STRONGER TOGETHER— NEW BOARD MEMBERS: GIVING AND GROWING WITH TRSA & THE INDUSTRY

By Jack Morgan, Senior Editor, Textile Services

As part of its regular rotation last September, six new members of TRSA’s Board of Directors were elected during the association’s Annual Conference in Nashville, TN. The reasons they cite for taking time out from their busy lives to lead the association include a desire to give back, while strengthening the linen, uniform and facility services industry.

One of the six members is Jake Gurtler, vice president of corporate accounts of Gurtler Industries, a third-generation leader of this laundry chemical supplier that serves customers across North America, the Caribbean and Australia. Gurtler started in the industry in 2008 after graduating from Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI. He began as a Midwest sales rep. and has worked his way up in the company that his grandfather Bill founded in 1982. Jake’s father Greg leads the company today as president of Gurtler Industries Inc. Jake currently co-chairs TRSA’s Next Generation Executives Network (NGE) and has completed TRSA’s Professional Management Institute (PMI) and the Executive Management Institute (EMI). His service on the TRSA Board is a step forward in his career development, as well as an opportunity to give back to the industry that’s fueled his success. “It is an honor to be called to service on the board,” he says. “I am passionate about our industry, and I want to do my part to ensure its success for future generations. As an association, TRSA has provided me with countless opportunities to learn, grow, network and form many excellent friendships. I encourage anyone interested to attend a meeting, join a webinar, sit in on a committee meeting, attend a PMI/MMI (Maintenance Management Institute)/EMI course. Get involved, and you will quickly see the impact that this association makes in strengthening our industry.”

(Excerpted from Textile Services, Volume 106, Issue 7, March 2023)

2022 TRSA Above and Beyond Service Award Nomination – Nicolas Legault

Nicolas Legault is the Regional Director of Gurtler’s Canadian business unit, based out of Montreal, Quebec. In addition to managing our Canadian sales team he has one of Gurtler’s largest sales territories that he personally services. Gurtler surveys our customers annually as part of our ISO certification program. In 2022 Nicolas’ customer ratings were a consistent 5 out of 5 for his quality of service, response time for problem solving, and his technical support. Nicolas received a “perfect” score, 120 out of a possible 120 points from his customer ratings. At the recent Gurtler Global Sales Meeting Nicolas was recognized by Gurtler as the 2021 Salesperson of the Year for his excellence in customer satisfaction, customer retention and sales volume and growth.

One of Nicolas’ customers, David Diachidos, chief of laundry and linen services at Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec has the following comments: “It is important to me that you know how satisfied I am with the service we receive from Gurtler. Everyone we deal with is kind and helpful, extremely responsive. I would particularly like to highlight the quality service we receive from Nicolas. He always makes time to talk to us and explain all about the industry. It is always a pleasure dealing with him and everyone on the team. Please keep up the great work!”

Chad Laframboise, general manager of Northern Uniform, Sudbury, Ontario, also comments about Nicolas: “In my 16 years in this industry I have never encountered another individual with his work ethic and deep concern for customer well-being.  Every action is deliberately planned, satisfying today’s needs while positioning wisely for the future.  His contributions far outreach his responsibilities; he is not just a vendor rep, Nicolas is a part of our team, a true friend of Northern Uniform.  I would go so far as to say that we have a competitive advantage in the marketplace with Nicolas on our side.”

Gurtler Acquires OMNI Solutions UV Technology for Tunnel Systems

Gurtler Industries announced this week an agreement with OMNI Solutions to acquire full rights to OMNI’s SULAOS, Smart Ultraviolet Light Advanced Oxidation System. Under the agreement, Gurtler will own the SULAOS technology exclusively for the tunnel system markets across the world. Gurtler will also partner with Omni’s current users of their technology in existing tunnel systems. Greg Gurtler, president of Gurtler says, “We are very pleased to be able to acquire this technology. The Omni UV System enhances the oxidation process in tunnels, increases stain removal and whiteness, and most importantly, significantly reduces microbial contamination in the tunnel.”

Gurtler will be rebranding the system under the Gurtler Vis•Tex™ family of equipment and dispensing systems. The system is designed for today’s modern tunnel washers and will be renamed as the Vis•Tex Omni UV Tunnel System. The system treats press water with a combination of potent oxidizers and ultraviolet light and returns the treated water to the rinse zone, virtually eliminating organic contaminants, which provides reduced microbial contamination in the rinse zone.

Two years ago, Gurtler and OMNI Solutions entered into an exclusive marketing/distribution agreement for the SULAOS equipment. Matt Wenzel, executive vice president of Gurtler observes, “The decision to fully acquire this UV Tunnel System technology was natural outgrowth of our exclusive distribution agreement. Over the last two years Gurtler has learned about the major benefits of this exclusive technology and how to best adapt it to today’s tunnels operations and the market’s needs.” Under the terms of the agreement, Gurtler will take responsibility for the existing Omni UV Tunnel Systems in the market. Matt says, “Gurtler will be contacting all of the current users of the UV system in their tunnels and reviewing their operations to make sure they are taking full advantage of this unique technology’s capabilities.”

“We are excited about the adoption of this technology by Gurtler,” OMNI Solutions founding member Andrew Rupnow said. "We look forward to working with their talented team throughout this process to ensure a smooth transition for our existing SULAOS customers. Gurtler's advanced support infrastructure and deep knowledge in the commercial laundry industry will help advance this technology to the next level. OMNI will continue focusing on its primary business, the LUX™ UV Laundry Program, and would like to sincerely thank the Gurtler team for their continued partnership and support over the years."

Gurtler Logistics Celebrates First Year of Service

One year ago, Gurtler Industries launched Gurtler Logistics, a fully owned and operated division of the company, a division dedicated to providing product-delivery services to our customers. Over the last few years, our industry has experienced increased challenges with delivery services due to the availability of appropriate trucks and drivers. To meet these challenges, Gurtler invested in our own fleet of semi-tractor/trailers and bulk tankers and hired our own staff of fully qualified drivers. Greg Gurtler, President of Gurtler Industries, explained, “The formation of our Logistics unit allows us to better control our delivery services, keeping our promise of on-time delivery. Plus, our customers benefit from having a Gurtler employee on site for personalized delivery service.”

After one year of operation, Gurtler Logistics has been an unqualified success. Our new unit has enhanced customer service, improved on-time delivery, and provided more flexibility in scheduling. In addition, our team of Gurtler drivers are trained and certified in hazardous materials handling and safety, assuring that our bulk chemicals are safely off-loaded, and packaged goods are safely handled and delivered.

Gurtler now delivers 100% of our bulk chemical orders and most full-truckload orders for packaged goods. Also, Gurtler delivers less-than-truckload orders and combined customer orders wherever possible. Recently Gurtler Logistics made the first run to the West Coast from our Chicago-area headquarters. Gurtler’s fleet now consists of eight tractors, six 53’ trailers, one 53’ insulated/refrigerated trailer, three multi-compartment bulk liquid, 4000-gallon tankers and two single compartment tankers. Plus, there are plans to add to the fleet, as we continue to expand our service areas. Gurtler now employs eight company drivers and one contracted owner/operator, plus two logistics planners in the South Holland, IL headquarters facility.

In addition to delivering customer orders, our bulk liquid tankers also pick up bulk chemical raw materials from vendor terminals in the greater Chicago area. As an additional service to our customers our trucks pick up empty containers such as chemical 220- or 330-gallon totes and 55-gallon drums across most of the eastern US.

Greg Gurtler is encouraged by the successes of this initiative: “Our customers say they appreciate our continued commitment to being a value-added partner. Plus, they see this as another example of how Gurtler reacts to problems and implements solutions.” Brett Jasik, director of Gurtler Logistics says, “I am extremely pleased at how fast our operation has grown and met our early goals. Having our own drivers and trucks gives us better control over continually rising costs and ensures more efficient and safer delivery of our chemicals. And on-time delivery performance makes our customers’ operations run more smoothly.”

Gurtler Holds Global Sales Conference

Gurtler Global Sales and Service Team

Gurtler Industries held its Global Sales Conference in December. The three-day conference was held at the Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville, IN, just outside of Chicago, and was attended by over 75 members of the Gurtler sales and service team, headquarters support team, and management. Representatives were present from the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Due to the pandemic, this was the first time since 2018 that Gurtler brought together the sales and service team for the conference which focused on technical and safety training, recognition of top sales performers, and a celebration of Gurtler’s 40th Year Anniversary.

As part of Gurtler’s continuing effort to improve customer service, Gurtler invited four customers from the industrial/F&B and healthcare laundry markets to participate in a panel to review how they perceive their expectations and standards for service from their chemical representatives. In addition, during the conference representatives from six major manufacturers of standard and tunnel washing systems shared their latest innovations and technology with our sales and service team and the manufacturers heard feedback from our service team on how the systems perform in our markets.

At the conference, Gurtler recognized the top sales and service performers from the last few years. The salespersons of the year for the last two years were also announced. Nicolas Legault from Ontario, Canada, earned the honor for 2021 and Joe Valdez of the Pacific Northwest was named salesperson of the year for 2022.

Lastly Greg Gurtler, President and Bill Gurtler, Chairman of Gurtler Industries shared their thoughts on the 40th Anniversary of Gurtler’s founding in March of 1982. Plus, they presented an employee appreciation video that focuses on the role that our entire team plays in providing superior customer service across the entire laundry market. The video is posted on the Gurtler YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDTeicneR5c.

The TRSA Production Summit & Plant Tours series, has returned!

Gurtler’s customer, UniFirst in Hammond, IN was one of the facilities highlighted on the recent TRSA Production Summit Plant Tour. The UniFirst plant, opened last summer, has an eye on the “greener” side of operations, supporting greater energy efficiencies through numerous investments including all cleaning formulas and detergents that are described as 100% environmentally friendly. Gurtler is proud to be an integral part of the overall operation of the plant, supplying our latest generation of specialty chemicals and our exclusive Vis-Tex Central dispensing technology.

Pictured (left to right) are Jake Gurtler, VP Corporate Accounts, Gurtler Industries; Paul Brady, Regional Vice President, Unifirst; Michael Croatti, Executive Vice President, Unifirst; and Greg Gurtler, President, Gurtler Industries.

Gurtler Forms Logistics Group

Gurtler Industries is pleased to announce the formation of Gurtler Logistics, a fully owned and operated division of the company. Gurtler Logistics is dedicated to providing product-delivery services to our customers. Over the last few years, our industry has experienced increased challenges with delivery services due to the availability of appropriate trucks and drivers. To meet these challenges, Gurtler has invested in our own fleet of semi-tractor/trailers and bulk tankers and hired our own staff of fully qualified drivers. Greg Gurtler, President of Gurtler Industries, explains, “The formation of our Logistics unit will allow us to better control our delivery services, keeping our promise of on-time delivery. Plus, our customers will benefit from having a Gurtler employee on site for personalized delivery service.”

Brett Jasik, who has joined Gurtler as our Director of Logistics, USA, will manage our fleet. Brett foresees numerous benefits as we expand across the nation: “As the United States continues to struggle with supply chain and driver shortages, we face continued increases in delivery costs. Having our own drivers and trucks gives us better control over costs and ensures more efficient delivery to our customers.”

As we roll-out our delivery service from our Chicago production headquarters, Gurtler plans on expanding its fleet. In addition to semis for delivering packaged goods, we have invested in tanker trucks that will each be able to deliver up to 4000 gallons of bulk liquid laundry specialty chemicals. As Brett explains, “in the next few years we aim to handle delivery of 75% of our packaged goods and 90% of our bulk chemical products.”

Our tankers will not only deliver our products; they will also be able to pick up liquid raw materials in bulk and bring them to our plant to support production and help eliminate issues with timely delivery. Additionally, our expanded fleet will be able to pick up empty 220- or 330-gallon chemical totes and 55-gallon drums and return them for recycling.

Greg Gurtler is encouraged by the early response to these initiatives: “Our customers say they appreciate our continued commitment to being a value-added partner. Plus, I have been told that they see this as another example of how Gurtler reacts to problems and implements solutions. Keep your eyes peeled to spot a Gurtler Industries truck on the road to a valued customer!”

TRSA 12TH ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

Gurtler Industries continues to support the professional laundry industry through participation in industry associations. Last month, Steven Tinker, Gurtler’s Senior VP of R&D and Marketing, attended the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) Legislative Conference in Alexandria, VA. The key issues discussed included a proposed requirement for healthcare facilities to maintain an inventory of reusable PPE, such as isolation gowns, of at least 50% or their requirements. This would help prevent future shortages of critical healthcare workers’ PPE, similar to what we experienced during the initial months of the Covid-19 pandemic. The members also proposed that the federal government require all healthcare facilities to provide industrial laundered, hygienically clean healthcare uniforms and scrubs for staff to change into before and after each shift, preventing the public health issues associated healthcare staff travelling to and from work in potentially contaminated uniforms or scrubs. Steve attended meetings on Capitol Hill at the office of Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator from Minnesota, and other Representative offices to review these important industry issues with congressional staff.

In addition to Steve’s lobbying efforts, he also participated in the TRSA Healthcare Committee meeting held at the same event. The Healthcare Committee has several projects and programs in progress, including development of the agenda for the annual TRSA Healthcare Conference to be held in November. Another initiative is focused on developing a marketing and communications effort that will promote the use of professional laundry services for the long-term care market.

Gurtler Industries is committed to supporting our industry through our participation in industry associations like TRSA.

Rick Woods Earns TRSA’s 2022 Above and Beyond Service Award

Last month at the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) Annual Awards banquet held in Alexandria, VA, Rick Woods of Gurtler Industries was awarded their 2022 Above and Beyond Service Award. The award is voted by TRSA peers and honors those who provide exceptional attention to customer needs, who set a high standard for others to follow.

As part of Gurtler Industries ISO Quality Management program, we survey our customers every year to evaluate the quality of our products, delivery, and service. Over the last six years Gurtler’s quality performance ratings from our customers have steadily improved. Although our performance has always been superior, over the last few years Gurtler has improved to an overall rating of 95.2 (out of 100), or an A+ grade. We are especially proud of our almost perfect Service Quality rating of 98.4 from our customers.

Rick Woods, who manages Gurtler’s Midwest & Mountain West regions, stands out among the “Best of the Best” as one who provides service above and beyond expectations, consistently earning ratings of 100 from his customers. Here are a few quotes from his customers:

Jenn Johnson, Tucson Medical Center: Rick is such a genuine human!  I enjoy talking to him every time he comes in.   I can always count on him.  Several times I have called him when I am out of town, and he will call my staff on duty to help walk them through an issue.   He’s pretty great!

Jake Olah, Excel Linen, Kansas City: Rick is my top best Vendor. Rick has showed me so much over my years. Excel follows Rick not the chemical supplier. Several times I have called Rick with a serious issue he has been in Texas or wherever he might be. Rick would drive all night long and be here for Excel next day 5 am ready to dig in and assist. Rick is the GOAT for me, Greatest Of All Time! Rick Woods will always forever be a true hero in this industry. He is the definition of “whatever it takes.”

Michel Whittet, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Textile Operations Manager, New Mexico VA Health Care System: Rick Woods has gone beyond any expectation to aid in my facility servicing the veterans of two Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in New Mexico and West Texas. Rick does not hesitate to take my calls when I have questions and works towards solutions when issues arise. When Rick is onsite for his regular service calls, he insures all of the points in the chemical delivery system are in top condition. We are just completing the installation of replacement washers and as expected, things have not gone smoothly on our end. While our Engineering Department did not have the washers ready for Rick’s slotted time to program and test the washers, Rick adjusted his schedule a much as possible to not affect the next customer in Phoenix…I know Rick will do everything he can to assist me if there are any chemical or programming issues that come up that would have been addressed had we been able test the washers.

Michael Lutz, American Linen Supply of NM: His unwavering support for the industry and for Gurtler as a company is beyond compare in the industry. I have had many competitors over the years try to sway my decision on who we use, and I always tell them, unless you have Rick Woods, you'll never have my business. Specifically, this last year he and I were discussing Hygienically Clean Certification and he took it upon himself to grab samples while testing to send the products to a lab for testing to make sure we were all good in that arena. We passed with flying colors. I've never had a rep with a higher level of commitment and interaction with our teams.

Besides serving our customers, Rick is responsible for training and managing his team in the Midwest and Mountain regions. He is instilling his commitment to service excellence in his entire team. Congratulations to Rick for this recognition. It is well deserved!

Steve Tinker is Awarded TRSA’s Highest Recognition: Lifetime Achievement Award

Steve Tinker (center) presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by TRSA Chair Noël Hammer Richardson (left) and TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci (right).

Steve Tinker, Gurtler’s Sr. Vice President of Research & Development and Marketing was recognized at the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) annual conference held in Carlsbad, CA last month. The TRSA Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a Supplier Partner. It recognizes those who have served TRSA over their careers in ways that have improved the association and industry.

At the Awards Dinner, TRSA Chair Noël Hammer Richardson reviewed Steve’s contributions to TRSA and the industry over his career: “Steve Tinker is receiving the TRSA Maglin-Biggie Lifetime Achievement Award on the strength of 50 years’ experience in our industry as a product development scientist and marketing executive. One of those years—1998—stands out as pivotal to his industry leadership. That’s when his magazine article, “Do We Need Standards,” was awarded the 1998 Best Article of the Year by TRSA. This article laid out the rationale for the development of laundry standards that have become so important today to our industry for serving hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

“This placed Steve at the forefront of uniting laundry professionals, healthcare administrators, end-users and government officials to collaborate on best practices for processing healthcare textiles. These practices would become the foundation of TRSA’s creation of the HLAC and Hygienically Clean certifications. Steve worked to ensure standards would be developed by a panel of industry experts with input from these other stakeholders. The standards would provide for an inspection and accreditation process for laundries to be recognized for compliance on a voluntary basis.

“Steve was a founding member of TRSA’s Healthcare Committee and continues to serve on this committee, supporting the annual TRSA Healthcare Conference. In 2012-2014, he chaired the TRSA Education Committee. Over the years Steve has been a key presenter at industry seminars such as the TRSA Healthcare Conference. He has published numerous articles on a wide variety of laundering technology in industry publications over the years, such as Textile Services, Industrial Launderer, Laundry Today and American Laundry News. Another of his Textile Services articles, “Primer: Healthcare Laundering Considerations,” was an important guide to key practices that healthcare launderers need to follow.

“Steve launched his career in 1970 as a product development scientist at Ecolab in St. Paul, rising to marketing director of the Textile Care division. In 2002, he joined Gurtler Industries of South Holland, Illinois as vice president of research and development and is currently senior VP for R&D and marketing.

“His management and development of marketing and sales support platforms has created Gurtler’s website, sales support literature, advertising campaigns, trade show presentations and publicity. Gurtler’s advertising program, under Steve’s direction, earned recognition in 2013 from Textile Services as the most effective and memorable.

“In R&D, Steve and his team were responsible for Gurtler’s ISO 9001 certification for quality management. They introduced products for the healthcare and industrial markets, respectively, as well as an environmentally responsible chemistry line that helps laundry operations become more energy efficient, conserve resources and have a lower environmental impact. The team also developed patented technology to address stains from the skin sanitizer Hibiclens or CHG, chlorhexidine gluconate. Use of this prewash eliminates the development of permanently brown-stained textiles, allowing laundries to safely use chlorine bleach as an anti-microbial agent.

“Steve’s industry credits also include his service to HLAC and ARTA. Whether he works on behalf of all of us, develops or improves products, assures quality, or supports field technical service, Steve’s can-do attitude is infectious.”