Then it is time to sum up another active and successful year for our industry. In 2023 (which is the year we can now compile the turnover figures for), the industry had a growth of a whopping 16%, which is the highest growth rate in many years.
Together, the companies in the textile and laundry industry now have a turnover of over six billion kroner, and the vast majority of these companies are members of the Laundry Association.
That we are an association with active and committed members is evidenced by all the stories about initiatives around our long country that you can read about in this activity report. And it is clear that sustainability in all its dimensions is often the focus of these activities.
In the section on circular cooperations, you can read about everything from bicycle deliveries of textiles and circular work clothes to games to increase awareness of the issues among employees and developed forms of sustainability reporting.
At our annual meeting in Malmö in May, the association's former chairman Olle Kristensson was appointed an honorary member. A way for us to pay attention to his many years of commitment and extensive efforts, not least by implementing organizational changes and thereby modernizing the association.
Autumn was intense. After our traditional Autumn meeting, which this year was held in Nacka, it was time for the big international industry exhibition, Texcare in Frankfurt. The interest was great, and it is not so strange considering that, due to the pandemic, it was eight years since it last went. Here, our union director had the opportunity to present the project "The new Scandinavian Quality Control model", which has been run together with our Danish colleagues for a couple of years.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for your efforts this past year and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Michael Sandin
Chairman of the Federation
