All articles by kathy bowry
kathy bowry
Sergeant on parade at TSA Spring Conference
UK
Today is the first day of the Textile Services Association (TSA) Spring Conference which takes place 15-16 April, Hilton St George’s Park, Burton Upon Trent. With speakers that include broadcasting legend and unexpected Strictly Come Dancing sensation John Sergeant, alook set to challenge the previous record-breaking turnout. Last year’s Autumn Conference attracted a record 160 delegates and, with what TSA describes as another formidable programme for the Spring edition: “We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone back, and perhaps setting another record,” said David Stevens, CEO of the TSA.
Record-breaking attendance at ALM’s IMPACT conference
USA
The Association for Linen Management (ALM’s) 2024 IMPACT conference took place in Salt Lake City recently with record breaking attendance and sponsor support. The conference experience included enhancements to the rapid business exchange IMPACTful Connections and more educational and business development opportunities than ever before. Featured presenters at the conference included Troy Nix, whose presentation, the Cadence of Leadership, brought the group to attention and Derek Parra, Olympic medallist, who shared his humbling and inspiring Reflections in the Ice.
ACI strengthens science team
USA
The American Cleaning Institute, (ACI) the trade association for the cleaning products supply chain, promoted Dr James Kim to senior vice president of science and regulatory affairs and welcomed Jessica Eason as manager of environmental and scientific affairs. ACI represents the $60 billion U.S. cleaning product supply chain. ACI members include the manufacturers and formulators of soaps, detergents, and general cleaning products used in household, commercial, industrial and institutional settings; companies that supply ingredients and finished packaging for these products; and chemical distributors.
Texcare 2024 to showcase developments in automated textile care
INTERNATIONAL
Automation is advancing apace in the textile-care sector. RFID systems, robotics and artificial intelligence are introducing greater transparency into the flow of goods, carrying out high-risk, heavy or monotonous work and improving quality control processes. In this way, these clever mechanisms are alleviating one of the most acute problems in the industry: staff shortage.
MIP UK to make CleanEx debut
UK
CleanEx 2024 – the only UK exhibition dedicated to the laundry, drycleaning and textile care industry – will open its doors at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, on Sunday, 28 April and Monday, 29 April. MIP UK will be exhibiting at CleanEx for the first time. MIP is a global supplier and engineering expert of textile solutions, serving the healthcare and hospitality industries for over 40 years.
Barker enters specialist hospitality commercial laundry market
UK
Dorset based Barker, the largest domestic laundry in the UK and a leading drycleaner, has entered the commercial laundry market, with a specialist offering to boutique hotels and airbnb across the Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole (BCP) region and the New Forest in Hampshire.
WASHCO allies with Danish market leader Nortec
UK/DENMARK
Nortec, Denmark’s market-leading laundry equipment company has taken a strategic equity stake in WASHCO. Making Nortec’s proprietary technology available will support Washco ambition to be the go-to support partner for commercial laundry equipment. The two companies have much in common, including a focus on customer service and innovation. The partnership will be focused on utilising the latest technology to deliver superior customer experience, says Washco.
Pincroft invests €3.5 million to produce nearly 70% of its own electricity
EUROPE
European textile dyer, printer, and finisher, Pincroft, released the company’s latest energy saving figures after investing €3.5m in a new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant for its site, where the manufacturer is now able to produce its own electricity and recycle heat for use across its textile operations. The textile manufacturer made the investment in 2022 and after a year is now able to quantify the fuel consumption saving benefits of the equipment.
Registrations for CINET World Congress and GBPA 24 start coming in
INTERNATIONAL
Although the closing date for the registrations in the CINET Global Best Practices Awards 2024 (GBPA 24) is still a few months away, the first registrations of retail textile cleaners and industrial laundries are coming in to the Cinet secretariat. This is a result of a first mailing of invitations earlier this year. Over the next months the secretariat will follow up with personal invitations and networking.
Registrations so far include companies who have participated before, newcomers and registrations for the national events. Applications are announced in all categories and from all parts of the world. Country coordinators will be supporting this process by sending invitations and assuring follow-up in an increasing number of countries. They can provide more information and are receiving a good response.
TRSA Hygienically Clean and Green program appoints new auditors
NORTH AMERICA
The TRSA (the trade association for the linen industry across North America) Hygienically Clean and Clean Green Certification Programs have welcomed seven industry professionals to serve as new auditors as part of its Certification Program Enhancement Initiatives. On 22-23 January, the new auditors gathered for an initial in-depth training session held in Las Vegas, which included a comprehensive review of the Hygienically Clean and Clean Green standards followed by mock healthcare, HACCP programs and Clean Green audits.