Listen to ALM's newest podcast to hear from Deana Griffin, owner and president of The Griffin Group, Inc., which specializes in recruiting for the rental uniform and textile industry, about what companies can do to attract employees who may not initially consider the textile industry for employment.

Then, we speak to Johnny Williams, plant manager with Metropolitan Detroit Area Hospital Services, who worked in the auto industry for 22 years before making a successful transition to the textile care industry. He shares his thoughts on the best way for facility leadership to help those who are new to the industry.

All ALM podcasts are available from our website, under Resources, ALM Podcasts.

Laundry and Linen Week will be April 21-27, and we would love to hear what you are doing in your facility or plant to raise awareness of the importance of quality linen with your staff! Share pictures and information on the ALM Member Forum!

If you haven't ordered goodies yet, ALM recommends contacting 4imprint for quality, reasonably-priced promotional items. 

David Bernstein has launched a new consulting firm, Propeller Solutions Group, LLC, offering services primarily to the laundry industry. Bernstein is returning to consulting after a 5-year hiatus during which he established and led Lapauw USA. The new firm will begin offering services immediately. 

Among the services offered by the company at inception are facility design and engineering, process improvement, Lean Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing consultation and implementation, and industrial engineering services such as time and motion studies, production standards development, capacity analysis, carbon footprint monitoring, and technology consulting. In addition to these services, the firm plans to offer training and consulting in the areas of sales and customer service, through both regular seminars and workshops around North America, as well as on-site customized programs tailored to each customer’s individual needs.

For the fifth consecutive year, Leonard Automatics has won the Gold Safety award from the North Carolina Department of Labor. The company feels that workplace injuries not only affect the employee, but also affect their families, and in turn, affect their attendance and performance.

The goal at Leonard Automatics is to foster an injury-free workplace by making safety a part of their operational plan and including employees in that plan through committees, walk-throughs and meetings. Safety matters at Leonard Automatics.

“At Leonard, we have a culture in which safety is our top priority. Our business operates more efficiently with an effective safety program and I think it also shows our commitment to our employees’ overall health and well-being,” says Scott Abernethy, Leonard’s general manager.

MIP recently published a teaser video promoting their hospitality event! And don't worry, it's on a different night from ALM's, so you will enjoy lots of hilarity during The Clean Show!

Lapauw USA recently announced that J.B. Marquette (left) has been named vice president of the company and that he will become president of Lapauw USA effective June 1. J.B. will succeed David Bernstein (right) who resigns as president of the company effective May 31, so that he may pursue his desire to return to industry consulting and the formation of a new consulting firm.

“We are all thankful for David’s years of service and leadership, and are grateful for his many accomplishments,” said Steven Renders, CEO of Lapauw International, the parent company of Lapauw USA. “Although he will be missed, we understand and support David’s decision to step down and to start his new business, we wish him tremendous success, and look forward to working with him as a trusted consultant to the industry.”

Renders continued, “J.B. has built an impressive industry track record over the past 20-plus years in management, operations and sales, and we are convinced that he has the skills, talents and experience to lead Lapauw USA for many years to come. When J.B. came on board, we knew he would make great contributions to Lapauw’s reputation, market share and long-term success. We are extremely fortunate to have had the perfect candidate in-house to ensure a smooth transition.”