South

This summer, the South Eastern Fabricare Association will be offering several educational opportunities for drycleaners in the southern region of the United States.

Just around the corner, the association will host a Saturday finishing clinic in Atlanta, GA, on April 6. More dates for the same class have already been set for May 4 in Columbia, SC, and on May 11 in Naples, FL.

A more comprehensive, two-day course will cover both “Basic and Advanced Drycleaning and Spotting” on June 8 and 9 in Atlanta, GA.

The first day of class will cover the basics of fiber and fabric identification, weaves, dyes, prints and finishes. In addition to taking out the mystery of the drycleaning machine, the course will give attendees a true understanding of pre-spotting and the soil release curve and the effects of humidity and moisture content of solvent.

The second day of the in-depth class will be devoted to the importance of understanding and respecting spotting chemicals. Students will learn first-hand the proper use of acids, alkalis and lubricants, and how each reacts with certain fibers, fabrics, dyes and finishes.

Advanced techniques, such as bleaching, dye stripping, mineral oil barriers and other stain removal methods will all be covered.

Additionally, SEFA will be offering a wetcleaning seminar on May 4 in Savannah, GA, and a class on customer service in Valdosta, GA, later this year on Sept. 28.

For more information about SEFA’s upcoming schedule of events, contact the association by calling (877) 707-7332 or visit www.sefa.org.

The North Carolina Association of Launderers and Cleaners will be hosting its annual convention this year from May 24-27 at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach in Atlantic Beach, NC.

Educational plans for the event have not been finalized yet, but so far commitments by a variety of speakers have been made. A panel discussion on “The Realities of Alternatives to Perc and Petroleum” will be featuring the following guests: Ted Williams for carbon dioxide; Mack Davis for GreenEarth; Marvin Thomas for DF-2000; and Mary Wells for wetcleaning. Dr. Manfred Wentz, executive director of the International Drycleaners Congress, will host as moderator.

Bill Albright of the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, who chaired the Alternative Technologies Working Group, will present the group’s report to those who attend.

Other presentations being planned will cover a variety of topics, including new fibers and fabrics, finishes and clothing designs that cleaners will face in Spring.

For more information, contact Sto Fox at the NCALC at (336) 389-9011.

The Neighborhood Cleaners Association is currently gathering petition signatures in an effort to oppose a bill submitted by State Senator John McKay that proposes to simplify Florida’s tax system by expanding the reach of sales tax to include several previously tax-exempt services, including drycleaning. The new bill (S.B. 1106), would reduce the state sales tax from 6% to 4.5%.

On January 31, the bill passed in the state Senate with a 31-9 vote, and currently the bill is in the House of Representatives waiting for a vote.

Cleaners who want to add signatures to NCA’s petition should contact Michael Sternshein, NCA’s Gold Coast Chapter President, at Cricket Cleaners, (561) 434-1662.

The full text of the bill can be found at www.leg.state.fl.us. Type “SB 1106” in the bill number search engine.

Alliance Laundry Systems have added a second training center at its Marianna, FL, manufacturing center that will be used for both product and sales training to support Alliance’s UniMac and Ajax brands.

“Our focus is on providing our customers with the best possible product training,” said Jeff Brothers, senior vice president for Alliance. “As our product lines have expanded, we needed to offer additional training. We wanted a location for our customers that provide hands-on training experiences with our presses and large on-premises washer-extractors.”

The company plans to continue using its other training facility in Ripon, WI, for training on their Speed Queen and Huebsch products.

“The manufacturing facility in Marianna, which manufacturers our washer-extractors and presses, seemed a natural location,” added Brothers. “Customers get not only product training, but have the opportunity to see them built, as well.”

With the addition of the new facility, Alliance now offers nine more scheduled product training opportunities, each with a maximum capacity of 20 technicians per class.

For more information, call (920) 748-3121.