Linen, Uniform & Facility Services Podcast - Interviews & Insights by TRSA
TRSA
Who exactly are the thought leaders in the $18-billion-plus linen, uniform and facility services industry? This podcast aims to shine a light on this industry’s more than 200,000 employees through thought-provoking interviews with industry insiders and business experts on issues critical to your company and workforce. Most Americans might not realize it, but they benefit at least once per week from the cleanliness and safety of laundered, reusable linens, uniforms, towels, mats and other products provided to businesses, retailers, manufacturers, healthcare facilities, restaurants and hotels.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 12, 2020 • 27min
Episode 27 – COVID-19: Impacts on Commercial Laundries
A discussion about the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impacts on the linen, uniform and facility services industry with Dr. Murray Cohen, a retired U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist; and Joseph Ricci, the president and CEO of TRSA. For more information and communication tools for your company’s customers, employees and leadership teams, visit www.trsa.org/covid19.
Feb 28, 2020 • 14min
Episode 26 – Producing Hygienically Clean Textiles
An overview of TRSA’s Hygienically Clean certification program with Audrey Carmichael, a client coach with Six Disciplines Consulting Services. Carmichael shares her thoughts on the benefits of getting Hygienically Clean certification for your commercial laundry, preparing for the certification with Hygienically Clean consulting services, and more. For more information on Hygienically Clean consulting services, contact TRSA’s Manager of Certification Programs Angela Freeman at afreeman@trsa.org.
Jan 31, 2020 • 13min
Episode 25 – Identifying Leaders
Eric Kurjan, President of Six Disciplines Consulting Services, dives into the essentials of leadership development within the commercial laundry industry. He discusses the importance of structured training programs to nurture talent and enhance organizational success. Kurjan highlights the often-overlooked role of mid-level managers and how their support can boost communication and effectiveness. He also addresses common pitfalls in leadership training, advocating for inclusive methodologies that foster self-leadership and emotional intelligence.
Jan 15, 2020 • 38min
Episode 24 – Energy and Utility Savings
An overview of the energy and natural gas markets, as well as projects that your laundry can undertake to save on energy and utility costs in the future. Sharing their thoughts on these topics and more are Michael Payne and Dan Flaherty of TRSA Business Solutions Partner APPI Energy, and Chad Burden of THG Energy Solutions. For more information on TRSA’s Business Solutions, visit www.trsa.org.
Nov 21, 2019 • 48min
Episode 23 – Productivity Boost
We take a look at plant productivity, and how to improve your laundry’s throughput through better hiring practices for production staff, new technologies and more. A panel of savvy laundry operators and consultants, including Johanna Ames, president of Ames Linen Service; Tyler Burke, executive vice president of Loop Linen Service; Mike Chambers, production specialist at Alsco Inc.; and Don Maida, senior consultant at TBR Associates, share their thoughts. Follow TRSA on Instagram at trsa_org.
Oct 11, 2019 • 58min
Episode 22 – Economic Update, M&A Activity
A rundown of the economy, recent mergers and acquisitions, and key financial metrics for the linen, uniform and facility services industry based on numbers from publicly traded uniform companies and survey data gathered from commercial laundry operators. This episode was recorded live at TRSA’s 106th Annual Conference in September and features Andrew Wittmann, a senior research analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co. Share your thoughts on the podcast by sending an email to podcasts@trsa.org.
Sep 12, 2019 • 44min
Episode 21 – Safety First: TRSA’s New Certification
Rick Gerlach, the former senior director of safety and health at Cintas, who is currently a consultant for safety and health processes with RG Consulting LLC, gives an overview of TRSA’s new Safety and Health Certification. He details the process for getting certified, why it’s important to gain recognition for your company’s safety and health programs, and how this certification program can enhance your company as an employer and as a service provider. For more information on TRSA’s certification programs, visit www.trsa.org/certification.
Aug 28, 2019 • 29min
Episode 20 – Mastering Hospitality with Steve DiFillippo
Steve DiFillippo, owner of Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse and author of It’s All About the Guest, shares his journey from the commercial laundry industry to building a nationwide restaurant brand. He emphasizes the importance of employee care in enhancing customer experiences and discusses the intricacies of expanding a hospitality brand into retail. DiFillippo also highlights how uniforms play a vital role in the dining atmosphere and the power of storytelling in connecting with guests and staff alike.
Jul 31, 2019 • 51min
Episode 19 – Passing the Torch
How do you plan your business for a successful transition to the next generation? Learn how several industry leaders have dealt with this transition in the past and are preparing their business for the future. In this panel presentation from TRSA’s Second Annual Leadership Summit in New Orleans, Jim Buik, president and owner of Roscoe Co.; James Gutheim, president of James Gutheim & Associates; and Mark Kowalski, managing partner of Envise Partners LLC, share their thoughts. The panel was moderated by Dr. Jean Meeks-Koch, a consultant with the Family Business Consulting Group.
Jun 11, 2019 • 37min
Episode 18 – Minimizing Workplace Negativity
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that negativity in the workplace costs businesses a whopping $3 billion per year due to its harmful effects. How do you counteract negativity and its effects on your company’s productivity? In this presentation from TRSA’s Production Summit & Plant Tours in Dallas, The DISC Wizard Nancy Roberts, a leading consultant to the linen, uniform and facility services industry, shares four key steps to minimizing workplace negativity in order to boost your business productivity.
