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.thecleanshow.com.
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 2774 and House Bill 1769 signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. If you’re interested in getting involved in TRSA’s advocacy efforts, save the date for the 16th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, on Feb. 17-19, 2026. Visit www.trsa.org/legcon for more information.
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 TRSA’s Vice President of Government Relations Kevin Schwalb at kschwalb@trsa.org.
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 government relations initiatives, contact Schwalb at kschwalb@trsa.org.
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 Kevin Schwalb at kschwalb@trsa.org.
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 Senate this November.
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. Panelists include Ryan Chimenti, the managing director of CIBC U.S. Middle Market Investment Banking; Kiran Prasad, the managing director of Stephens Inc. and Matthew Sznewajs, group head and managing director at Piper Sandler & Co. Andrew Kratky, the president and CEO of Emerald Textiles, moderated the panel. For information on TRSA’s upcoming 13th Annual Healthcare Conference, visit www.trsa.org/healthcare.
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 Group; John Ross, CEO, Mission Linen; Jim Rozakis, executive vice president and COO, Cintas Corp.; and Steve Sintros, CEO, UniFirst Corp. The discussion was moderated by TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci and Senior Editors Jack Morgan and Jason Risley.
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 experience. He is currently the principal strategy consultant at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH.
On the heels of TRSA’s recently completed 13th Annual Legislative Conference and Industry Awards Dinner, Bob Cusack, the editor in chief of The Hill newspaper joins the podcast to give an update on the current political climate in Washington, DC. Cusack discusses the state of Congress following the recent midterm elections, the most important issues for the remainder of 2023, as well as what to keep an eye out for as we move toward the 2024 presidential election.
Sonam Sherpa
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