National Clothesline

Because managing a drycleaning business requires knowledge in a multitude of areas, the Michigan Institute of Laundering and Drycleaning will be offering a four-part management training class during the first half of 2005.

All four courses may be taken in conjunction with each other for a total cost of $600 per person. Individually, each class costs $200 per student.

Part one of the series will be held on February 4 at the MILD office, located at 3225 W. St. Joseph in Lansing, Michigan.

Attendees will learn about goal setting and planning, time management, accounting/financial management and budgeting.

They will also gain tips on the cost efficiency of adding routes and stores, how to save power through the correct usage of machinery and what percentages to aim for on their profit and loss statement. A method for figuring the cost of shirt production will be taught, as well.

The second installment of the class will discuss the internal operations of a plant, with an emphasis on procedures, equipment, technology, production and diversification.

Topics such as plant layout, training, progressive workflow, additional ways to utilize staff and figuring good numbers for pieces per hour will all be covered.

That class will be held on March 11 at the Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

On April 22, the series will move to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, for the third session, which will examine legal regulations and ethical practices.

MILD will take a close look on a variety of subjects, including wages and incentives, employee retention, benefits, expectations for employees, different management structures, employee safety and environmental issues.

Finally, the classes will conclude with the last entry on May 20 in Gaylord, Michigan.

It will focus on the revenue generating avenues of a drycleaning business such as sales, marketing, promotion and advertising, client relations and services, diversification and vendor relationships.

Attendees will acquire knowledge on everything from store appearance and image to advertising philosophies and customer surveys.

All four classes will begin at 9 a.m. and run until 3:30 p.m.

For more information, visit MILD at www.mildmi.org or call the office at (517) 327-9207.

Improving quality and enhancing customer loyalty inevitably leads to more profits for a drycleaning business.

Plant owners and supervisors interested in accomplishing that feat may want to keep a date open on their schedule: December 4.

On that day, the Indiana Drycleaning & Laundry Association and Kay Equipment will be hosting a seminar at 100 St. Michael’s Laundry in Notre Dame, Indiana.

It will be headed by Kenney Slatten, who will offer live spotting board demonstrations and teach basic and advanced stain removal to attendees.

The session will begin at 8 a.m. and run until 3 p.m.

Registration costs $50 for the first IDLA member, and $35 for each additional member from the same plant. First non-members pays $75 a person while each additional non-member from the same plant pays $60. Call (800) 401-0703 for more information.