There’s something different about TSA conferences today, a new vibe, more welcoming, more upbeat, with new supply partners, new Board members and new members it feels like the association is ‘born again.’

Under the leadership of David Stevens ably assisted by Shyju Skariah and Emma Andersson the post pandemic conference went ahead at Ardencote Hotel & Spa at the end of September.

The conference began with a dinner the night before with around 90 delegates treated to an evening of entertainment from comedic juggler, Steve Rawlings and a debut performance from an industry ensemble Mark Stains and the Rejects. The next morning the serious business started with a packed conference room.

TSA chairman Charles Betteridge opened the conference telling everyone how good it feels to have a sold-out meeting, speaking of how during the lockdown the TSA Board looked at the many ways the association could offer their members value for money, by looking at the subscription costs and ways of encouraging more members. He gave a special mention to David, Shyju and Emma for all their hard work during the lockdown, by keeping members informed and for the lobbying to Parliament. He spoke of discussions in the suppliers meeting where talks about the various problems the industry is facing from ‘rising costs’ of not one or two per cent but double digits in percentage. “It’s not just the problems of having to pay more it’s a question of being able to source products – a wooden pallet is 50 per cent more expensive, a plastic drum is 50 per cent more expensive and we all know about transport problems – container prices have risen sharply, a container that was $1,600 few months back is now $18,000. It’s become a vicious circle.”

It’s not just the problems of having to pay more it’s a question of being able to source products

TSA chief executive, David Stevens updated to say that, since the last conference two years ago, the TSA membership has doubled and continued to welcome all the new laundry members, and in particular, from the ‘Women in the industry’ group who have been tasked to buddy up with new members and to make them feel welcome.

Welcoming an additional supply partner person joining the TSA board from Jensen, Ian Stubbs, brings a new technological and skillset to the board. Stubbs has also agreed to chair the sustainability group in the knowledge network projects. The TSA board has also increased its representation with the small operators, Rona Tait from TDS Commercial joins the board. Stevens bid a fond thank you and farewell to Mark Woolfenden as he moves on to retirement to spend more time with his family. Replacing Mark, Helen Wood joins the board bringing a more gender diverse mix to the TSA.

The TSA conference, held in September at Ardencote Hotel & Spa, had a great turn out as the industry took the opportunity to get together and network post-pandemic

Shyju Skariah updated about the knowledge networks thanking members for their contributions to the data that is fed back from the 150 participants involved in the groups. He also mentioned during Covid lockdowns the group had 50 remote meetings. He explained the significance of the steering groups and why they are the source of knowledge within the networks, he used health and safety as an example and explained there are experts from all the TSA laundry supply partners sitting on the panel. Richard Newton leads technical standards; Rebecca Morgan from Johnsons leads the apprenticeship steering sector. Sustainability is the latest group to be added. And looking ahead to next year, microplastics and the care homes market are other areas of interest for the TSA. Other TSA updates included about the role of HR in business and all the topics encompassed within HR and Simon Fry and Emma Andersson talked about the TSA laundry cost index.

Tim Morgan from Publicity Works has been working with the TSA for the last 12 months as a specialist in marketing and PR with expertise in the B2B sector. Morgan and the TSA looked at ways the TSA could get their message out using case studies and advice pieces to explain problems the industry was facing and how the TSA were helping the industry to recover – this has resulted in media giants such as the BBC and Financial Times talking about laundry and referencing the TSA. Industry awareness has also reached other sectors with TSA messages and articles featuring in other trade publication such as Boutique Hotelier, The Caterer, Care home magazines and Industrial Workwear magazines.

Matt Hanrahan, CEO of Reskinned Resources a company specialising in helping clothing and textile companies deliver a more circular textile operation by providing innovative textile recycling processes. He talked of how his company is working with major high street fashion brands and particular the MOD for end-of-life materials, and also informed the conference on how they are the first company in the UK to work with Renewcell in Sweden – a ‘sustaintech’ company with unique textile recycling technology.

Keynote speakers included Suzanne Williams QPM, a qualified and experienced hostage negotiator who has worked for New Scotland Yard, and provided strategic negotiation advice to the Prime Minister and other members of Cobra, she also formed part of the royal protection senior management team working from Buckingham Palace, and the FBI.

And Nigel Owens MBE the former rugby union international referee. Owens was widely regarded as the best referee in the world taking charge of hundreds of domestic, European, and international matches spanning a 17-year career. He also holds the world record for the most number of test matches refereed. He was the first openly gay man to come out in professional rugby.

As we said at the beginning of this piece, the TSA have turned a corner, this was one of the best conferences hosted by them for a very long time. Well done to the team at the TSA!

Charles Betteridge

TSA CEO David Stevens