TRSA CEO outlines ideas for future for UK and global industry at the TSA National Congress
Staffing shortages, rising costs, and the accelerating need for investment in technology are the most pressing concerns for the global commercial laundry industry, according to findings presented at the TSA’s (Textile Services Association) National Congress 2026, on 17th March at the W Edinburgh hotel.
The findings are based on research undertaken by the TRSA, the TSA’s equivalent in the USA, combined with live polling of the attendees taken during the Congress itself. Joe Ricci, TRSA CEO, presented the findings in a session entitled ‘Voices of leadership: what 40 CEOs reveal about the next 5–10 years.’ The TRSA research uses information gathered via CEO peer-to-peer discussions and features contributions from more than 300 senior executives in total.
During Congress, staffing and cost pressures dominated the polling, which also highlighted recruitment and retention challenges. Investing in new technology was another focus, as a means to reduce costs, increase productivity and improve operational efficiency. 20% of those polled thought that adopting AI tools would have the most impact on their company over the next three years. Of course, staffing and technology are interwoven – retaining skilled technicians and engineers is vital to protecting the return on investment in technology.
The Congress polling figures very much reflected the concerns emphasised in the TRSA research. “The findings paint a consistent picture,” says Joe Ricci. “Workforce capability, cost control, and strategic technology adoption are shaping the path forward for linen, uniform, and facility services companies.”
Sustainability was one point of difference, with the polling underlining the UK’s focus on the area, partly driven by customers’ environmental concerns and expectations, along with emerging UK and European Union regulations.
“The findings emphasise the UK laundry industry’s commitment to sustainability, as reflected by TSA initiatives such as the Infinite Textiles Scheme and GLARE,” says Emma Kiviniemi Wilson, managing director of the TSA points out. “Congress reflected the vital role that technology will play, not only in helping us meet challenges such as rising costs and staffing pressures, but also in our journey towards carbon net zero.”
The Congress’s diverse and stimulating programme also included a global economic update from Richard Beech, investment manager at Charles Stanley, and a thought-provoking session on new technology called ‘power play: industry leaders meet machinery innovators,’ with Jesper Jensen, CEO Jensen-Group, and Michael Harre, Group CSO Kannegiesser. The two keynote addresses were delivered by Baroness Ruth Hunt and broadcaster and journalist Nicky Campbell.
For more information on the TRSA visit www.trsa.org.
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