American Laundry News - January 2023

EXPOdetergo attracts visitors from more than 100 countries

MILAN, Italy — Officials from EXPOdetergo International, which took place here Oct. 21-24, say that the international exhibition dedicated to machinery, services, and products for laundry, ironing, and textile cleaning, closed with 17,144 attendees, and 40% of those came from 106 countries.

“We met operators from all over the world, and this confirms and reinforces the international role of the event, but above all, the exhibiting companies were able to experience the quality of an evolved and demanding professional visitor, who appreciated the research and development work behind the machines and products on offer at the show,” says Marco Sancassani, president of EXPOdetergo International.

The show featured 250 exhibitors, 33% from 22 countries.

“These were days of business and great substance, in which

several companies signed contracts,” adds Paolo Pizzocaro, Fiera Milano, director of the exhibition.

“The change and innovation that the companies have presented can now find its way into laundries, laying the foundations for the future of this market, with a focus on sustainability, digitalization and ergonomics, characteristics that are shared by all the present offerings.”

The watchword of the event was doing more with less, organizers say. The necessity of this is linked to the choice of greater sustainability but is made even more urgent by the high energy bills, which is a pressing matter for a sector that has high energy consumption.

It is estimated that for industrial laundries, gas consumption being equal, the increase in energy costs has reached 600%, according to show organizers.

Technological advancement and research and development are the answers behind the solutions presented at the event.

EXPOdetergo International officials say the 2022 event highlighted the evolution of the sector, saying that nearly everything available on the market today worldwide was presented at the exhibition.

This included super-fast and energy-saving washing machines, ergonomic and low-consumption ironing systems, fully digitalized machines that manage the washing/ironing chain even remotely, highly effective and environmentally friendly professional detergents, up to textile proposals (bedding and table linen) with fine fabrics and linens for rental.

On the machinery side, manufacturers are turning into real consultants for energy-saving

plans. The industrial laundry becomes 4.0 and finds room for savings and optimization through automated line management. This reduces time and, with it, costs.

On the ironing front, cold technology allows, thanks to worktops coated with a special anti-condensation treatment, to reduce energy costs and work in a healthier environment.

Detergents also make an essential contribution. Ozone technology used in combination with innovative chemicals improves washing efficiency: time is reduced, working at low temperatures (washing at 15 C is sufficient) and electricity consumption is reduced, with savings of up to 80%.

The next EXPOdetergo International will take place in 2026.

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

Mathew Pawlak

Digital Media Director

Nathan Frerichs

Phone: 312-361-1681 E-Mail: nfrerichs@ ATMags.com

Advisory Board

David Barbe

Janice Ayers Davis • Nick Fertig

Deana Griffin • Cecil Lee Edward McCauley Jim Slatcher

Main Phone: 312-361-1700 Fax: 312-361-1685 www.americanlaundrynews.com

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MEMBERSHIPS

More than 17,000 attendees toured the floor during EXPOdetergo International in October. (Photos: EXPOdetergo International)

Organizers say show featured 250 exhibitors, 33% from 22 countries

Milnor has a better solution through dilution.

When Milnor introduced PulseFlow® technology, CBW® washing was thrust into the future. The idea of balancing time, temperature, mechanical action and chemistry was missing one critical piece of the pie – DILUTION through the efficient use of water.

PulseFlow combines the innovative RecircONE® fast wet down and chemical immersion in the first module with standing bath washing in every spacious process module. Thorough and efficient dilution occurs by way of intermittent high velocity counterflow rinsing and traditional True Top Transfer.

The result is hygienically clean linen using less water (as low as 0.3 gallons per pound/2.5 liters per kilogram) and less energy as proven time and again by hundreds of PulseFlow tunnels in a variety of laundry applications worldwide.

Contact an authorized Milnor distributor or call 504-712-7656 to find out more.

www.milnor.com

Refreshing times

You probably noticed something different about this issue of American Laundry News

Yes, it looks different than it has in the past because we decided it was time to refresh the look of the publication. While we have updated the look, we haven’t changed our efforts in bringing you the laundry and linen services news and information you need.

Still, we hope you find the new look “refreshing.”

And we hope your business has had some refreshing success after the past few years. It was refreshing for me to write the supply-chain update (page 1) and learn that the situation has improved. Ports are clearing, goods are in stock and,

overall, the supply chain has improved.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges, and I hope you’ll find some valuable information and insights to keep your supplies on hand.

What wasn’t refreshing was the apparent rise of laundry fires last year. Turn to page 10 for expert advice on what to do if a fire breaks out in your plant.

Of course, it’s best to prevent a fire from starting. You’ll find an article on prevention techniques on page 16.

While there will always be challenges, I hope you did find 2022 refreshing for your business. And I hope the information we provide in 2023 will help refresh your efforts to keep it clean, everybody!

Textile services safety rates continue to improve

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — TRSA recently released the results of its annual national safety survey, which demonstrated the linen, uniform and facility services industry continuing to make dramatic progress toward achieving its goal of eliminating occupational injuries and illnesses in its facilities.

The textile services industry, which includes TRSA members, reduced its TRIR (total recordable incident rate) by 7.1% from 2017-2021. By comparison, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the linen and uniform supply industry TRIR rate decreased its incidents by 5.2% from 2017-2021.

During the same time, the manufacturing industry reduced its TRIR rate by 5.7% while all private industry saw a 3.6% reduction.

The DART (days away, restricted and/or transferred) rate of TRSA members showed a 20% reduction, better than the overall linen and uniform supply industry reduction of 13.2%.

For the same period, the manufacturing industry

reported an increase in the DART rate of 5%, and all private industry increased by 13.3%.

“This latest TRSA safety report demonstrates the continued commitment by our members to significantly improve worker health and safety in commercial laundry facilities,” says Joseph Ricci, president and CEO of TRSA.

“As with our commitments to advancing hygienically clean processes and responsible environmental stewardship, our members are committed to protecting the health and safety of their workers.”

TRIR and DART results in the report are drawn from laundry operators’ responses to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 300A form, which all facilities must submit to OSHA annually.

Some 800 laundries and depots sent this data and other key safety metrics to TRSA through the Mackay Research Group, an independent, third-party organization that compiles data on employee, operating and financial performance for trade associations.

New year, new goals, new challenges

Many will be relieved to be out of 2022, while others will look back at 2022 and bask in the glory of how well it went for them.

I know I, personally, have been through a bad circumstance; however, I have also been a part of a few projects that I am proud of how they turned out.

I think that is how most years go—a lot of highs and always a few lows.

Now we all have 2023 waiting for us like a blank canvas waiting for paint. Most laundries are looking for a reason to try and make improvements, and the turning of the calendar is usually a good one.

Deciding which program to start is usually the hardest decision. I have a few suggestions that you might try.

Take a walk through your facility like it is your first time to lay eyes on it.

We all build up our walls with the thinking that how we are performing tasks is the only way they can be performed. Sometimes how processes are working in our mind is not how it is working on the production floor.

This is true, especially with equipment. Folders get to where they fold and run, but they are not making that perfect fold or kicking out way too many pieces instead of folding them.

Watch your employees perform their tasks and see what can be improved. Can you eliminate steps or make working environment improvements?

When you are walking through your plant, it is a good time to ask yourself if it looks how you would like. Maybe a fresh coat of paint or adding lighting will bring it to your desired level. Paint is an inexpensive way to improve employee morale as well.

NOW WE ALL HAVE 2023 WAITING FOR US LIKE A BLANK CANVAS WAITING FOR PAINT. MOST LAUNDRIES ARE LOOKING FOR A REASON TO TRY AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE TURNING OF THE CALENDAR IS USUALLY A GOOD ONE.

The cleanliness of your facility always needs to be monitored. The start of a new year is a perfect time to start a new cleaning program.

I have been in very few laundries that put time and thought into keeping their facility clean daily. We all know how to spruce up the place for visits. Keeping it that way daily is a whole other ballgame.

The start of the year usually brings out new personal goals for us. Lose a few extra pounds, exercise more, etc. It is also a good time to set goals for your facility.

I know we have always put out our best numbers when we are working toward accreditation. New accreditations are always effective ways to jump-start your plant’s production numbers.

Most accreditations involve fine-tuning your plant processes. This is the time we usually discover our current process may not be up to par or delivering the desired effect.

OUR SISTER WEBSITES

From AmericanDrycleaner.com:

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From AmericanCoinOp.com:

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I have always enjoyed online classes to help with our daily work routine. We all like those neat graphs that others have in their reports. There are plenty of courses that can show you how to make graphs or spice up your weekly reports.

When you are deciding on your plans for 2023, always remember that however you find the current condition of your facility, you did not get there overnight; therefore, you will not make huge changes overnight as well.

I worked for several years for a guy that always talked about laundries being like battleships. They do not pivot on a dime.

It takes time to turn the big ship around.

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COLUMNIST AT LARGE David Griggs

MATT POE

David Griggs serves as general manager for Superior Linen Service’s healthcare division based in Oklahoma.

Total recordable incident rates reduced by 7.1% from 20172021; TRSA members showed 20% reduction in DART rates

shares Landry.

“They were caught on the short side of supply, and they basically erred on bringing in extra inventory,” he says. “I know from a retail side, some of them have 70% excess inventories.

“When all the containers finally cleared and landed at the warehouses, there was no place to put this stuff. So, they basically went out in the world and canceled all their purchase orders and stopped everything overseas—China, Pakistan Bangladesh, India.

“You saw the demand for containers go from you couldn’t get it on a boat to no bookings. That’s happened over the last five, six months, I would say, and that’s what’s really impacted our world is availability. There are plenty of containers. There’s plenty of cargo space.

“Prices of containers in China have gone from $25,000 back to pre-COVID levels of $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000 a container.”

From a cost standpoint, Landry says the shipping situation has opened the supply side, and that’s also impacting the cost side because the cost of everything has gone down dramatically.

“Since then, ocean freight has suffered a huge decline on a month-to-month basis as there is a weak demand and ongoing economic uncertainty on a world basis caught up with contracted customer agreements according to XSI Xeneta Index,” says Law.

“Global rates fell by 5.7% with all major carriers experiencing this for the third month in a row. The upside is containers are now being booked at less than 2019 costs into Los Angeles ports.

“East Coast demand is higher, so it is still a bit more on the East Coast but huge savings from a year ago, up to $12,000 and more a container depending on the country of origin.

“With that said costs are going down.”

Law does point out that operators should keep an eye on the contract side of transportation. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union contract expired on July 1.

“This could complicate freight once landed and take longer if the contract is not settled soon,” she says.

And the fall saw the tug-of-war between the railroad unions and the government to prevent widespread disruption of rail service.

Landry adds that certain important items still have delays in supply.

“When you get into like machine parts and specialized motors and some of the electronic side of the world, I have heard there have been a couple delays,” he points out. “I don’t think they’ve been as severe as they were before.

“Due to the lack of chip technology, servo motors that go on washing machines or dryers or equipment like that, I think there are still some slight impacts in that area on some of the specialized products. But the textile side, the chemical side seems like it’s well in stock.

“It’s really come around from what it was. I am sure there are vendors still behind on some of their goods, there are still some shortages because they are behind producing the product and they still haven’t caught up, but it’s not in the quantities it was before.”

CURRENT CHALLENGES

While the situation has improved, there are still hurdles for laundry operators with the supply chain.

“China’s zero-COVID policy continues to be a contributor to supply-chain disruption,” says Kelly. “Labor availability continues to impact vendors’ ability to supply material/components and services.

“Each vendor has their own challenges. Some of the disruption is due to material availability. Some is labor.

“It looks like transportation and fuel are starting to stabilize, which reduces some of the delivery delays.”

Landry thinks inflation is going to be “more of a permanent fixture” when it comes to costs.

And rising labor rates are likely to become more permanent, affecting costs across the board.

“Domestically the cost of warehousing, the labor rates have dramatically increased,” he says. “The freight rates have dramatically increased, and part of that is labor. Part of that is fuel.

“I think the fuel surcharges have been coming down because the price of fuel has dropped dramatically. I think it’s down 50 cents over the last month.

“But the thing I think we’re going to see, I don’t know if it’s going to be permanent or much, much longer term, is the cost of labor seems like that’s going up, and I don’t see how that comes back down.

“The cost of rents for warehouses and such have gone up, but that will probably settle a little bit in the next year or two.

“So, this is kind of a new normal that laundry operations need to be aware of for the supplies that they need.”

Landry thinks the labor shortages and the labor cost is semi-permanent for the economy and that impacts the supplychain side and the operation side.

“The laundry trying to operate knows the ability for them to hire people and what it costs when they do hire people,” he says. “If you are a textile warehouse with 70 employ-

ees and your average wage goes to, let’s say $17.25 an hour, that’s a pretty big impact. That’s pretty permanent. So, that cost is pushed along with the cost of the product.”

“Many vendors are very skeptical still and this truly needs to change if we are going to experience the wealth of the late 1990s again,” Law says. “I think the skeptical outlook is from an overseas perspective since we still have severe labor shortages everywhere, and diesel is way too high and that is making transportation costs across the country much higher as well.

“Years ago, we used to rate swap on truckers and share discounts to save everyone money, and I’m not advocating collusion, but we truly need to pull together as an industry to get transportation costs lower.

“The truckers do this and even have an association in Virginia that is dominated by the large truckers, including UPS and Fed Ex and Old Dominion. I think it is high time our industry got involved, too.

“In terms of my company, I added both broker and direct rates and run them against each other to save my customers money on freight. Just saying freight is free and included really does nothing as nothing is free and has to be included into the bottom line somehow.”

LAUNDRY SUPPLY STRATEGIES

So, what can a laundry operation do to best navigate the current supply chain situation?

“Working with multiple vendors rather than two or three has helped,” Shames shares. “Putting out a yearly RFP (request for proposal) has helped also.

“We have increased more inventory on hand with items that are difficult to procure.”

“If a company can increase inventory on

(Photo: © lightsource/Depositphotos)

Rising labor rates are likely to become more permanent, affecting costs across the board.

Tools f

the Trade

Company launches next generation of industrial wash reflective transfer films

Industrial garments need to withstand tough conditions, including an increased number of wash cycles, disinfecting wash performance, higher temperatures and harsher washing conditions.

To help meet these demands, 3M says it is introducing the next generation of 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material Industrial Wash and Industrial Wash Flame Resistant Reflective Transfer Films that offer the strongest wash durability ever offered by 3M.

These new films are designed to increase longevity and help reduce the cost of ownership for specifiers, all in a more sustainable design certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100.

3M Scotchlite Reflective Material 9725 Industrial Wash Transfer Film is a high-wash performance solution built for the hard-wearing demands of today’s world. This new product is designed to:

• Last up to 75 industrial wash cycles according to ISO 15797 table 4, procedure 2.

• Last up to 50 disinfectant industrial wash cycles according to ISO 15797 table 1, procedure 2.

• Be suitable for tumble drying and tunnel finishing.

3M says this high-performance trim is ideal for use in a wide assortment of industries including manufacturing, industrial, construction, transportation, utilities and first responders.

For flame-resistant safety wear, 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material 9745 Industrial Wash Flame

Resistant Transfer Film is designed to:

• Last up to 100 industrial wash cycles according to ISO 15797 table 4, procedure 2.

• Last up to 50 disinfectant industrial wash cycles according to ISO 15797 table 1, procedure 2.

• Be suitable for tumble drying and tunnel finishing.

This high-performance flame-resistant trim is ideal for use in a wide assortment of industries including oil, gas, mining, utilities and manufacturing.

3M Scotchlite Reflective Transfer Films are intended for use on high-performance safety garments. They help enhance the visibility of the wearer at night or in lowlight conditions when illuminated by a light source, such as vehicle headlights or streetlights. www.3M.com 800-328-7098

Software platform designed to bring efficiency, accuracy to laundry/linen inventory management

Laundris™ is highlighting its Digital Linen Solutions, which it says is a dynamic software platform designed to bring efficiency and accuracy to laundry and linen inventory management.

The company says its patented tracking solution can help hospitality businesses optimize labor, linen management, save money, reduce spoilage, and automate re-ordering and replenishment of inventory.

Items the system can track include:

• Bed linens and bedding: sheets, blankets. and pillowcases.

• Tablecloths and linens.

• Uniforms.

• And more.

In addition to ensuring that linens and laundry are as hygienically clean as possible, Laundris™ says it provides a digital hotel and hospitality inventory and asset management platform to help gain expense efficiencies, particularly with reduced labor costs, and inventory management tracking.

The company’s near-term vision involves combining its cutting-edge IoT (internet of things) enabled commercial laundry equipment with its proprietary software platform.

The system is designed to maximize efficiencies and accuracy across the organizations of its customers, whether it is a regional operator or a much larger national conglomerate. www.laundris.com 512-503-2085

Trinity Guardion Inc. reports it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Soteria® Bed Barrier that re-engineers the way healthcare facilities protect patient mattresses from soiling.

The company says its Soteria Bed Barrier is the first of its kind launderable and reusable healthcare bed barrier that provides a protective physical barrier to protect the bed and mattress from patient soiling, helping to reduce contamination during use.

Designed for acute and longterm care beds and stretchers, it fits securely over the mattress and bed deck and attaches to the bed frame without disrupting bed and mattress performance during patient care.

More than a mattress cover, the Soteria Bed Barrier defines a new category for surface protection between mattress and patient, according to the company. Its innovative and patented features, including a proprietary laundry process that allows for re-use after laundering, were cleared with the assignment of a unique FDA product code (QTV).

The Soteria Bed Barrier is classified as a Level 3 barrier per

AAMI Standard PB70. This is similar to other protective equipment such as protective apparel and drapes intended for use in healthcare facilities.

The Soteria proprietary surface formulation allows for laundering that meets AMMI TIR 12 acceptance criteria for high-level disinfection plus spore removal (99.9999%) using a rigorous commercial healthcare laundry method.

Soteria also meets CDC Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities, specifically Section G, the company says. The Soteria Bed Barrier is validated for 150 laundry cycles and is both RFIDchipped and bar-coded to enable tracking of laundry cycles and inventory management.

www.trinityguardion.com 812-932-2602

Program to help companies deliver on water, climate, business growth goals

To help companies respond to the intensifying energy crisis and impacts of climate change and water scarcity around the world, Ecolab reports it has launched its Ecolab Water for Climate™ program.

The company says this new offering helps companies meet their ambitious climate goals without compromising business growth.

By better managing water in their operations, businesses can reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. For example, Ecolab has found that more efficient water management in production processes can reduce water consumption by up to 44%, energy use by up to 22% and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12%.1

At its core, Ecolab Water for Climate addresses the impact of water on energy and greenhouse gas emissions, according to the company. Water must be moved, heated, cooled and treated to be fit for commercial use, all of which require energy.

The company says Ecolab Water for Climate addresses these challenges by providing holistic solutions including auditing, consulting, engineering, advanced chemistries and digital technologies that support reduce, reuse and recycle water strategies across an enterprise.

This allows companies to continuously monitor

and improve water use and quantify the impact on energy, emissions and the bottom line.

In 2020, Ecolab was a founding member of the Water Resilience Coalition—an industry-driven, CEO-led coalition of the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate.

Since 2017, Ecolab has been a member of the World Environment Center, which is an independent, global nonprofit, non-advocacy organization that advances sustainable development through the business practices and operations of its member companies and in partnership with governments, multi-lateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities and other stakeholders.

www.ecolab.com 800-352-5326

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

FDA grants clearance for bed barrier to help protect against mattress soiling

TRSA’s 11th Annual Healthcare Conference draws more than 150 attendees

Trends, opportunities, challenges were key focuses of the event, association says

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — More than 150 operator and supplier partner executives serving the healthcare market sector attended TRSA’s 11th Annual Healthcare Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, in November.

The two-day conference featured a full day of industry-specific education followed by a tour of Emerald Textiles’ 65,000-squarefoot plant in nearby Phoenix.

“This was a great conference,” says TRSA Vice Chair Randy Bartsch, CEO, Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service. “It was good to see such a good turnout, representing so many people both on the processing side as well as our vendors.”

The opening day of the conference kicked off on Nov. 16 with a morning keynote delivered by Ryan Donohue, strategic advisor, NRC Health and The Governance Institute.

Titled “Patient No Longer: The Brave New World of Post-COVID Consumerism,” Donohue’s address detailed patients growing expectations and needs, with a focus on how healthcare providers and companies serving the healthcare sector can strategically meet these ever-changing expectations.

He also examined the impact of COVID19 on the healthcare sector and how it led to innovations such as greater use of virtual doctor’s visits.

Donohue is an expert on this topic through his work with many top health systems and hospitals to understand the changes resulting from a more consumercentric healthcare environment. His clients include the Mayo Clinic, Trinity Health, Baylor Scott & White Health, New York–Presbyterian Hospital, Providence and Partners HealthCare.

Donohue continues to research how consumers make decisions and how providers can move to the leading edge in consumer and patient engagement and retention.

After Donohue spoke, attendees heard the tale of how Inova Health System in Northern Virginia designed and produced a custom, reusable isolation gown to counter the personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The custom gowns ensured an adequate supply of the healthcare system’s secondmost-used type of PPE, while also eliminating 213 tons of waste per year due to the system’s former use of disposable gowns. The new gowns are currently in use at two of Inova’s five hospitals.

Lucy He, director of infection prevention and control, and Mandy Campanaro, senior service line partner, at Inova Health System, joined Carlos Iniguez, quality assurance and compliance officer, HandCraft Services Inc., Richmond, Virginia, to discuss the details of this reusable PPE.

The morning ended with a pair of datadriven sessions recapping the results of TRSA’s recent healthcare survey and longterm care initiative.

Kevin Schwalb, TRSA’s vice president of government relations, then provided attendees with a lunchtime update on the latest regulatory and legislative initiatives that TRSA is working on in Washington, D.C., and at the state level on behalf of its members and the industry.

The afternoon concluded with several panel sessions on topics such as the value of reusable healthcare textiles and garments, and the use of marketing and sales to convince long-term care facilities to outsource their laundry.

Bartsch moderated the final panel. The session featured five senior executives, including:

• Jason Berstein, president, Nixon Medical Inc.

• Jim Cashman, CEO, ImageFIRST.

• Karl Fillip II, CEO, NOVO Health Services LLC.

• Andrew Kratky, CEO, Emerald Textiles.

• Joe LaPorta, president & CEO, Healthcare Linen Services Group.

The panel discussion featured several interactive polls that allowed attendees to share their thoughts to help steer the dialogue. The wide-ranging panel discussion touched on topics such as the prospect of a recession and its likely impact on the healthcare market, investing in automation, challenges serving the healthcare sector, and instilling culture and values throughout an organization.

“I really enjoyed it,” Kratky shares. “This is actually my first TRSA conference that I’ve been to, and I thought it was great.

“I thought the interaction with the people that were here was really good, the panels were really good, and it was great to hear what was going on in different parts of the industry and different regions outside of where we call home in California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.”

The Healthcare Conference concluded

the following day with a tour of Emerald Textiles’ Hygienically Clean-certified facility in Phoenix.

The 65,000-square-foot plant opened in October 2003. It is equipped with three Pellerin Milnor tunnels, each of which has 10 150-pound modules. The facility’s 240 employees process 80,000 pounds of laundry per day.

The Phoenix plant is in the process of installing a new Milnor tunnel washer with 10 150-pound modules, a 40 BAR singlestage press, along with a rail system for sling bag loaders, a conveyor and a two-cake elevating shuttle.

Six Milnor dryers also are being installed to complement the system, each with up to 325 pounds drying with a two-cake load.

“It’s amazing to see all the new technology, how it comes together, and learn some best practices and new systems,” says

Jeff Peterson, sales manager, Spin Linen Management, Omaha, Nebraska.

“The plant tour gives us the opportunity to see what innovations are out there that we hadn’t thought about yet.”

Several meetings took place the day before the Healthcare Conference’s formal kickoff, including the Hygienically Clean Healthcare Advisory Board and Users’ Group meetings. The Hygienically Clean meetings were followed by a CEO/Executive Roundtable. TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci moderated this discussion, which drew more than 40 senior-level executives.

TRSA’s Healthcare Conference was sponsored by five-star partner Kannegiesser ETECH, four-star partners G.A. Braun and JENSEN, premium sponsors Brim, Lavatec, Pellerin Milnor and Unitex International, and supporting sponsors APPI Energy, G.A. Braun, Lac Mac and Pellerin Milnor.

Day 2 of TRSA’s Healthcare Conference featured a tour of Emerald Textiles’ Phoenix plant.

Joe LaPorta (left), Healthcare Linen Services Group; Jim Cashman, ImageFIRST; Andrew Kratky, CEO, Emerald Textiles; Karl Fillip II, NOVO Health Services LLC; and Jason Berstein, Nixon Medical Inc., take part in a TRSA Healthcare Conference panel moderated by Randy Bartsch, Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service. (Photos: TRSA)

BY MATT POE, EDITOR

In May, the Madison (Wisconsin) Fire Department responded to a fire under the roof of a local laundry operation.

Smoke detectors had been set off, and smoke was seen coming from the roof.

While no obvious flames were seen, firefighters found high heat in an area where a dryer vent met the ceiling.

It wasn’t until firefighters opened the roof that flames were discovered so the crew could extinguish the blaze.

The laundry was fortunate that its smoke detectors worked, that the fire department was able to locate the blaze and, most importantly, that no one was injured.

Unfortunately, a scan of news headlines and anecdotes from industry insiders seem to show that laundry fires occurred more often in 2022.

So, it’s a good time for operators to revisit plans on what to do if a fire breaks out and ways to prevent fires in the first place.

FIRE MARSHAL ADVICE

“The greatest danger is an undetected fire that spreads to the structure,” says City of Madison Fire Marshal Ed Ruckriegel. “Fortunately, most people (in a laundry) are awake and aware, which reduces the life hazard.”

He says two major causes of fires in commercial laundries include:

1.Spontaneous combustion of large loads left in the dryer for an extended period after the drying cycle ends. This is especially true for restaurant towels. After washing, kitchen towels can have residual oils that are prone to spontaneous combustion.

2.Clogged and/or obstructed vents.

Lint from the drying process collects in the vent, obstructs airflow and retains heat.

When a fire is discovered, he says owners/operators should evacuate the building, call 911 and turn off the power to the equipment.

Fire sprinklers are the answer for keeping employees and customers safe while protecting the equipment and building.

“It’s always important to have builtin detection and suppression,” shares Ruckriegel. “When the building has a sprinkler system, it’s going to get in there and keep the fire from going anywhere. It’s probably going to keep it limited and the damage”

Another system he recommends is a smoke detection system so that during off hours when no one is around, an alarm goes off and alerts the fire department.

“Get the fire department rolling early rather than waiting for somebody from outside the property to see it,” Ruckriegel says. “Those are usually pretty catastrophic fires when a neighbor reports it.”

After a fire, Ruckriegel recommends working with a restoration company.

“Most insurance pays for restoration services, and they can get in and get after the smoke damage earlier,” he says.

“They can get in and whether it’s fire sprinkler water damage or firefighter water damage, they can get in and get that water out of there and start running the dehumidifier.

“At least know if somebody locally in the community does fire damage restoration and have that contact in your phone.”

Ruckriegel says fire departments are going to communicate with the laundry owner and try to assist them in whatever way it can help get back to business— at least get the building taken care of

(Image licensed by Ingram Image)

promptly.

“But if somebody’s not there, unfortunately often we have to force entry,” he points out. “So that’s a door that needs to be fixed or somehow taken care of that night.”

Ruckriegel shares that most fire departments have a key box system that’s a mini vault installed on the outside of the building to which only the department has access.

“That way they can get in after hours, and they don’t have to damage the door just to get in,” he says.

Ruckriegel also recommends contacting the local fire department to see if they have a business registry where the laundry can get its 24-hour number registered.

“Getting the owner there earlier is better for us, and for the owner,” he says. “So, make sure the fire department has a good emergency contact.”

Finally, Ruckriegel says that laundry operations should regularly check that it complies with fire regulations.

“Make sure the fire extinguishers are up-to-date and located in good, smart locations,” he says.

“Also conduct regular maintenance of your equipment. It’s the whole idea of installing, operating and maintaining equipment in accordance with the manufacturer.”

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

“Plan to execute and then execute the plan” could be the motto of safety teams when discussing fires in commercial laundry plants.

Healthcare Linen Alliance (HLA) member Century Linen has such plans in place.

President Gary Fuller says one such plan is to drop slings of dry-fold textiles in laundry carts and put a “donut hole” in the middle to make sure those items cool off properly when closing production for the day.

Placing the carts in an isolated area on the floor may help minimize damage should a fire start from spontaneous combustion.

But fires do happen, and Fuller has experienced a few of these and has a few suggestions including:

•Immediately meeting the fire department when they show up to make sure they don’t cut holes in the roof to make a bad situation worse.

•Have the safety committee run the fire investigation like any other accident report.

•Make sure the safety team checks all fire extinguishers each month.

•Invite the local fire department for a fire prevention tour. Insurance companies usually come by once a year to perform the same function.

•Check dryers to make sure the sprinkler function is turned on. Fuller has heard that previous fire department responses have been delayed at times because the sprinkler function was turned off, which triggers an automatic response from the fire department. Minutes matter.

•Clean the plastic off dryer baskets to provide good air circulation and make sure temperature probes work.

•And if there is a drop ceiling in certain areas of the plant and/or offices, and the sprinklers are above the drop ceiling, make sure the proper drop ceiling panels are installed that will collapse when they get wet. A fire on

the roof from equipment failures can be tough to extinguish if it gets in between the old ceiling and the drop ceiling. Make sure the sprinklers can do their job.

HLA Sales Director Rick Gaffney, with more than 40 years in the business, has experienced a few fires over the years.

One significant fire was caused by six slings of bar towels that were short-cycled or not cooled down properly. This happened on a Thursday evening before a Fourth of July weekend in a National Linen plant.

The investigation revealed that ironer maintenance was behind schedule and that the right safety training with fire extinguishers and using the proper type of extinguishers for the specific fire was important to review with the safety team.

Class A is for wood, cloth and paper fires; Class B for grease, paints, solvents and other flammable sources; and Class C for energized electrical equipment.

It’s not always easy to determine the exact cause of laundry fires, but the effort is worth it in terms of safety and functionality.

Jeff Frushtick, chairman and CEO

MINIMIZING DAMAGE WHEN A LAUNDRY FIRE OCCURS INCLUDES HAVING ALARM AND SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS IN PLACE AND FUNCTIONING, COMMUNICATION SO THAT THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN ACT QUICKLY, AND TAKING IMMEDIATE RESTORATION STEPS—AND WORKING TO ENSURE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS ADDRESSED.

OF COURSE, THE BEST WAY TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE IS TO AVOID FIRE ALTOGETHER.

Even though the fire department had a key to the plant and had toured the facility before the fire, they still broke down an overhead door for entry and broke a few windows to let the smoke out.

Gaffney was the first on the scene about midnight, called in his supervisor and maintenance crew, and was able to recover by 6 a.m. the next morning when production started work.

After the investigation, the responsible employee was terminated. Supervisors paid closer attention to dryer times, checked dryer loads coming out to make sure they went through a cool-down cycle, dropped slings of dry fold towels at night and isolated these towels the best they could on the production floor.

Another laundry incident was regarding a load of new 100% cotton towels in the dryer. The first wash generates a lot of lint which can be a source of ignition when overheated.

A fire broke out and the sprinklers came on and the fire department got the automatic alarm. In the meantime, the supervisor team turned a hose loose in the dryer and the fire seemed to be out.

Gaffney called the fire department to tell them they had the situation under control, but the fire department said they had to respond.

After the first responders dumped the load of towels out of the dryer and took it out to the parking lot, the fire department spread the towels out and it immediately reignited.

That taught Gaffney and his team a good lesson not to take these situations for granted. It could have turned out much worse.

He’d like to say this was the only time a dryer fire happened, but it wasn’t. He agrees with Fuller that dryer maintenance is an important aspect of fire prevention.

One more incident was regarding a grease and lint fire on an ironer that was ignited by the heat from a steam pipe.

Fortunately, the maintenance chief was nearby and minimized that damage by using the proper type of Class B extinguisher on the fire.

of equipment manufacturer Leonard Automatics, recalls a time when laundry operators were reporting fires igniting in tunnel finishers.

He found that spontaneous combustion was happening to the garments, even though the equipment operating temperature was almost 700 degrees lower that the necessary temperature for textiles to ignite.

After a lengthy investigation, Frushtick found that a change in government regulations on washfloor chemistry had led to residual fats and oils being left on the garments, creating the “fuel” for the spontaneous combustion.

“It’s important to find out why, what’s going on with the fire and fix the problems,” Frushtick says.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Minimizing damage when a laundry fire occurs includes having alarm and suppression systems in place and functioning, communication so that the local fire department can act quickly, and taking immediate restoration steps—and working to ensure the cause of the fire is addressed.

Of course, the best way to minimize damage is to avoid fire altogether (for more information, see the fire prevention article on page 16).

Ruckriegel says the following are necessary for fire prevention:

•Install, operate and maintain equipment per the equipment manufacturer.

•Never allow large loads to sit in the dryer—especially overnight.

•Clean and maintain the vent system regularly.

• Install fire sprinklers.

PANEL of EXPERTS

Meet the 2023 Panel of Experts

I’m currently vice president of sales for Fashion Seal Healthcare, a division of Superior Group of Companies.

In this position, I’m actively involved in developing successful uniform programs for commercial and cooperative laundries as well as hospitals in the healthcare and hospitality arenas by working closely with national and regional laundries.

My first experience was in the textile market cutting and sewing ladies’ sportswear for major apparel manufacturers. I went on to own and operate a small cutand-sew factory.

Later on, I joined Penn Linen and Uniform Service, a commercial laundry that provided rental services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Penn Linen had four plants and one depot that provided rental service to the following markets: healthcare rental, industrial uniform rental, cleanroom rental, food and beverage rental, and, of course, dust control.

In addition to my extensive background in apparel production and textile industry, I have over 38 years of experience in all aspects of the commercial laundry industry, with a successful record of accomplishments in product development and sales and marketing.

Currently, I serve as an active member of the TRSA Healthcare Committee and a current Board member for ARTA (American Reuseable Textile Association). I’m a repeat instructor for TRSA’s PMI class.

In the past, I’ve had the honor to serve as a member of the TRSA Board of Directors as well as a past member of the HLAC advisory committee and a past member of the ALM Credentialing Committee.

For several years, I was honored to be a member of the Panel of Experts for the American Laundry News and contributed monthly articles on specific topics important to laundry operators coast to coast and then went on to be a ghostwriter from time to time.

I’m a graduate of Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences, now known as Jefferson University, and hold a bachelor’s degree in apparel and textile production and management.

I’m also a graduate of TRSA’s Production Management Institute, and I was an instructor at the Dale Carnegie Institute.

I’ve been happily married to my wife, Beth, for 37 years with three children and one golden retriever.

Consulting Services

dry and to build a commercial laundry.

I am a published author and speaker for areas as diverse as Predictive Analytics and ATP testing along with all avenues of operational cleaning.

I enjoy volunteer work, forensic data analysis and sports sabermetrics.

in the United States with no plan on stopping anytime soon!

Looking toward 2023 and beyond, the challenges I face at United Hospital Services are much like the challenges you likely face within your operations.

We must continue to find ways to overcome labor shortages and supply-chain interruptions while we navigate the highest levels of inflation in the last 30 years.

For most of my management career,

I was general manager/regional vice president of multiple hotels/resorts both as a corporate and outside contractor for companies such as Marriott, Hyatt and Four Seasons.

I trained in laundry at the Marriott Greentree in Pennsylvania and have continued to manage hotels/resorts with differing sizes of laundry operations.

The smallest was a 32-unit hotel with one small washer and dryer.

The largest had 1,700 units with 15 200pound washers and 18 300-pound dryers along with a sheet folder, three towel folders and a wrapper with conveyor belt system. I designed the floor plan and did all of the purchasing and decision-making for this laundry.

My more recent involvement in the industry includes writing a benchmarking laundry article for ISSA, being contracted by Whirlpool Corporation from 20192020 as consultant for commercial laundry expert in hospitality and resorts, and from 2021 to the present contacted by the owner of two laundromats wanting to use his current facilities for commercial laun-

There’s no better way to learn a business or an industry than by doing it yourself and learning from those around you. I hope to be one more resource for you as you continue to learn, grow and evolve within the industry.

I have worked in the healthcare laundry sector for eight years serving many roles, including information technology manager, plant manager, interim chief of maintenance, and now director of service and sales, all of which have quickly broadened my knowledge and experience within the industry.

My 10 years’ prior experience in the technology sector has enabled me to bring a different perspective and an agile mentality to the healthcare operation.

As director of service and sales for United Hospital Services, I oversee all hospital accounts across the state of Indiana for our 50 million-pound operation.

As a co-op of over 50 years, United Hospital Services has grown into one of the largest healthcare laundry cooperatives

It’s an honor to be selected as a returning member of this panel. I hope that my experiences provide you with the information and tools needed to overcome challenges within your operations.

It’s an honor to be selected for this panel, and I hope to share the benefit of my experience with you over the next year.

I have joined Performance Matters as senior advisor after successfully continuing the succession of my 120-year-old family-owned textile rental business in Canada, started by my great-grandfather, now known as Wagg’s Linen & Uniform.

Over 45 years in the business, I strengthened the existing business foundation by implementing core business values, developing modernized sales and growth strategies, and ensuring an increased commitment to employee and customer satisfaction.

Our new panelists introduce themselves and their operations while sharing accomplishments and discussing the challenges of their industry segments.

Healthcare Laundry William Muse

United Hospital Service, Indianapolis, Ind.

Textile/Uniform Rental W. Kirby Wagg Performance Matters, Sarasota, Fla.

Cliff Beiser

Champions Touch, Kissimmee, Fla.

Uniforms/Workwear Manufacturing Scott Delin

Fashion Seal Healthcare, Seminole, Fla.

(Image licensed by Ingram Image)

All the facets of operating a business, such as recruiting employees, negotiating banking arrangements with company partners, relationship building with clients, collaborating with suppliers, and analyzing production methods are my strengths.

I successfully negotiated purchase agreements with competitor companies for growth strategies which resulted in an increase in sales year over year.

I developed my son, Billy, the fifth generation of Wagg’s into a leadership role, and he is now the CEO.

I lead our peer groups (dust control and mixed plant) at Performance Matters, assist in our Coaches Clinics, provide expertise in transition planning for clients, and aid our team in offerings (sales and production) to clients in the United States and Canada.

My interests are my daughter Christina’s family, my son Billy’s family, and four beautiful granddaughters all living in Orillia, Ontario.

My United States base is in Sarasota, Florida. Boating, hockey, yoga, and CrossFit are my other passions. Thank you for the opportunity!

Hotel/Motel/Resort

member of the Lace House Linen family in Petaluma, California, as the company’s operations director.

A bachelor’s degree in international relations has allowed me to put my communication skills to work in this industry and create vital and lasting relationships.

Early in my career I attended and graduated from the Production Management Institute (PMI), which proved to be a valuable foundation. With a skilled background in hotel, F&B and healthcare linen, I am well-versed in the complexities of production in a large and fast-paced commercial laundry.

As a family-owned and -operated business for the last 107 years, Lace House Linen is dedicated to its community by providing top-quality service and processing over 40,000 pounds of linen per day.

We are a mixed plant that consists mostly of food and beverage and hotels, which has given us the opportunity to adapt to the changing needs of our clients, particularly during 2021 when the COVID shutdown was finally removed in California and many of our clients resumed business.

Like many other commercial laundries, and businesses in general, we have struggled with recruiting new labor. In an effort to solve this issue, we have been investing in our existing employees through virtual and in-person classes, new equipment and productivity-measuring software. This has served us well and we currently have a very strong, capable and caring team.

I enjoy sharing ideas and learning from others. It’s learning from our successes and our failures that create a well-rounded and successful business.

I look forward to sharing with all of you and I’m proud to be participating in this panel.

Association (ARTA).

I’m also an active member of the Reusable Textile Coalition (RTC), a network of industry leaders advocating for legislation to promote the use of reusable textiles.

After 15 years in the commercial laundry industry, I am very fortunate to be a

After all, our hard-working and dedicated team members are our most valuable asset.

I’m the president and CEO of George Courey Inc., a 112-year-old manufacturer and distributor of institutional linens and textiles throughout North America. George Courey Inc. serves healthcare, hospitality and surgical facilities.

I also work extensively with manufacturing partners from around the world and regularly addresses hedging strategies and country diversification audits.

My leadership skills are built on a solid academic and professional foundation from my bachelor’s degree from the John Molson School of Business and my master’s degree from McGill University.

I have extensive knowledge of the linen and textile industry, which I share through participation in educational conferences and meetings throughout North America.

Currently, I serve as chairman on the Board of Directors for the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) as well as the American Reusable Textile

Ihave been in the chemical supply business for nearly 35 years having worked for Diversey, Ecolab, GOJO and Staples.

I have also managed a restaurant and worked for a civil engineering firm.

I am thrilled and honored to be back for another year on the Panel of Experts for American Laundry News. I hope that you find our questions and answers helpful.

I am currently employed as a business development manager for Diversey working with hotels, restaurants, nursing homes, and hospitals for their cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting chemical needs.

My past roles include sales manager, national accounts sales manager, sales director and restaurant manager.

Though I sell chemicals, I also work with customers on their labor, equipment and utility costs, which are far higher

Laundry Rodrigo Patron

Lace House Linen, Petaluma, Calif.

Textiles

Jeffrey Courey

George Courey Inc., Laval, Quebec

Chemicals Supply John Schafer Diversey, Fort Mill, SC

Experts

Continued from Page 13

spend than their chemical costs.

When I work with a customer, they are really buying three things from me: chemicals, results and service. Though they often focus on the invoice cost of the chemicals I supply them, those chemicals are used to produce a result, whether a clean glass, floor or towel, and the equipment used, the procedures used, along with the chemicals used, affect those results.

Finally, we provide service to maintain our dispensers, provide training and program customer-owned machines. The service is provided at no additional charge as part of the price the customer pays for our chemicals.

A big challenge I face is to help customers focus on the other costs associated with cleaning besides the cost of the chemical. Labor is a huge component of their cleaning costs, and if I can reduce their labor costs by 10%, I could charge double for my chemicals and still save them money.

Most customers are hesitant to incorporate this overall cost accounting in their analysis for choosing a chemical vendor.

I am excited to be a part of this panel. I hope my experiences will provide helpful solutions to the challenges you face.

Equipment Manufacturing

Kemco Systems, Clearwater, Fla.

I’m the president and CEO of Kemco Systems, a company that has dedicated itself over the last 50 years to delivering innovative water and energy solutions to the commercial laundry industry.

With a market-leading position in water reuse and thermal energy recovery, Kemco has proudly helped its clients conserve billions of gallons of water and nearly a trillion cubic feet of gas.

In addition to my 20 years of experience in the water and wastewater treatment world, I have also worked in the pulp and paper, chemical, and oil and gas markets.

Before joining Kemco, I successfully led the turnaround of Crane’s 150-year-old

Cochrane business by expanding its position in the water and reuse applications in core industrial markets, both domestic and abroad.

I’m consistently recognized by colleagues as a customer-centric, growth-oriented thinker with a hands-on approach to driving strategy to action and results.

Previously I served as chairman of the American Boiler Manufacturer’s Association (ABMA) Deaerator and Boiler Water Treatment group, session chair of the International Water Conference, and I’m a frequent panelist at InvestH2O events.

I’m also the proud recipient of the SafeTRSA Safety Excellence Award.

I hold a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

American Laundry News Thanks Members of the 2022 Panel of Experts for Their Contributions

Al Adcock, B&C Technologies

Lee Baldauf, Superior Linen Service

Armand Lemieux, STN Laundry Systems LLC

Juli Reding, Wood-Lawn Inc.

Kelly Reynolds, Sea Island Acquisitions

Dan Schwartz, Fashion Seal Healthcare

Jon Witschy, Spindle

American Laundry News is still seeking 2023 Panel of Experts candidates to represent linen supply, long-term care laundry and other institution laundry segments. If you think you would be a good fit, or can suggest someone who is, please contact Matt Poe, editor, at mpoe@atmags.com, 866-942-5694.

the laundry marketplace.

I am proud to say that we listen to our customers’ needs, and with my help, we have developed many different products and programs that have proven to be beneficial for them.

location entities, I am hopeful that all the knowledge that I have gained through the years would be beneficial for me in being a part of the Panel of Experts.

I truly look forward to this experience and am very proud to be a part of it!

Equipment/Supply Distribution

Ross Sanders

Streamline Solutions, Orlando, Fla.

Iam the CEO of Streamline Solutions, a supplier of plastic products such as soiled linen bags, cart covers, cart liners and like products to the laundry industry.

Streamline Solutions works with healthcare, hospitality, commercial and industrial-type laundries. We are based in Orlando but have multiple facilities throughout the United States. I am a member of ALM, TRSA and other laundry organizations.

After graduating from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, I was a sales rep for a couple of different companies outside of the laundry industry.

After a few years of trying to figure out my career path, I became a sales representative in South Florida for a national medical supply manufacturer and eventually became a sales manager with them until I left 18 years later.

In 2005, I had become a partner with Streamline Solutions, which at that time was nothing more than two individuals working out of a garage and our home office.

With a tremendous amount of hard work, we eventually became a company that became the leader in what we do for

What I feel is one of my proudest accomplishments was when I developed the Streamline Solutions Plastic Bag Recycling Program, which helps our customers not only save on their trash bills but also helps save the environment.

Because of our program, we have recycled over 100 million pounds of plastic bags since the inception of our program!

No doubt the last couple of years have been challenging for everyone, including Streamline Solutions and our employees.

Because of the help, hard work and knowledge of our team, we have worked together to alleviate any major supply chain issues and concerns. Rarely were we ever in a position of not having product on hand for our many customers.

Many long days of hard work translated into making sure that our customers always had product on hand. Come to think of it, probably what I feel best about is how our team worked together in what was an extremely intense and stressful time for everyone.

And with all the workplace and employee issues over the last few years, we did not have one key employee leave our company. Hopefully, a key component of that is the working environment that we have built at Streamline Solutions.

With my many years of working with so many different laundries, whether they were individually owned or multiple

Commercial Laundry Brian Polatsek

EcoBrite Linen, Skokie, Ill.

A

fter a varied career including MEP engineering and energy procurement consulting, I founded EcoBrite Linen to service the healthcare market.

We started with a focus on the longterm care industry and currently service both the acute and post-acute markets in Chicagoland. We are currently the secondlargest healthcare laundry in our market and continue to grow rapidly.

One of the key attractions for me to enter this industry was its potential for disruption. Commercial laundry, specifically bulk laundry, as a “manufacturing process” lags decades behind other manufacturing sectors such as automotive, food and logistics.

The opportunity in process improvement, automation, data utilization and energy efficiency were abundant and are still abundant.

What I was happy to learn shortly after my start in 2015 is that our industry has a camaraderie, cohesiveness and an openness to sharing ideas that is really special.

I had the opportunity to meet and get to know some really amazing people who are willing to give their precious time to help their peers and the industry as a whole for the greater good.

I am a data junkie, and I am a big believer that adapting RFID technology can really help propel our industry forward and I spend considerable effort in helping pave that path for the industry.

The laundry industry, along with the healthcare industry, faces many challenges across many fronts both on the revenue and cost sides. Getting in front of them and bringing awareness to challenges, threats and opportunities is something that American Laundry News does exceptionally well.

I believe, that with my diverse background and forward-looking approach, I bring a fresh and different perspective. I am honored to be on this prestigious panel and sit among the experts, and sincerely hope I can add some value and pay forward the advice, support and encouragement that I received from this industry’s experts.

Tom Vanden Heuvel

Continued from Page 6

hand, that certainly helps,” agrees Kelly. “Having additional inventory on hand smooths out the ebb and flow of supplychain disruption.

“However, that is difficult to achieve with suppliers still working through their supply-chain issues.”

He says that it comes down to the availability of product, cash flow and storage space availability to increase inventories so that companies can weather the ups and downs of supply-chain disruption.

“The advice I’m giving people, especially on large-volume commodities, is look at their purchasing techniques because of the cost of warehousing and some of the fuel charges and scarcity,” Landry shares.

“Look at can you buy in bigger quantities? Can you buy container-direct and bypass some of the warehousing cost that is not going to go down? It’s still going to be very expensive.

“If you’re going to buy a bale of bar mops at a time, the cost of the labor and freight is still going to be enormous on that purchase versus buying a truckload. Or, if you could get a container direct from a supplier and bypass the warehousing cost, that’s where you’re still going to have the biggest savings.”

Law suggests that laundry operations keep extra inventory for growth purposes—and so should their suppliers.

“I do not think it is ‘the one with the most inventory wins’ as sometimes that mentality creates greed from a supplychain strategy,” she says. “My vendors support my company with all I ask for and need, and I keep multiple vendors to ensure my customers never run out of product.”

Law says that products made in the United States will be more in demand as well. Also, she says quality lasts longer and pays off later.

“It is for that reason that I distribute multiple USA companies’ goods as well as imported goods,” she shares. “We bring both containers and stocked product on an ongoing basis, as well as backup stock in our California warehouse.”

Law cautions that buyers need to beware currently, especially in terms of textiles.

“Many goods coming in across the nation have no labels, which is against the FTC labeling laws, and many items are coming in with no tariffs on an online basis, which is totally wrong,” she says.

“We like to lead with integrity, so I would advise all laundries, both big and small, to ensure they are buying what they think they are and weigh bales, a portion on every load. Know your vendors and do not allow seconds to be mixed into the bale as well.

“If you’re going through product faster,

it is not always your customers’ abuse as the reason, sometimes it is what you’re buying. Make sure your vendors stand behind their product or look at new vendors that will.

“Don’t be afraid to weigh a few bales monthly. It may save you a lot more than the time it took to weigh.”

Law also says that U.S. buying power is greater today since the dollar is at a high value while the yen is much lower than usual.

“In other words, the world’s economy is down while America is doing well economically,” she says. “Why they have increased interest rates to help battle inflation when next year we will have too much of everything—but we will not see that until March forward. And my guess is on many products we will not see the price decreases until next summer.

“We are in a ‘cash is king economy’ right now and back to the 1990s in terms of purchasing. Since I started my company in 1990, I’m looking forward to 2023.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

The supply chain is always challenging with all the moving pieces involved, but the past few years have made it even more difficult for laundries to have what they need on hand.

It appears that things are improving, but operators need to be smart about their supply logistics, being aware that challenges still exist throughout the supply chain.

And some of these challenges may

become “standard operating procedure.”

So, what final advice can be offered to help laundries better navigate the supply chain?

Shames says, “Partner with vendors that have the items you need in their local warehouses.”

“From a machinery supplier viewpoint, perform preventative maintenance,” advises Kelly. “Keeping machinery maintained reduces the risk of machinery downtime.

“Laundry operators do not want to have significant downtime due to extended replacement-part lead times if the part failure could have been avoided with preventative maintenance.”

Landry looks for a “return to a little bit of pre-COVID normalcy” in the supply chain in 2023.

“I think the retailers will get back into manufacturing probably the first or second quarter, so costs could probably inch up a little bit,” he says.

“They may be a bit lower than they should be today, but I don’t think we’re looking at what’s happened over the last two years, as far as cost changes. I think everyone will be excited to have a kind of flat, normal year—barring any global war, traumatic destruction. Things are always subjective.”

Law concludes, “Bottom line, there are still labor shortages and fuel prices are still way too high, but we are over the hurdle in terms of supply-chain issues, so let’s power up and go full speed ahead!”

(Photo: © BIG_TAU/Depositphotos)

It appears that things are improving, but operations need to be smart about their supply logistics, being aware that challenges still exist throughout the supply chain.

Prevent laundry fires before they start

7 best practices for operators to implement to avoid laundry fires, plus an equipment suggestion

BY YADIRA MERLOS

IRVING, Calif. — Before starting your dayto-day tasks at work, you walk into the common area to make your daily cup of coffee.

As you prepare your cup, you begin to hear sounds of panic fade behind a loud continuous beeping.

After about the second beep, you register the situation. A fire broke out, and you need to evacuate the building.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 37,000 fires occur yearly at industrial and manufacturing properties, including industrial laundry facilities.

Laundry fires are becoming increasingly common in the leisure and hospitality industry. Property and asset damage can cost thousands of dollars, and employee injuries can generate long-term emotional and physical effects.

Protecting employees and property assets should not be overlooked, as it can cause catastrophic losses. Every facility manager and employee needs to understand what causes a laundry fire and what steps one can take to prevent it from occurring.

WHAT CAUSES A LAUNDRY FIRE?

Most laundry fires result from “spontaneous combustion” and usually happen overnight. This is because spontaneous combustion is more likely to occur when large piles of laundry are left unattended for long periods.

Spontaneous combustion refers to the gradual increase in the temperature of flammable materials to the point of ignition.

Spontaneous combustion depends on the following conditions:

1.Availability of a fuel source.

2.Availability of an oxidizing agent.

3.Availability of a heat source.

The linens, particularly materials with high cotton content, provide a readily available fuel source. Cotton materials begin to oxidize when temperatures reach 203 F.

If the heat due to oxidization is not permitted to dissipate, the material may continue to heat to the point of ignition, resulting in a spontaneous fire.

The potential for automatic combustion increases when petroleum products or natural fats and oils are added to the mix.

It is not difficult to imagine how piles of soiled laundry left in the sun or exposed to heat sources inside a laundry facility can become potential sites for spontaneous

ignition.

PRECAUTIONARY STEPS STAFF CAN TAKE

While it is nearly impossible to eliminate the risk of fire in industries that work with linen materials, there are several steps that staff can take to help reduce the risk of fire:

1.Wash all laundry with the recommended amount of detergent at the right temperature by checking the ideal temperature for each fabric. Washing fabrics correctly guarantees the removal of all fats, grease and oils, reducing the fire risk.

2.Be aware of the different smells, such as fats, grease and oils. If a pile of laundry doesn’t smell like it’s supposed to, return it to the wash. Confirm the complete removal of any residual flammable contaminant from the fabric.

3. When transferring laundry from a washer to a dryer, ensure the dryer you plan to use is completely cooled down. Avoid leaving damp items in a warm or hot dryer. Doing so can trap heat and increase the chance of a fire.

4.Always use the dryer’s cool-down cycle to ensure that all the linen and fabric are

cooled when it leaves the dryer. Allowing the materials to cool prevents heat transfer and ultimately decreases fire risk.

5.Never leave large loads of laundry inside the dryer. Remove the laundry as soon as possible, allowing it to cool down immediately, reducing the risk of spontaneous combustion.

6.Always avoid leaving laundry in large stacks or piles. Unattended linen piles can heat quickly to ignition, especially if flammable contaminants are present.

7.Avoid folding or storing materials that are not completely dry or cooled.

FURTHER ENSURE SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE

Beyond training staff to take the precautionary steps advised to prevent a laundry fire, facility owners can also install an early fire detection system to ensure safety in the workplace further.

Early fire detection systems operate 24/7 and can monitor the facility for potential fire signs. These types of systems utilize infrared technology for the ability to “see” heat before turning into a hazardous situation.

Infrared cameras are the only fire detection device that can distinguish signs of fire at the earliest stages, before the appearance of smoke.

Some early fire detection systems are equipped with a unique cloud-based application that users access anytime from any smart device with an internet connection.

The application has several features that can help support staff and management to stay aware and away from a hazard:

• Users get live access to all connected fire devices and sensors, including infrared cameras.

• The system functions on its own and doesn’t require human monitoring.

• Users can receive alert notifications via e-mail, text message or voice call when danger is detected. Each message is fully

customizable and can be sent based on the alarm location and the severity of the issue.

• When the hazard is cleared, the system automatically sends a follow-up notification to keep users in the know and updated on the situation.

• Historical temperature measurements and thermal images are automatically saved and accessable through the dashboard. Automated scheduled reporting ensures that no one misses a thing.

• A facility layout map can easily be accessed through the dashboard and shared with external sources. First responders can access the map to analyze the hazard situation in real-time, optimizing scene assessment outside harm’s way.

CONCLUSION

Laundry fires are becoming too common to be overlooked.

The presence of flammable or reactive contaminants and the unmonitored or uncontrolled heating of laundry piles all increase the risk of spontaneous combustion.

Because the possibility of fire almost seems inevitable in laundry facilities, the safety of all employees and the protection of property assets should be the top priority of all facility managers.

Training employees to take preventative steps during the wash cycle can help reduce the risk of spontaneous combustion. However, early fire detection systems enhance peace of mind when it comes to fire prevention.

By warning earlier on the pathway to ignition, laundry facility managers can avert costly and potentially life-threatening fires before they are permitted to start and spread.

Yadira Merlos is marketing coordinator at MoviTHERM, a provider of turn-key thermography inspection solutions.

(Graphic: MoviTHERM)

Equipment manufacturer completes 60,000-cycle lab test

BENTON HARBOR, Mich.

— Maytag® Commercial Laundry reports that in September its engineers ended a seven-year lab test on its Commercial Laundry MHN33 front-load washers.

The test of the DuraCore Drive System started in 2015 with 10 machines running daily, with proper use and care and adherence to the recommended maintenance schedule.

Throughout the ongoing lab test, three of the 10 machines were removed from testing and used at tradeshows to demonstrate the results achieved while the remainder of the seven machines reached more than 60,000 cycles individually.

The company says the results are based on lab testing of the DuraCore Drive System up to 60,000 consecutive 34-minute timed cycles using an 11-pound laundry load on the “Heavy Load” setting.

The DuraCore Drive System as tested included hub, drive bearings, bearing spacer/shaft sleeve, triple-lip with garter spring tub seal, cross-piece assembly with drum shaft and drum.

Maytag Commercial Laundry says that when the front-load washer was launched in 2015, robust advanced design delivered features including intelligent controls with M-Series technology, advanced spin technology, six-point suspension and the DuraCore Drive System.

Dan Roscoe, engineer lead, has been working for Maytag Commercial Laundry since 1989 and led the design concepts seen in the machine.

“We wanted to design solutions that translated to reliability at the core of the machine,” says Roscoe.

“We included a durable shaft sleeve that would eliminate shaft wear. We designed the DuraCore Drive System, which offers a watertight, flexible triple-lip seal with garter spring that keeps moisture away from the shaft, protecting the premium bearings.”

Jason Hudock, engineer lead, has been with Maytag Commercial Laundry for more than 12 years and led the efforts to translate the design into production launch, testing and validation.

“Lab engineers started testing this machine’s DuraCore Drive System in 2015 in multiple lab locations between Monterrey, Mexico, and Michigan to allow engineers easy access to results,” he shares.

“We had such powerful data on its reliability that we backed it up with our competitive 7/5-year limited warranty.”

Engineer Kurt Werner has worked for Whirlpool Corporation for more than 40 years. He has more than 25 patents in his name and is an expert

on laundry drives and motors.

He started working on commercial laundry in the 1990s and enjoys the focus on producing long-lasting equipment.

“Because the performance and reliability expectations are so high, all our single-load washers that come off the production line— 100%—get inspected and get that extra human touch,” Werner says.

In 2019, the Commercial Laundry marketing team decided

to take one of the MHN33 test models from the lab offline after more than 25,000 cycles to bring it as a display at The Clean Show in New Orleans, an important industry event that gathers around 11,000 customers, investors and owners alike.

A live feed video was also playing showing what was going on in the lab, including the techs coming in and out and changing out loads.

This year in Atlanta, as the machines reached more than 60,000 cycles, another one of them was on display along with a look at internal components showing just how well the DuraCore Drive System has held up after all those cycles.

The company says its engineers are satisfied with the results obtained for the past seven years and will shift efforts to start testing new machines launching to

market soon.

This milestone and the end of this lab test were celebrated by the entire Commercial Laundry organization with great food, fun games and a gathering of current and retired engineer colleagues.

Maytag Commercial Laundry says it is determined to be a brand customers can rely on for quality and dependability, in the products manufactured and the support provided.

Career

Seitz adds to team, changes positions

FRANKFURT, Germany, and TAMPA, Fla. — Seitz–The Fresher Company (North America) and parent company, Seitz GmbH reports it has welcomed four members to its field team and made some changes to positions.

Matt Bizzack of Phoenix joined Seitz Chemical in late 2021. He will be the technical representative for Arizona; lower Nevada, including Las Vegas; and Southern California.

He and his wife, Kim, own Legend Cleaners and New Wave Equipment in Pheonix. He will be spending the majority of his time in sales and service of Seitz accounts in these Southwestern states.

Bizzack brings nearly 25 years of industry knowledge to the company.

Mike Fortner of Manteca, California, is

now a Seitz technical service rep for cen tral and Northern California, including the San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento and Reno areas.

He has spent the last 23 years as a territory owner for Covers Etc.

After nearly 23 years with Seitz North America, Roland “The Guru” Dobbins will step into a role of overseeing the territories of both Bizzack and Fortner along with his new position of director of education and technical support.

He will still be servicing customers in western North America. Dobbins has been an industry leader and instructor for nearly 50 years and is up-to-date with cutting-edge laundering technology and techniques.

Chris Hogard of Oklahoma City will carry the Seitz card when visiting customers in Oklahoma and Northern Texas, including Dallas, Fort Worth, and Amarillo.

Track

Hogard and his wife, Angie, own and operate Go Hard LLC, consulting, selling and servicing equipment to the laundry and dry cleaning industry in the Oklahoma market.

Hogard and his family have been in the industry for nearly 35 years and is excited to bring his knowledge to the area as a Seitz rep.

Dean Sheridan of Chicago is the newest member of the Seitz Family. With his dynamic personality and love of the industry along with a passion for customer service, the company says he will well serve the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and eastern Iowa and Minnesota.

Sheridan brings nine years as a chemical representative and five years of finishing equipment sales to the table.

UNX-Christeyns adds territory manager

GREENVILLE, N.C. — UNX-Christeyns, a specialist in commercial quality cleaning chemicals, reports that it has hired James Basler team as a territory manager.

The company shares that like many people, he started his career and learned what it means to work hard. He spent years serving others doing social work before entering this industry.

Basler will use that work ethic to serve customers in the southern New England area, according to UNX-Christeyns.

Outside of work, he enjoys the outdoors, either snow skiing or playing basketball and golf, in addition to playing his guitar.

Sales, marketing execs share ideas at TRSA Summit

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — “Social media is not an extension of your brand, it is your brand,” said social media guru Corey Perlman in a keynote address at TRSA’s Fifth Annual Marketing & Sales Summit on Oct. 25-26 in Tampa.

Perlman’s presentation, “Social Selling: How Digital Marketing Can Strengthen Your Business,” focused on why marketers must make social media a priority, drew more than 50 marketing and sales staff from the linen, uniform and facility services leaders from across North America.

As the owner of Impact Social Inc., Perlman has been at the forefront of digital marketing for more than a decade. An author, speaker, consultant and nationally recognized social media expert, Perlman shared his eight socialselling principles, including why you must prioritize your platform and why doing good things also is good for business.

Perlman returned to the summit that afternoon to lead a digital-marketing master class. This hands-on interactive workshop had attendees evaluating their social media sites, based on the eight social-selling principles addressed during the morning session.

“If you are looking for more engagement in your social media, talk about someone else, your teammates, your customers, your company partners,” Perlman advised in a key takeaway point that had attendees reviewing their company posts and rethinking their content-planning calendars.

Another popular conference session was “Let’s Talk: Conversation Starters.” In this workshop, attendees gathered in peer-led groups based on common interests. They engaged in open discussions on any of four topics: social media, the value of search engines in marketing, best practices for lead generation and how to grow market share for rental vs. direct-sale goods.

In addition, the summit included two panel discussions. Jeff Wile, the owner of Infinite

Jeff Peterson, sales manager, Spin Linen Management, Omaha, Nebraska, also showcased a direct-mail gift box that he and his team had sent to selected prospects. The campaign’s ROI (return on investment) far surpassed its goal of a 5:1 ratio of year-over-year revenue.

Mark Lewis, director of business development at Dempsey Uniform & Linen, Jessup, Pennsylvania, also led a presentation on ideas for improving ROI by rolling out new products for a company’s portfolio. Lewis outlined the steps required to effectively research and present new products.

A second panel, facilitated by Ben Fox, director of sales and marketing, Alsco Uniforms, Salt Lake City, focused on aligning sales and

marketing with service and operations.

A mix of operators and suppliers, from marketing, sales and operations, shared ideas on how their companies can do more to align priorities among these groups. They discussed suggestions for improving communication, focus and teamwork.

Ryan Matthews, Alsco Uniforms, the new chair of the TRSA’s Marketing & Sales Committee and a senior national sales manager at Alsco, reminded attendees that, “When working on the alignment of your company players, don’t leave out the customers’ point of view.”

Rounding out the conference was a “best of the best” competition, in which 19 attendees submitted one of their successful marketing promotions, campaigns, videos or sales hits. During networking breaks between sessions, attendees were shown each of the submissions

At the end of the summit, attendees voted for their top choice. Zach Ostendorf, a videographer from CITY Laundering, Oelwein, Iowa, was the big winner with his “day in the life of route sales rep” video. Ostendorf went home with bragging rights, plus a $250 Amazon gift card.

Reflecting on the substance and value of the summit, Mark Crewes, Workwear Outfitters, Nashville, Tennessee, commented, “The entire day’s events were very well done. I would recommend attending future events and will encourage someone from our marketing department to also attend future sales and marketing summit meetings.”

The next TRSA Marketing & Sales Summit will be held in Memphis, Tennessee, in October.

Laundry, Coral Springs, Florida, led the first session, titled, “Developing a Marketing Strategy with Proven ROI.”

with a short quote explaining the idea and visual of the success.

Attendees at TRSA’s Fifth Annual Marketing & Sales Summit take part in an exercise. (Photo: TRSA)

BASLER

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

A convenient guide to sources of products and services

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

NEWS … INDUSTRY EVENTS …

PureStar acquires certain assets of Apex Linen

LAS VEGAS — PureStar, a provider of laundry services and linen management to the hospitality industry backed by private equity firm Cornell Capital, reports that it has acquired certain assets of Apex Linen, a provider of high-volume, commercial laundry and dry cleaning services to the hospitality and restaurant industries in the greater Las Vegas area.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Apex operates an approximately 90,000-square-foot facility, strategically located near Las Vegas’s core lodging and entertainment hubs, with an extensive base of laundry equipment that enables the company to offer superior service capabilities and response times.

The acquisition of the Apex assets will provide PureStar with additional resources to support the Company’s production capacity and expand its customer base, the company says.

“Las Vegas is one of the largest and fastest-growing hospitality markets in the U.S. and is a core strategic focus for PureStar,” says CEO Brian Herington. “Acquiring the Apex assets provides PureStar with additional scale that will enable us to increase productivity and service levels to capitalize on the demand in the hospitality, food and beverage, and uniform markets.

“We look forward to working with the Apex team to further increase plant capacity and operating efficiencies.”

Moelis & Company LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Apex Linen.

Prudential Overall Supply celebrates future Georgia facility

TUCKER, Ga. — Prudential Overall Supply, a provider of reusable image work apparel and cleanroom laundry service

TRADE TICKER…

AWARDS AND HONORS … FINANCIAL

Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “Their presence brings both job opportunities and tax dollars to DeKalb. Our business community is integral to the future of DeKalb, and I am here to see all businesses in DeKalb succeed.”

Chris Welch, Prudential’s president, says, “This facility will eventually provide over 100 well-paying jobs for the greater Tucker-DeKalb County community and provide our customers with best-in-class industrial and cleanroom laundry services throughout the region.”

The project is a 61,000-square-foot commercial laundry facility on a 4.57-acre tract.

Prudential has purchased the building and will begin the construction project with a completion date scheduled for Q1 2024.

“The Georgia market is important to Prudential so we can best serve our customers’ expansion requirements in the region,” Welch points out.

“We look to serve these requirements for existing and new customers. To signal our commitment to Georgia, our projected investment for this site is $35 million.”

systems, held a press conference at its future industrial and cleanroom laundry processing facility site here on Nov. 16 to celebrate the coming modern, new facility.

Local, state and congressional representatives attended the event.

The site will provide industrial and cleanroom laundry processing services. For industrial, industries like manufacturing, business services, restaurants and distribution companies with products like uniforms, floor mats, towels and napkins will be served.

For cleanroom, the facility will process for industries that operate and manufacture in controlled environments like semiconductor, pharmaceutical, bioscience, aerospace, education and electronics.

“Prudential Overall Supply’s investment in their modern, new Georgia facility will provide quality jobs for Georgians and their families while contributing to the City of Tucker,” says Georgia Department of Economic

Development Deputy Commissioner of Global Commerce Kristi Brigman.

“We extend our thanks and look forward to continuing to further strengthen the state’s relationship with the company for years to come. We’re also proud to congratulate DeKalb County and the City of Tucker for creating this opportunity and thank them for their partnership.”

Mayor Frank Aumen says, “The City of Tucker is thrilled that Prudential is expanding their space and providing even more jobs with the city. We pride ourselves on having a diverse base of jobs here in Tucker, ranging from heavy industrial to high tech to service and retail.

“Prudential Overall Supply has been a great business partner through the years, and we look forward to continuing and growing with them.”

“I am proud to welcome Prudential Overall Supply to Tucker,” comments Commissioner

Calendar of Events

23 TRSA

Virtual Event: Market Sector Conversations Alexandria, Va. Info: 703-519-0029

March

This will be Prudential’s 36th location and its ninth ISO Class 3 cleanroom laundry processing facility in the United States.

The company says its Tucker plant will be the industry’s newest, most modern and among the largest industrial and cleanroom laundry processing plants in the United States.

Alliance Laundry Systems closes on purchase of Laundry Equipment Services

RIPON, Wis. — Alliance Laundry Systems, a manufacturer of commercial laundry equipment based here, reports it is expanding its direct distribution base with the acquisition of Laundry Equipment Services (LES).

Alliance closed on the purchase Dec. 1. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The company says this acquisition is its latest move in a strategy to bring extraordinary service and factory support to expanding markets where there is an opportunity to partner with exceptional people.

This is Alliance’s fifth distributor asset acquisition in the last two years.

“We’ve seen LES make incredible progress in the Mid-Atlantic region with our Huebsch brand,” says Craig Dakauskas, senior vice president of North America commercial for Alliance Laundry Systems.

“We are looking forward to building upon the strong foundation LES has created under its owner, Cameron Clark.”

859-624-0177

for Linen Management Webinar: Combating Rising Costs by Revisiting Laundry 101 Richmond, Ky. Info: 859-624-0177

22-23 TRSA

13th Annual Legislative Conference Washington, D.C. Info: 703-519-0029

Since 1991, Hagerstown, Marylandbased LES has been providing vended and on-premises laundry solutions to the MidAtlantic region through its distribution of Huebsch-branded equipment.

“I’ve always believed I was partnered with the best company in the commercial laundry industry and delighted in helping my customers achieve new levels of success through that affiliation,” Clark says.

“This acquisition will enable us to take our customer service and support to a truly next-level experience.”

Chris Welch (left), president of Prudential; State Representative Billy Mitchell; Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson; Mayor, City of Tucker, Frank Auman; Deputy Commissioner Kristi Brigman; and VP Sales & Marketing of Prudential, Jerry Martin, celebrate Prudential’s future processing facility in the city. (Photo: Prudential Overall Supply)