In the district of Hyllie in Malmö with the arena as the home rink for the ice hockey team Malmö Redhawks and which for a week also gave place to various songbirds via Eurovision continued to the next big event - our annual meeting at Quality Hotel View.
Hyllie is the new exciting district that connects the southern city with the countryside. For those who took part in the first Öresund bridge race, it can be stated that it is walking/running distance to Copenhagen airport – the first stop with the Öresund train. For those interested in shopping, the Emporia shopping center is on the o t her side of the street.
A highlight is being able to meet everyone before the day starts. Quality Hotel lived up to its name with a hearty breakfast for the hungry.
Opening of the meeting and Sustainability Award
Chairman Michael Sandin, after a welcoming word, handed over to the municipal council chairman Carina Nilsson, Malmö city, to inaugurate the meeting in this fantastic city with a rapidly growing population. About 48 percent are under 35 years of age.
Carina also presented the Swedish Textile Service Association's Sustainability Award for the eighth time – this time to the innovative creators Caroline von Post and Susanne Beskow.
- Through design and upcycling, Susanne Beskow and Caroline von Post are developing the circular business model in our industry. Great sustainability gains occur when recycled textiles replace virgin raw materials, was in the nomination for the prize.
The prize sum is a total of SEK 10 000 and the prize winners will donate the amount to the Rainbow Fund, which wants to contribute to a world where all people have the same basic freedoms and rights regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, and to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which works for the survival of elephants.
Honorary member and Textile service index
After the association's annual meeting, chaired by Michael Sandin, our long-time chairman Olle Kristensson was very merited recognized as an honorary member.
Olle is the archetype of a sociable person – the combination of social talent and an ability to get things done.
Per Tryding, vice president of the South Swedish Chamber of Industry and Commerce, was then welcomed on stage, which together with a number of other chambers of commerce on January 1, 2026, intends to take over about 30 industry indexes. Including the Textile service index from Statistics Sweden, which after decades as a producer has decided to discontinue its role. Per described the process that is now at the letter of intent with the goal of arriving at sharp agreements later this summer.
The heartiest and most powerful applause of the day went to Peter Streijffert – the association's golf champion, when he invited to the Textile Service Association Golf Tournament 2024 September 19–20 at Ekerum Resort Öland.
Many exciting presentations followed
Mads Andresen at Inwatec/Jensen is probably the industry's most innovative person. No one is in as much demand as him when it comes to talking about the technology of the future. Mads gave us an interesting insight into all the exciting things going on.
A lecturer that we regularly welcome back is the association's energy expert Christer Bäcker. No one can sort out the different relations between supply and demand and their different impact on the world's energy markets like Christer.
The next talk was about energy savings and was given by Mike Edwards & Byron Windt, Aquatherm International. The introduction of the company was made by Per Ohrberg the Norwegian contribution to the meeting, who for obvious reasons would drive home in the afternoon to be home on Friday 🇳🇴.
Another classic topic is reusable textiles in surgical healthcare. We had Uwe Ostendorf, Chainge Group and Creazioni Futura to help us to highlight a clear case where reusable textiles are superior to disposable competitors.
What would an annual meeting be without a presentation from a listed company - this time by Anna Heide, Fastighets AB Trianon. A large part of their base consists of properties in million program areas and working with social sustainability has become a large part of the company's business and everyday life. A very good deal. By being an active and committed player in the local area, Trianon contributes to long-term and sustainable urban development.
Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim from Messe Frankfurt informed us about the industry's most importantexhibition, which now, after eight long years, is finally taking place on November 6–9. Together with Messe Frankfurt, the association bring forth a meeting package for all interested members.
After that, Linda Myhrman at Samhallskolan took over the stage - This is how we train employees for the textile service industry. Linda is head of education at Samhallskolan with the task of securing Samhallskolan's transition to Samhall's overall strategy, with a focus on employee development. She talked about how to work to make educational plans and content available to the broad target group.
PFAS – forever chemicals, is a real challenge not only for our industry but for the whole of society. Jeffrey Lewis, ECT2 gave a detailed account of different treatment strategies and techniques.
A nice rounding off of the day was given by Kalle-Ville Lampi, Maxi-Press. Maxi-Press is a globally active, growing producer of spare parts and service parts for the textile service industry.
Michael closed the meeting and invited to dinner at 19.15 and took the opportunity to thank our event sponsors - Floringo, Alumichem, Beirholm and MAXI-PRESS.
