National Clothesline

Industry expert Jane Zellers will be in the Ohio area during October in order to teach two drycleaning seminars sponsored by the Ohio Cleaners Association.

Zellers is the chief instructor for the Southwest Drycleaners Association’s International Textile Center located on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.

Her first seminar will focus on the topic of “Problem Garments” and will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the Kimmel Corporation, located at 36 N. Brookwood Way in Mansfield, OH.

Zellers will discuss how to deal with today’s most difficult to clean garments and their sometimes difficult owners.

She will examine potential garment problems such as fume fading, color loss, clothing with beads, sequins and other trims, and a variety of other avoidable headaches that can be handed down to the cleaner over the front counter.

Registration will begin at 6:30 p.m. The seminar will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Light snacks will be provided.

The cost is $10 each for OCA members and $40 each for non-members.

For more information, call the OCA office at (614) 221-1900.

The second seminar, entitled “Top Treatment,” will focus on counter and phone sales.

Attendees will learn how to handle customer complaints effectively, make each customer feel special, deal with constant complainers and, most importantly, how to keep customers coming back through the plant’s front door.

The session will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23 at Alex’s Restaurant, 125 Monarch Lane in Miamisburg, OH. To get there, take 1-75 to exit 44 (the Dayton Mall exit) and go a half mile west on State Route 725.

The seminar will begin at 7:30 a.m. Cocktails with a cash bar will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner served promptly at 6:30 p.m.

The cost is $35 per person for those who wish to attend both the dinner and the seminar and $15 per person for those who only attend the seminar.

For more information, call (937) 866-2266.

During its annual meeting at Crystal Mountain Resort, the Michigan Institute of Laundering and Drycleaning honored some of its exemplary members.

John and Shirley Winterburn, owners of Portage Cleaners in Portage, MI, were singled out for two awards. The first was an enhancement award for the couple’s innovation in new equipment and ideas.

The Winterburns’ plant was one of the first cleaners in Michigan to install a GreenEarth machine over a year ago. Additionally, the couple added a new card reading system in their adjacent laundromat that allows customers to use credit cards rather than coins.

The Winterburns also received a Community Service Award for their efforts in helping their local community. Each year, Portage Cleaners collects more than $4,000 through a coupon card collection program and donates all of the proceeds to local schools and youth programs.

MILD also gave an enhancement award to Jeff Bradford, owner of Bradford’s Master Cleaners in Charlevoix, MI. Bradford recently purchased Alpine Cleaners in Gaylord and installed all environmentally-friendly drycleaning equipment.

On September 1, the Illinois State Fabricare Association officially closed down its office in Joliet and began a contract with a new management company — Management Resource Specialists, Inc. of Springfield.

MRSI, a full-service company that manages ten state and national associations, will bring over twelve years of experience to the table in order to manage the association’s day-to-day operations, establish future educational programs and coordinate all membership events.

Sue Kratz, who has served as ISFA’s office manager for the past 6 years, stepped down from her duties. Stepping in is Marilyn Hanley of the MRSI staff who is currently the association’s executive director. She will report directly to the board of directors.

For more information, contact Marilyn Hanley at (800) 462-4732.