JULY 2021
Mann tapped for ALM Board of Directors RICHMOND, Ky. — The Board of Directors of the Association for Linen Management (ALM) reports that Mark Mann has been selected to step into the recently vacated director post. Mann is the vice president, USA Business Unit, for MIP Inc. “Our shared educational mission makes Mark’s addition to the ALM Board of Directors the perfect fit,” says Richard Bott, ALM Board president. ALM Executive Director Linda Fairbanks points out Mann’s appointment is well-timed for the association. “Mark’s appointment to the ALM Board is perfect timing as we prepare for the August launch of our newest certification program designed for the healthcare linen manager,” she says. “One significant learning for me from the last 17 months is that the world has changed in ways that required us all to change our behaviors,” Mann says. “I am looking forward to working with and learning from my ALM colleagues, ALM members and our members’ customers to continue to elevate best practices by getting in front of the changes to come.” ALN
Success story: U.S. Linen & Uniform ‘Everything we do is based on benefiting the customer,’ says general manager BY MATT POE, EDITOR RICHLAND, Wash. — In 1944, Harvey Stoller was working with his father at the Pantorium Laundry & Dry Cleaners in Walla Walla, Washington, when he won a bid to provide laundry service for the government town of Richland. There were 100,000 people in Richland, and he had the only laundry in town. In the 1950s, Stoller saw that adding rental linen would be a good fit, so the company focused more and more on the rental side of the market. Eventually, the company dropped consumer laundry and dry cleaning and focused solely on linen and uniform rental. Today, Stoller’s grandson, Rick Snyder, is general manager of the company, U.S. Linen & Uniform, and the Stoller ability to see the value of adding and changing products has led to the service offering multiple lines and products, growing to serve a large swath of
U.S. Linen & Uniform leadership (from left): Drew Snyder, assistant general manager; Rick Snyder, general manager; John Rains, director of operations; Tim Armstrong, plant manager. (Photo: Kim Fetrow)
the Pacific Northwest. “We are always looking at whether we should add or subtract a service or product,” Snyder says. “Our focus is on whether it will be beneficial to our customers. “If it is a benefit to our customer, then
we look at how well we can do it. If it meets both those criteria, then we will continue with or startup that product or service. “We started out just servicing our local See SUCCESS on Page 6
Business interruption planning in a COVID world An ‘all events’ disaster response framework can provide a roadmap for laundries BY BOB CORFIELD LAS VEGAS — Recent headlines define the laundry list (pun intended) of major challenges for any business leader to contend with. Any single item would be concerning, but these challenges are all occurring at the same time in this pandemic economy. How business owners and leaders are addressing these challenges will fill MBA courses for decades to come with what worked—and what did not. The headlines are also affecting textile rental and professional laundry markets. Global supply and logistic problems are impacting all market sectors, from machine parts to textiles, finished goods, chemicals and more. See PLAN on Page 10
(Image licensed by Ingram Image) Volume 47, Number 7
INSIDE Columnist at Large In this issue, Eric Frederick shares how education is key to keeping up with the future.
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Proper Finishing and Satisfaction Two experts examine how finishing affects end-user perception and satisfaction.
The Newspaper of Record for Laundry & Linen Management
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[14] PRODUCT SHOWCASE
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