National Clothesline

Fifteen drycleaners from across the U.S. received awards from America’s Best Cleaners, a national organization that strives to locate and recognize the best drycleaning establishments in the major metropolitan areas throughout the United States. The ceremony took place at the Hotel Zaza in uptown Dallas.

To be selected for the group, a company must pass a rigorous screening process. Each of the “Best Drycleaner” Award recipients must provide exceptional quality work , holding a dominant market share in its niche, and delivering exceptional customer service.

The selection process also requires recognition as an exceptional service institution by nationally renowned designers, department stores and boutiques.

In addition to the attributes of excellent quality and service, a drycleaner must be recognized as recommended by the majority of fashion designers and retailers within its market. The group is forming partnerships with designers and upscale retailers by not only cleaning and restoring garments but also through testing new fabrics, trim and garment construction before market introduction. Group members work with manufacturers and designers of couture clothing and to be trusted “caretakers” of the garments these high-end retailers display and sell.

A recent group gathering in Boston featured a guest speaker from Escada where the designer and drycleaners exchanged information and discussed issues regarding the serviceability of garments. Escada expressed interest in having the group help test garments before going to market.

Together, these cleaners have over 50,000 of the most influential customers in the U.S. in their collective databases — the same customers that the top designers target.

Ed D’Elicio, founder and director of America’s Best Cleaners, brings 34 years of experience to the group. In 1994, while he was a drycleaner, his newly designed plant was recognized as “Plant of the Future.” More recently, his design for Jones Cleaning Centers in Fresno, CA, won the Grand Prize for “Best Plant Design” for 2004

D’Elicio has consulted with drycleaners across the country on a number of issues in compiling data to create standards for America’s Best Cleaners.

In addition to his criteria, there is also a peer review for the selected operators. In on-site inspections, every detail of the operation is reviewed against the highest standards of quality and service. Individual cleaners then share their best business practices and strive to provide a better way of drycleaning in the 21st century.

Top vendors from inside and outside the drycleaning industry are solicited for their expertise. February’s meeting in Dallas had presentations from Westgate Software and Iowa Techniques to exchange information and educate the drycleaners in the latest industry innovations for better servicing their customers.

In addition to sharing customers with designers, the group shares customers among each other.

“It’s not uncommon for Madame Paulette in New York to have a customer traveling to an affair in L.A.,” D’Elicio explained. “The New York resident can bring garments to Madame Paulette, have them cleaned and shipped to Brentwood Royal Cleaners in L.A. where they will be pressed to perfection and even delivered to the hotel where the out-of-town guest is visiting.”

Upon concluding the visit, the clothes are picked up at the hotel by Brentwood Royal Cleaners and shipped to Madame Paulette where they are cleaned, pressed and delivered to their customer’s home.

“This service allows customers to travel without having to include these garments in their luggage These customers represent the top wealthiest one percent of the population,” added D’Elicio. “The cost is not as important as getting it done right.”

America’s Best Cleaners are on the web at www.americasbestcleaners.com. A map of the U.S. highlights cleaners’ locations and provides direct links to their individual websites. The website also provides links to vendors who sponsor the site.

D’Elicio plans to have selected one couture drycleaner in each of the top 40 to 50 U.S. markets by the end of 2004. At that point, America’s Best Cleaners will represent approximately $120 million in sales, estimates D’Elicio, with over 100,000 high-end customers.