TSA Conference buzz: the future is positive – so long as we collaborate as
we evolve
TSA Spring Conference,
Hilton St George’s Park, 15-16 April 2024
Given the huge challenges that
the laundry industry has faced in recent years, the buzz at the TSA’s 2024
conference had a remarkably positive feel when it came to business prospects
and the future. Sure, there are still
problems with issues as varied as The Red Sea and energy prices – but the
industry is adapting to the new business environment and evolving to meet new
challenges and utilise new opportunities.
Part of that evolution is an
increasing understanding that working together collaboratively is making the
industry stronger and giving it a bigger voice – which is where trade
associations and events like the TSA Conference come in. One of the delegates, Jackie Smith of Bryant
Plastics, commented “What stands out about this event is we all get together,
there’s no such thing as a rival when you’re here, everybody just talks. It’s
all very inclusive and everyone can get behind it. Over the years that I’ve
been coming things have got better and better and better. I think the TSA are
doing it the right way... otherwise I’d be telling them!”
The 2024 edition included a
major focus on diversity, inclusion and wellbeing. Adrian Thomas of Via Vita talked about
supporting mental health training in the industry, and the need for companies
to evolve their attitudes towards mental health. His equation is simple: people perform better
if they are happy. The TSA’s Emma
Anderson led a workshop on diversity and inclusion – it’s clear that the
laundry industry’s engagement with diversity and inclusion, as with mental
health, is rising. For example, the
number of women in management is going up – it would be good to see that growth
becoming more rapid!
The TSA revealed the findings
of De Montfort University’s research into hygiene compliance and EN 14065. Essentially it highlights a big opportunity
for laundries to take on more work from any organisations that rely on hygienic
laundry results, such as the NHS. Simon
Fry of Micronclean commented on the industry’s ability to process laundry not
only more hygienically but also more sustainably and economically than on-site
facilities. Opeque’s Richard Newton
warned that the approach needed to be an evolution not a revolution – hygiene
is a very sensitive issue and no good would come of scaremongering.
The industry is also evolving
in terms of its sustainability. TSA’s
Shyju Skariah talked about the industry sustainability roadmap that the
association has produced, presenting some of the tools that are available to
help businesses meet their green aspirations.
These include a calculator so companies can measure their carbon
footprint.
Conference also had
stimulating presentations from speakers as diverse as the Times’ economic columnist
Simon French and TV and radio political correspondent John Sergeant. However, the optimistic mood was summed up in
TSA CEO David Stevens’ address, “Crystal Balls,” in which he looked at where
the industry might be in 2030.
Hopefully, amongst other things, we would be rid of single use plastics
and there would be a 50/50 gender split...
The next TSA Conference will
be on 16th and 17 October at the Hilton St George’s Park. For more information contact the TSA.
The TSA is the trade
association for the textile care services industry. The TSA
represents commercial laundry and textile rental businesses. Membership
ranges from family-run operations through to large, multi-national
companies. Visit www.tsa-uk.org
for more information.
Press Enquiries:
The Publicity Works: 01263 761000;
teaboy@publicityworks.biz
David Stevens, CEO, Textile Services Association,
T: +44 (0)20 3151 5600 M:
+44 (0)7966 531954 E:
david.stevens@tsa-uk.org
Get the latest news on the TSA from tsa-uk.org or from
the TSA
press office at publicityworks.biz