National Clothesline

As the end of 2003 approaches, the National Cleaners Association shows no signs of slowing down its educational programming.

In fact, the organization will be offering two separate certification classes for NY-based Korean cleaners, a professional wetcleaning seminar and a session on advanced spotting in the months of November and December.

All of the classes will be held at NCA’s New York School of Drycleaning, located at 252 W. 29th St. in New York, NY.

On Sunday, Nov. 2, NCA will host a one-day class on advanced spotting that will also focus on the proper use of bleaches. The course is suited for cleaners who have already taken the association’s Principles and Practices of Drycleaning course.

Class will meet from 9 a.m until 5 p.m. The cost is $150 for members and $225 for non-members.

One week later, NCA will host a one-day course on professional wetcleaning on Nov. 9. The course will also meet from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and cost $150 per member and $225 per non-member.

Next up, NCA will help New York Korean cleaners achieve legal certification with a two-day course that meets for 16 hours on Sunday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 23.

A second two-day course has also been scheduled for consecutive Sundays on Dec. 7 and 14.

Class time for each is from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Cost for members is $509 (2003 dues must be paid). Non-members must pay $975.

For more information on any of NCA’s upcoming educational programs, contact the association’s office at (212) 967-3002.

It may be getting colder outside, but Suffolk County residents in New York are celebrating the beginning of this year’s Coats for Kids drive with warm hearts.

Assemblyman Bob Sweeney is working with the National Cleaners Association in order to make the 2003 program one of the most successful drives ever for Suffolk residents.

The program is designed to help the area’s underprivileged citizens, especially children, by collecting winter garments and having them cleaned and repaired at no cost by local cleaners.

Last year, the efforts of NCA lead to the collection and distribution of 50,000 winter coats throughout Long Island, primarily in Nassau County.

However, Assemblyman Sweeney hopes this year the program will have a major presence in Suffolk County.

Over 20 organizations in the town of Babylon have already volunteered to collect and be drop-off points for the Coats for Kids campaign, Sweeney said. They include schools, scouting organizations and churches. With their help, and the support of NCA, Suffolk kids will be helped this year by Coats for Kids.

Winter clothing will be collected until the deadline on December 31.

To inquire about the location of drop-off points or how to participate in the program, cleaners should call NCA’s office at (215) 967-3002.

Three business seminars, two service schools and displays of the latest equipment from major suppliers attracted a large crowd of owners and prospective coin laundry owners to the September 20-21 Open House at ASN Laundry Group (formerly IPSO of New York/LaunderCenter).

Kicking off the seminars was a roundtable discussion of Debit Cards vs. Coins moderated by Michael Sokolowsky, deputy executive director of the Coin Laundry Association (CLA), and a representative of ESD and E-Danyl Payment Systems.

A coin laundry profit seminar with focus discussions on coin laundry marketing, advertising, break-even point analysis and methods for improving profitability of existing coin laundries was conducted by Bob Eisenberg, executive vice president of ASN Laundry Group and vice-chairman of the Coin Laundry Association.

At the third seminar, Dan Wagner of Standard Change-Makers discussed the future of changers, new currency being issued and general tips on preventive maintenance.

Both service schools attracted many laundry operators who actively participated in the question and answer sessions. Tracy Mummert of IPSO USA had a table covered with components of IPSO washers that he used to demonstrate proper maintenance procedures. Wayne Lewis, regional manager for American Dryer Corporation, had a rapt audience for the service school on American Dryers.

Among the equipment and supplies displayed under a big tent were IPSO washer-extractors and dryers, ADC Dryers, ESD, Standard Change-Makers, Greenwald Industries, NATCO boilers, Vend-Rite vending machines and major brand soaps and detergents. The Coin Laundry Association also had a display that, in addition to promoting the benefits of CLA membership, highlighted the new 5-Star national advertising campaign.

All attendees received a water valve courtesy of Arrow Parts, a division of ASN Laundry Group and were eligible for drawings for valuable gift certificates for parts. Store operators unable to attend because of the distance took advantage of the phone offer for the special open house discount prices offered by Arrow only during the two-day event.