1 kWh per pound of linen processed.

There are various technologies managers can look into, like off-grid co-generation options; inverter drive motors on equipment, like on washer-extractors; and new lighting technology, with subsidies available on lighting using 50-60% less electricity, according to Chadsey.

When it comes to managing electricity costs, he also stresses the “grandparent mentality.”

“If you’re not using it, shut it off,” he says.

IMPORTANCE OF BENCHMARKING

Looking at internal and external benchmarks established by peers in the industry can be another tool in helping to manage and save money on utility costs, Chadsey explains.

“Unless you know where you are, it is impossible to know where you are going,” he says.

ALN

Carlo Calma is editor of sister publication American Coin-Op, and previously served as editorial assistant for American Laundry News

—DAVID CHADSEY

Morning, afternoon educational sessions open to all Clean attendees

ATLANTA — Between visits to the Clean Show’s extensive exhibit floor, those attending next month’s event will have the opportunity to attend educational sessions targeting the unique issues of their industry segments, as well as some broader general sessions that offer strategies on improving operations, engaging workers and increasing business, among others.

Access to the educational sessions is included in conference registration, and is not dependent on association affiliation.

All morning sessions will be staged on level three of the Georgia World Congress Center. Afternoon educational sessions will be located at the end of the main aisle of the exhibit floor in the Sponsor Education Theater, just beyond the sponsor pavilion.

Educational sessions will take place between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., daily Thursday through Saturday.

On Sunday, the show’s final day, sessions will take place only in the morning. Here are brief session descriptions from Riddle & Associates: Thursday, April 16

• 8-9 a.m. — Communicating in a Crisis: A Practical Guide to Protecting Your Reputation, sponsored by the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA).

Protect the reputation of your business. Learn to communicate and plan properly during crises, such as accidents, natural disasters and public health scares. Gain practical advice on building an effective crisis response plan, as well as communicating with the media and customers, and managing social media.

• 8-9:45 a.m. — Going Hi-Tech: Emerging Textile Technologies, sponsored by the Association for Linen Management (ALM).

Join this discussion on processing, validating performance and the environmental impact of antimicrobial textiles, such as MJS spun-poly sheeting and microfibers. The advantages and disadvantages of the new products, as well as an analysis of their cost benefit, will be discussed.

• 8:30-9:45 a.m. — Is Great Customer Service Worth It? sponsored by the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI).

How can great customer service affect your bottom line? A

secret-shopping CEO shares insight and data from our industry about identifying weaknesses and rewarding excellence.

• 8:30-10 a.m. — Flip My Laundry: Best Practices for Remodeling Laundries, sponsored by the Coin Laundry Association (CLA).

Identify ways to design a store to maximize revenue per square foot in this session about remodeling a self-service laundry. Remodeling success stories will be shared and will include a discussion of how these projects overcame design issues.

• 9-10 a.m. — Industry Analysis: Domestic Trends and Emerging Markets, sponsored by TRSA.

A discussion of the textile services industry and its potential growth in light of economic trends and employment in key customer markets.

• 1-2 p.m. — TRSA Clean Green and Hygienically Clean Certification Programs: Quantifying Your Commitment to Cleanliness and Sustainability, sponsored by TRSA.

Nearly 50 companies have earned TRSA’s Clean Green certification, and more than 45 facilities

have earned TRSA’s Hygienically Clean designations. These certifications are independent, quantitative, and conducted by a third party, and are growing quickly to become the most recognized international certification programs for textile service operators, TRSA says. Learn how your company can meet these rigorous standards and quantifiable measurements, including inspections and testing.

• 2:30-3:30 p.m. — The HighTech Laundromat: Streamlining Store Operations Through Technology, sponsored by CLA. Through the use of technology designed to streamline store operations and improve efficiencies, owners can now monitor stores from afar, lock doors remotely, and track revenue through a mobile device. In this session, store owners share their high-tech experiences.

Friday, April 17

• 8-9 a.m. — All Things Google: Tips and Secrets to Your Best Marketing Resource, sponsored by CLA.

Learn how to avoid an advertising agency and reach potential customers through a cheap and easy medium—Google. This ses-

sion will include a discussion of some of Google’s best tools for laundries, and will identify ways to leverage those resources to reach your customers.

• 8-9:45 a.m. — The 4-1-1 on Equipment Acquisition, sponsored by ALM.

Goals play an important role in planning for capital investment in equipment. Once the goals are in place, acquiring the equipment is the next step. The RFP (Request for Pricing) process will assure that you are purchasing the right piece of equipment to meet your productivity and financial goals. Industry veteran Charles Berge will present a discussion on ways to approach this important decision.

• 8:30-9:45 a.m. — How to Sell to the #SELFIE Generation, sponsored by DLI.

Behavioral psychology can lend some insight into why customers switch companies and make purchases. Learn how to apply this science to selling dry cleaning to an Internet-connected generation.

• 9-10 a.m. — Healthcare Textiles in 2015 and Beyond: Strategies to Maximize Sales of Reusables, sponsored by the American Reusable Textile

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Features: Atlas of Atlanta Here’s what to see and do while in ‘Hotlanta’ for Clean ’15. Pounds vs. Pieces Most agree that it’s important to track poundage, but what can be learned from tracking pieces?

JUNE

Editorial Submission Deadline — April 15

JULY

Feature: Next Generation of Laundry/Linen Managers We explore the business approaches of tomorrow’s leaders, including their take on technology and innovation.

Product Showcase: Small-Capacity Dryers

Editorial Submission Deadline — May 15

Editorial Submission Deadline — February 15 ...and

much more!

Association (ARTA).

In order to maximize the sales of reusables in the rapidly changing healthcare environment, operators will have to market smarter and more aggressively. This session offers strategies to secure profitability in this segment.

• 9-10 a.m. — Maximum Performance: Getting the Most from Your Laundry Attendants, sponsored by CLA.

Clear goals and processes will help your laundry attendants and your business reach their full potential and be competitive. Join this discussion of methods of training attendants on store cleaning, equipment maintenance, customer service, money handling, sales and more.

• 1-2 p.m. — Boiler Alert: Save Money on this Massive Expense, sponsored by DLI.

Make sure your boiler is working with you and not against you. In this session, find out how to get more work out of less energy and lower your insurance costs.

• 2:30-3:30 p.m. — Starting a Laundry on a Shoestring, sponsored by ALM.

This session will cover the issues you need to consider before starting a commercial laundry business or expanding an existing one. ALM’s panel of experts will discuss rental textiles vs. processing customers’ goods, selecting equipment, regulatory requirements and more.

Saturday, April 18

• 8-9 a.m. — Tips for Entering the Commercial Laundry Industry, sponsored by TRSA.

Industry experts present on what it takes to enter the commercial linen and uniform rental market, as well as the pros and cons that come along with tackling an unfamiliar market. The discussion will cover the best place to start this type of transition, how the industry works and what competition already exists, to help you determine if it’s the right move for you.

• 8-9 a.m. — Your Guide to Wash, Dry, Fold: Folding, Packaging and Presentation Techniques, sponsored by CLA.

This session will demonstrate how to generate additional income and capture a different slice of the customer base by practicing good methods to fold, package and present laundry so that it is not only clean, but looks great, too.

• 8-9:45 a.m. — Industry Chat, sponsored by ALM.

ALM’s popular panel chat will feature a discussion from decisionmakers responsible for selecting textiles and textile care services for various markets.

• 8:30-9:45 a.m. — Success = More Than Just Drycleaning, sponsored by DLI.

Succeeding in today’s market means cleaning more than suits and formalwear. Hear from fellow

industry professionals on how to expand services to accommodate customers’ changing needs.

• 9-10 a.m. — Commercial Accounts Marketing Toolkit, sponsored by CLA.

For those considering adding commercial accounts to their wash/dry/fold operations, and those wanting to grow that segment, this session tackles what’s needed to pursue those accounts, and identifies strategies for growing a commercial account base.

• 9-10 a.m. — Fostering Communication, Ensuring Engagement, sponsored by TRSA.

Learn more about a top-down and bottom-up communication approach, where employees voice their concerns and ideas and report incidents and near-misses.

• 9-10 a.m. — How to Convert OR Clients from Disposables to Reusable Surgical Textiles— Deliver Value to Keep Them, sponsored by ARTA.

This session offers case studies on how to convert and train customers on using reusable O.R. textiles, as well as systems for tracking and keeping O.R. gowns, drapes and textile inventory in circulation.

• 1-2 p.m. — OSHA Compliance: Identifying Laundry’s Most Cited Violations, sponsored by TRSA.

A top OSHA administrator from 2006-2008 has helped TRSA develop consensus proposals for

overcoming the most difficult obstacles the industry faces in eliminating injuries and illnesses.

In this session, hear OSHA’s top 20 most frequently cited standards and the top 25 “low-hanging fruit” violations.

• 2:30-3:30 p.m. — Problem Garment Parade, sponsored by DLI.

Preventing claims not only stops payouts, it increases customer confidence in your business. DLI’s educators will help attendees learn how to identify and prevent common claim-causing garment problems.

Sunday, April 19

• 8-9 a.m. — Acquisition Financing: Today’s Options for Your Next Store Purchase, sponsored by CLA.

Purchasing a self-service laundry requires a large initial capital investment, and financing a laundry often differs from more traditional financing models. This session will be a discussion about what information is needed to obtain financing and how to avoid potential financing pitfalls.

• 8-9:45 a.m. — Textile Effectiveness from a Clinician Point of View, sponsored by ALM.

With changes in reimbursement emphasizing patient satisfaction and outcomes, understanding the nursing perspective regarding patient care linen is key to the

delivery of quality textiles, from the processing and product standpoint. Listen to a discussion on new technology and its impact on HACs and HAIs.

• 8:30-9:45 a.m. — Getting the Most Out of Your Association Membership, sponsored by TRSA. Learn how to maximize the resources available to you through your association membership. Get tips on how to be more engaged, and to use your membership to grow your network, increase your brand recognition and build business opportunities to get a higher return on your investment.

• 8:30-9:45 a.m. — Policing Employee Policies, sponsored by DLI.

The way employees look and behave is changing—are your company policies current with today’s employment issues? Learn how to protect your business from a lawsuit filed by a disgruntled employee.

• 9-10 a.m. — Top 10 Secrets

Potential Laundry Owners Should Know, sponsored by CLA.

Learn from others’ experiences and avoid potential pitfalls that could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. Michael Sokolowski, former multi-store owner and current CLA executive, counts down the top 10 secrets that you need to know before purchasing or building a self-service laundry. ALN

Penn Emblem adds Garced, Weisberg

PHILADELPHIA — Eric Garced and Debra Weisberg have joined the staff of Penn Emblem, the company reports.

Weisberg, who has more than 20 years of sales, account management and lead-generation experience, has been hired as senior account manager, the company says. She has a background in the safety/personal protective equipment and flameresistant industries.

Garced has been hired as graphic designer. He interned with the company after graduating from West Chester University with a bache-

Track Career

lor’s degree in fine arts and design. In his role, he will help expand the branding image of Penn Emblem, the company says, and will bring a “new perspective” to the creative marketing team.

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

Alliance Laundry Systems promotes Westphal

RIPON, Wis. — Alliance Laundry Systems reports that it has promoted Matthew Westphal to financial services manager for all of Alliance’s finance groups. In his position, he will be responsible for “all equipment loan underwriting and origination, finance program and promotion development, marketing services support, and distributor and customer relationship development,” the company says.

Westphal received his bachelor’s degree in economics and business development from the University of Minnesota. Most recently, he served as manager of Speed

Queen® Financial Services, and he has previously worked for U.S. Bank and Ameriprise Financial, according to Alliance.

“Matthew has been instrumental in the growth and development of our distributor finance programs since joining Alliance six years ago,” says Todd Rice, director of financial services for Alliance Laundry Systems.

“In this time, he has developed a strong aptitude for the laundry industry and developing and underwriting successful financing solutions to support our customers’ needs.”

“I look forward to growing with Alliance with this new opportunity, while expanding current financial solutions and developing

additional services that will help our distributors and customers succeed,” says Westphal.

SanMar welcomes Knapick, Gao

SEATTLE — SanMar® Corp. has recently hired Mike Knapick and Yen Gao, the company reports.

Knapick has been appointed chief information officer. He will manage and oversee major technology initiatives and day-to-day IT operations.

Knapick previously managed the IT department of EMC’s Isilon Storage division, and held a similar role at Expedia. He also has experience at large consulting firms, according to the company.

“I’m excited to join SanMar and continue to build on the progress made by the great IT team here,” says Knapick. “There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work under way that will enhance the total experience for our customers.”

Gao, an apparel industry veteran, has been hired as director of sourcing. In her new role, she will oversee and manage the com-

pany’s U.S. sourcing team.

Gao most recently served as a sourcing production manager for knits at Kohl’s, and has held similar positions Carter’s® and Abercrombie & Fitch®.

“We always strive to deliver the best products to our customers, which requires working with a vast network of supply-chain vendors around the world,” says Jeremy Lott, president of SanMar. “Yen’s deep experience with well-known retail brands at their worldwide sourcing facilities helps in achieving our core values of making a difference by consistently delivering quality goods.”

“I’m excited to join the great team at SanMar and share my experiences in product development and supply-chain management,” says Gao. “It’s all about building relationships with manufacturing resources to deliver the quality products at a fair price point.”

Fox joins Washburn Machinery staff

ELK GROVE VILLAGE — Michael Fox has joined the sales

Westphal

Garced

Weisberg

and customer service team of Washburn Machinery Inc., the authorized UniMac Commercial Laundry distributor for Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana. Bringing his experience in OPL, coin laundry and drycleaning sales of new and replacement equipment, Fox will work with new and existing OPL accounts in Illinois and Indiana.

Fox earned a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing from the University of Northern Iowa.

Washburn Machinery President Jeff Fox says he is “thrilled” to have his brother “join forces” with him and his team.

Superior Linen Service hires Beck, McDougal

TULSA, Okla. — Two new territory sales managers have joined Superior Linen Service: Susan Beck, covering the Springfield, Mo., market, and John McDougal, who will head the Little Rock, Ark., sales region.

Between them, Beck and

McDougal have 19 years of sales and marketing experience, and they will strengthen ties with existing customers while building relationships with new ones, the company says.

“I am beyond excited for this opportunity,” Beck says. “I plan to gain as much knowledge as I can, as quickly as I can, to ensure success for my customers and for my employer.”

“Superior Linen Service is the best choice out there for businesses,” McDougal comments. “I’m proud to represent a company with such a positive reputation in the industry and with our customers in the region.”

Therese Hood, director of territory sales and client development, comments, “John and Susan joining our regional sales team in each market is a great asset to both Superior Linen Service and

our future customers. Their work ethic, integrity and personalities are a great fit for how we do business.”

ADI American Dawn welcomes Rawjee

LOS ANGELES — Nadia Rawjee has been named marketing manager, online solutions, at ADI American Dawn, the company reports. Rawjee graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in international relations - global business.

A part of ADI’s ownership family, Rawjee is first of the company’s fifth generation to join ADI. Her responsibilities will include a “major overhaul” of the company’s online presence in advance of the upcoming Clean Show.

“We are excited to work with Nadia to bring new value-added products like image libraries, upgraded order interfaces, social media connection and better tools to the industry,” says Vyto Tozer, executive vice president of ADI American Dawn.

“Nadia has incredible energy and passion, and will raise the bar in our competitive landscape.”

Tingue, Brown hires Bradley

SADDLE BROOK, N.J. — Tingue, Brown & Co. has appointed Shawn Bradley to represent the company in northern Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Bradley has a master’s degree in business administration from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University, the company reports.

He served in the Army and the Army National Guard as a combat medical applicator and was a Navy field medic prior to those posts.

The company says his prior business, military and educational experiences will help him as he builds strong relationships and helps the company meet customers’ needs.

“I look forward to supplying Tingue, Brown’s fine line of

products to laundry operators throughout my region and to guiding those operators in getting maximum satisfaction from them,” says Bradley.

G.A. Braun adds Spencer as sales manager

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — G.A. Braun has hired Charles (CJ) Spencer as field regional sales manager. His area of coverage will include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. With more than a decade of industry experience, he most recently served as general manager of a large healthcare laundry facility.

“CJ Spencer brings to our customer base exceptional knowledge and experience in plant assessments and operations, which results in the keen ability to deliver optimum laundry equipment solutions,” says Gary Ostrum, Braun’s East Coast regional VP of sales. ALN

Fox

Beck

McDougal

Bradley

Spencer Rawjee

winning the sale for reusable surgical textiles

By nAnCy J. Jenkins

SHAWNEE MISSION, Kan. —

The benefits of reusable surgical gowns and textiles over disposable single-use items are proven: They offer enhanced comfort, cost, performance, and are environmentally preferred. In addition, according to Standard Textile, when hospitals convert their operating rooms (ORs) to a reusable program, they can reduce waste by 90%, since OR waste is primarily infectious (red-bag) waste and costs as much as 30 cents a pound to landfill.

In 2015, most hospitals have joined the sustainability bandwagon and formed green teams or hired sustainability officers whose sole purpose is to implement and measure recycling and waste reduction programs.

Given these facts, sales of reusable surgical textiles should be skyrocketing. The reality, however, is mixed. While some healthcare operators have seen an increase in sales, just as many are experiencing flat or declining sales for reusables in the OR.

But when hospitals do make the commitment to convert, experts say, they love the difference reusables provide.

DISPOSABLES FOR THE OR

“In the U.S., we are caught in a disposable mind-set,” says Angie O’Connor, a former OR nurse who currently works for the Encompass Group as director of clinical resources – acute care. “I remember when HIV emerged and there was a rapid shift to disposables because they were per-

ceived as safer. Now, the overall ratio of disposables to reusables in U.S. hospitals is 80/20.”

The reasons manufacturers of disposables are able to keep singleuse disposable items in the OR are varied, and include:

• Enormous marketing budgets that fund a large sales force and advertising to promote and reinforce existing biases for disposables.

• Decades of entrenched bias among users that disposables are more hygienic, safer, more convenient and less expensive.

• The issue of sterilization. Most laundries in the U.S. aren’t set up to sterilize reusable surgical packs. Barriers to entry include FDA regulation and the cost of sterilization equipment ($150,000 to $200,000 per autoclave). This puts the onus on hospitals to sterilize surgical packs, which most hospitals aren’t used to doing, or may not have the capacity to handle. An exception to this are laundry cooperatives formed to serve member hospitals; cooperatives do not come under FDA regulation regarding sterilization.

• Group purchasing organizations and the almighty power of discounts and rebates. To secure the lowest possible price for goods, and sometimes rebates, hospitals must often agree to purchase a minimum volume of specific products. If eliminating disposable items in the OR jeopardizes the hospital’s pricing on other goods, a conversion to reusables is not likely.

CONVERTING ORs TO REUSABLES

In a nutshell, a successful conversion takes research, work, expertise and a cash investment. Jim Sprout, PrePak business manager for Standard Textile, describes the challenge: “To convert [a hospital to a reusable OR program], the costs come quickly and the benefits a little slower.

“A hospital and their laundry partner need to invest in the textile products, build out a pack room in the laundry, and develop staff expertise for pack-room operations: laundering, inspection and folding, pack make-up, and steam sterilization,” he says. “This is a lot of work and expense.

“However, the results that come after this is accomplished are great and include: a huge improvement in clinical staff satisfaction for gowns they wear; a reduction in more than 90% of medical waste generated by the OR; a reduction in the cost of gowns and towels and covers; increased utilization in previous investments in laundry and sterilization systems; moving good jobs from China to the local community; and a

more flexible, responsive, and controlled service,” he says.

The key, according to Sprout, is willingness on the part of the hospital and laundry to invest the upfront time and money required to launch a successful reusable surgical textile program.

Based on interviews with manufacturers of surgical textiles, the following process is recommended to convert a hospital from disposables to reusables.

SUGGESTED CONVERSION PROCESS

Representatives from Encompass Group, Lac-Mac, Medline Industries and Standard Textile contributed to the process outlined below. Special kudos to Shelley Petrovskis of Lac-Mac for her Six-Step Approach. Operators are encouraged to contact their suppliers for support when preparing to sell reusable surgical textiles.

1. Research prospects and contacts. Identify the right contact to begin conversations. Who is an ally, and who is an adversary? Environmental services? Is there a green team

or environmental staff person? Make sure you enlist the support of staff that will support the environmental and waste reduction benefits offered by reusables. Then proceed to the OR manager or OR staff.

2. Start small. You probably aren’t going to convert the entire OR from single-use items to reusables at the same time. Begin with a manageable plan, say OR towels and surgical gowns, or back-table cover or mayo-stand cover.

3. Work with your reusable OR supplier. Tap the knowledge and resources your supplier can provide. Any and all reusables suppliers are a resource to you. Consider reaching out to other laundries that have successfully converted hospitals to a reusable OR program for any tips or suggestions they may have.

4. Prepare an outline comparing disposable products to reusable alternatives. This comparison should include costs; product and barrier attributes; sterilization; disposal costs; delivery; staffing; and any other services your laundry can provide in addition to a reusable OR program.

5. Once you have initial buy-in, establish a multi-disciplinary team.

6. Offer the team (green team, clinical staff and decisionmakers) a tour of the laundry and pack room.

7. Begin a product trial for a few weeks. There may be those against a reusable program,

(Photo: Nancy Jenkins)

but let them sample it and get their buy-in. Document expectations and how success will be measured.

8. Measure the results and analyze.

9. Set up a clear process for conducting the actual conversion (one that uses up old inventory, etc.). Make sure the client has customer-service support on-site and/or easy to reach via phone.

10. Continue to provide support and education to client, as well as evaluate and measure results.

COST IS KING

“It is critical for a reusable OR program to show a lower cost than a disposable program,” according to Jonathan Feldman, director of customer solutions for Medline Industries. “For that to happen, it’s important to connect with the supply chain decision-makers as soon as possible. If you don’t do your research first, you can significantly extend the timeline for making the sale.

“For example, if the hospital’s OR contract is tied into a larger contract, the hospital may be unwilling to take the penalty [or price increase/loss of rebate] that would happen if there is a switch to a reusable program.”

PUT THE WIN-WIN IN REUSABLE PROGRAMS

So you’ve won the OR business for several hospitals and are successfully serving reusable surgical packs. Business is thriving, but there are a few challenges:

• Tape on drapes is difficult to remove in the laundry process;

• Surgeons are cutting up drapes;

• Expensive gowns and drapes and reusable items somehow disappear in the system;

• Surgical instruments come back with the laundry.

The issue of lost surgical instruments found in the laundry is a big win-win for the client. That’s because the laundry can save the hospital thousands of dollars each year by returning those instruments that would otherwise wind up in the landfill. Set up a process in your soil-sort area where instruments are stored for each client and returned at a later date. You will be a hero.

A reusable program won’t be more cost-effective than a disposable one if product doesn’t stay in the system for the recommended 50 to 75 turns.

“We offer reusable high-tech gowns with excellent barrier protection,” says Ed McCauley, CEO of United Hospital Services. “In order to track items, the answer is to bar-code the product, or some will sew in a RFID chip. However, gowns will still disappear, which means the client needs to pay for the lost product. If that happens very often, the losses mount and the client isn’t going to be happy.”

Feldman speaks to the complaint about surgeons cutting up

drapes. “There are typically four or five options on drapes. But if a surgeon wants a specific fenestration size and the drape doesn’t match, that surgeon is going to cut the drape. When that drape is a $3 disposable one, it’s not a big deal. When it’s a $100 drape designed for 75 uses, that’s a problem.”

How do operators handle the abuse and loss of expensive reusable surgical textiles? It’s an ongoing challenge.

“To ensure a win-win program, I recommend setting up a linen committee that meets once a month in the beginning to once a quarter after the program has

a good start,” says Charlie Popp, RN, BSN, nurse consultant for Standard Textile. Popp says the committee needs to include representatives from the OR, the linen room and ancillary departments, as well as clinical and operations representatives from the laundry. “Education for staff in the beginning is crucial. It’s important to take a proactive approach that keeps everyone informed on any problems, changes in staff or procedures.”

EDUCATION, CUSTOMER SERVICE, ADVOCACY Education, customer service

and advocacy are the best means of ensuring a reusable surgical program is a win-win proposition for the laundry and the hospital. It was remarkable to this author that the difference between hospitals with reusable surgical programs and those without hinged primarily on one factor—whether or not there were internal advocates. These advocates were typically nurses who had positive past experiences with reusable surgical textiles.

The bonus of strong internal advocates is that they can enforce proper protocols.

“When disposables were intro-

duced to the OR, habits changed,” says O’Connor. “Since disposables were used once, it became acceptable to cut them. Before disposables, reusable drapes were only cut in emergencies.”

“The key is creating a culture of conservation in the ‘periop’ space,” she adds. “Everyone in the OR needs to work for quality outcomes that are cost-effective.”

ALN

Nancy Jenkins is the principal of Jenkins Integrated Marketing, and serves as the executive director for the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA), www.arta1. com. She resides in Topeka, Kan.

G.A. Braun named

NorthStar Mat’s

2014 Supplier of Year

NORTH SYRACUSE, N.Y. — G.A. Braun has been named the 2014 Supplier of the Year by NorthStar Mat Service, a company that supplies mats on a rental basis in the Detroit area. This is the first time NorthStar has presented the award.

“This award is based on meeting and exceeding quality, delivery times, technical support and budgeting goals,” says NorthStar Mat Service General Manager John Sloan. “Since our decision to install Braun laundry equipment in our plant over the last two years, they have shown us that they are capable and willing to work with us to have a long-range advantage to supply a quality product to our customers.”

Sloan tells American Laundry News that NorthStar purchased a new dryer and two new open-pocket washers from Braun and that he is “ecstatic” with their performance.

“It couldn’t have come at a better time,” Sloan says. The company, which has been in business since 1967, has recently experienced a “tremendous growth spurt.” Creating the award allowed NorthStar to recognize a supplier that stood out among the rest, he adds.

“Being awarded supplier of the year by the team at NorthStar meant a great deal to our organization,” says Joe Gudenburr, president of G.A. Braun. “We have been working with NorthStar over the past few years to retool their washroom, and help them realize their business performance objectives. They are a great business partner, and we are very fortunate to work with such a professional client.”

Virginia Linen Service recognized with APSE employer award

BEDFORD, Va. — Virginia Linen Service Inc. has received the 2014 Service Partnership Award from the Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE) and Chesterfield Employment Services (CES), the company reports. The award was presented at Chesterfield County’s recent annual recognition event.

The company was chosen for the award in recognition of

its “exemplary partnership and service to the Chesterfield Community Services Board.” Virginia Linen Service employs individuals with disabilities to work in various aspects of its operation, including textile conservation, mending, laundry sorting, facility services and cart washing, the company says.

“Virginia Linen values the CES staff and workers for their commitment and dedication,” says David Leedy, general manager. “Working with CES has proven to be a worthwhile and enjoyable experience, and we look forward to a continued partnership.”

Phil Nussbaum, manager at CES, says Virginia Linen Service is a “socially engaged business and has become a true partner and a great example to other employers in the area.”

Ecolab to participate in Minnesota alternative energy program

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Ecolab reports that it is the “first major corporate” participant planning to offset its electricity use as part of a Minnesota alternative energy program involving community solar gardens. The solar gardens will consist of shared solar panel sites with grid-connected subscribers, and will be developed under the Xcel Energy Solar*Rewards Community Program launched late last year.

The company says that as a subscriber to the solar gardens, which will deliver electricity to Minnesota’s local grid, it will offset the electricity it purchases for its various campuses in the state.

SunEdison, a solar technology manufacturer and provider of solar energy services, plans to develop the solar gardens in Dakota County once the project is approved by Xcel Energy. Plans are to begin construction near the end of the year and reach completion in 2016. TerraForm Power Inc. will own and operate the gardens.

“Supporting SunEdison’s solar garden project enables us to lock in electricity rates for the next 25 years and promote solar energy,” says Alex Blanco, executive vice president and chief supply chain officer at Ecolab. “We always seek opportunities to achieve both business and sustainability goals in the way we operate and through our customer solutions.”

Ecolab says it will receive “electricity credits on its Xcel

Energy utility bills from the energy created at the solar gardens” that will be based on output from 40% of the gardens’ 40-megawatt total capacity. Forty percent is the maximum amount permitted with the program, and the company says the remaining capacity will be “available for credit to schools, municipalities and other Minnesota community members.”

“We welcome the opportunity to support the long-term viability of community solar gardens,” says Raj Rajan, vice president and global sustainability technical leader at Ecolab. “Our 25-year involvement in the program will generate more than 552 million kilowatt hours of zero-emission electricity, estimated to eliminate more than 381,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide—equivalent to the carbon sequestered by nearly 10 million tree seedlings during their first 10 years of growth.”

In Memoriam: David Kartsonis, Superior Linen Supply

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — David Kartsonis, 33, vice president of Superior Linen Supply, and a Certified Professional Laundry Manager, died on Saturday, Jan. 10, at his home in the neighborhood of Brookside. He was part of the fourth generation at the company, and along with his brother, Matt Kartsonis, worked to expand the business through the acquisitions of Medical Laundry Service and Mr. Mat.

Kartsonis graduated from Lee’s Summit (Mo.) High School in 1999 and obtained a degree from the University of Central Missouri in 2004. According to the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA), he was a graduate of the association’s Production Management Institute and was a regular attendee of TRSA meetings and the Clean Show. He was also an Eagle Scout and Warrior in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. Surviving Kartsonis are his wife, Georgia; two daughters, Maria and Andriana; his parents, Bill and Jan Kartsonis; brother, Matt; and other family members. Donations in his memory may be made to Reconciliation Services, 3101 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64109, or at www.rs3101.org

D. Kartsonis ALN

B & C GAS IRONER FOR SALE

MODEL - IS18120 YEAR 2010 Good condition Best offer or it will be scrapped. Call for more information 201-727-4700 Ext. 4888. Ask for Kevin or E-Mail keving@partyrentalltd.com

ELLIS CORPORATION

(630) 250-9222

Looking for offers on the following equipment:

• 2011 Milnor PulseFlow Tunnel 130 lb. - 12 Chamber

• 2003 / 1993 Milnor Classic Tunnel 110 lb. - 12 Chamber

• 2011 Milnor Four Pocket Load Conveyor

• 2003 Milnor Four Pocket Load Conveyor

• 2011 Milnor Centrifugal Extractor

• 2003 Milnor 110 lb. Press Extractor

• (3) 2008 Milnor 260 lb. Gas Dryers

• (3) 1993 Milnor 220 lb. Gas Dryers

• 2003 Milnor Twin Bed Shuttle

Interested parties should contact Craig Mundt at cmundt@elliscorp.com

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

info@mcclureindustries.com

MATERIAL HANDLING / CONVEYORS

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

PARTS & SUPPLIES

Directory

PARTS

PARTS

CLASSIFIEDS@AMERICANTRADEMAGAZINES.COM

PRESSES – EXTRACTION

Pellerin Milnor Corp.

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

WASHERS – CONTINUOUS BATCH

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 LESS

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

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Company Web Site Page Company

Agaia International www.agaiainc.com 10, 34

A.L. Wilson Chemical Co. www.alwilson.com 9

ADI American Dawn www.americandawn.com 5

American Dryer Corp. www.amdry.com 27

ARTA www.arta1.com 30

Association for Linen Management www.almnet.org 32

B&C Technologies www.bandctech.com 35

Brightwell Dispensers www.brightwell-inc.com 18

Clean Show 2015 www.cleanshow.com 43

Consolidated International Corp. www.cicus.com 42

Consolidated Laundry Machinery www.clmco.com 21

Davis Packaging www.davispackaging.net 40

Dexter Laundry www.dexterlaundry.com 31

Direct Machinery Sales Corp. www.directmachinery.com 44

East Coast Water Systems www.eastcoastwatersystems.com 8

Ellis Corporation www.elliscorp.com 33

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. www.freightlinerchassis.com 17

G.A. Braun www.gabraun.com 29

Girbau Industrial www.girbauindustrial.com 7

The Griffin Group, Inc. www.thegriffingroup.cc 44

G.S. Manufacturing www.gsm-cart.com 40

Hamilton Engineering www.hamiltonengineering.com 38

IES www.iesclean.com 22

IPSO www.ipso.com 14

Jensen www.jensen-group.com 37

J.P. Equipment

Web Site Page

www.ineedjpequipment.com 44

Kannegiesser USA www.kannegiesser.com 23

Kemco Systems www.kemcosystems.com 42

LaundryCareers.com www.laundrycareers.com 44

Lavatec Laundry Technology www.lavatec-laundry.com 48

Maytag www.maytagcommerciallaundry.com 11

McClure Industries www.mcclureindustries.com 38

MOD www.modlaundry.com 13

Norchem Corp. www.norchemcorp.com 16

Parker Boiler www.parkerboiler.com 36

Pellerin Milnor www.milnor.com 3

Quicksort www.garmentmanagement.com 37

Rennco www.rennco.com 39

Royal Basket Trucks www.royal-basket.com 6

Spartan Chemical www.spartanchemical.com 15

Spindle www.spindlelive.com 4

Stanco Industries www.stancoind.com 44

Tri-State Technical Services www.tristatetechnical.com 41

UniMac www.unimac.com 19

U.N.X. Inc. www.unxinc.com 28

Venus Group www.venusgroup.com 26

Washing Systems, Inc. www.washingsystems.com 20

Yamamoto www.yamamotolaundry.com 12