All articles by kathy bowry
kathy bowry
OCS flying high with British Airways
UK
British Airways boasts the UK’s second-largest fleet and passenger base and since 2013, OCS has been handling its soft service needs and providing laundry services to the company for more than 25 years. Following a competitive tender process, OCS originally secured the contract to deliver soft services such as porterage and front desk support to British Airways sites across the UK. Over the past decade, OCS has consistently been the chosen soft services provider, receiving multiple contract extensions.
ETSA Congress 2024: 30 years of influencing change
INTERNATIONAL
The European Textile Services Association (ETSA) Congress 2024, was a particularly special event as ETSA celebrated its 30th anniversary and at the same time served up a feast of presentations designed to explore the sector’s essential role in shaping a sustainable, green, and digitised economy for the EU and beyond. Delegates gained insights into the EU Green Deal and the Climate Pact, and how they influence the industry, as well as offering an unrivalled opportunity to network with industry leaders, innovators and peers. They also heard of ETSA’s considerable achievements in raising the profile of the industry in the past two years since the last congress was held in Rome.
Prague is the setting for ETSA Congress 2024
INTERNATIONAL
Then European Textile Services Association promises a transformative experience at the ETSA Congress 2024, says with Elena Lai, the association’s secretary general, which she says is a pivotal event in the textile services sector This year Prague is hosting a particularly special event as ETSA celebrates its 30th anniversary. Two days over 2-3 May at the Hotel Grandior in Prague will see industry leaders and professionals gather to explore the sector’s essential role in shaping a sustainable, green, and digitised economy.
TRSA rewards excellence at annual industry event
NORTH AMERICA
On 10 April, individuals and companies were honoured by their peers for outstanding achievements in specialised categories related to their digital, safety, educational, inclusionary and operational pursuits. In total 11 award categories were presented to 60 member companies and individuals, each of whom had received nominations from their peers or customers. The awards were distributed during TRSA’s Industry Awards dinner at the association’s 14th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington. DC NOVO Health Services’ Miami facility, pictured, took top honours with the TRSA Plant of the Year award.
Securitas UK reduces risk of spontaneous combustion in laundries
UK
Securitas UK has announced a new solution to mitigate one of the biggest risk factors for spontaneous combustion across laundry businesses. Often taking place overnight, when there is no one at the premises, spontaneous combustion is a major cause of laundry and launderette fires which results in large amounts of damage to businesses at a high cost. Securitas UK, in partnership with Axis Communications, has come up with a solution in the form of a combination of thermal temperature cameras, optical cameras, IoT sensors, offsite monitoring and remote support services. The end-user or busi-ness is then alerted to any unexpected temperature hotspots and the potential risk of fire.
CINET: What it is like to be a winner
INTERNATIONAL
CINET, the International Committee of Professional Textile Care, is an umbrella association pulling together national organisations for the professional textile care industry. The organisation’s World Congress and Global Best Practice Awards 2024 (GBPA24), 8-9 November in Frankfurt, runs alongside Texcare 2024. GBPA24 winners and participants can capitalise on the publicity the event generates worldwide to boost business, said Cinet.
Brightwell launches IoT-enabled smart dosing system Nexus
INTERNATIONAL
Brightwell, a global leader in chemical dilution and dosing systems, has announced the launch of Nexus, a cutting-edge smart laundry dosing system which it says is poised to transform commercial laundry operations through seamless remote monitoring. Engineered by the company, Nexus combines advanced pump technology with secure network connectivity, offering a versatile solution for businesses seeking to optimise their laundry management processes.
Rampi ramps up fragrance levels
UK/INTERNATIONAL
Rampi, supplier of professional solvents and detergents for laundry, drycleaning and wetcleaning businesses, has developed a range of perfumed products that are aimed at dry/wetcleaners who are awake to the opportunities of upselling to their customers. Medit Aloe, with base notes of jasmine and lemon, enriched with extract of aloe vera, can help prevent skin irritation and redness so is ideal for delicate skin, as well as maintaining a fresh fragrance on clothes, other textiles and rooms, between cleans.
WASHCO cancer charity partnership aims to raise thousands
UK
WASHCO, solutions provider for commercial laundry equipment, aims to raise thousands to support young cancer patients through its new partnership with the charity Young Lives vs Cancer, formerly CLIC Sargent Cancer Care for Children. Young Lives vs Cancer offers vital support to young cancer patients through to the age of 25 and their families, providing financial aid, day-to-day assistance, accommodation and social support.
TRSA climbs The Hill to advocate for reusable healthcare PPE
NORTH AMERICA
The advocacy efforts by the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) continue to bolster the drive toward greater utilisation of reusable healthcare personal protective equipment (PPE) garments. Additionally, TRSA is actively working to enhance our industry’s access to federal funding for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pre-treatment.