Letters to the Editor
It's about value, not watermelons
To the Editor:
How, after all the years value cleaners
have been around, can some segments of our industry still not
have taken time to learn and accept the fact that there is a
market for value cleaners. Value cleaners are not, as some
would suggest, buying watermelons for one dollar and selling
them for 50 cents.
Value cleaners are a strong and profitable
segment of the drycleaning industry. Most value cleaners strive
for good distillation, frequent filter changes, acceptable
spotting and good customer service because our customers come
in looking for something to be inferior for the price they are
charged.
Almost every business in our industry uses
some sort of value-type pricing to get customers into their
stores. The most common way I can think of is the practice of
pricing shirts at a loss to bring in business. How about
advertising a loss leader or giveaways? Some people could
certainly think of these practices as not very profitable. Does
this mean that you have to cut corners somewhere else? I do not
think so. I think you will find these practices good for
business.
I had a long-time customer ask us to
remove a stain from his jacket. When the customer returned, I
informed him that I could not remove the stain. He said that it
was all right because he could probably go out and buy two
jackets with all the money I had saved him over the years.
My point is that we all have stories about
our competitors. Some have merit; some do not. Unfortunately,
our business is not cut and dry. Every customer has different
likes and dislikes and our job is to make as many as we can
happy.
Competition is a good thing. It is what
makes America great. I just do not understand how some in our
industry cannot accept this. Every industry in America has to
fight competition to survive. We should not be attacking each
other when we get frustrated with the everyday challenges we
face in our businesses.
We should be coming together within the
various trade organizations to become a formidable army of
businesses to fight our common enemies. Then, we can spend more
time improving our individual businesses to become more
competitive, and, in the end, more profitable.
Daniel Helm
Cost Cutter Cleaners
Bedford, TX
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Fleischman bids farewell
To the Editor:
After almost 40 years in the drycleaning
industry, I have decided, at the advent of my 82nd birthday, to
retire. As one of the pioneers in this business, I have seen
the drycleaning industry go through challenging and rewarding
times, and I know it remains an industry full of promise and
potential.
Having spent the last 12 years as
president of Mondial Drycleaning Products, USA, and in close
collaboration with Union, Italy, I want to take this
opportunity to let you know how much I have enjoyed those years
of cooperation with all of you. The drycleaning industry has
undergone a series of major changes, which most recently
culminated in the introduction of new lines of products such as
more environmentally friendly machines and solvents. I have
cherished working with Union because Union has been the prime
source of innovation and development in the industry, and it
has been the place where we could and have made things happen.
I especially want to express my thanks to
my team at Mondial. Without them, it would not have been
possible to get to the top and stay there. I know that the
company is in good hands when I leave and I’m confident
that they will continue to set standards in service and
expertise in the future. I also want to thank the management of
our company in Bologna, Italy, especially Mr. Edo Bassi. Union,
Italy has always given unwavering support to our efforts, never
hesitating to meet the challenges of the time and has always
manufactured the best drycleaning machine there are.
I am now looking forward to spending time
with my wife and family, riding my horses and enjoying life to
the fullest. I wish all of you the best of luck for your own
future and I want to ensure you that Union will continue to
serve you all of your future needs.
Walter Fleischman
President
Union Drycleaning Products, USA
Hapeville, GA
