LAA Member of the Month: Alsco Uniforms
Interview with Steve Barden
How long has the laundry been in business?
Steve Barden: Alsco Uniforms has been proudly serving Australian businesses for over 60 years. Our legacy is built on reliability, innovation, and a commitment to hygiene and sustainability.
What is the main focus of the laundry?
Steve Barden: Alsco Uniforms is a leading provider of essential workplace services across Australia. We deliver a wide range of managed solutions including uniform and linen rental, wash room hygiene, first aid, and floor care services. Our work supports businesses in hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, education, and corporate sectors, helping them maintain clean, safe, and efficient environments. Each of our business units plays a vital role in ensuring our customers can focus on what they do best, while we take care of the essentials.
What drives your team each day?
Steve Barden: Our team takes pride in delivering consistent, high-quality service that helps our customers maintain safe, hygienic, and professional workplaces. What makes us special is our national reach combined with local service, and our deep commitment to sustainability and our community partnerships.
What do the next years and five years look like for the laundry?
Steve Barden: Over the next five years, we're focused on expanding our industrial capabilities and continuing our focus on delivering great customer experience. Over the next five years, we aim to lead the industry in sustainable textile solutions, investing in Circular Economy initiatives and smart laundering technologies. A key part of this journey is our foundation partnership with BlockTexx®, through which we've recently reached a major milestone-diverting over one million kilos of textiles from landfill. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to reducing our environmental impact and driving innovation.
How will you expand to meet increasing demand?
Steve Barden: We're scaling through strategic investment in both capital infrastructure and our people. This includes upgrading our laundering facilities and expanding our footprint to boost operational capacity. We're investing in our teams through training, recruitment, and real career opportunities at Alsco. Our goal is to grow sustainably while continuing to deliver exceptional service.
How long have you been with the LAA?
Steve Barden: Alsco Uniforms has been a proud member of the Laundry Association of Australia for many years. Personally, I've been actively involved since stepping into my current role in 2023, and I value the connections and insights the association provides.
Have you been to the Conference or participated in any webinars?
Steve Barden: Yes, we've participated in several LAA webinars and events. These sessions are a great way to stay informed and connected with peers across the industry. We're looking forward to attending future conferences and contributing to discussions that shape our sector.
What would you like from the LAA in the next 12 months?
Steve Barden: We'd love to see the LAA continue its advocacy for industry standards and sustainability. More collaborative forums, benchmarking tools, and regional networking opportunities would be incredibly valuable as we navigate growth and innovation.
-Steve Barden, General Manager, Australia Alsco Uniforms
https://www.alsco.com.au/
