Americans are still terrible about taking their allotted vacation time. In 2016, 54% of employees ended the year by collectively giving up 662 million vacation days! “Four in ten works said their employer supported time off, but their heavy workload kept them from using their earned days” according to Forbes Magazine.

Increase your productivity, improve morale and reap the health benefits of a vacation by making plans now!  Tips from experts suggest starting small by taking one day off a month to expand your weekend. Read more about strategies to schedule those much needed breaks.

You can earn your Certified Laundry and Linen Manager (CLLM) in weeks rather than months! The Association for Linen Management (ALM) has CLLM Review sessions scheduled across the U.S. and Canada. The first program is scheduled for August 23-25 at Standard Textiles in Cincinnati, Ohio. For registration details and other scheduled programs read on….

Angelica Corporation, the leader in healthcare linen and medical laundry services, today announced the completion of the sale of substantially all of its and its subsidiaries' assets as a going concern to KKR, a leading global investment firm.

It is with deepest sympathy that ALM shares the passing of longtime ALM member Wesley Breedlove. Breedlove passed away on Sunday, June 25, in Ohio. Breedlove played an instrumental role in the initial development and success of the Association for Linen Management’s (ALM) Laundry & Linen College. Breedlove, who was the second individual in the U.S. to earn the designation of Registered Laundry & Linen Director (RLLD) continued to devote tireless volunteer hours to this program throughout his career, including service as ALM’s National Vice President from 2005–2009.   

The Laundry & Linen College program continues today as the premiere training program for textile care service professionals, awarding the RLLD certification to almost 1,000 individuals. “Wes’s passion and devotion to the industry, ALM, and the college go unmatched, and he will long be remembered for his dedication to education within the industry” says ALM Executive Director Linda Fairbanks.

Breedlove’s obituary and arrangements can be viewed and messages of condolence can be left for the family here.

Gurtler Industries, Inc. is excited to announce the addition of Darren Squillace. Darren joined Gurtler in May of 2017 as Manager of Market Development and will be covering the New England area. Darren is a former owner/operator of his own laundry and brings with him thirty years of experience in the laundry industry.

D.C. hearings in late June on changes needed in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could impact the textile industry. Will we see a change in the price of cotton in our markets? Industry experts say it is likely, but as the markets adjust we will see more cotton grown and the prices should stabilize. However, an increased supply of petroleum and development of synthetic fabrics during this time could result in a diminished demand for cotton products.

While there are varied opinions on the impact for textile care services here in the U.S., most agree that attention to these “modernization” steps will need to be watched as they progress. Get the details on the July hearings here.