Cleaning Hygiene Today Cleaning Hygiene Magazine
The Middle East crisis is placing extraordinary pressure on the commercial laundry sector, says the TSA (Textile Services Association). Increasing costs are impacting almost every part of operations, with only labour not being directly affected yet, so it’s likely that users of laundry services in the hospitality, healthcare and industrial markets will be faced with price rises. The Association is calling on its members to be open and transparent with customers and to begin discussions about timely and appropriate price adjustments.
The volatility of the global market is well documented, with oil and gas prices skyrocketing. The TSA points out that the effects of the increases for the laundry sector are wide reaching. They include:
- Energy costs rising significantly due to sustained volatility in oil and gas markets
- Fuel and transport costs increasing in line with UK pump price movements
- Shipping and freight costs rising due to disruption to key trade routes
- Textile costs increasing as a result of higher manufacturing, sourcing, and logistics costs
- Chemical costs continuing to rise due to raw material and supply chain pressures
The BBC recently contacted the TSA to ask about the impact that the crisis in the Middle East is having on commercial laundries. The Association is also holding a cross party meeting with MPs in Westminster shortly, where the subject will undoubtedly be covered.
“In recent years the laundry industry has gained more profile with government, as politicians begin to understand its importance,” says Emma Kiviniemi Wilson, Managing Director of the TSA. “We can hope that any support for industry, to help businesses cope with the crisis, will include commercial laundries. We’ll certainly be drumming that message home in our lobbying.”
