Laundry industry gains ‘conduit’ to government’

TSA welcomes cross-party and EETF support.

On 20th June the TSA held a cross party meeting at the Palace of Westminster with six MPs, five members of the Energy Efficiency Task Force (EETF) and representatives from the commercial laundry sector.  David Stevens, CEO of the TSA, hailed the meeting as a significant success, with MPs and the EETF responding to the needs of the industry and committing to move forward on key agenda items.  “We were delighted by how many MPs and members of the EETF attended our meeting. We explained the importance of laundries to hospitality, healthcare and UK Plc in supporting the UK economy,” he said.  “We also showed them the huge challenges our industry faces.  As a result, the MPs are real advocates for us.  We already have the next meeting booked in Westminster this month.” 

As well as discussing how we are a resilient industry and can be there to support the government, the next meeting will also look at how laundries can play an integral role in enhancing sustainability in health and social care through reusable PPE and workwear. 

Further meetings have also been set up with the EETF, with a view to seeing how government funding can help laundries reduce energy demand.  In fact, the task force has indicated it wants to use the industry as a case study for its net zero carbon and energy saving objectives of reducing UK energy demand from 2021 levels by 15% by 2030, and the next meeting will be at a laundry site.  

“The meeting on June 20th has given us conduits direct to government,” says Stevens.  “I’d like to thank the TSA’s lobbying group – which was only formed in March – for their hard work and to congratulate them on the success they have already achieved.” 

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us either via email or phone: 

E tsa@tsa-uk.org

T +44 (0) 20 3151 5600

Laundry Cost Index: 2023/2024 FYQ1

Laundry Cost Index

Please see our latest published Laundry Cost Index for 2023/2024 FYQ1 below:

Latest Laundry Cost Index

Please see the previous annual increases below for comparison to the latest cost index with an annual increase of 8.16%:

The Full Report
Annual Increase
Laundry Cost Index 2022/2023 FYQ4
9.34%
Laundry Cost Index 2022/2023 FYQ3
17.33%
Laundry Cost Index 2022/2023 FYQ2
20.28%
Laundry Cost Index 2022/2023 FYQ1
23.01%
Laundry Cost Index 2021/2022 FYQ4
20.13%
Laundry Cost Index 2021/2022 FYQ3
9.70%
Laundry Cost Index 2021/2022 FYQ2
5.92%
Laundry Cost Index 2021/2022 FYQ1
3.26%
Laundry Cost Index 2020/2021 FYQ4
1.43%
Laundry Cost Index 2020/2021 FYQ3
2.00%
Laundry Cost Index 2020/2021 FYQ2
1.64%
Laundry Cost Index 2020/2021 FYQ1
2.02%
Laundry Cost Index 2019/2020 FYQ4
2.73%
Laundry Cost Index 2019/2020 FYQ3
1.75%
Laundry Cost Index 2019/2020 FYQ2
2.95%
Laundry Cost Index 2019/2020 FYQ1
4.00%
Previous Laundry Cost Indices

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

ABS Laundry Business Solutions appoints new CEO and CCO

3 July 2023

ABS Laundry Business Solutions, a worldwide leading provider of Laundry ERP Software Services & Solutions, recently announced changes to its senior leadership team.

Gerard van de Donk, the current CCO for ABS, has been appointed as the new CEO. Gerard will succeed Anne de Boer, founder of ABS, who announced his intention to retire from ABS Laundry Business Solutions by the end of 2023.

Gerard has worked for 32 years at ABS Laundry Business Solutions in a variety of roles including strategy, leadership, marketing, and sales. Gerard was instrumental in enhancing profitability while placing a consistent focus on improving the customer experience by emphasizing best-in-class quality software and service. His laundry industry background and experience working throughout the ABS organization will help him lead the company into the future.

Gerard van de Donk: “My ambition lies in the continuation of expanding ABS Laundry Business Solutions to maximize our potential for our customers and organization worldwide. ABS Laundry Business Solutions consists of 175 team members that are all experts in their domain, with whom we focus on continuous investments in new technology and functionality, to support expanding the partnership with our customers and continued growth. Embracing the opportunities related to our Secure Cloud Hosting Services, advancing our SaaS offering and recognizing the strength of our dedicated team, this will be a solid basis for the organic growth of our company. We see great potential here and I am very excited and honored to give direction to realize these goals.”

Marien van Bezooijen has been appointed as the new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of ABS Laundry Business Solutions.

Marien brings over 20 years of experience in IT services with executive roles at Managed Services & ERP Solution providers, including the Managing Director position at Gotli Labs during the last 5 years. Marien’s profound expertise in the IT sector combined with commercial talent and leadership will be essential for further developing the proposition and building a versatile worldwide sales organization at ABS Laundry Business Solutions.

Marien van Bezooijen: “This is a great time to be joining ABS Laundry Business Solutions. Our market is changing rapidly, and customers’ expectations are increasing. This presents huge potential and opportunities for innovative companies like ABS. Through several Sales and Management positions I have experienced the key drivers for a successful commercial strategy and execution. The stated ambition and high level of enthusiasm at ABS provide a strong foundation for realizing the growth ambition. I am convinced that ABS offers a winning team & proposition and I look forward to expanding and leading the commercial team to continue to grow ABS Laundry Business Solutions worldwide.”

We have full confidence that these organizational changes will contribute to the long-term stability and growth of ABS Laundry Business Solutions. As a member of the stock listed Vitec Software Group AB (www.vitecsoftware.com) and the expertise of our teams, we look forward to a healthy continuation of our developments and services.

About ABS Laundry Business Solutions

ABS was founded in 1987 and is the global market leader in ERP software for the laundry industry. ABS focuses on industrial laundry and textile rental services. ABS serves over 650 laundry facilities across 5 continents, with more than 15,000 active system users, and more than 12,000 mobile app users. ABS has service and support locations in the Netherlands, United States, Romania, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and Japan.

For more information, visit www.abslbs.com

Update from the TSA

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TSA hails lobbying success as Government extends CCA scheme

Commercial laundries encouraged to sign up as industry receives massive rebates.

The TSA has welcomed the Government’s decision to extend the CCA (Climate Change Agreement) scheme for another two years. The decision follows timely consultation responses to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) by the TSA and its CCA sector partners. The Association argued that funding the investment in technology to help reduce energy consumption was increasingly difficult for commercial laundries, who had already been economically hard hit by Brexit and Covid, and that Government incentives were essential to help the industry meet net-zero commitments.

“As an industry, we have benefitted from millions of pounds worth of rebates of gas and electricity taxes thanks to the CCA,” says David Stevens, CEO of the TSA. “Over 140 sites have taken part. However, we are aware of several sites that have missed out on the last application deadline. With the current cost pressures on energy, this extension is welcome news and we encourage all TSA members – and indeed, all commercial laundries – to make use of the scheme.”

The new CCA entrant application window opened on 1 May 2023. This is a short window and laundries have until September 2023 to register and prepare for the scheme.

The TSA entered into an umbrella agreement under the CCA on behalf of the laundry industry in 2012. “This scheme has been a great incentive and motivation for industrial laundries to measure and optimise their energy usage,” says Stevens.

The laundry industry set itself an ambitious target of 25% energy savings in the CCA’s first four target periods, which ended in 2021. The industry’s overall performance was well on its way to meeting that target. Sadly, the inefficiencies caused by the Covid years, along with associated higher temperature requirements, put a dent in the figures.

Having said that, as a result of being part of the CCA, each participating site has several years’ worth of primary energy data available to them. With all the new carbon emissions commitments, this data gives the laundry industry a vital resource and an advantage to help build on the energy efficiency measures it has undertaken already.

However, as the TSA points out, at the start of the process improving energy efficiency was relatively easy, as industry operators picked the ‘low hanging fruit.’ Now laundries will need to aim for tougher, ‘higher branches’ of efficiencies to meet the current 4.5% targets – which is a key reason why the TSA urged the Government for the extension. Indeed, the TSA has been actively contributing to the Government strategy, to ensure the scheme is relevant to the laundry industry, and has succeeded in opening new entrant application windows and negotiating industry targets. Next, the Association will further engage with Government to negotiate targets and the terms of the umbrella agreement.

“Not everything in the CCA garden is rosy,” says Stevens. “We have raised several issues with DESNZ, such as the scheme only tracks comparative performance targets and does not factor in improvements in actual carbon emissions which is a key measurement when it comes to energy efficiency measures. Additional to addressing these concerns in the mid-long term, we are looking to the Government for guidance on future energy options. We are also asking for serious capital funding opportunities to plan future energy optimisation demands.”

For more information on the CCA scheme visit cclevy.com. For help and advice on the scheme, contact the TSA.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us either via email or phone: 

E tsa@tsa-uk.org

T +44 (0) 20 3151 5600

TSA continues to develop strategy for recruiting new laundry employees

International Laundry Day is part of pan-European co-operation to raise profile of the industry

How does the laundry industry tackle staff shortages? It’s not just a UK problem, our European colleagues are dealing with the same issue. Not surprisingly, it was one of the key discussion points when the TSA attended the European Textile Services Association’s annual National Associations meeting on 26th-28th April in Bern, Switzerland.

The aim of the discussion around recruitment was to discover commonalities between the campaigns different national associations had been running to promote the laundry sector as an attractive employment prospect for potential recruits.

The TSA shared its recruitment strategy from working with its People Steering Group, including a recruitment information flyer for members to use at careers fairs. The flyer demonstrates the opportunities within the industry, and the vital role the industry plays in the UK economy. It was designed to answer the questions of young people moving into employment, showing that the laundry industry is committed to sustainability and environmental friendliness as well as providing a financially and professionally rewarding career with fantastic opportunities for progression.

The German Association (DTV) had also put together a portfolio of support material to help laundries recruit younger people and the Belgian Association (FBT) has started an education programme within schools. The meeting also heard about the successes of open days organised by the French Association (GEIST). Consequently, the Associations agreed to hold “International Laundry Day 2024” and will encourage members to host an open day to help educate potential employees about the industry.

“Our industry is a real hidden gem, and it can be a great career for many people,” says David Stevens, CEO of the TSA. “This meeting has really shown the work all the National Associations do to increase awareness of the industry and help their members showcase the opportunities it offers.”

As part of this campaign to raise awareness, recently the TSA met with Derek Thomas MP to discuss the concerns of the industry regarding labour shortages. They talked about the problems caused by Brexit and the pandemic, emphasising the need to attract local labour and school leavers in particular in order to mitigate these issues.

The TSA will continue to work with its People Steering Group to further develop this outreach scheme, as well as continuing with its apprenticeship scheme and the “Giving People a Second Chance” initiative which can also play a key role in attracting new staff.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us either via email or phone: 

E tsa@tsa-uk.org

T +44 (0) 20 3151 5600

Government responding to needs of commercial laundries – at last

TSA Gains the Support for Cross-Party Meeting in Westminster

TSA met with Derek Thomas, the MP for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (St Ives), in Westminster this week, to discuss the ongoing issues facing the commercial laundry industry. Association member Luke Edwards from Mounts Bay Laundry in Penzance helped to set up and also attended the meeting, as Mr Thomas is his local MP. Having pitched the case for the industry, the TSA is delighted that Derek Thomas has agreed to sponsor and to help organise a cross-party meeting in Westminster with an invitation to be sent to TSA’s members’ local MPs.

“We are hugely grateful to Derek for his help and for being such a strong advocate for our industry,” says David Stevens, CEO of the TSA. Derek had previously visited Mounts Bay Laundry and so had a good understanding of the scale of the industry and its challenges. The Westminster meeting covered a lot of ground, including energy support, labour shortages and, more generally, what the industry can do to ensure that it is visible to the Government going forward. Also, demonstrating the industry’s role it plays in supporting the UK economy and how it can help the Government achieve its sustainability targets.

Stevens emphasises the work of the TSA’s members and the new Lobbying Steering Group in helping raise the industry’s profile. “The work has resulted in many MPs visiting laundries and recognising the importance of our industry.”

Left To Right: Emma Andersson (TSA), Luke Edwards (Mounts Bay Linen Hire), Derek Thomas MP, David Stevens (TSA CEO)

The rise in the industry’s profile is evident in the questions being raised in Parliament – just last month SNP member Martyn Day and Conservative Anne Marie Morris raised the issue of the need to support commercial laundries under the Energy and Trade Intensive Industries scheme. Even Grant Shapps the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, mentioned the issue in his recent letter, saying, “I recognise the ongoing challenges for the commercial laundry sector due to significant increases in global energy prices and other cost of living pressures.”

The aim of the upcoming cross-party meeting will be to provide an overview of the commercial laundry industry. It will underline the value it brings to the UK Economy and the reliance of both hospitality and healthcare on the industry. In addition, it will look to develop a strategy to allow the industry to engage fully in the newly formed Energy Efficiency Taskforce.

“At last, after all the lobbying by TSA and its members, the Government is starting to listen to commercial laundries,” says Stevens. “The support from Derek and other MPs is critical if we are to drive the messages home. But this is just the beginning, we can’t let up. There is much work to do.”

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us either via email or phone: 

E tsa@tsa-uk.org

T +44 (0) 20 3151 5600

Update from the TSA

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If you are not a member and you would like to find out more about our membership benefits and how to become a member, please click here.

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: 

E tsa@tsa-uk.org

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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:

www.christeyns.com