Linen, Uniform & Facility Services Podcast - Interviews & Insights by TRSA

Andrew Wittmann, senior research analyst, Robert W. Baird & Co., gives an update on economic trends in the linen, uniform and facility services industry, including an overview of the potential Cintas and UniFirst deal and its impact on the marketplace. Baird partners with TRSA to publish a quarterly report on economic trends in the industry. For more information and to participate in the survey, c...

Liz Remillong, vice president of strategic alliances at CORE Linen Services; and Stephanie Gregg, senior consulting director, indirect spend, at Vizient, share their thoughts on the role that group purchasing organizations (GPOs) play in the healthcare sector and their impact on healthcare laundry services. Remillong and Gregg share their thoughts on the evolution and role of GPOs, pressures facin...

At the 14th Annual Healthcare Conference in Boston, TRSA Chair Randy Bartsch, the executive chair of Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service, moderated a panel discussion featuring a dynamic group of industry leaders discussing the evolving landscape of the healthcare market sector. Panelists included Michael Barner, the CEO of CORE Linen Services; Ben Berstein, vice president of corporate development at...

TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci, TRSA Chair Randy Bartsch from Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service and TRSA Vice Chair PJ Dempsey from Dempsey Uniform and Linen Supply give an overview of the highlights to look forward to at the 2026 Annual Conference & CEO Summit, scheduled for May 12-14 in Napa, CA. Thanks to SonicAire for sponsoring this episode of the podcast. Visit SonicAire.com for more inform...

A group of industry veterans that also serve as TRSA's Hygienically Clean Auditors discuss the highlights from the Clean Show floor, including automation, digitalization and more. Recorded live at the recent Clean Show in Orlando, FL, with John Highsmith, Dan Sanchez, Doug Story and TJ Peterson. Questions? Comments? Contact us at  podcasts@trsa.org .

Currie Gilbert and Caleb Gilmer from Performance Matters discuss the need for route service representative (RSR) training in the linen, uniform and facility services industry, and highlight a partnership between TRSA and Performance Matters to fill that need through a program launched at the recent Clean Show in Orlando, FL. The two tailored RSR training programs include RSR QuickStart Training, w...

Larry Erickson, the chief technology officer at Kannegiesser North America, discusses breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), the importance of collecting data and using it to improve plant productivity and efficiency, as well as technology that will shape the future of laundry plant operations. View the latest technology in action at Clean Show 2025. For more information, visit www.theclea...

Fresh off a major legislative victory in Texas, TRSA's Vice President of Government Relations Kevin Schwalb joins the podcast to discuss the economic benefits of reclassifying the industry under the "retail trade" category for tax purposes, the impact of the new law on TRSA members and the linen, uniform and facility services industry, and how TRSA's advocacy efforts helped get Texas Senate Bill 2...

TRSA Chair Randy Bartsch, Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service, Vancouver, British Columbia, discusses his goals for the association and the industry during his two-year term as TRSA Chair, the association's expanded advocacy efforts in Canada, the benefits of certification, developing the next generation of industry leaders, healthcare trends and more.

Silje Mari Sunde, project manager at Nor Tekstil, the market leader in Norway with 26 facilities and more than 1,300 employees, discusses how the company has increased automation in its facilities to boost the company's efficiency and throughput. She outlines the benefits and challenges of automation, as well as how to ensure quality and consistency when implementing automation. 

TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci gives an overview of the 112th Annual Conference agenda, including several inspiring speakers, a plethora of networking opportunities for attendees, industry award winners and more. For more information on TRSA's 112th Annual Conference, scheduled for May 13-15 near Palm Springs, CA, visit  www.trsa.org/annualconference .

John Harwood, an award-winning journalist known for his impartial analysis of U.S. elections, politics and the presidency, recently gave a keynote address at TRSA's 15th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. During his keynote speech, Harwood discussed the Trump administration, tariffs, foreign policy and more. For more information on TRSA's government relations initiatives, contact TRS...

TRSA's Vice President of Government Relations Kevin Schwalb gives an update on the latest news impacting the linen, uniform and facility services industry from Washington, DC. He talks about the results of the recent election and its impact on the industry, TRSA's advocacy efforts at both the federal and state levels, as well as what to keep an eye on in 2025. For more information on TRSA's govern...

Zach Ostendorf, host of the industry podcast The Wash and a videographer for Clean & Simple Marketing/CITY Laundering, interviews TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci while the duo eats progressively spicier hot wings. The interview was recorded in front of a live audience at TRSA's 7th Annual Marketing, Sales & Service Summit in Atlanta.

Charles Edelman, the corporate safety director at Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services in Elmsford, NY, and the chair of TRSA's Safety Committee, discusses the results of TRSA's Fire Safety Survey. Additionally, Johnny Sandras of Sanico Rental Service in Cottondale, AL, discusses the impact that a devastating fire had on his business and the lessons learned from the experience.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials Brian D'Amico and Matt Klasen join the podcast to give an overview of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the EPA's strategic roadmap for dealing with the issue, as well as effluent limitation guidelines and several ongoing studies to note moving forward. For more information on PFAS, contact TRSA's Vice President of Government Relations...

John Shaffer, the CEO and principal chemist for EEC Environmental, shares his thoughts on the sustainability efforts the linen, uniform and facility services industry has made when it comes to water reuse and water recycling. For more information on this topic, contact podcasts@trsa.org .

Bob Cusack, the editor in chief of  The Hill newspaper, gives an update on the current political climate in Washington, DC. During his keynote speech at TRSA's recently completed 14th Annual Legislative Conference and Industry Awards Dinner, Cusack discusses the key issues in the 2024 presidential election, and what to look out for in the race for the White House, as well as the U.S. House and Sen...

Several influential voices from the financial sector discuss the impact of private-equity investments on the linen, uniform and facility services industry over the past decade and discuss the implications for the future of companies serving the acute and nonacute healthcare sectors. Recorded live from a panel presentation at TRSA's 12th Annual Healthcare Conference & Exchange in Memphis, TN. Panel...

Mark Bodzioch, the president of Clean Uniforms and More!, New Bedford, MA, discusses the company's history and growth, as well as several innovations at its facility, including its RFID system to track garments and its recently installed automated soil-sorting system. For information on joining TRSA's Industrial, Uniform & Workwear Committee, visit www.trsa.org/committees .

Michael Flores, the vice president of human resources and a member of the executive leadership team at Prudential Overall Supply, Irvine, CA, discusses how Prudential transformed its human resources department and focused on retaining its best employees in a tough labor market. For information on joining TRSA's Human Resources Committee, visit www.trsa.org/committees .

Jason Pourakis and Ryan Berdnik of Mazars USA discuss best practices for negotiating with your customers, and let you know the cues that signal when it's best to walk away from the negotiating table. For more information on the Linen, Uniform & Facility Services Podcast: Interviews & Insights by TRSA, visit www.trsa.org/podcasts .

Several C-suite executives from leading operator companies discuss topics such as industry growth opportunities, safe operations in the plant and on the road, recruitment and retention of employees, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives, and more. Recorded live from a panel presentation at TRSA's 2023 Leadership Summit in Chicago. Panelists include Brian Herington, CEO, PureStar G...

Don Bock, the owner and operator of Seabright Safety Solutions, discusses best practices to prevent fires at your plant, including emergency action plans, external monitoring systems, training and more. Bock is a certified safety professional and associate in risk management who worked for Mission Linen Supply for more than 30 years.

Dr. Mario D. Wallace, the founder of the consulting firm All Things Strategic, discusses fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment at your workplace, as well as aligning your company's human resources initiatives to your organization's overall strategic goals and objectives. Dr. Wallace has more than 20 years of small-business consulting experience and 11 years of healthcare-consulting expe...