American Laundry News - January 2019

board approves company name change to EVI Industries Inc.

MIAMI — The board of directors for commercial laundry and drycleaning equipment distributor EnviroStar Inc. approved a change of its corporate name to EVI Industries Inc. in midDecember.

The company says the name change signifies its focus on executing its buy-and-build growth strategy in the commercial, industrial and vended laundry industry and across a group of industries that meet its strategic criteria.

Since the buy-and-build growth strategy went into effect in 2016, EVI has acquired nine laundry equipment distributors.

EVI expected the name change to go into effect on or about Dec. 21, 2018. The name change will not impact the ticker symbol of the company’s common stock, which will continue to trade on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol “EVI.” Under Delaware law, stockholder approval of the name change is not required. ALN

Messe Frankfurt acquires Clean Show

BY BRUCE BEGGS, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany — Messe Frankfurt, the German-based trade fair organizer responsible for Texcare shows in Europe and Asia, reports it has finalized a deal to purchase the U.S.-based Clean Show from its five sponsoring associations.

Terms of the acquisition were not announced.

Atlanta’s Riddle & Associates, which has been managing Clean Shows under contract since 1993, will manage Clean 2019 on behalf of Messe Frankfurt. That show is scheduled for June 20-23, 2019, in New Orleans, La.

Clean Show attendees and exhibitors will see “no changes” in New Orleans from prior shows, according to Ann Howell, who handles public relations for Riddle & Associates.

Riddle & Associates founder and President John Riddle tells American Trade Magazines there has been “little to no conversation” with Messe Frankfurt regarding

management of Clean Shows beyond 2019. There have been discussions about Riddle possibly consulting on future shows. Based on Messe Frankfurt’s vast trade fair experience and resources, Riddle believes the new owner will manage future shows itself.

Besides the 2019 show in New Orleans, future Clean Shows previously announced are June 10-13, 2021, in Atlanta; May 18-21, 2023, in Orlando; and June 9-12, 2025, in Las Vegas.

Q&A:

The Messe Frankfurt press release states that “future events are planned for Atlanta and Orlando in 2021 and 2023 respectively.”

The previous sponsors—Association for Linen Management (ALM), Coin Laundry Association (CLA), Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI), Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA), and TRSA, the asso-

Future of laundry automation

BY MATT POE, EDITOR

CHICAGO — There are several factors driving automation in laundry/linen services. Labor issues, the need for efficiency, cost control, technology and more have resulted in more automated laundry equipment and processes.

But just how automated will laundry operations be in the future? American Laundry News posed that question (and more) and heard from four experts in the field of laundry automation: Brian Polatsek, CEO of EcoBrite Linen in Skokie, Ill., which provides laundry services for skilled nursing facilities; David Netusil, manager of sales support and marketing for JENSEN USA in Panama City, Fla.; Keith Ware, vice president of sales for Lavatec Laundry Technology Inc. in Beacon Falls, Conn.; and Seth Willer, national sales manager for Girbau Industrial in Oshkosh, Wis.

What areas of a laundry operation do you think will always have to be staffed?

POLATSEK: Customer care! Okay, not exactly, but my long-term

vision is a laundry that has very few people. What will remain is maintenance staff, custodial, truck loading and unloading, drivers, mending, and repair, rewash.

Columnist at Large

In this issue, Eric Frederick talks about making readers think and react over the years.

Measuring Productivity

Find out more about measuring laundry productivity, and how to make use of the data.

Panel of Experts

Meet the industry experts who will be answering important questions throughout 2019.

The Newspaper of Record for Laundry & Linen Management

EnviroStar

What will laundry/linen service operations look like in the years to come?

Retains Riddle & Associates to manage 2019 event

(File Photo: Bruce Beggs)

(Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)

Government action affects majority of laundries

CHICAGO — When governments at the local, state and federal levels pass legislation, create policies, etc., often laundry/linen service operations are affected.

That’s what respondents indicated in a recent American Laundry News Your Views survey.

When asked how much governmental activities impact their laundries, 53% of survey takers indicate “a lot,” while 26.7% say, “somewhat.”

Only 20% of respondents say government actions affect them “a little” or “not at all.”

When asked to describe some government activities that affect their operations, answers include:

• Tariffs.

• Reporting requirements.

• OSHA, EEOC regulations.

• Unreasonable wastewater permit parameters.

• Chemistry, wages.

• Paid family leave, permits, taxes.

When asked which level of government impacts operations the most, 40% of respondents say state government does, followed by local entities at 33.3% and the federal government at 26.7%.

“Local regulations put me at a huge disadvantage to bordering communities and states,” a respondent writes.

What kind of effect do government actions have on laundries? More than 73% of respondents indicate the action has been “negative” or “somewhat negative.” Just under 14% of survey takers say government activity has been “positive” or “somewhat positive,” and just over 13% say the actions have been neutral in impact on laundries.

Respondents who indicate that the actions were “positive” or “somewhat positive” write that, “I feel the efforts are in earnest and worthy of my support,” and “usually in the best interest of all.”

Those who indicate governmental actions have been on the negative side, say:

• The regulations defy reason and subject us to potential liability.

• Additional costs for compliance.

• New York keeps raising minimum wage, adding unfunded mandates and extra fees to business.

• I’m in California. Enough said.

• None of it is realistic.

Looking ahead to 2019, 33% of respondents say that tariffs will most affect their businesses, while 20% believe environmental regulations will have the most impact, followed by taxes at 13%. Another 33% of survey takers indicate that other government activities will affect their laundries in 2019, with most of those indicating minimum wage having the most impact.

One survey taker writes, “Regulatory compliance issues are not going away.”

Another concludes: “When Trump is impeached and we can resume a more legitimate government, we in business will be able to plan our moves with more certainty.”

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 quarter. 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. ALN

Clean

Continued from Page 1

ciation for linen, uniform and facility services—will “maintain their close involvement” with the show, Messe Frankfurt says.

“Based on its success organizing international events for the textile care sector, Messe Frankfurt has the expertise and experience, as well as relationships with key exhibiting partners, to ensure the continued growth and development of the Clean Show,” says Joseph Ricci, Clean 2019 chairman of the Clean Executive Committee (comprised of executives from the five sponsors) and president of TRSA.

“It is important for TCATA members to know that the exhibitor package plan and the discounts on exhibit booths under the TCATA Plus One program (members of TCATA plus one other association get the lowest rates available) will remain a valuable benefit for future Shows,” says TCATA President Leslie Schaeffer. “We anticipate that the transition to a new owner will be seamless, and that both exhibitors and attendees will largely have the same experience they had at past Shows.”

“The decision to explore options for selling The Clean Show was something we undertook very seriously,” Linda Fairbanks, executive director of ALM, writes in a news post on her association’s website. “This wasn’t a decision reached overnight. Our goal is to continue to improve the value to attendees and secure a platform that best meets the needs of our exhibitors.”

Overall, the industry has been positive in its response to the news.

“Over the years, Riddle & Associates has done an excellent job

Publisher

Charles Thompson

Phone: 312-361-1680

E-Mail: cthompson@ ATMags.com

Associate Publisher/ National Sales Director

Donald Feinstein Phone: 312-361-1682

E-Mail: dfeinstein@ ATMags.com

Editorial Director

Bruce Beggs

Phone: 312-361-1683

E-Mail: bbeggs@ ATMags.com

Editor

Matt Poe

Phone: 866-942-5694

E-Mail: mpoe@ ATMags.com

Production Manager Roger Napiwocki

Digital Media Director

Nathan Frerichs

Phone: 312-361-1681

E-Mail: nfrerichs@ ATMags.com

Advisory Board

David Barbe • Jim Buik Tony Jackson • Janice Larson Tom Marks

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

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x100 www.americanlaundrynews.com

320, 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 45, number 1. Editorial, executive and advertising offices are at 650 West Lake Street, Suite 320, 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, 2019. 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.

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Living in the future, today

As I write this letter, I’m sitting in the cafeteria of a local healthcare facility.

Well, not so local. It’s a long enough drive that I don’t want to drive back and forth twice a day to care for a family member enrolled in a week-long program.

So, instead of working at my desk in a familiar setting that’s relatively quiet except for keyboards clicking and phones ringing sometimes, I’m in a small cafeteria. Listening to pots and pans clang, kitchen employees calling out to one another, employees chatting as they go on break.

I can do this because of technology, because of the connectivity offered by the internet, Wi-Fi and cell phones. If you would have showed me what the future would hold when I first started in the writing and editing business, I might not have believed it.

Clean

The Editor’s Desk MATT POE

You may already have noticed on the front page that this issue of American Laundry News is taking a look into the future and laundry/ linen services in terms of automation.

While many people say the industry has been behind in terms of technological advancement, the future images presented by some

laundry/linen experts bode well for the industry in terms of quality, efficiency and labor.

But technology isn’t only advancing in automation; it’s also moving forward in terms of measuring to improve productivity and employee utilization.

Turn to page 10 to learn more about tools to measure and collect equipment and employee productivity information, and, more importantly, a few tips to use that data to improve operations.

Speaking of tips, advice, insight, turn to page 12 to meet the 2019 Panel of Experts. These experts in various facets of the laundry/linen service industry are poised and ready to answer your questions to help you in all areas of your business.

So, welcome to the new Panel, welcome to the future and welcome to keeping it clean in 2019. ALN

Continued from Page 2

of managing Clean Show, especially making the logistics run smoothly for exhibitors and attendees,” says Bruce W. Johnson, president, Chicago Dryer Co. “We look forward to the same level of excellent service based on the long experience of Messe Frankfurt at managing international shows.”

“I believe that Messe Frankfurt will continue work to expand the show’s reach to the many laundry and textile care channels in North America and internationally,” adds Mike Floyd, president of laundry equipment manufacturer Continental Girbau. “These are all good things for our industry.”

Hannes Saeubert, vice president of sales and marketing, North American Commercial, Alliance Laundry Systems, says the purchase “is a positive development for the event. I would expect that attendees and exhibitors will continue to enjoy all their favorite aspects of the show, while Messe Frankfurt will bring a variety of technologies and the latest strategies for show management to enhance the experience for all, as well as broaden its global reach.”

“We’ve enjoyed successful shows in the past with

Messe Frankfurt at both of their Texcare shows in Germany and China, (and) I’m confident they will bring that same success to future Clean Shows as well,” shares Jaimie Johnson, marketing manager for laundry equipment manufacturer Dexter Laundry.

“The continued growth and development of this event will help the industry further demonstrate innovative and compelling solutions to our global customers,” says Chad Lange, sales director of commercial laundry, Whirlpool Corp.

“Our dealings with Messe Frankfurt over the years have been professional and consistent throughout,” Rick Kelly, vice president of sales and marketing for laundry equipment maker Pellerin Milnor Corp., adds. “We look forward to working with Messe Frankfurt for each of the Clean Shows going forward.”

ALN

Bruce Beggs is editorial director for American Trade Magazines, parent company of American Laundry News

•

RLLD

Making readers think, react

W

hen I started writing columns many years ago, I had two major purposes in mind. The first was to share some of the knowledge that I had accumulated through a lifetime in the laundry industry. The second was to challenge my readers to think and see things from another viewpoint. I get the most reader comments when I write a column with the second purpose in mind.

I recently wrote a column about my experience as a patient in a hospital for total left hip replacement surgery (October 2018). My focus in that piece was to share my feelings as a patient who was in pain, under the influence of pain medication (which in my case causes vivid and unrealistic dreams to occur) and generally not a happy camper.

I had carefully chosen the surgeon and had the utmost confidence in his ability to do the surgery professionally and competently. My nursing care was great, with the exception of one incident of too much noise at the nursing station at night.

Readers’ reactions were based on my comment about pulling up the blanket in the morning and finding a large piece of tape on it. This tape had obviously been through the washer and dryer, and the laundry staff had missed it during processing.

As a patient, I was greatly disturbed at find this on my blanket. My reaction was honest and based on my condition at the time, and my 44 years’ experience working in the healthcare environment. My mind could not understand how the housekeeper who made the bed and the nurses who were caring for me had not seen this problem and already corrected it. Delivering linen to a patient is a team effort and is the responsibility of many people and departments along the way.

Several people e-mailed me and asked how as a professional laundry manager I could be upset at finding a piece of tape on a clean piece of linen. Had I never made excuses for some less-thanadequate linen making it to the customer because it is impossible to hand inspect every item?

As a laundry manager, I understood their criticism, but as a patient, I was greatly disappointed at the breakdown in the system. If this blanket had been in a warmer and then brought to me, it would be easy to explain why it was not seen. But this blanket was the one on the bed when I arrived in my room. Dozens of people had the chance to see it and correct the problem before I finally found it. Why did it take so long for me to find it? Pain, drugs and numerous hours of sleep.

Over the years, I remember two columns that I have written that have caused the most controversy. Both of these were done while I was employed in Memphis.

The first was written about my visit to a large central laundry in Birmingham, Ala. The laundry was owned by a university and leased to the operator. The operator’s sons had no interest in the business, and he was looking for someone who the university would be comfortable with to take over the lease.

The controversial statement came when I described that during my tour, the manager ran over and turned off all the chemicals going into one of his tunnel washers. When he saw the puzzled look on my face, my potential business partners’ faces and our wives, he explained that the linen going through the washer at the time was for a military base, and he was forced to bid so low on the account that he could not afford to use chemicals on the linen. All the linen was simply given a rinse job. He also took the wool blankets directly to the dryer for air fluff and return procedure.

Many commercial laundry managers called me a liar and said such things never happened in the business. But I had seen it along with three other people, and I knew what we had seen and been told.

I also wrote an article about a healthcare linen/service provider, wondering if its textile sales and healthcare laundry divisions ever shared information with each other. It was hard for me to trust a textile sales person who had an operational division trying to close down or manage my laundry. I recommended that laundry mangers boycott that company at the time.

On the flip side, I got an e-mail from a nurse who had spilled hand cleaner, containing a well-known disinfectant that is known to cause yellow stains on linen, on her shoes. She had researched my articles on the web and wanted advice as to how to best clean

From

COLUMNIST AT LARGE Eric L. Frederick,

Automation

NETUSIL: Technology is advancing rapidly. Within the next decade, we will see several positions being performed with automation. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) into the laundry industry, we are seeing that anything is possible.

In terms of forever-staffed positions, operations management and engineering/maintenance staffing are just two that will most probably always require a human. Beyond that, it is highly likely automation can do all else.

WILLER: At a minimum, laundries of the near future will still require operators for sorting, feeding ironers and towel folders, and packing stacks from conveyors into carts.

In laundries where a high-quality finish is required, you’ll always see more labor than automation. There’s technology out there that can detect tears and stains on ironing lines, but in premier laundries there will always be a need for eyes on the product.

What areas currently staffed do you think will become automated in the future?

POLATSEK: Receiving—utilizing RFID technology, receiving is simplified where staff just maneuver carts. Soil loading and sorting—this already has some proof of concept development.

I believe that with smart linen, this can be in place in the next two to three years. A robotic system would eliminate errors and reduce staff very significantly.

Auto machine feed and fold— this area is already tapped-in on small-piece folders for towels and washcloths. As the imaging technology improves, this will continue to advance to larger pieces and garments.

Pack-out—at EcoBrite we are implementing a fully automatic bundling assignment and labeling process over the next six months. This will remove any handling from the feeding process until cart loading. The preassigned bundles will be brought to operators in a central location, and all they have to do is load the carts. We foresee in the not-to-far future a robotic cart packer as well. That technology is out there already in other industries.

Staging—this is an area where I expect to automate in the near future. Being able to utilize a three-dimensional automatic storage and retrieval system for laundry carts can free up a considerable amount of real estate and reduce labor and human error exponentially.

NETUSIL: Other than the aforementioned, technology will allow full-dry terry products to be picked, fed, folded, stacked and

conveyed in a fully automated fashion. We are on the right track in accomplishing this task. In addition, the auto-handling of product stacks in the bulk storage and cart make-up area.

At the JENSEN-GROUP, we are auto-handling full stacks of goods from the finishing areas into a bulk stack storage system and can auto-pull those products based upon a particular end-user’s linen order and convey them to the cart make-up area.

WARE: As labor rates increase, laundries will be forced to utilize more automation and laborsaving equipment in order to be cost competitive. Many states and cities have implemented a $15 minimum wage, which will impact plants that are more manual. The challenge is, the laundry industry lags behind other industries in utilizing automation and artificial intelligence due to pricing, and low margins of the industry hamper this type of investment.

The future, with tighter labor markets and increasing labor costs, will help to drive operators into improving the bottom line through investment in automated plants.

WILLER: We’ll see more automation with overhead rail systems, rather than manually moving laundry around, and with quality control. Automation technology will improve for rejecting tears and stains on finishing systems.

Do you think automation could impact pick-up and delivery (e.g., auto loading and unloading, driverless vehicles, etc.)?

POLATSEK: I think that this is probably further in future—more than 10 years.

NETUSIL: Auto-loading and unloading, possibly. Driverless vehicles? Europe presently utilizes driverless vehicles and buses, and are not far from fully autonomous vehicles, so this is a something that will happen. It’s just a matter of time.

Another facet of forward-thinking technology are drones. They could be used to make emergency deliveries of small quantities of items to a customer in need.

WILLER: Absolutely. I think driverless vehicles are not that far off. Unloading can be done by customers’ staff.

How to you think current laundry automation will change/ improve in the future?

POLATSEK: I expect a significant change in communication and diagnostics. The majority of the newer equipment is lacking in sufficient diagnostics, and when it comes to networking and communication in real time as well as reporting, the industry is very fragmented. A uniform system would have a huge impact on productivity and efficiency, and this is long overdue.

NETUSIL: Laundry automation improves literally every day. With every passing day, we are more aware of what we have to work with and what technology improvements are just around the corner.

We often take for granted some of the technology we presently work with, forgetting how it was just five to 10 years ago. There are countless technological advancements that have been introduced into our industry, and so many more will arrive in the next few years.

WARE: The cost of automation continues to drop due to improved controls, software and data management. But these improvements will also require more sophisticated and better skilled employees with higher skills in the engineering fields. Many manufacturers are working on improving the ability of machines and controls to become even more automated.

Currently, the washroom seems to be the most automated operation in the laundry, with full automatic washers, shuttles and dryers on the unload side of the plant. These systems have been around for years and continue to improve.

The future will be to eliminate the high labor costs of the sorting department with automated rail systems, bags storage and product mix analysis of the sorted loads. Some locations are testing automated sorters that select the linen on the sort belt, utilizing cameras, scanners and mechanical appendages to pick out the linen by specific product type and place it into the corresponding sorting bin.

Other developments are attempting to automatically feed sheets and towels into ironers, eliminating the need for a worker to handle this labor-intensive activity.

Automated warehouse systems are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Amazon has half million-square-foot fulfillment centers being run with autonomous pickers that travel around the multitude of shelves picking products we all buy, and bring them to a worker for final packing of the order. This labor savings process was so vital to Amazon’s growth, they bought the company that provided this technology.

Unfortunately, our industry is not a large as the warehouse or fulfillment industry, so you will see laundry manufacturers piggyback off this technology as it becomes more widespread and prices drop.

WILLER: Technology will become more affordable and reliable, readily available, accurate and simpler to maintain.

In your opinion, what are the benefits of increasing automation?

POLATSEK: Reducing labor, which

will reduce dependency on the labor market, rising labor costs, union challenges, labor shortages and the human error component.

NETUSIL: Automation benefits range from increased productivity to operational cost reductions to reducing labor staffing challenges to processing a consistent quality product daily. It could also reduce, if not eliminate, several health and safety issues. All of these substantiate the quality and professional improvements and image of our industry.

WILLER: Like any technology, as it improves it becomes more affordable. Simultaneously, production and capabilities increase. There are many examples of this throughout history. Farmers used to plow fields with horses; now they farm quadruple the acreage with automation in a fraction of the time.

In your opinion, what are the downsides/areas of concern regarding increasing automation?

POLATSEK: Utilizing more automation will require more equipment, which will require a larger number of skilled maintenance staff. This comes with a challenge. We are currently dealing with a significant skills gap in this area, and the new automated processes will require more staff with greater technical skills.

NETUSIL: We only see an increase in development opportunities for our industry.

WILLER: As automation increases, more employees will lose their jobs, and we don’t like to see that. However, as the market demands more competitive pricing, laundry owners have a responsibility to maintain profits. So, they either automate or move to an area with cheaper labor.

How can a laundry maintain balance between benefitting employees through staffing and automating operations?

POLATSEK: The age-old fear of automation and robotics to eliminate the demand for labor has never come to pass. It started in the industrial revolution, and that rhetoric keeps coming up. The reality is that the labor force just shifts and new opportunities open up. Right now, we are in a major labor shortage, so anything that will alleviate this will be helpful.

NETUSIL: In some cases, it could come down to a business requiring automation to maintain profitability, keeping it solvent and those employees gainfully employed. In other cases, automation can allow a laundry facility to take on additional business beyond their current production capabilities,

making them stronger within their marketplace.

WILLER: If they add automation, yes, they’ll need fewer employees, but they’ll keep higher-quality employees and possibly enter them into new opportunities at that company. For example, a high-quality employee might be trained on automation maintenance at a higher wage.

When you picture automated laundry operations of the future, whatdoyouenvision?

POLATSEK: If you would walk into any modern automotive or food manufacturing plant, you can see the future of laundry. There is so much opportunity in just utilizing existing technology. The innovation is coming up with the ability to adapt for the needs of laundry. There are definitely challenges and hurdles, but they can be overcome.

NETUSIL: The automated laundry of the future will look very similar as one does today, but with more streamlined and efficient processes. Soiled goods will be auto-sorted, small pieces will be auto-fed into flatwork ironers and small piece folders, and washcloths will be auto-stacked. These tasks require some of the highest labor staffing in any laundry.

WARE: This is very hard to predict, but technology and the speed in its development has been rapidly increasing. Similar to self-driving cars, the timeline may seem like well into the future before we can all sit in our vehicles to work, sleep and eat, but many experts predict within the next five to 10 years, it will be common.

Automation in the laundry industry will continue to progress, but the dream of many operators to see a laundry operating without employees is much further off than we would like to realize.

Working with soft products in multiple shapes and sizes is a very difficult challenge. It will eventually be overcome by new technology, and laundries will continue to see enhancements in automation and data collection.

Lavatec has provided new software that allows a customer to monitor and view its plant remotely and see hourly, daily reports when away from the office. Our team continues to look for cost effective methods to reduce labor and operating costs through automation of our equipment.

WILLER: If you compare laundry room technology with the technology of other industries throughout the world, we are seriously lagging. Eventually there will be technology where a laundry resembles a highly automated manufacturing plant with an assembly line. At some point, the technology will completely replace labor on the laundry room floor, but I think we’ve got a few decades to go before that is our reality.

Netusil

Ware

Polatsek

Willer

Price of processing in paradise

Doing laundry in Hawaii comes at a higher cost than on the continent, but

BY MATT POE, EDITOR

LIHUE, Hawaii — Chris and Jackie Carswell operate two businesses on the island of Kauai in Hawaii: Kauai Tent & Party Rental Inc. and JC Linen Co.

Their first business, Kauai Tent & Party Rental Inc., involves them providing tents and tables and other items needed for outdoor parties on the island.

It seemed to be a perfect occupation in a perfect location, but not everything was perfect.

“In approximately 2000, we were providing sub-rented linens for our clients who wanted table linen for their events,” says Chris. “But the linen quality we received was very poor.”

The Carswells decided to deal with the issue themselves, buying linen and a washer and dryer to process the linens for weddings and party rentals.

Around 2010, Chris learned that there was a need was for linen service on the island.

“We were interested in the business and decided then to get into it,” he says.

Chris started looking for a location to set up a plant around the North Shore, and after 6 months found a warehouse in Lihue in 2012.

“Finding our location alone was a success as commercial space is very limited on the island.” he points out.

However, operations didn’t start right away. It took almost two years for the Carswells to receive the necessary permits to start the laundry.

“Once we got the permits, we started building the infrastructure from the ground up,” shares Chris. “We had a contractor friend who helped facilitate the process and guide us toward the right direction.”

The Carswells also had an experienced laundry consultant who helped guide them in purchas-

ing and placing equipment in the 9,375-square-foot plant. He also helped the Carswells get their first customer at the end of 2014.

“We actually only had minimal experience and a lot to learn,” Chris says. “We had the tent business and knew how to run a business. However, we had to learn the ins and outs of the laundry business. We became members of ALM [Association for Linen Management], which helped out immensely. We had a lot of help along the way from friends in the business.”

Today, the laundry runs a shift and a half, seven days a week, with a staff of 18 full- and part-time employees who process about 1.2 million pounds of goods annually.

“We serve both hospitality and healthcare customers, and a small portion of food and beverage,” shares Chris.

JC Linen uses several washerextractors, including a 60-pound machine, a 400-pound top side loader and a 900-pound side loader. Dryer sizes include 75-, 120and 500-pound machines.

For finishing, the laundry uses a two-roll ironing line, a one-roll small-piece ironing line and three small-piece folders.

Pick-up and delivery is handled using two box trucks that service the island daily.

While running a laundry business on the North Shore of Kauai would seem to be perfect, working in paradise every day, the Carswells point out that operating on the island offers some unique challenges.

“Running a laundry operation/ plant in Hawaii is challenging because of the fact that we are so isolated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean,” Chris shares.

Electricity, propane, water and sewer are very costly on the island, and it’s all related to petroleum. Most of JC Linen’s supplies have to be shipped in.

“This makes it extremely impor-

tant for us to stay ahead of the game,” Chris points out. “If we use overnight shipping, it is extremely costly. We definitely pay the price to live and work in paradise.”

He says that if the laundry needs spare parts to keep machinery running, it’s a minimum of two days out for shipping. To combat this, JC Linen tries to stock a healthy supply of spare parts for all of its machines.

“To help curb some of the price of the utility cost, we are on solar power,” says Chris. “We like to say we clean your linen with the sun.”

Another challenge is finding employees. Unemployment on the islands is at 2%, Chris points out, and there’s a high cost of living in Hawaii. That’s why the Carswells feel fortunate to have an outstanding staff.

They’re also very appreciative of their clients and vendors.

The Carswells says all of the help they received was invaluable in setting up JC Linen. The plan now is to keep the party-rental business going and for JC Linen to grow at a steady pace that is comfortable for the Carswells and their staff.

“We are grateful for all the help we received along the way,” shares Chris. “It’s amazing the timing of this project and all the inspirational people who came into our lives to guide us for this new business venture.” ALN

her new shoes. I explained what activated the stain and suggested she rinse the shoes with lukewarm water containing hydrogen peroxide. She also decided to scrub the canvas shoe with a toothpaste containing hydrogen peroxide. The procedure was successful, and the shoes were saved.

Education and challenging traditional wisdom, or looking at a problem from a different viewpoint, have been the hallmark of my column for all these many years. I appreciate the feedback I get from my

it’s worth it

Frederickpieces, both positive and negative. Obviously, I cannot please all my readers with every column, but if I have caused you to think, to ponder about your own operations, then I think I have done my job well.

ALN

Eric Frederick served 44 years in laundry management before retiring and remains active in the industry as a laundry operations consultant. You can contact him by e-mail at elfrederick@cox.net, or by phone at 540-520-6288.

Chris and Jackie Carswell own and operate JC Linen Co. in Hawaii. (Photos: JC Linen Co.)

the folks at JC Linen say

Because finding labor on the islands is difficult, the Carswells appreciate the quality staff they have processing hospitality, healthcare, and food and beverage linens.

Results on whites are excellent. On colors, you have nothing more to lose and everything to gain by trying YellowGo. YellowGo may take out color you want to keep. But if it removes the unwanted dye without damaging the underlying color, you win! You won’t have to pay for the dye-stained garments and you won’t disappoint your customers.

So use YellowGo to keep your customers happy and keep them coming back.

AVIOD THE HIGH COST OF ALKALINE HYDROLYSIS

High

What gets measured gets managed

Measuring performance for maximum productivity, quality, efficiency

BY MATT POE, EDITOR

CHICAGO — Peter Drucker, who wrote 39 books on business management, produced the following, well known quote: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.”

Jon Witschy sales manager for Spindle, a technology company that builds infrastructure for operations to measure and improve productivity, puts a little different spin on that quote: “What gets measured gets managed.”

Performance measurement is critical in all phases of a laundry/linen service operation— staff productivity, equipment efficiency and utility consumption—says Brendan O’Neill, general manager of London Hospital Linen Service Inc. in London, Ontario.

“Understanding where the operation is running effectively, and where there are opportunities for improvement, is the basic function of management, and without the measurement of key performance indicators in each phase, these decisions are a ‘shot in the dark,’” he says.

P.J. Dempsey, president and CEO of Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply Inc. in Jessup, Pa., agrees that performance measurement and improvement are critical for laundry/linen services today.

“In a business as competitive as textile rental, with customers demanding higher quality at a lower cost and Dempsey’s mission of paying the most competitive wages with the best benefits we can afford, it is imperative that we achieve the highest levels of productivity that we can sustain,” he shares. “Like most businesses, we believe you can’t manage what you can’t measure.”

“You improve profits by maximizing output (pounds or pieces) while minimizing input (labor, machine and process hours), thus lowering operating expense,” shares Michael Dodge, production consultant for Gotli Labs (GLOBE), a company based in Switzerland with an objective to create a new system that can manage all resources in a laundry. “Measurements are needed for these output and input operations.”

IN THE PLANT

Dempsey puts the need for measuring in practical terms: The company is only paid for product that ships. That product is measured by machine throughput.

The cost of a new plant and/or equipment increases every year, and it gets more expensive to maintain as well, he adds. By maximizing machine throughput, the service increases asset utilization and minimizes operating cost.

“Again, this helps us keep our costs low for our customers and pay our employees the most competitive wages and benefits,” shares Dempsey.

Measurement of equipment performance is critical to any laundry operation from a number of perspectives, according to O’Neill. On the wash aisle, whether measuring washer efficiency (pounds per hour) or loading efficiency (load turnaround), understanding the basic efficiency of a washer is critical to ensuring the wash floor is meeting the productivity target.

“Measuring wash-floor productivity also

ensures equipment is available at specified intervals for preventive maintenance, scheduled maintenance and where inefficiencies are identified in productivity, it helps identify opportunities to take equipment down to optimize washer efficiency through regular maintenance,” he adds.

Measuring utility consumption to a baseline (water consumption, steam consumption or natural gas consumption per pounds processed) on the wash floor and for dryers will also identify where there are leaks, bad valves, faulty seals, flow meter failures, bad float switches. All of these can lead to increased costs in lost utilities, he says.

In the finishing departments (uniform processing, ironers and dry fold), O’Neill says that measurement of equipment performance through a productivity monitoring system (PMS) is a critical component of any laundry, whether it is done manually, or by an automated PMS.

“This helps set the standard for efficiency for each machine, for each product type, based on the manufacturer targets, and sets the pace for production through put (pieces or pounds per operator hour),” he says.

“Further measurement of utility consumption through the use of equipment based metering, can provide real-time, relative data to identify opportunities for improvement.”

O’Neill goes on to say, like Dempsey, that measuring finishing equipment productivity also ensures equipment is available at specified intervals for preventive maintenance and scheduled maintenance, and where inefficiencies are identified in productivity, it helps identify opportunities to take equipment down to optimize efficiency through regular maintenance.

“The machine downtime and changeover time must be measured as well,” Dempsey points out. “It is misleading to show high levels of employee productivity if they were only performing at that level for the time when the machine was running.”

EMPLOYEE MAXMIZATION

When it comes to laundry production workers, Dempsey says his company utilizes the production management data to find the best position for an employee.

“Some are naturally better at small-piece feeding, others at large pieces and still others at garment hanging,” he says. “It is also useful for new employees to get up to standard in a shorter period of time, or to recognize they aren’t a good fit for the production environment.”

O’Neill agrees that understanding how employees are performing on all equipment, with all styles of textiles, can enable a balancing of the strength of the team. Further, it allows for analysis of underperforming staff where coaching, reinstruction and development can be measured, and achieved.

For the staff members who are meeting and exceeding the standard, it assists the manager to review what the successful operator is doing and use those tactics in the training and development of new staff.

“We believe that by utilizing an industrial

engineer to set a fair production standard, we can achieve the desired balance of productivity and quality,” says Dempsey. “This would be pointless if we did not measure performance against this standard. By achieving the standard, we are able to keep our costs low for our customers and pay our employees the most competitive wages and benefits.”

O’Neill adds that it is critical to understand how each employee is performing (pieces, pounds per operator hour), to ensure the overall operational KPIs (key performance indicators) are being met.

“The data is used for coaching purposes, not directly for disciplinary purposes,” he explains. “It is an indicator, in real time, allowing supervision to focus on those in need of assistance, achieving department success. Accountability is critical in any operation, and seeing how each employee, or employee team, is performing over the last week and last quarter opens the eyes of all our team members,and visitors, alike.”

TOOLS, IMPROVEMENT

Tools to measure performance have been in place since the beginning of laundry operations, says Dodge. As technology improves, so do the tools to record productivity results.

“We have recorded production results manually in the past, then inputted this manual data into spreadsheet reports to identify historical data,” he says. “Now, we can automatically collect production data using various methods. Laundry equipment can now provide data into reporting tools.”

Witschy adds there are all types of measurement tools available within a laundry operation.

“It’s everything from meters on gas and water systems, temperature probes on boilers, even on washers and dryers, those items are becoming more advanced, and it allows them to interface more readily with other systems,” he says. “They’re digital these days, and that can interface with any kind of software package.

“That’s where our team gets really excited; the more information we can pull from any type of equipment in the plant, the more excited we get because any software package can interface with those types of things and get those signals to be able to collect and compile the numbers that you need to measure your efficiency.”

Dodge echoes the fact that there is a lot of data that can be (and needs to be) collected in a laundry operation. Pieces and pounds processed need to be gathered in the soil, washroom and finishing departments. Labor hours needed to process laundry products is collected. Productivity levels (efficiencies) of operators and equipment can be gathered.

“We can ‘deep dive’ into low-productivitylevel data, such as idle time, delay time and day work (non-productive) time,” he says. “Overall process time of equipment and oper ators (employees) for products and customers can also be provided. This is the data that needs to be analyzed and improved upon.”

However, Dodge points out that laundry/ linen services have become immersed in data.

“We need to have real-time reporting sim plified so that our production managers can be proactive with immediate solutions to keeping production levels on track,” he says.

The “big picture” and ultimate goal of performance measurement is to know what needs to be produced every moment of pro duction time, shares Dodge. This means that there should be a link between the route accounting system and production data col lection system.

“Production should know the needs for the day and schedule production time for employees and machines,” he points out. “Again, today a lot of this is done manu ally. This should be automated and shown in real time if the production planning is being achieved and on time.”

Utilizing data to analyze performance is not new, O’Neill points out. However, getting real-time data points for analysis, in a mobile environment, is.

“With all this new technology in the mar ket, laundry managers are equipped with the critical decision-making infrastructure to make the best decisions possible for their respective operations,” he says. “With today’s technology, we now have a platform to receive the data in real time, using push reporting technology, which allows the laundry man ager to make solid decisions, in real time.”

The key is to use the data to improve operations, not just gather the information and file it away. Dempsey says his operation prepares scorecards for managers to review with staff to recognize achievement and give feedback where improvement is needed. They also review an equipment scorecard showing downtime in a weekly maintenance meeting.

“Each piece of laundry data that is collected provides an opportunity to better understand your operation,” O’Neill points out.

Whether the data validates that the work being done and resources allocated is appro priate, or if it identifies a piece of equipment that in underperforming, or an employee who is not meeting the standard, laundry data provides the laundry manager with the criti cal information needed to make an informed decision.

“Without data, we are simply making deci sions based on gut feelings, or someone’s perception,” O’Neill says. “Data doesn’t lie, and it is unbiased.”

PANEL OF EXPERTS

Meet the Panel of Experts for 2019

My roles throughout the years have been diverse, including working in administrative roles, as well as enjoying the opportunity to develop lasting relationships with experts in the company and in the field. Ideally the knowledge these folks have shared with me over the years will be of benefit to each of the readers.

facilities. Then I moved over to production to become the plant manager and, eventually, to my current role as general manager for Superior Linen Service Healthcare Division located in Muskogee, Okla.

Prior to entering the laundry industry, I was an administrative clerk in the United States Marine Corps.

in the industry for nearly 100 years, and I am a fourthgeneration Pellerin involved in laundry, so you could say that the laundry industry is in my DNA.

Learn about our new panelists as they introduce themselves and their operations while sharing accomplishments and discussing the challenges of their industry segments.

same technologies provide us with an opportunity to attract different types of workers with new and emerging skill sets.

During the past decade, I have read American Laundry News from cover to cover, and it is with excitement and gratitude to be chosen as one of the 2019 Panel of Experts.

My career in the laundry industry began in Atlanta, when I joined General Electric Major Appliance Division in 1982. My objectives then led me through a journey with commercial laundry equipment in 1996 when accepting a position with Wink Davis Equipment Co., initially as a service manager and later as director of operations.

My role segued from Wink Davis to joining the TLC TriState team under the leadership of Matt Stephenson, president/ COO, in 2014, providing me the opportunity to continue leadership roles alongside a team of dedicated professionals. The fit was a good one, as both the Davis and Stephenson families shared a vision for their companies and a strong commitment to faith, family, employees and their customers.

Based upon our services to include commercial and vended laundry equipment, along with parts and service, I have the opportunity to work with clients ranging from healthcare to hospitality and municipalities in my role as vice president of strategic planning.

In this role and within each of our careers, I believe the most difficult challenge is having the ability to look at any given situation and provide a solution where everyone wins. Without customers, there would be no company, and without companies, there would be no customer.

I believe Einstein stated it best: “I do not have all of the answers, but I know where to get them.” I will work diligently alongside the editors of American Laundry News, and on behalf of the readers, to provide well-researched answers to the questions on your mind in 2019.

Here at Superior Linen we are very proud to be accredited in the standards for TRSA Clean Green and TRSA Hygienically Clean. We have also been HLAC accredited since 2006.

While the industry has seen laundry mergers and investment groups take over many laundries, we are very proud to be owned and operated by the Waldman family since 1954.

The biggest obstacle we have faced in 2018—and will continue to face in 2019—is the shortage of entry-level production labor. The shrinking labor pool had caused us to raise our entry-level wages to compete with other industries. We have also seen our pre-employment drug test fails rise dramatically over the last year.

To counter this trend, we have automated where possible, worked hard to keep our existing workforce through more employee engagement and created a more organized and safe facility for our employees.

I have been working at Milnor since December 2006. I started in our application engineering department as a project manager. My role was to work with our regional sales managers, dealers and customers to design and lay out laundry facilities in AutoCAD, primarily for commercial laundries. During this time, I was involved with some of the largest laundry projects in North America. I also managed planning details for several international laundry projects while serving in this role.

I became a regional sales manager in 2013. This role allows me to work hands-on with our dealer network to provide laundries various solutions for improvement in production, profit and safety relating to OPL and commercial laundries.

Additionally, being a regional sales manager put me in a traveling position for Milnor, which has allowed me to visit, consult and recommend improvements for laundry operations throughout North America.

It is an honor to be on the American Laundry News Panel of Experts. I look forward to sharing my thoughts and observations on the various subjects during the coming year.

I am a 35-year veteran of the laundry industry. For the last 30 years, I have worked at Superior Linen Service in Tulsa, Okla.

I started as a maintenance tech and progressed through the ranks until I was the maintenance coordinator for all three of Superior’s production

I am honored to be chosen as a participant of the American Laundry News Panel of Experts. I hope to pass on any experience I have learned to the readers.

One of the most important issues I see on a regular basis for our industry is finding and retaining qualified and talented labor. The high employment rate in the USA has made it difficult to find and retain good workers, as well as attract new workers arriving into the workforce.

I have spent most of my professional career at MIP, a Canada-based reusable textile supplier and manufacturer. This year, 2019, will be my 30th year at MIP.

It started as a summer job for a company that needed an in-house translator, and from there I got involved in many aspects of the operations, from product development to marketing of our product lines in more than 32 countries. Following 15 years as VP marketing, I have recently been appointed as VP corporate communication.

Greetings, I am Brock Pellerin, a regional sales manager for Pellerin Milnor Corp.

Pellerin Milnor Corp. is a manufacturer of commercialand industrial-grade laundry equipment, in business since 1947 and based out of Kenner, La. My family has been involved

The laundry industry does not have a glamorous appeal compared with other highprofile industries. Chances are new college graduates aren’t even aware our industry exists, much less ever considered working in it; however, laundries touch on many disciplines, including resource planning, production management and technologies, sustainability, engineering, sales, and logistics. Therefore, there are many attributes that the laundry industry incorporates that may be appealing to potential laborers.

Growing automation trends in our industry allow us to use fewer employees. However, these

MIP has offices and factories around the world. The exposure to many markets allows us to keep developing and innovating while being inspired by the diversity of solutions offered in healthcare institutions across the globe.

We have always taken great pride in presenting innovative, value-added products to our laundry customers. We always keep in mind what is important to our clientele and involve them in the development of products to ensure that they will meet the needs of processing efficiency, as well as answering the challenges faced by patients and healthcare workers.

I am honored to be part of the 2019 Panel of Experts and commit to contribute in all areas of concern to our healthcare laundry customers.

Commercial Laundry David Griggs

Superior Linen Service, Muskogee, Okla.

Textiles Gabriel Boardman MIP Inc., Anjou, Quebec

Equipment/ Supply Distribution

Janice

Ayers Davis

TLC Tri-State Laundry Companies, Valdosta, Ga.

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Experts

an HLAC-accredited healthcare laundry and FDA-registered sterile surgical textile pack processor located in Tumwater, Wash. We process approximately 12 million pounds of healthcare textiles across acute care hospitals and medical outpatient facilities located around the Western Washington state region.

I am honored and humbled to be chosen to serve on the American Laundry News Panel of Experts. While I am a relative industry novice, with only 12 years’ experience running a

healthcare laundry and sterile surgical pack processing plant, I do offer some unique perspectives that I believe can help our readers.

I was thrown into our industry with zero laundry experience and have made 100 years’ worth of mistakes in only 12 years! In fact, if we had a board of directors and I served on it, I would have fired myself at least a dozen times. But with great mistakes come great lessons, if we pay attention and learn, learn, learn. And I’m still breathing. Some might even

say that our business is now thriving.

I also offer the benefit (or curse) of having worked as an information technology professional and then director for 17 years, first on Wall Street and then with Microsoft for 13 years.

When I started in laundry and critical processing or infrastructure equipment failed, I felt panic stricken and helpless. When our single, inconsequential desktop computer failed, I was our guy. But slowly and painfully I learned about laundry. It may

not seem obvious at first glance, but the concepts, discipline and method of thinking required in information technology have constructive lessons that apply wonderfully to laundry.

Our sterile surgical textile processing operation is registered with the FDA as a Class II medical device manufacturer. This operation offers many instructive learnings applicable to running a healthcare laundry using good manufacturing practices.

When we purchased our operation, which we humbly refer to as Sterile Surgical Systems 1.0 (please forgive the Microsoft reference), we processed less than 3 million pounds of healthcare textiles per year on outdated equipment held together with bubble gum, duct tape and bailing wire.

After lots of investment, and even more thought leadership from our team and industry partners, we are now processing about 12 million pounds annually of high-quality healthcare textiles on the Sterile Surgical Systems 3.5 platform, and are considered one of the most innovative state-of-the-art textile processing facilities in North America.

While our company has been on a great run, the healthcare textile processing industry has a way of launching tidal waves of new challenges at us each year.

Today, our healthcare customers are more demanding than ever, and, therefore, force us to perform better than ever. Now, they not only demand that we follow the most rigorous healthcare laundry standards, but they also demand that we go further and deeper in monitoring and validating our adherence to those standards and sharing with them the results.

This is a great challenge and forces us to think of new and creative ways to meet the rigorous standards under which they now operate.

I look forward to sharing our many experiences, gotchas, process innovations and overall better ways of building this mousetrap that we call healthcare textiles processing!

I am the president and CEO of Norchem Corp. I founded the company in 1978 after graduating with a degree in biochemistry and electrical engineering. In 1989, Norchem was incorporated in California with its headquarters established

I am the president and CEO of Sterile Surgical Systems,

Chemicals Supply Kevin Minissian Norchem Corp., Los Angeles, Calif.

Healthcare Laundry Gregory Gicewicz

Sterile Surgical Systems, Tumwater, Wash.

in Los Angeles, which later on expanded to include an additional manufacturing facility in Chicago.

I serve as the product engineer and chief technologist for all Norchem product offerings. I lead the design engineering team for all new projects and continue to make myself available to all our customers as a resource for technical support and solutions ideation.

Norchem started as a chemical manufacturing company offering chemicals and technical services to the commercial laundry industry. In 1995, Norchem developed a ceramic membrane technology for filtering and recycling wastewater for food service laundries.

It was shortly thereafter that all laundry segments were identified and implemented with the technology. Our water filtration and reclamation systems are the only proven cross flow ceramic water treatment technology to successfully control, treat and supply water for all segments of commercial laundry.

Norchem was one of the first to develop a liquid chemical injection system utilizing centrifugal VFD pump technology. In the year 2000, Norchem introduced the first central chemical dispensing system with water flush for conventional washers. Not long after that, the same approach was brought to the CBW washers.

Norchem is committed to products designed for the environment that provide for safer working spaces and sustainable resource utilization. In 2013, our work was honored at the Capitol by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable as we received the Most Valuable Pollution Prevention Award for Norchem’s environmental stewardship.

Our most recent innovations are the introduction of a cold-water wash chemistry program for the hospitality segment, ColdClean®, and the introduction of a more reliable and safe chemical dispensing system for tunnel washers with injection flushing technology.

As with any industry, challenges exist, of which I have noticed is the recruitment and retention of competent, dedicated individuals excited to pursue a career in the textile care and commercial laundry industries. A specific challenge we experience is the escalating cost of raw material, transportation costs and doing business in California.

2019 Panel of Experts. For me, to be recognized and considered a member of an elite group of laundry/linen managers and experts is a real honor.

Working and having over 35 years’ experience in the textile

and laundry industry, I have been very fortunate to meet a lot of knowledgeable people who have taught me a lot along my journey and provided me with new insight about our industry.

I am extremely appreciative of the long-term friendships and business relationships that have developed and flourished throughout this remarkable journey.

Growing up in the coal region in Northeast Pennsylvania, I first cut my teeth and got involved in textiles while working with my father cutting

and sewing ladies’ sportswear and apparel. Upon graduating from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences, (now known as Jefferson University) with a degree in apparel management and business sciences, I packed my bags and all my worldly possessions into my bright orange Chevy Monza and moved from Philadelphia to Gaffney, S.C.

There I joined the textile rank and file, taking employment at Oxford Industries, a leading manufacturer of ladies’ sportswear. While working

for Oxford Industries, I was responsible for locating and developing cut-and-sew factories in the Southern states to manufacture Oxford’s line of women’s apparel. In addition to handling the scheduling with these contractors, I was also responsible for all price negotiations, as well as performing weekly quality audits on the product lines they were sewing for Oxford.

After four years of cutting my teeth and honing my skills in the

“I’m really happy with my CLMs; they’re more than 20 years old and they just keep running.”

Since 1983, the CLM brand has delivered the most cost-e ective,

F

irst and foremost, I would like to thank American Laundry News for selecting me to join the

St. Regis Hotel laundry renovation

overcomes

BY RON HIRSCH

processing equipment

NEW YORK — The St. Regis Hotel is a model of excellence for five-star hotels in the New York City market, as well as in the industry in general. It is committed to the highest attention to detail, and its bed linen presentation is one example of that commitment.

Since 1967, laundry equipment distributor Direct Machinery has helped the hotel consistently present clean, luxurious linens by supplying top-notch machinery to process its goods.

One year after the company’s founding, in June 1967, Direct Machinery was awarded the laundry modernization for a completely renovated St. Regis Hotel. This was Direct Machinery’s first major laundry renovation, and working at this prestigious five-star hotel was a coveted project.

The St. Regis was known for having the highest quality linen and also for its laundry being well run and efficient. The installation was challenging, but it was a glowing success.

In 1988, the St. Regis again planned a more complete renovation, only leaving its classic gothic facade untouched. The hotel was closed for an extended period, and each floor of the hotel was gutted and redecorated.

The laundry was once again completely renovated, knowing the hotel may not have had another opportunity to modernize its laundry because of its restricted openings.

Direct Machinery was again chosen as the equipment supplier.

It was an intriguing rigging project, as the 480-pound washers and a three-roll steam ironer had to be rigged down through holes in the hotel floors to access the laundry’s sub-basement location.

In 2018, the hotel was ready to upgrade

the laundry equipment as its equipment was 30 years old. Once again, the project was awarded to Direct Machinery.

This time the project was even more challenging, both due to the size of the openings and the fact that the hotel had to continue to operate with less than 30 days to complete the project.

The two large, 480-pound side loading washers were removed along with the existing folder/crossfolder and towel folder. The old washers were cut up to allow passage through a maze of hallways less than four feet wide. The security booth in front of the service elevator was partially dismantled and a temporary cloth structure built to secure the hotel operation.

Five Milnor 160-pound Open Pocket Washers and a new Chicago Skyline SP4 were installed to fold and stack pillow cases, as well as to fold and crossfold duvet covers, king sheets and 100% cotton fine table linen. A Chicago Rapid Feed was also installed for the high-quality finish and increased production.

A new Chicago Elite CT Towel Folder was installed, giving the hotel the ability to fold all their towels, including its large bath sheets, hand towels and bath mats. It was especially important to the hotel that the hotel logo was presented properly during the folding process, which the new folder could do well.

The change of washers and the more efficient folder was responsible for much of the reduction in water and energy usage, and labor hours.

The laundry was started up almost a week ahead of time. Management and laundry workers were ecstatic with the ease of operation of the new equipment and the impeccable quality achieved.

Laundry Director Charlie Scudlo, who put so much effort into the laundry and

the renovation, was honored by his fellow managers at a meeting of his peers. He was presented an award for his dedication and commitment to the St. Regis Hotel for his 30 years of service.

The St. Regis Hotel continues to strive for excellence in both hotel and laundry

operations, with its bed linen presentation continuing to exemplify its attention to detail. ALN

Ron Hirsch is president of Direct Machinery in Hicksville, N.Y., an authorized Milnor and Chicago dealer.

Distributor

challenges to update five-star hotel’s 30-year-old

The St. Regis Hotel in New York worked with Direct Machinery to replace its 30-year-old processing equipment, which was a challenge due to the small spaces of the openings and short turnaround time. (Photo: Ron Hirsch/Charlie Scudlo)

Experts

apparel industry in the South, I moved back to Pennsylvania to join forces with my father in running our family cut-and-sew operation, producing ladies’ sportswear.

As imports started to increase, more and more apparel production was moved offshore, causing stateside manufacturing to fall drastically. After a long, debating family meeting, a decision was reached to close the family business, at which time a new chapter in my life was soon to begin.

I then jumped from one frying pan (working with my father) into another one—Penn Linen, Uniform & Healthcare Services (working for my fatherin-law, Max Stettner). It was here that I found my passion for the commercial industrial laundry business.

At Penn Linen Uniform & Healthcare Services, we processed linen and uniforms used for the industrial, hospitality and, of course, healthcare markets. In fact, at one time, we processed and rented linen to all the major hospitals in the Philadelphia market, as well as parts of North Jersey.

In February of 1998, Penn Linen sold to Unitog (which a year later sold to Cintas), and after a short six-month leave of absence, I realized my passion for this industry continued to burn inside.

I was fortunate enough to join Superior Uniform Group (now Superior Group of Companies), a leading manufacturer for apparel for the healthcare, cleanroom and career apparel markets, as a territory sales manager. In this position, I was responsible for working with commercial laundries and healthcare systems in the Mid-Atlantic states as well as upstate New York.

As my concentration and success in selling healthcare continued to grow, I was promoted to national market executive for Fashion Seal Healthcare, a division of Superior Uniform Group.

Today I am proud to serve and represent Fashion Seal Healthcare, as its vice president of sales in healthcare, where I utilize my 35-plus years of experience and relationships in the laundry arena.

I am proud to say that our team at Fashion Seal Healthcare continually works alongside laundries, hospitals and other healthcare facilities to develop successful uniform programs for their related markets that not only meet their expectations, but exceed them as well.

Currently I serve as an active member of the TRSA Healthcare Committee, an instructor for TRSA PMI, and as an active member of ARTA and the ARTA board of directors. I also served as a past member for the HLAC advisory committee.

It is an honor being selected to join this Panel of Experts and I look forward to contributing articles as we move forward into 2019. To all of you, I send my wishes to you and your families for a Happy and Healthy 2019.

by developing better employee retention strategies and improving productivity.

I am grateful for the opportunity to participate on this panel and hope you find my words to be helpful. Wishing you all a successful and prosperous 2019.

Other Institution Laundry

Robin Kramer

St. Michael’s Laundry-University of Notre Dame, Ind.

Consulting Services

TBR

In 1993 after graduating from Penn State, I had no idea that this industry where I built my career even existed. I knew that I wanted to work in production management, and when the call came from a local linen supply company, I was skeptical but decided it was worth a look.

Now, 25 years later, I am still motivated by the challenges and opportunities that come from successfully operating a plant and improving productivity.

Beginning as a production supervisor and working my way through the ranks to plant manager, general manager and vice president, I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from some of the best operators in this industry while learning from many mistakes as well.

My experience is primarily with independent, family-owned linen supply companies, focusing on healthcare, uniform and food and beverage. Improving productivity, profitability and customer service has been my main focus and has brought me and my teams much success.

For the past two years, I have been a consultant for TBR Associates, the consulting division of the Tingue Family of Companies. In my capacity as a consultant, I partner with my clients to improve their bottom lines by identifying and eliminating waste through Lean Six principles. It is very rewarding to guide teams through process improvement projects and share in their successes.

While traveling the country to work with my clients, the greatest challenge I find, by far, is developing reliable, qualified people for all levels, from production operators to executive management. I do not expect this situation to change any time soon. For this reason, it is critical that laundry operators adapt

As a long-time listener, reader and fan, I was thrilled when contacted that I was selected to serve on the Panel of Experts. I mean, really, that’s when you know your hard work has paid off!

For many reasons, it is an honor to accept this position. I chose a career working in our industry because I am third generation of the industry. Yes, both grandmother and mother were long-term employees with the university laundry family. Serving in very different capacity than my family members (associate director),

I have led many laundry initiatives at the University of Notre Dame, including the increase to the 3 million-pound mark for our single OPL.

The university has afforded me the opportunity to work with so many of the finest industry experts, and I have become most passionate about assisting others to become more successful in their businesses.

Because we are all likely in similar situations, I can’t wait to find out if there is something I can help you with! I thrive when surrounded by dedicated and caring people, and I am confident that both exist in the readership of American Laundry News

Having worked at St. Michael’s Laundry at the University of Notre Dame for nearly 35 years, I vow to do my personal best to make a positive impact on this panel.

I can’t wait to share with you some initiatives we have happening here at the university (hint: how about a discussion on the latest initiatives of a wash, dry and fold program for millennials?).

More than any other organization related to the laundry industry, I believe ALN can make a difference in our indus-

try by helping other like-minded shop owners who all have common issues.

I believe our sources can offer the best information, and we can truly assist readers as we offer more and more effective solutions to the current and relative issues we all experience.

I am delighted to help inform an organization made up of so many devoted employees and supporters. With a busy few months on the horizon, I hope to be able to offer feedback soon to continue serving you in ways that are most important to you! ALN

Sam Spence

Associates, Saddle Brook, N.J.

PARTS FOR SALE

PARTS, PARTS, PARTS

Huge stock of parts for most laundry equipment & boilers. Also traps, valves and lubricants. Overnight delivery.

Steiner-Atlantic, 800-333-8883 Fax: 305-751-8390 parts@steineratlantic.com www.steineratlantic.com

PARTS & SERVICE

In need of service and or parts for all your finishing equipment manufactured by BB&D, Lavatec, Washex, and Voss? Contact Michael @ 203-232-4004 or E-Mail me: mtenhave66@yahoo.com

Call Deana Griffin 888-235-2365 www.thegriffingroup.cc deana@thegriffingroup.cc

SMALL-PIECE FOLDERS

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

Pellerin Milnor Corp.

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

Pellerin Milnor Corp.

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

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

PLAINFIELD, Ill. — The board of directors of the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) has voted Linda McCurdy as president-elect, the organization reports.

In January 2020, McCurdy will assume the duties of board president of HLAC, a nonprofit organization formed for the purpose of inspecting and accrediting laundries processing healthcare textiles for hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

McCurdy, an HLAC board member since 2017, is president and chief executive officer of K-Bro Linen Systems Inc., a provider of healthcare and hospitality laundry and linen services in Canada. She will succeed Brad Bushman, who has been board president since October 2017.

“Linda McCurdy’s passion for this industry is as close to incomparable as one can get,” Bushman says. “She has transformed K-Bro into a market leader and with her team has helped to revolutionize all aspects of laundry processes for the healthcare industry. She has long recognized the importance of standards in the processing of textiles and is a tremendous advocate of HLAC accreditation. The organization will benefit greatly from her leadership.”

McCurdy was recently named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2018 Prairies winner. She joined K-Bro in 1998 as chief financial officer and became president and CEO in 2000.

“HLAC continues to grow in stature among healthcare professionals who recognize the importance of standards in the processing of textiles,” McCurdy says. “As board president, I envision for HLAC many of the same goals I have for K-Bro, and one is to expand our footprint in the marketplace. I’m a big believer in the organization’s vision of a world where it’s a given that every healthcare linen is processed by an HLAC-accredited laundry.”

company says. Today, TLC Tri-State Laundry Companies has a support team of more than 80 dedicated professionals, with four locations in six states.

The Valdosta distribution facility is one of the world’s largest, TLC Tri-State claims, and is fully stocked with new and pre-owned commercial laundry equipment and parts.

Customers can stop by the new location to discuss everything from refurbishing a piece of equipment to picking up parts to obtaining financing for additional equipment or services; leasing, laundry build-out and rigging are all part of the packages offered, TLC Tri-State says.

The distributor represents Maytag, Speed Queen, Milnor, ADC and Chicago Dryer equipment lines in the region.

“The first time I walked into the corporate offices, I was struck by the size and layout, along with all of the services provided,” says Thurman Geathers, chief engineer for Well-Star Laundry Systems, a healthcare laundry provider. “More importantly, I was moved by the professional, caring individuals interested in providing for the needs of my laundry.”

It was especially meaningful for Stephenson to choose Valdosta as the new corporate location, in order to provide career opportunities and services to his hometown, TLC Tri-State says.

ARTA announces complete, expanded board of directors roster for 2019

MISSION, Kan. — Members of the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) voted earlier in the year to expand the number of directors serving on the board from five to seven. ARTA’s President Brendan O’Neill has announced the two new directors are Daniel Gelac of Kannegiesser (returning) and Jerry Martin of Prudential Overall Supply and Prudential Cleanroom Services.

Gelac of Kannegiesser Canada Inc. is a healthcare laundry executive with extensive experience. He understands the industry from both sides: as an operator and a supplier, and he has served as a director on the ARTA Board since 2017.

Martin is vice president of sales and marketing for Prudential with more than 20 years’ experience in sales, marketing and management. Martin has served as chair for the ARTA Cleanroom LCA Committee since 2014.

In addition, there are two non-voting positions on the board: Legislative Director Howard Zins of St. Louis and Executive Director Nancy Jenkins, of Jenkins Integrated Marketing, Mission, Kan.

ARTA will hold its next election in the spring, with results announced at Clean 2019 in New Orleans.

Meese honored with rotomolding association safety recognition award

MADISON, Ind. — Meese (formerly MODRoto), which produces carts for laundry/linen operations and other industries, has been honored with an important Safety Recognition Award from ARM (the Association of Rotational Molders), the company reports.

ARM is a trade association representing manufacturers of rotationally molded plastic products throughout North America, and the award recognizes Meese’s record for zero recordable injuries in the 2017 calendar year, validated with Meese’s OSHA 300A log.

“I am so proud of our team for winning this meaningful and important award,” says J.R. Ryan, president of the company. “Meese is extremely committed to the issue of safety in the workplace. We have worked very hard over the years to create and maintain a safe working environment and will continue to make this a priority going forward. We are extremely honored to be recognized by our industry.”

In addition, Meese received a 100% on a recent Insurance Company Safety Inspection in its LaMirada, Calif., factory. This was the first time in the inspector’s 15-year career that he has given a factory a perfect score.

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Commercial laundry equipment distributor TLC Tri-State Laundry Companies reports it has opened a new, state-of-the-art, 101,000-square-foot distribution facility here at 1560 Old Clyattville Road.

The company recently moved from its previous headquarters, occupying a series of smaller buildings totaling approximately 15,000 square feet, in Waycross, Ga.

The Valdosta facility includes more than 1,000 square feet of conference center space to be used for service training classes, vended investment seminars, factory service schools and divisional sales meetings.

Matthew Stephenson founded the company some two decades ago when he was literally “one man and a van,” the

Earlier in the year, the membership elected two directors: Dave Balliet of HCSC and Jeff Courey of George Courey. The complete roster for ARTA’s 2019 Board of Directors includes:

• President O’Neill of London Hospital Linen Service, Inc., London, Ontario.

• 1st Vice President Barb Fordyce of Foussard Montague Associates, St. Paul, Minn.

• 2nd Vice President Gabriel Boardman of MIP, Montreal, Quebec.

• Secretary Steven Tinker of Gurtler Industries, Inc., South Holland, Ill.

• Treasurer Brad Bushman, Standard Textile, Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Past President Ed McCauley, United Hospital Services, Inc., Ind.

• Director Dave Balliet of HCSC, Allentown, Pa.

• Director Ian Bigelow of Crothall, Spring, Texas.

• Director Jeff Courey of George Courey, Montreal, Quebec.

• Director Scott Delin of Superior Uniform Group, Seminole, Fla.

• Director Daniel Gelac of Kannegiesser, Montreal, Quebec.

• Director Jerry Martin of Prudential Overall Supply, San Diego.

• Director Dan Sanchez of Medline Industries, Inc., Mundelein, Ill.

Dynamic Sales and Service added to UniMac equipment distribution network in Pacific Northwest region

RIPON, Wis. — UniMac, a source of heavy-duty industrial laundry solutions, recently appointed Dynamic Sales and Service (DSS) its distributor in the Pacific Northwest, the company reports.

“Dynamic Sales and Service mirrors the values that UniMac prides itself on, such as delivering a level of customer service that reflects the quality of the brand,” says Bill Brooks, UniMac North American sales manager. “I’m confident the entire Dynamic team will well represent our brand in the marketplace.”

Based in Kirkland, Wash., DSS has served the commercial laundry needs of the Pacific Northwest since 1990.

In addition to providing sales and service for on-premises laundry customers, DSS also meets the needs of dry cleaners and vended laundry partners, as well as provides laundry services for multi-housing developments, military facilities and colleges.

“UniMac’s reputation in the on-premises laundry world is unparalleled,” says Dan Danhof, owner of DSS. “I’m confident that UniMac’s world-leading products and systems technology combined with our company’s commitment to the pinnacle of service and support will be a winning combination for customers in

HLAC board of directors votes Linda McCurdy president-elect for 2020

TLC Tri-State Companies opens new, state-of-the-art distribution facility

the Pacific Northwest.” ALN

TLC Tri-State recently relocated from Waycross, Ga., to this new stateof-the-art, 101,000-square-foot distribution facility in Valdosta, Ga. (Photo: TLC Tri-State Companies)

McCurdy

J.R. Ryan, president of Meese, displays the company’s Safety Recognition Award from the Association of Rotational Molders. (Photo: Meese)

Perfect for wipe-and-toss in heavily soiled environments. Minor weaving defects such as over-stitching or imperfect cuts reject perfectly good wiping tools from circulation. We buy these at a deep discount and pass the savings on to you.

• Packed: 100 doz/bale. 31oz

When production runs are over and inspections have been completed, mills may still have excess yarn, and a running loom. Run Of Mill (ROM) bar mops contain every bar mop that comes o the loom after the first quality run has been finalized, so are more economical than Grade A1 bar mops.

• Flat packed 100 doz/bale.

• Ideal for high loss environments.

Route Ready bar mops are optically white and packed in bags of 25 so you never have to pre-wash or recount them prior to use. Typically, laundries save at least 70¢ per dozen by freeing washroom and finishing floor operators from a whole wash cycle. Importantly, you gain production time to focus on other laundry room bottlenecks.

• Folded 25/poly, soft bale pack.

• Durable, woven labels.

• Private label upon request.

Blue Center Stripe ROM-B32 Gold Center Stripe ROM-G32 Green Center Stripe ROM-GR32

Blue Center Stripe RR-B32 Gold Center Stripe RR-G32 Green Center Stripe RR-GR32

From the blog

“Why are my bar mops grey?”

- Hal Kanefsky

I hear this question in the marketplace and wanted to share the background of the “dingy bar mop”. In order to answer this question I think its best to provide a bit of background regarding yarns, their origins and some industry terms. Obviously 100% pure cotton yarns start from cotton balls in a cotton field. The prices of cotton trade on several commodity index floors in various markets globally.

Historically over the last 5 years cotton has trad-

ed at between $0.55 per LB and $0.95 per pound. The current price of cotton is approximately $0.80/lb. Once the cotton is procured, it needs to be processed into yarn, woven, bleached, cut into a towel piece, sewn, labeled, baled, shipped from Asia to the US, and then distributed.

Total raw costs for all steps (without profit) would be slightly less than $1.00 a LB. So, if using 100% yarn, you should be paying somewhere around the equivalent of $1.80- $2.20 on a per pound basis (e.g. a 28 oz bar mop would be priced at $3.15 per doz to $3.85 per doz) Keep these numbers in mind as we proceed…

Now, as these yarns get woven into a product, there are wastes that are generated in the

process. Some yarn waste is generated from the ginning (separating cotton from the seeds and other plant matter) spinning (making the yarn) and weaving (making the textile). Each type of waste has specific value to the waste collector and those values range from $0.00 to $0.35/lb.

When waste or scrap is collected from the weaving process, typically the yarns being woven are a blend of cotton and polyester. The yarns being used were higher quality yarns typically intended for garments (check your labels on your clothes, most are...

Continue reading the article here: www.monarchbrands.com/barmops