TRSA News
TRSA News
TRSA Launches‘ ION’ Group Dedicated to Independents
TRSA recently announced the formation of the Independent Operator Network( ION), an initiative designed to strengthen education, information sharing and peer collaboration for small, independently owned linen, uniform and facility services companies.
TRSA is developing ION following a year of qualitative and quantitative research examining the needs, challenges and opportunities facing single-plant and emerging linen, uniform and facility services industry operators. TRSA’ s research revealed distinct business and workforce priorities based on company size. Companies earning less than $ 5 million face different management, operational and growth needs than companies earning between $ 6 million and $ 20 million, particularly when balancing day-to-day operations with long-term growth. These differences are particularly evident in areas such as efficiency, technology adoption, workforce retention and training, information sharing, networking and plant tours.
ION programming will focus on operational priorities identified through TRSA’ s research, including:
• Expanding into new markets and customer segments
• Managing rising input and operating costs
• Boosting production efficiencies, automation and adoption of technology
• Growth planning from start-up through expansion
• Staffing, recruitment and retention challenges
If you are interested in serving on the Independent Operator Network Advisory Board or seeking additional information about the network, visit www. trsa. org or contact Ricci at jricci @ trsa. org or 703.966.5933. TS
“ Independent operators bring energy, innovation and agility to our industry,” said TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci.“ The Independent Operator Network is designed to provide both established and emerging companies access to practical educational programs, training, information-sharing and peer connections. By establishing this dedicated support ecosystem, we will strengthen long-term industry resilience and broaden the base of successful linen, uniform and facility services companies.”
TRSA will establish an advisory board of owner / operators and executives to guide the work of the new Independent Operator Network, helping to identify topics, issues and opportunities for members to share information and network with similar organizations. These initiatives will include:
• Education and training tailored to the workforce, operational and compliance challenges faced by operators based on size and markets, as well as rental and customer-owned goods
• Peer-to-peer information sharing among companies with similar business models and resource constraints
• Networking opportunities through facilitated virtual discussions, webinars and in-person events
Above: Ohio laundry operators and suppliers joined TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci( at left) and Vice President of Government Relations Kevin Schwalb( at right) to lobby state legislators on a bill requiring more healthcare reusables.
TRSA Members Gather at Ohio Statehouse to Back Reusables Bill
TRSA members from across the Buckeye State gathered recently at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus to meet with lawmakers and voice their staunch support for Senate Bill 344( SB 344), a measure introduced by State Sen. George F. Lang( R). The bill addresses infection-prevention standards in healthcare facilities by requiring them to use at least 50 % reusable textiles that are processed through hygienically clean laundry facilities.
TRSA members emphasized that the bill aligns with proven safety practices and strengthens local supply-chain resilience. SB 344 focuses on textiles used in healthcare settings, requiring healthcare facilities to maintain a minimum portion of their infection-prevention materials as reusable textiles rather than single-use disposables. The Ohio Legislature notes that SB 344 addresses“ healthcare facilities and infection-prevention textiles” and is under consideration in the Ohio Senate Health Committee.
2 Textile Services • May 2026