Tammy Holmgren is General Manager of Spotless Uniform And Linen Service
PRINCE GEORGE – Spotless Uniform And Linen Service is an independent, fifth-generation family business that started in 1947. Almost half of their leadership team is comprised of women, and their task is straightforward: Keep the reputation and service of the company “spotless”.
Spotless has two processing facilities in the province along with multiple depot locations from which they provide comprehensive uniform and linen service programs, including industrial laundry and textile rentals, to businesses across B.C. and Alberta.
General Manager Tammy Holmgren is part of a leadership team overseeing 118 employees that includes Service Manager Ashley Doerksen, Corporate Controller Melody Shelke, and their newest addition to the team, Plant Manager Lana Love.
Lana was a Spotless Uniform customer that Tammy recruited following a Women’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) event. Lana is a Red Seal Endorsed (RSE) Millwright, a Certified 4th Class Power Engineer and a Level C Welder who started with the company in March. She is the Secretary on the Executive for the BC Trades Equity Society, works closely with the BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT) and the Construction Foundation of British Columbia (CFBC), which are all about supporting women in the trades.
Lana Love is Plant Manager at Spotless
“Lana worked for one of the customers we supply PPE for, and she was unable to get PPE that would properly fit her,” Tammy recalls. “Lana is petite, so for her personally, she had to find PPE that would allow her to do her job safely. Her employer had told her they can’t get it, but we had what she needed.”
Tammy notes that historically women’s PPE was more expensive and employers have not wanted to pay the premium to bring it in.
“Our suppliers have increased their focus on the challenge and the costs have leveled out regardless of who the PPE was designed for” she says. “We’re excited that Lana is part of the Spotless family now and the leadership she brings to the team. She is such a big advocate for helping our customers with PPE clothing. “If someone is looking for PPE, I know where they can get it and make it available for them.” Says Lana.
Lana has long been an advocate for women in the trades, as her work with non-profit organizations aiming to change that demonstrates.
“We organize networking events, and worked on PPE events,” Lana explains. “Women are usually largely outnumbered on the job sites, so it’s important to have someone who can speak from experience, validate others and lend support when it’s needed.
“BCTES is the organization that lobbied the government to get funding to start the BC Centre for Women in the Trades, which is also funded by the BC Federation of Labour.
Spotless hosted a very successful Fit For Safety Women’s PPE Event recently
One of the programs is a Leader in Trades training program, and that’s how I was originally involved in advocacy. Now I am working to continue that type of training for future trades women.”
Women are under-represented in the province’s heavy trades. About five years ago, when the BCCWITT started, the industry was only 4.7 percent female. Now it’s about 7 percent, and there is plenty of room for growth.
Lana worked in mills for Canfor, first as a production worker, earned an apprenticeship, and has never looked back.
“My supervisor actually tried to talk me out of it, telling me how hard the work was and how dirty it was going to be,” she recalls. “But I didn’t mind working hard or getting dirty, and I’ve been very successful and proved a lot of people wrong.
“I really enjoy it when I get to work on the tools, and it reminds me of why I started working with the BCWITT. What I really wanted to do was to affect the culture of an entire workplace, and I appreciate the opportunity that I have been given here at Spotless,” she explains. “It’s not a typical skilled trades workforce, but it’s very diverse.
“It’s been pretty awesome. This is the first family business I’ve worked for, and first time I’ve been given the freedom to do the things that are right. The owner trusts us to do our jobs.”
