www.americanlaundrynews.com
November 2024 • Volume 50, Number 11
The Newspaper of Record for Laundry & Linen Management
Textile insights:
1974 - 2024
View from the mill
Textile providers share what laundry/linen service operators should know about mills today BY MATT POE, EDITOR
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any factors influence the operation of laundry and linen services. Materials and costs, the environment, trends in textiles customers want, all these and more affect laundries. But these elements come into play earlier than the textile/linen supplier. What happens at textile mills is the start of the effect goods have on a laundry operation. American Laundry News communicated with several textile providers to find out what’s going on with mills and how laun-
dry and linen services are affected by what mills do. Please give a general overview/status of textile mill operations in producing goods for healthcare, food and beverage, hotel, and uniform/workwear linen services. Tapash Bhattacharjee, Vice President, Global Sourcing, Monarch Brands: Textile mills that produce towels, sheets, uniforms and similar products typically consist of five to six distinct sections. The production process for towels differs slightly from that of sheets, uniforms and workwear. Terry towel manufacturing components are pile (loop), warp (ground) and weft (fill). Sheeting and other fabric manufacturing components are warp and weft. In both manufacturing processes, the following sections are essential within a factory: 1. Warping Process. Cotton or polyester cones are processed through a warping machine. For towels, two beams are created: pile and warp. For sheeting and workwear, only a single warping beam is needed. The fill yarn is supplied from the weft section of the machine. 2. Sizing/Starching. This process strengthens the ground yarn to prevent breakage during high-speed weaving. 3. Weaving. The primary process is where gray fabric is woven using airjet, shuttleless machines, etc. 4. Processing Machines. This involves bleaching or dyeing, applying softeners, calendaring and other treatments. 5. Drying. Tumble dryers or loop dryers are used to dry towels or sheeting. 6. Cutting and Sewing. The fabric is cut and sewn into the final product. 7. Packaging. Products are packed either in bales or cases as required. 8. Quality Assurance and Shipping.
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Final products undergo quality checks before being shipped. Bridget Miklausich, Managing Director of Manufacturing & Sourcing, Encompass Group: Today the healthcare textile industry continues to march forward with innovation that improves product performance while being cognizant of the need to be environmentally responsible. Globally, the industry has changed over the last 30 years. With a new generation leading the charge, we will see continued efforts to improve the look, touch, performance and life span of the textile products that serve our industry while ensuring we leave a smaller carbon footprint and a more sustainable future for generations to come. Tom Main, Group Vice President, National Accounts, Standard Textile: Our textile mill operations remain strong in producing a variety of goods for healthcare and hospitality. At Standard Textile, we take pride in being the only remaining commercial manufacturer of towels and sheeting in the U.S. This ongoing investment in domestic production allows us to continuously innovate, offering superior-quality products that help reduce overall costs for our customers. While global supply chains face significant disruptions, including increased shipping costs and delays in raw material availability, we have mitigated these challenges with our U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities and nine strategically located distribution centers across North America. This allows us to reduce reliance on international suppliers and minimize the impact of global uncertainties on our customers. Domestic manufacturing also gives us a competitive edge in maintaining a focus
See Mills on Page 6
LATE NEWS Alsco Uniforms donates to support Western North Carolina recovery SALT LAKE CITY — Alsco Uniforms, a fifth-generation family-owned and -operated uniform and laundry service, recently donated $25,000 to The Salvation Army to assist in recovery efforts in Western North Carolina. They are also donating 500 motorist first aid kits to the relief efforts of the NC Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Petty Family Foundation. These donations will provide vital first aid and financial resources for both immediate and long-term recovery efforts in the wake of destructive flooding left by Hurricane Helene. Bob Steiner, chief executive officer of Alsco Uniforms, expressed these sentiments, “Alsco Uniforms cares deeply about the communities we serve. “The people and businesses of North Carolina have utilized our laundry services throughout the years, and we want to give back. We are honored to contribute to the community as they recover from this devastating disaster. We hope this can make a real impact.” The Salvation Army is working tirelessly across Western North Carolina to deliver essential services like food, water, hygiene supplies, baby products, and vital cleaning and emergency supplies. They will use this donation to secure and distribute these supplies to the people who need them.
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