Online voting is now open for ALM Board of Director elections! Two director seats are available this year. Voting closes at midnight, Tuesday, August 3. All members are eligible to vote; however, please remember ALM memberships are either group or individual. Group memberships extend the benefits of membership to all employees working for the company and receive up to five votes. An individual membership grants benefits of membership to a single individual and receives one vote. 

ALM members are invited to attend the virtual annual meeting, however we do request that you register in advance (no charge) to attend the virtual 2021 ALM Annual Business Meeting on Wednesday, August 4, at 1 p.m. ET, where ALM leadership will give updates on the state of the association, as well as the results of the Board election. 

Scheduled for November 3-5, 2021, IMPACT provides a unique blend of networking, learning and fun for all textile care service professionals. The conference combines the latest industry topics, best practices and trends. It is the ideal place to learn new skills, ideas and gain knowledge that will assist in effective laundry management and services. As for the speakers, IMPACT always brings the best, with the most interesting and innovative subjects and latest discoveries. Educational sessions are designed to help you find solutions that work for you and help you transform your business.

In June, OSHA determined that employee exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, presents a danger to workers in healthcare settings where people with COVID-19 are reasonably expected to be present and has issued an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to address the hazard. The summary of the ETS is available on OSHA's website.

OSHA also provided a Healthcare Worksite Checklist to ensure employee safety.

On July 7, OSHA issued an Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for COVID-19 to provide new instruction and guidance for handling COVID-19 related to inspections in non-healthcare establishments issued. Points covered in this memorandum include:

• Changes in the EUA regarding respirators
• References to changes issued by the CDC & FDA
• Summary of OSHA updated enforcement strategy for reducing the risk of workplace transmission of SARS-CoV-2
• Instructions for OSHA compliance safety & health offices when conducting inspections regarding COVID-19
• Updated guidance on workplace risk
• Handling of complaints, referrals and inspections
• Inspection scope, scheduling and procedures for inspections

For inspections in healthcare, the revised NEP refers compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) to the new directive, DIR 2021-02 (CPL 02), Inspection Procedures for the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard, issued on June 28, 2021.

Also, the ETS, while quite lengthy, has raised some excellent questions related to laundry services. Barry S. Spurlock, Esq., CSP, Crump Spurlock, addresses some of laundry management’s basic questions on the applicability of these standards to laundry service providers. View the ALM Guidance

All information will be updated in the ALM Resource Library as it becomes available.

J.B. Werner, CEO and Chairman of the Board of G.A. Braun, announced that Steve Wilbur (left), Director of Engineering and Product Development, will retire from Braun after 13 years of dedicated service. Steve’s successor, Ryan Blair (right), has been promoted to the position of Director of Engineering and Product Development.

Cromwell Textile is happy to introduce a new member of their team, Hailey Gagnon. A graduate from the University of Hartford, Hailey brings with her over ten years of customer service experience, including five spent supporting the public and fostering relationships as an employee of the Legislative Branch of Connecticut. Away from the office, Hailey loves to be active, playing soccer, rock climbing and spending her time exploring the outdoors. In the office she prides herself on her interpersonal skills and attention to detail. Six months into the role of Account Representative, Hailey is learning every aspect of the business and has already completed her CLLM certification! She is hopeful and excited to be a part of the Cromwell Textile team. She resides in Newington, Connecticut. Hailey can be contacted at hailey.gagnon@cromtex.com or 860-881-9963.

Ecolab Textile Care has been recognized for excellence in workplace safety and health during the 2021 Virtual Minnesota Safety and Health Conference, May 4-5.

“In a year that has challenged all of us in ways we never imagined, we are very pleased to recognize the Textile Care Division of Ecolab for their award,” said Paul Aasen, president of the Minnesota Safety Council.  “Safety demands extraordinary attention in a normal year, double that attention this past year. Thank you, Ecolab Textile Care, for keeping your employees safe.” 

Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Safety Awards program has honored Minnesota employers with exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data as it compares with their industry’s national statistics, and on their progress in implementing a comprehensive safety program. Ecolab Textile Care received the Meritorious Achievement Award

The Minnesota Safety Council, founded in 1928, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Minnesota by preventing unintentional injuries on the road, at work, at home and in the community.

Future PolyTech and Alni, Ltd. have merged under the name of Future PolyTech. Combining Future PolyTech’s stellar manufacturing offering with the robust sourcing Alni, Ltd. is known for, the new company is focused on bringing the best possible solutions and cost-effective pricing. The merger is built on the mutual principles of delivering excellent customer service and superior quality, and success will be measured not only by profitability, but by customer, supplier, and employee satisfaction. Learn more at FuturePolyTech.com

Danny Harris, Director of Laundry and Linen Services at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc., has won the drawing for a $250 gift card for participating in LAVATEC’s recent Energy survey.

LAVATEC commissioned its online survey of North American industrial laundry customers in the wake of current economic events and the expected impact on future energy consumption. With the economy strengthening, increases in demand from the commercial and industrial segments may lead to greater natural gas consumption and higher costs.

Leonard Automatics, Inc., Denver, NC, recently named Dan Farnsworth as their Chief eXperience Officer (CXO). Farnsworth began his journey with Leonard in 1996 as a machinery fabricator and worked his way through the company to become VP of Sales and Marketing in 2005. This new role will use Farnsworth’s skills to provide an unmatched customer experience, ensuring each step of the buyer’s journey is positive and user-friendly, building customer loyalty and advocacy. Dan has served the industry in many different capacities over his 25 year career.

“Dan brings a high degree of focus to our customer care over the years. He has always been very dedicated to the after the sale service of Leonard Automatics. As we grow the company, we want to make sure we do not lose the focus on customer service that has become the brand signature of Leonard Automatics,” said Jeff Frushtick, Chairman/CEO.

Tingue is pleased to announce that Steve Burnett will take on the role of National Sales Manager for Tingue Canada, effective July 1, 2021. Steve got his start in the laundry industry with the Cramer Company located in Toronto, Ontario Canada in 2010. Steve joined the Tingue Family in January 2021.

Steve earned a B.A. in Marketing from Ottawa University and is a graduate of the Production Management Institute (PMI). Steve, along with his wife Rebekah and their three children, Nolan, Jake, and Dylan, live in Whitby, just outside of Toronto. Steve enjoys playing and coaching hockey and is a High Performance (HP1) coach, coaching minor league hockey since 2009. Tingue President Ty Acton said, “Since the Cramer acquisition in January 2021, it became apparent to me early on that Steve was an outstanding addition to the Tingue Canada team and will be a terrific leader for Tingue Canada going forward."

UNX is excited to welcome Derrel Hatcher (left) and Brian Warren (right) to the team. Derrel joins UNX with over 15 years in the chemical industry and will be using his passion to help people by serving UNX customers in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas as Territory Manager. During his time away from work you might find Derrel spending time with his family, watching some golf, and/or cheering for his favorite team, the Houston Texans.

Brian is a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of Eastern Carolina University who brings with him 20 years of experience from the pharmaceutical industry and will be working with the UNX as a Laboratory Manager. When Brian is not in the lab, you might find him cheering on the ECU Pirates or enjoying the outdoors by hiking, boating, cycling or SCUBA diving. Please join us in welcoming Derrel and Brian to the team!