SEPTEMBER 2017
Late News Aramark, union reach contract deal in Wisconsin LA CROSSE, Wis. — In early August, United Electrical Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE) Local 1121 members voted to ratify a new contract with the Aramark Laundry Services facility here, the union reports. UE says the three-year contract features 40-cent wage increases annually, paid sick days and a stronger safety committee. “We are pleased to have bargained in good faith with the union to come to a contract agreement that works for all parties,” Aramark says in a statement from corporate communications officer Chris Collom in Philadelphia. According to UE, the vote came at the end of more than three months of efforts by the laundry workers. The previous three-year contract between Aramark and UE expired earlier in the year. UE says efforts culminated with the local’s first-ever job action, shutting down production as workers walked out and marched around the plant for 45 minutes at the end of July. After the walkout, UE says Aramark dropped a demand for a third wage tier. Company negotiators agreed to the union’s final wage demand of a $1.20 increase over three years, and reached a compromise ALN on health insurance.
Volume 43, Number 9
Getting ready for Gen Z Laundry, linen services need to prepare for next-generation customers BY STEVE KALLENBACH LOS ANGELES — For a number of years now, our industry has been talking about moving our marketing, sales and customer experience strategies toward the communication modes of Generation Y buyers, now referred to as millennials. As with other industries, we are working our magic to be able to reach this new buying power via social media, using emotional and social branding to bring purpose-driven customer experiences to the new base of purchasing power in America. Gen Y millennials were born between 1982 and 2004, the oldest of whom are now 35 years old and are currently assuming the seat of power in American purchasing. Now that we are all riled up, trying to catch up to this new
and exciting buying experience, let’s shake it up a bit more. Introducing Generation Z. This lively new bunch is just now entering college, getting ready to embrace the workplace in a few years (the youngest of whom are still in middle school). They have already lived through the “Great Recession,” and some have watched their parents and family friends struggle financially. They have seen college costs spiral up and witnessed acts of terrorism through the media. They expect the worst, because they have seen it. In some ways, they have actually had to grow up faster than previous generations, especially with the speed of information across many new communication channels. This generation has already been taught resilience, and their view of themselves, and the world, is
Content, action and activity of companies will drive Gen Z purchasing, the author says. (Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)
pretty sober. As a result, this new and upcoming generation of buyers will require a different kind of engagement. They are cost-con-
See GEN Z on Page 6
Texcare Asia set to show off in Shanghai Organizers say most of the exhibit space has been sold BY TIM BURKE SHANGHAI, China — The International Trade Fair for Modern Textile Care is coming to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre this month. Better known as Texcare Asia, it will be headlining at the center for three days, Sept. 27-29. “Over 95% of exhibition space at Texcare Asia is booked to key international and domestic players,” says one of the two show organizers, Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. According to Messe Frankfurt,
and co-host China Light Industry Machinery Association (CLIMA), the show is drawing a “wave of elevated enthusiasm,” and adds that international industrial associations have recommended the fair to players from around the world. “Wave” is the right description for the Shanghai event since the city name itself means “upon the sea.” It is a large, cosmopolitan coastal metropolis of 25 million. During the 2015 edition of the trade show, 153 exhibitors filled almost 183,000 square feet in the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Attendance reached a record 10,267 from 54 countries. Organizers say the 2015 show experienced a 20% increase from the 2013 edition, and expect further growth this year. Attendance this year is expected
to reach 11,000, with more than 160 exhibitors showcasing their products and services in more than 215,000 square feet of space. Local companies from China will be represented, plus businesses from 20 other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Italy, Japan and more. By showcasing their product advancements to major Asian buyers later this month, many of these global companies are wanting to capitalize on the fair’s position as Asia’s leading event for innovations in textile care. Richard Li, general manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai), says the textile care and cleaning industry in Asia, and particularly See ASIA on Page 10
www.americanlaundrynews.com
INSIDE
More than 160 exhibitors will be on the trade show floor. (File photo: Messe Frankfurt/Texcare Asia)
The Newspaper of Record for Laundry & Linen Management
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Marketing Secrets Ten online ideas for laundry and linen service companies to utilize.
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scious and practical. They look for quality, not just “the cool factor.” They know where to search
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More Than Distributors
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In this issue’s OPL 101 column, Mark Moore looks at distributor services.
8/17/17 8:27 AM