The UK Textile Services Association (TSA) has done a remarkable job under CEO David Stevens, and his staff, as the association battles the Government and puts in place many measures and initiatives itself to support the industry.

Stevens recently released his thirteenth update to members saying. “We are definitely starting to get a feeling that the worst is behind us and at least we are starting to discuss doing laundry again. Early indications are also that volumes vary significantly on location with city centre locations still suffering the most.However, this is not the time to slow down and we continue to fight.”

The association continues to lobby the Government for hospitality status but Stevens says he has had no formal response to anything yet. “Unfortunately, you feel the Government has moved on to the re-opening phase and is going to be unlikely to review any ‘old’ procedures,” he said.

European Textile Services Association

Stevens reported the results from ETSA’s survey carried out in June which included findings from Belgium, France, Germany, UK, USA, and Switzerland. ETSA issued the following comments:

  • Loss of revenues: revenues decreased sharply in industrial services workwear as well as in the health sector. Revenues plummeted by more than 80% in April in the hospitality sector
  • Return to pre Covid-19 revenues: between 12 months to more than 18 months will be Needed
  • Massive resort to furlough personnel to avoid lay offs as much as possible throughout the sector
  • Investments severely cut back
  • Cancelled orders on new equipment, products and services having a cascading negative effect on suppliers

“ETSA’s focus aligns very much with our own, their call for measures to restart the economy includes the professional textile care to be recognised as essential services and integrate it in emergency plans as well as to strengthen and encourage reusable solutions.”

Re-usable gowns for healthcare

The Cabinet Office and NHSI have been leading the work on manufacturing and procuring reusable gowns for healthcare use. However, after several weeks in to the process, they have come to the conclusion that the individual health trusts and care homes should procure gowns locally depending on the exact requirements. However, the Government departments are keen to ensure that they recommend right specifications as firmly as they can.

Meanwhile, NHSI England has also confirmed that it will be ordering centrally for NHS acute care hospitals. It is proposing to fix RFID tags on gowns to enable the creation of a national open protocol pool stock.

Care homes and nursing homes

Stevens believes a compelling reason to become certified is the opportunity this creates to offer a high-quality laundry service to this sector. “In Europe, the sector represents between 20-30% of the market and while it is not an easy sector to enter, there has never been a better time to talk laundry. The TSA is starting a dialogue with some of the trade associations that represent the care home sector.

On 8 July TSA announced it is now only sharing information with members, having initially opened up its services and advice to all laundries. During the three months-plus of lockdown the TSA shared information and guidance freely across the industry and as a result has picked up a slew of new members.

For information on how to join the TSA, please visit www.tsa-uk.org