TSA strengthens relationship with TRSA in America
TSA’s stateside trip heralds a new phase in the partnership between the two associations
The Textile Services Association (TSA) has announced an important new stage in its partnership with its American counterpart, the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA).
Both associations have agreed to working closer together to share knowledge with each other across key areas, which will help to drive improvements in the services provided to both TSA and TRSA members. The areas include training and certification as well as aligning future global industry strategies and policies.
The TSA recently sent a team over to America to the TRSA’s head office in Alexandria, Virginia. While there they met with Joe Ricci, the president and CEO of the TRSA, and other members of the association’s leadership. A key element of the trip was the opportunity for the TSA’s team to examine the certification system and methodology the TRSA has developed. TRSA quantifies the industry’s commitment to cleanliness and sustainability through its Clean Green and Hygienically Clean Certification programs. as well as professional qualification Certified Professional Laundry Manager (CPLM) designation. ‘You can only be impressed with what they have built’, says David Stevens, CEO of the TSA.
Alongside this, the TSA’s director of finance and membership was able to sit in on a meeting of the TRSA’s diversity and inclusion committee, discussing approaches and sharing ideas on this vital topic.
They also attended the TRSA’s 13th annual legislative conference at the Westin City Center in Washington DC. There Shyju Skariah, the TSA’s director of programmes and projects, gave a keynote presentation to the Next Generation Committee which focussed on the TSA’s sustainability roadmap. He also explained how the TSA supported by the TRSA, has been collaborating with De Montfort University to support its research into subjects relevant to hygiene management in the commercial laundry industry, including comparisons with the domestic and OPL markets.
The final day of the conference was focussed on face-to-face meetings with federal legislators and key staff members. “This kind of contact between the government and the laundry industry is something we would love to arrange in the UK,” says David. “Kevin Schwalb, vice president of government relations at the TRSA, has kindly agreed to support this agenda with us in the UK.”
“Throughout my tenure with TRSA, we shared information about industry trends and best practices,” said Joe Ricci. “Since the pandemic, we have increasingly worked closely with the TSA in the UK and have formed strong working relationships. The recent visit from the team has further built on this partnership.“
David is confident that the trip marks an important new phase in the relationship for both organisations. “It was fantastic to meet with Joe and the rest of the team at the TRSA. While their operation is ten times the size of the TSA we have so much in common – after all, laundry is laundry wherever it’s processed,” he says. “It was great to watch and learn from the TRSA Team and also share some of the work we have done. It really felt like a win-win trip! Going forward we are going to have regular meetings to build further on the relationship, and we are delighted that Joe agreed to speak at our Spring Conference about how we can continue to develop this partnership.”
The conference takes place on 3rd-4th May 2023. Booking information can be found on The TSA Website.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us either via email or phone:
T +44 (0) 20 3151 5600
Christeyns runs Friends and Family Day
18 April 2023
Group of young visitors to the Christeyns site at Bradford
Following on from the successful facility visits hosted during Bradford Manufacturing Weeks and The Christeyns Experience, hygiene specialist Christeyns last week invited Friends and Family to an ‘Introduction to the World of Work Day’ at their headquarters in Bradford.
The firm provides a lot of support to students and young people around the Bradford district through various company and council initiatives, but this event was for relatives or friends of employees between the ages of 13-18 who might be interested in finding out more about how Christeyns works.
The day was a great success, with the visitors participating in ‘The Apprentice’ task of creating a washing up liquid product with set challenges around market research, negotiation of raw materials, calculation of price and profits, creating visuals for their product and the pitch.
“It was an enjoyable day, providing insight into potential career opportunities and a better understanding of what we do,” explained Lucy Duckworth, HR & Marketing Administrator. “I’m sure the young people were keen to see what their parent or relative does at work and how a ‘real-life’ workplace works.”
For further information visit:
Techie Fibres
PPE is critical for the protection of workers in a variety of different professions and industries – but in order to do its job it has to be specified correctly and looked after properly, throughout its life.
The UK’s Textile Services Association (TSA) is the trade body representing commercial laundries and textile suppliers. Many of its members have specialist expertise in PPE, supplying, managing and maintaining protective workwear for a variety of industries and the healthcare sector. Here Shyju Skariah, Director of Programmes and Projects at the TSA, considers the issues.
These days there is a huge variety of personal protective equipment (PPE) available in industry and healthcare to protect workers and the public. From hi-vis jackets for civil engineers, to garments designed to guard against hazardous chemicals in factories, to PPE to protect doctors and patients in healthcare, each has its own application and is manufactured specifically to meet that need. Typically these garments are constructed from fabrics which are formed by blending multiple fibres of natural or synthetic origin, which are then treated with chemicals by surface spraying, immersion or penetrative procedures to provide maximum protection and to enhance long-life functionality.
To read the full article, please click here.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us either via email or phone:
T +44 (0) 20 3151 5600
Laundry Cost Index: 2022/2023 FYQ4
Laundry Cost Index
Please see our latest published Laundry Cost Index for 2022/2023 FYQ4 below:
Please see the previous annual increases below for comparison to the latest cost index with an annual increase of 9.34%:
If you have any queries or would like any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
T: +44 (0)20 3151 5600
E: tsa@tsa-uk.org
Packed TSA Spring Conference set for magical record
Stimulating programme covers variety of key issues, from the environment to wellbeing
3-4 May 2023, Hilton St George’s Park, Burton Upon Trent
The TSA Spring Conference has brought together a cornucopia of talented speakers and stimulating presentations – so perhaps it’s not surprising that it’s set to beat all records in terms of numbers attending.
Presentations will cover topics as diverse as the environment, including a keynote address from award-winning environmentalist and author Natalie Fee, laundry fire safety, the energy market, and wellbeing. The ‘people matter’ section includes a talk by Matt Bowes of Vision Linens, who shares his story of leaving prison and being given a second chance, and a discussion on menopause awareness, its effect on the workforce and how best to approach it.
Christoph Geppert of Grain Sustainability is joined by Carmen Cardenal Pac of Ecolab to look at where we are as an industry on the TSA’s Sustainability Roadmap as well as, more specifically, the issues around microplastics and PFASs.
In the arresting titled ‘1+1=3’ presentation, Joe Ricci, president and CEO of the TRSA, will join conference to show how the UK and USA textile associations are working together and what they are achieving and hope to build in the future.
A fantastical keynote address from Keith Barry will look at wellbeing in the workplace. As a world-renowned ‘mentalist, magician and subconscious mind specialist’ his approach is likely to be thought-provoking and distinctly left-field.
Keith is also providing the pre-dinner entertainment for the Industry Dinner, taking place on the evening of May 3rd. Other networking events include a new members reception before dinner in the Sir Bobby Robson Lobby.
Conference bookings are already at over 140, so anyone thinking of coming should contact the TSA as soon as possible. Email events@tsa-uk.org for information or visit The TSA Website.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us either via email or phone:
T +44 (0) 20 3151 5600