The laundry and drycleaning industry turned out in force for an industry first in Birmingham in October to celebrate the achievements of a very special group of people.
The annual LCN Awards have been devised to recognise best practice in the industry and to reward it – last night that goal was more than achieved as the winners of the different categories were announced to high acclaim. The Awards are sponsored by HJ Weir, Ideal Manufacturing, Linen Connect, Miele Professional and The Dry Cleaner App, and supported by the Textile Services Association, CINET and The Guild of Cleaners and Launderers.
Sponsors, their guests and shortlisted entrants were joined by many other luminaries of the textile care industry at the Manor Meriden Hotel, Birmingham, in an atmosphere of high anticipation. Attendees were then entertained by ‘Barry’ from EastEnders, so memorably portrayed by actor Shaun Williamson in the popular soap, who kept guests entertained and fronted the Awards ceremony.
Lifetime contribution
The very first LCN Lifetime contribution award was won by Roger Salmon
Roger Salmon’s career has spanned two centuries and seven decades with time spent working at just about all the big names in the industry. Gillian Farrar of the TSA presented Roger Salmon with the LCN Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 Award for his commitment and dedication to the textile care industry – especially its people. Roger received a standing ovation, a clear indication of the esteem in which he is held by his peers.
A must-attend event
LCN editor Kathy Bowry says: “The response for the first year of the LCN Awards was beyond all expectations and the LCN team is looking forward to growing this event further into a must-attend date for rewarding best practice in the textile care and services industry. Our judges really had their work cut out for them when selecting the winners from an impressive shortlist of entrants and everybody should be proud of their achievement. There really are no losers here – only high achievers.
“These are challenging times and businesses are under pressure across the board so it was exhilarating to see so many committed operators at the ceremony who really believe only the best is good enough for their customers and that this is the way to stay ahead.”