www.americanlaundrynews.com
March 2023 • Volume 49, Number 03
The Newspaper of Record for Laundry & Linen Management
One woman’s perspective:
Leadership in textile services Spin Linen owner/president, Angie Ringling, shares her path to leadership and thoughts for fostering more women leaders in laundry
(Photo: © Surgay/Depositphotos)
BY HAILEY MUSSON
M
en still hold the advantage of getting positions of power in the business world. And statistics show that often women who do hold these positions are likely to leave if they feel like they are not getting the most out of their job (https:// www.cnn.com/2022/10/18/success/women-leaders-workplace-mckinsey-lean-in/ index.html). There are great women in leadership positions in the laundry business, and
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there should be more. Angie Ringling, owner and president of Spin Linen, an independently owned linen rental company in Omaha, Nebraska, is one of those great women in laundry leadership. She took time to discuss the importance of women in leadership and how to involve more women in the textile and laundry industry.
“Hardworking, driven and intelligent women have always been afforded a seat at the table during my tenure in this business, and I certainly have had some amazing mentors that have helped me become a better operator,” Ringling says. “This industry has some really good people in it. The relationships I’ve built with people in this business have been so rewarding.”
20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
WHAT WOMEN BRING TO THE TABLE
Ringling has been the owner of Spin Linen since 2003. She graduated from college with a degree in accounting and marketing, looking for a “glamourous” job in the corporate white-collar route. Her father asked her to join him at Spin Linen due to an employee leaving, and she told him she would stay for six months. She ended up enjoying the production aspect, witnessing a raw product turn into a finished one. The fast-paced nature and constant problem-solving of the business helped her learn those skills and embrace the challenges it brings. The textile and laundry industry is very complex. It requires a strong focus on processes, procedures, attention to detail, following through and the management of people. Over the years, Ringling has felt more confident in her skills and knows this is an area she wants to continue developing for herself and her team. She says she has never felt prejudice because she is a woman and has always felt welcomed by her male counterparts over the years. However, she does admit that it takes a lot of grit to be in the laundry business. But even after 26 years in the business, there still aren’t many women taking positions in leadership roles.
Ringling believes that women are more detail-oriented and have great organization and problem-solving skills that would make them perfect for production management roles. She believes that the reason women don’t often apply for these positions is that there is still a disconnect—they don’t always think of themselves as good candidates. “It’s on us to set an example for how to include more women in the industry, educating our communities and sharing our stories,” says Ringling. She believes women can gain leadership roles depending on what part of the business they’re interested in. Ringling has a background in accounting. She’s able to dissect data and figure out how to make operations run better. There is also an engineering and marketing aspect of the laundry business. Understanding maintenance and equipment is critical, as well as knowing about sales and marketing. “Really anything on management training and leadership development to understanding how to grow and develop your team,” Ringling points out.
See Leader on Page 6
LATE NEWS UniFirst signs agreement to purchase Clean Uniform WILMINGTON, Mass. — UniFirst Corp., which provides supply and servicing of custom business uniforms and workwear, facility service programs, and first aid and safety products throughout North America, reports it has signed an agreement to purchase Clean Uniform headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Founded in 1938, Clean is one of the largest independent uniform, workwear and facility service program providers in the United States with 11 locations covering Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma. “Clean has built a highly respected business that provides quality service with a strong customer focus,” says UniFirst CEO, Steven Sintros. “The addition of Clean into the UniFirst family will provide a foundation for us to deliver an enhanced service experience for our customers in the markets that they serve. “We will be strategic and patient in the integration of the two businesses with a strong focus on customer and employee retention.” The board of directors of UniFirst unanimously approved the transaction, which is expected to close subject to customary closing conditions and after receiving regulatory approval.
2/14/23 10:13 AM