Where did we actually land after the pandemic? War in Europe, high inflation, historic interest rate increases, energy prices and continued concern that we will be dragged along with the coronavirus for a long time. We didn't get the 2022 we had hoped for.
As newly elected chairman of The Swedish Textile Service Association, I have had the privilege of becoming more familiar with the laundry and textile service industry over the past year. The laundry industry has now seriously recovered from the pandemic years, and had a growth of 2022% in 13, which gives a turnover of almost SEK 6 billion.
Sustainability is something we often and happily talk about. And I can state with pride and joy that here we are really at the forefront. This is clear when you take part in the various activities and projects that are carried out, which can be read about in this year's report. But not least as I myself usually emphasize; For the laundry and textile service industry, sustainability is not just an extremely prioritized issue, or something we brag about in fancy presentations. The circular economy is actually the core of and foundation for the entire industry's business concept and existence!
In front of you, you now have the annual report for 2023. A very active year as usual. Here you can read about the association's activities, where the most prominent ones are obviously our annual meeting in Stockholm in May and our Autumn meeting most recently in Halmstad, which in several respects broke records; Almost 200 participants and more than 40 exhibitors from around ten different countries. But also about the diversity of projects and activities that are carried out and take place by all our members around the country.
Finally, there is a report about a person who has been a prominent figure in recent decades, Peter Havéus. Incidentally, Peter was one of the first people I came into contact with when, almost 30 years ago, I carried out an assignment for an industry company for the first time.
Hope you will find the reading rewarding and interesting, and inspire commitment and not least participation in the association's activities in the coming years. Many thanks for your efforts in 2023 and a merry Christmas and a really happy new year in 2024!
Michael Sandin
Chairman of the Federation
