Follow the thread

Linen suppliers are a resourceful and innovative breed and their ability to react and diversify is impressive. We caught up with a selection of linen experts to find out exactly how they are doing this. Catherine Morris, managing director at Tradelinens, part of the Tonrose Group, comments: “At the Tonrose Group, we saw an increased demand for bed linen in July and August as staycations became incredibly popular, due to Coronavirus and restrictions on travelling abroad. As trusted consultants to our clients both old and new, we’ve been part of so many conversations around a safe return to a new normal for the hospitality sector. As well as stocking up on bed linen to meet the demand for bookings, our clients have been turning to us for advice on all-important enhanced hygiene measures so that they can continue to offer a five-star experience to their guests while offering the understandable extra reassurance of even more rigorous sanitation standards.

“Throughout this pandemic, we’ve been working hard to anticipate the needs of our clients and their guests. From developing new ranges including face coverings and gloves, to ensuring stock of those vital essentials such as mattress and pillow protectors, the team has been working hard to ensure each client has the right products to meet their specific needs and those of their guests. Pillow protectors will aid hotels with change overs, given that the pillow is the area where the face has closest contact. It can be costly to replace pillows but by either using a cotton pillow protector or a housewife pillowcase inside an Oxford, properties can create an additional protective barrier for customers.

“As hygiene measures become a crucial trust-mark for guests, we’re recommending that clients ensure they have sufficient quantities of mattress and pillow projectors to change these for every guest and carefully consider any necessary constraints imposed by their laundry provider which may increase delivery times and place pressure on linens and towel rotation. For staff comfort and guest confidence, face coverings offer a reassuring reminder that measures are in place. The team and I have been delighted by the tentative optimism that exists and remain confident that by working together there can be a safe return to luxury get-aways.”

On the subject of price, Morrison adds: “We’ve found that recently, buyers have become less price sensitive but more concerned about stock availability and receiving their linen in a timely manner.”

Diversification

“During the height of the pandemic, we swiftly diversified into health care linen and supplied over 30,000 scrub suits and 20,000 patient gowns for the NHS. These had to be meticulously sourced to healthcare providers standards, while maintaining strict deadlines.,” says Morris.

Richard Haworth received numerous enquiries about producing PPE. With one of the largest on-site manufacturing facilities in the UK, teamed with a drop in demand within the hospitality industry, it turned its hand to producing medical garments such as Scrub suits and Isolation Gowns instead.

Raj Ruia, managing director of Richard Haworth stateds: “Our manufacturing facility in Manchester typically makes bed and table linen but once it became clear that there was a PPE shortage around the country, we looked at how we could help. Using the fabrics available to us, our team quickly came up with designs suitable to produce scrub suits and isolations gowns knowing that time was limited and could be used by those that need the equipment as soon as possible. People have been very collaborative too. We are extremely grateful to industry colleagues and even competitors who helped us with garment templates so we could hit the ground running.”

Ashraf Said of Sherry Textiles tells LCN: “Sherry Textiles’ main business is supplying the hospitality sector and while we are still focused on this sector, we are developing more healthcare and retail products alongside our hospitality business. We already have a thriving healthcare business in Ireland and are working to introduce more into the UK.

“We can see that business is starting to come back albeit at a slow pace as many industries have been majorly affected by the pandemic. We can only work to minimise losses during this difficult period we are all experiencing, and hope business will start to normalise in the near future. The support schemes offered by the Government have been of great help

“With regards to the supply chain, most mills were shut down in April, since then they have remained opened and it is business as usual at present with the supply pipeline running smoothly,” says Said.

Meanwhile, Vision Support Services’ parent company, WestPoint Group, was quick to diversify production at its Bahrain textile factory to rapidly produce Martex Health cloth face masks for frontline and essential workers this past spring to help in the fight against Covid-19. Following supply to key workers, Vision then took to supplying the premium face masks to the hospitality industry as soon as it started to open up again. The masks are reusable and washable, designed for everyday use, with an inner filter layer and added antimicrobial technology, and are available on the Vision Linens website.

Innovation

At Richard Haworth, the company’s range of Sleep Guard products have been designed to protect bedding from germs and damage yet also providing a great night’s sleep. For example, its Jersey mattress protector has three layers of polyurethane for the ultimate protection against bacteria, dust mites and microbes and can be washed up to 90C, higher than the 71C actually needed for extra peace of mind. The mattress protector features a cotton jersey skirt that holds the protector perfectly in place and, as there is no PVC, “guaranteeing a blissfully quiet sleep”. The protector is also available in a fully enclosed mattress option providing maximum protection and a pillow protector to keep pillows fresh and damage free.

During the pandemic, Vision has successfully launched two new brands. The first is More Than Clean, a complete range of linen treated with an innovative antimicrobial technology following two years of testing. This product continues to provide hospitality providers with a proven way to help protect against the spread of Covid-19, and a way to provide guests with much needed reassurance.

The second brand it recently launched is ECOPURE a revolution in sustainable textiles. ecopure offers the most innovative and ecological products, with everything required to produce a complete and ecofriendly guest room from duvets to pillows, to flat bed linen, towels, bathrobes and slippers.

The ecopure product range is separated into four different product categories with distinct benefits; recycled, organic, natural and energy efficient. For example, a double bed using ecopure’s filled recycled products will use nearly 300 bottles. An energy efficient towel will save six minutes drying time in comparison to an 85/15 blended towel and save 14 minutes against a 100% cotton towel. That’s a huge energy and cost saving over a year, says Vision.

Prior to the pandemic, the company says, sustainability and the rise of the eco-conscious guest was one of the biggest trends in hospitality for 2020. Following the end of the first wave of Covid-19, it certainly looks as though the industry is tuning back in, to set its sights once again on sustainability.

Sustainability is still a factor when hotels specify linen as, according to Vison, the world is now listening and reacting to the negative impact and implications of human consumption on the planet. This clear eco movement is now touching all industry sectors, and the results can be seen across the global hospitality brand as evidenced by the examples below:

• voco, an upscale lifestyle hotel brand launched by IHG in 2018, built on sustainability
• IHG’s Green Engage system is an innovative environmental sustainability system that gives its hotels the means to measure and manage their impact on the environment
• Accor’s Planet 21 programme, aiming to provide a positive hospitality experience
• Marriott International’s Serve 360 CSR strategy to align responsible business activities with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Across the ecopure range, the products are identified under four essential categories:

• Recycled: Turning bottles into recycled polyester for products and reducing waste ending up in landfill and ocean. Filled products are sourced from GRS certified mills
• Organic: Products made from 100% cotton and carry GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
• Natural: Bypassing the normal and often harsh chemical processes applied to textiles, saving on water and energy and kinder to the planet
• Energy Efficient: Offering lightweight and super absorbent products resulting in easy care, quick laundering and large savings on water and energy

“The interest received so far from customers has been incredible.”

Restaurant business

On restaurants, Said comments: “With regard to restaurant hygiene, crisp cotton table linen provides the perfect aesthetic, whilst operating as an efficient barrier between the table and the external environment. Used table linen can be easily removed and replaced with minimal handling, offering diners the reassurance of a clean, germ free environment.

“Used cotton linen can then be washed at very high temperatures with chlorine agents to kill of any traces of Covid-19. If treated correctly, cotton table linen is designed to last and offers a far more sustainable solution than disposable alternatives, helping to drive down waste and making this this a more eco-friendly choice,” says Said.

Vison agrees on the advantages of table coverings, saying: “First and foremost, linen table covers or tablecloths can greatly reduce the transfer of germs between a person and the table. This issue rates much more highly now for restaurants as they increase their cleaning procedures and measures to reassure customers.

A lack of table dressings can greatly enhance the risk of picking up germs or other bacteria lurking on the sides. In a restaurant, for example, bare tables are cleaned or wiped down with a rag at the end of the meal and clean utensils are placed directly on to the surface which can massively increase the risk of infection. Tablecloths help to alleviate any potential risks, and will kill germs if they’ve been disinfected prior to use.

“In addition to preventing the spread of germs, tablecloths also help prevent excessive noise, they protect furniture such as natural wood tables, and they are incredibly versatile and affordable ways to change the look of a room. The virtues of a table cloth make it a must-have linen product for 2020 and beyond.”

According to Richard Haworth’s Ruia, restaurants have seen a huge increase in the amount of single use items being used, whether it be disposable napkins, cutlery or condiments. “In addition to the cost and environmental issues that this increase will cause, using correctly laundered table linen will actually be more hygienic, as recent studies have shown laying a freshly laundered tablecloth for each dining setting provides up to a five times cleaner surface.

“Our exclusive Amalfi table linen sets the dining scene perfectly. Manufactured using Air Jet spinning, resulting in much finer years being achieved and offer superior handle, stain release and performance when compared to alternatives. Amalfi is also available in 25 stunning colours to make sure there is a colour combination to suit every dining setting. Amalfi can also easily be washed at thermal disinfection temperatures to give customers peace of mind that the items are Covid free.”

Trade Linen’s Morris reports: “As we entered September, we saw demand for table coverings fluctuate. We put this down to children returning to school and the end of staycations for the time being. In a normal year, we would see table linen sales start to come in ready for the winter months and festive season.

“More than ever, restaurants and hotels need table linen. We have recently seen an article that said table tops in restaurants are the fifth dirtiest place in restaurants and table cloths can help provide a five times cleaner surface. Our table linen can provide peace of mind while also dressing tables to look their best.”

TONROSE HAS DESIGNS ON LIMITED RUN-BED LINEN

Tradelinens is seeking designers to be part of its new limited edition programme. Working with the consumer-facing division of the business, Tielle Love Luxury, the designers will have the opportunity to create a brand new, limited run of five-star bed linen or table linen, expertly produced in Italy and available for consumers to purchase through the website.

Catherine Morris, managing director at Tradelinens, says: “Bespoke design isn’t a new thing for Tradelinens, is something we do regularly for our prestigious hotel clients, so we’re excited to now be able to show our consumer audience the full extent of our expertise, through partnerships with up and coming designers. We’re thrilled to be providing this springboard for some of the amazing talent out there and nurturing those just starting out in these tough times.” The first limited edition range is set to launch in spring 2021.