Sol Memberg, founder and publisher of National Clothesline, died of a stroke on May 30.
Sol grew up in the cleaning business, starting work in his father's Philadelphia shop at an early age. Throughout his growing up years, he spent many hours working in the family business, but he also developed another interest: journalism. He worked on school papers as a high school and college student while maintaining early morning and late night commitments to helping at his father's business. His father, Philip, wanted Sol to join him in that business once he had finished his education and even had made up a new sign, "Memberg & Son." But Sol had other plans, taking a job as editor of a community newspaper where he could pursue his love of journalism.
He was out of the drycleaning industry for only a short time. He had an idea that would let him combine both his father's desire for him to be "in the business" and his own desire to be in journalism. That idea was National Clothesline.
The "national" part didn't come until later. It was with his wife, Carol, whom he had met in college and who shared his interest in newspapering, that he assembled the first issue of "The Clothesline." Working late into the night after he finished his regular daytime job, the two put the first issue together on the kitchen table in their home. It was a four-page tabloid with a press run of about 500 and introduced itself in October, 1961 as "A Newspaper for Dry Cleaners and Tailors in the Delaware Valley."
The fledgling newspaper was well received at an industry convention that month, encouragement enough for the Membergs to put out a second issue. By the third issue it doubled in size -- to eight pages -- and people outside the immediate circulation area of eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey were taking notice.
Expansion both in size of the paper and its circulation area was steady, first covering the entire state of Pennsylvania, then south and north along the East Coast. Before long, Clothesline moved into its first out-of-the-home office.
During this time of growth. Sol was involved in trade association work, too. He began by lending his ideas and organizational skills to the Pennsylvania Drycleaners Association and eventually took on the job as executive director of that group. Throughout his career he believed strongly in the importance of trade associations as a vehicle for improving the lot of the individual drycleaner as well as the industry as a whole.
Before the end of its second decade, the Clothesline had gone national and beyond, with subscription requests coming in from around the world.
Duty called, and Sol and Carol began pursuing industry news around the country and in all corners of the earth.
But it was more than just duty, for one of Sol's great loves was travel. As a boy, family trips had been limited to a small geographic radius -- visiting relatives in New York, vacations on the Jersey shore. But as publisher of National Clothesline, far-away destinations beckoned. Not only were there conventions and trade shows around the U.S. that needed coverage, there were also the annual meetings of the International Drycleaners Congress. Sol and Carol were eager participants, packing up the cameras and notebooks to cover the industry in Europe, Australia and the Far East.
In all those travels and in the many other contacts he made in more than 35 years dedicated to working for the industry that his father had brought him in to, Sol made hundreds of friends. And while health setbacks in recent years had slowed his step, he was not to be deterred from joining drycleaners whenever they gathered for meetings, conventions and trade shows, nor was his dedication to daily work for National Clothesline and the industry lessened.
Both the National Clothesline and the family business which he created live on as his wife, Carol, and daughter, Leslie, continue the work he started.
So, too, will his spirit live on, embodied by a dedication to the drycleaning industry which he imprinted not only on the staff here at National Clothesline but also upon everyone in the industry who was touched by his life.
The statisticians said it was the biggest Clean Show ever. Some of the reviewers said it was the best and the busiest. For us at National Clothesline, it was the saddest, for we departed for Las Vegas with the heaviest of hearts, leaving behind for the first time and forever the founder of this publication and a mentor to us all, Sol Memberg.
Sol died just three days before the show in Las Vegas began. Death is probably the only thing that could keep him from participating in any major industry event. Surely he never missed a Clean Show, not to mention the hundreds of other, smaller industry events throughout his career as publisher of National Clothesline that spanned four decades. They were decades of toil and trouble, of gain and growth. It was a career that demonstrated how a combination of big dreams and hard work can bring not only success in business but success in life, for his was a life enriched as much by friends and associates as by bank accounts and financial reports.
Oh, if only he could have lived just a little longer to see his many industry friends once again -- and they to see him, to share those moments of camaraderie that we too often take for granted. And, oh how he would love to have seen that show, with the industry displaying its vibrant vitality, looking ahead, as Sol always did, to the future -- planning, developing, problem-solving, trying new things (maybe stumbling along the way but always picking up and trying again) and most important, remaining optimistic in a world of possibilities.
But it was not to be. Instead it fell to us, the editorial and advertising staff of National Clothesline, to deliver the sad news to his friends and to accept the condolences on behalf of the Memberg family. We might have preferred being left to our own private mourning during those days, but ultimately we had to put those feelings aside and do the job that Sol would have wanted done. And more important, it was and it remains up to us to carry on the tradition and mission that he started 36 years ago when he created National Clothesline. It was his life's work, and now it is our work to see that it continues.
Sol stated that mission succinctly in the first story in the first issue of the publication back in October 1961. Under the headline, "Our Plans: Clothesline to Serve Local Drycleaners," he promised that the publication would "keep you informed about new products, time-saving tips and news about other drycleaners."
It was a promise he kept, and he was rewarded for doing so with an ever-growing loyal readership as well as advertisers who supported the publication. Like most great ideas, it was a simple one, and it is just as sound a notion today as it was then. In an industry facing constant change through technological advancements, with greater demands put on the cleaner both by consumers and government regulators, and with everyone, always searching for that great "time-saving tip," the fundamental concept for this publication that Sol set out nearly 36 years ago remains our guiding principle today.
Now is a good time to reiterate and renew that promise made to readers in the very first issue of National Clothesline. We are dedicated to providing you, the reader, with news and information that will help you run a successful business, now and in the future.
And we need your help for our success. As Sol wrote in that first article: "The success of this publication will depend greatly on your interest and participation. We like to hear your opinions, criticisms, and suggestions."
While the Clothesline has grown tremendously in size and circulation since that first issue, those words, too, are as true now as they were then. Although we are read the world around, we are still, as that headline said, serving "local drycleaners." It is an industry, as Sol often reminded us, of individuals, each one a vital part of the whole.
Let us now carry on the work he started and keep his dream alive.
Barney Deden has spent a great deal of time and money on building support for the Barton Bill in the past two years. In fact, his work within the textile care industry for the bill has been so well-received that many have come to identify him as one of the leading spokesmen among the supporters.
And why not? It was Deden who delivered a speech at the Clean Show in Las Vegas which explained why cleaners need the sort of protection afforded in the Barton Bill. From that presentation came questions about his availability for speaking to other groups.
"He's willing to speak on the Barton Bill to any group willing to listen to him, time permitting," his nephew said of him. He is willing to speak wherever cleaners are organizing a meeting. All they have to do is contact him and see what can be worked out.
Barney Deden brings a different perspective to the textile care industry because he chose it as a second career.
He became a math and science teacher in Omaha after he graduated from the University of Northern Colorado. Graduate work at Oregon State earned him a masters in oceanography. Living in the middle of the Great Plains provided little opportunity to pursue that line of work, however.
His second decade of employment was with the Federal Reserve Bank in Omaha. It may have been coincidence, but at the start of his next decade of work, a change was in the wind.
"I was looking for a business, something to satisfy my entrepreneurial spirit and I stumbled across a drycleaning business for sale," Deden said. "I looked into the numbers and cleaning's future and stability."
It was 1981 when Deden and his wife decided they would take their savings and invest it into a business.
"We were both teachers, and I had ten years experience in human relations at the local branch of the Federal Reserve Bank -- half the time when I was there Arthur Burns was chairman, the other half Paul Volker," he recalled.
The truth is they wanted to be in business for themselves. Like any smart shopper, Deden looked at several businesses. One of them was drycleaning.
In the final analysis he recognized that a drycleaning operation is a business, and in that respect, "we're not different from other industries."
"Here was a business that looked to be recession-proof," he said of drycleaning. "All those things, all those experiences combined, make you what you are," Deden said. "It seems like most drycleaners cut their teeth in a garment basket behind the counter."
"We bought 13 stores -- 11 plants and two drop stores," Deden recalled. "We're now running 18 stores, although we were as high as 22 with some of the plants halfway across Nebraska. Now we have 10 plants and eight drops."
When asked what sort of demands that puts on his time, Deden was quick to answer.
"The key to making this kind of thing work is having good people working for you."
"People by and large want to do a good job and when you give them a chance, they will," he declared.
He also credits being in a franchise organization as a big help.
"We had the strength of the multiple stores," Deden said about the franchise concept. "We do an orientation/training program for new employees. We in Omaha are part of a national family, they are told. Employees of ours are part of a local family."
"From there, I explain how I couldn't be a drycleaner off the bat because I need people to do cleaning, spotting and pressing," he continued. "I am not a drycleaner, I'm an administrator."
This is a key element to the survival of a small business into the 21st century, Deden suggested.
"More and more as we go forward, those stores that are run as a business will survive. Those run otherwise, those who don't understand regulations and laws, they won't last," he said. "Patty and I are hands-on managers."
By that he means they watch quality and guard the store image. This brand of management meant a reduction in the spread of his operation.
"You can't do that (type of management) spread across state," Deden said. He operates out of the Omaha area exclusively with plans to expand with two more stores this year and two more next.
"I think it's a good strong market, Deden said. "Perc will continue to be one of the options, although the industry may move toward other solvents."
He predicted a "big niche for wetcleaning and petroleum and probably a future for CO2."
"We get a lot of help as a Martinizing franchise. I'm a believer in the franchise concept," he said. "When you get down to it, the franchise group got the Barton Bill started."
The subject of the Barton Bill has been tapped and Deden starts explaining what it took as an organization to make it move.
"The Martinizing people got together, made contacts and got with the Comet franchise group in Texas. These two franchise groups planted the seed and now need the help of others," Deden explained.
Cooperative franchise involvement was the key factor in creating a way to spread the message and maintain a high profile, Deden explained.
He is confident of the future. "There are those who cry it may not be there (for cleaners), but we can keep it if we work at it," he said.
A big part of that work today is the Barton Bill. Before that, it was the coalition legislation.
"I worked real hard on the coalition bill. I served as co-chair to raise money for the DELF Fund. That was a good bill, but this is even a better one," Deden said. "With Barton we only have to clean up sites that are a real problem. We have to work as one " to build support.
Deden's take on the Barton Bill is to develop a solid base of support in the House of Representatives, then go on to the Senate. "It seems to me it will be easier to make contacts in the Senate than the House."
"We have 15 co-sponsors on the bill now, the latest being one from southwest Virginia, Rep. Owen Pickett, as well as Rep. Norm Sisisky of Virginia and Rep. Virgil Goode, a Democrat of Virginia," Deden listed. "We haven't gotten our campaign in full gear yet. I hope by mid-June it will be going strong."
To reach cleaners the group is tapping into the old Fabricare Legislative and Regulatory Education network.
"FLARE is letting us use their network, a network that hasn't been used much recently," Deden said. "Some links have dropped out and it's in need of repair, but it's there."
Deden noted that Ross Beard and Jamie Mayberry said they would help with the FLARE project. It appears that FLARE can still get a lot of people interested.
The Barton Bill project has three major goals, Deden continued. The first "is make sure every drycleaner in the nation understands the need for the Barton Bill and what it will accomplish."
"The second goal is to get a group of drycleaners in every congressional district to try to sell the program to their member of congress."
"Third, we would like every drycleaner in the nation to contribute something financially to this effort."
Deden recognizes there's a problem with fundraising -- cleaners have been tapped annually at the national and local level to help all sorts of projects. He stressed that contributions don't have to be big and means it when he says "every little bit helps. You know, if everyone gave the price of cleaning a two-piece suit, it would raise $250,000."
The funds the Martinizing and Comet groups have contributed are in the major league category. According to Deden, Martinizing put $200,000 into the Barton Bill project thus far. And he knows (but won't reveal the extent) that Comet has been equally generous.
Barton Bill backers are also aware they have to differentiate between their objectives and the DELF goals.
Deden believes there were several key factors that played a role in that fund's demise.
"DELF had the fee attached (a surcharge, actually) that looked like a tax," he said. That did not foster support within the industry for DELF.
In order to counteract that sort of resistance, "we are asking the FLARE director in each state, in cooperation with state drycleaner associations, to take the reins in the state and do this three-pronged attack."
Deden is sincere in his effort to make the Barton Bill an industry-wide effort.
"It must come from within each state so people see it's a grass-roots effort," he said. "We have an industry where we should get something done. There are drycleaners in every district and every representative has many constituents from the industry in the district."
The key is working at the state level even as some of the states are developing site remediation regulations.
"Many states are finding they don't have sufficient funds in the state bill," Deden said. There are drycleaners, petroleum users particularly, who don't feel they need a site remediation or Barton Bill. The issue is we have to stick together as an industry."
"We want every phase involved in it. The bill is not anti-environmental. It takes non-necessary cleanups off the table and puts funds where they're needed."
"I haven't done that much travelling in the past, but I'm willing to make arrangements. Travel is not a major portion of the work. I expect to be on the phone all summer and I expect it will take personal calls to each state" to make the effort a success.
He'll watch for meetings, too.
"We're trying to contact every meeting I see scheduled to make sure the Barton Bill is on the agenda. We'll find someone in the area willing to drive cross town and spend 15 minutes talking to a group."
"We need to take an attitude that puts our differences aside and works toward a common goal, that helps solve most of our problems."
Mr. Barton of Texas (for himself, Mr. Green, Mrs. Chenoweth, Mr. Frost, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Shadegg, Mr. Christensen, Mr. Radanovich, and Mr. Smith of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
A Bill
To establish a maximum level of remediation for dry cleaning solvents, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.
Sec. 1. Short Title.
This Act may be cited as the "Small Business Remediation Act of 1997."
Sec. 2. Findings and Intent of Congress.
(a) The Congress declares that the public should be protected from the risk of waste or spilled solvents and other chemicals in the soil, surface water, groundwater, and other environmental media.
(b) The Congress finds that the remediation requirements for spilled or waste chemical substances are often inconsistent, conflicting, and may impose a burden that bears little relationship to the potential harm to the environment and that these requirements pose a special burden on small businesses and landowners.
(c) Congress intends that standards shall be set for remediation that, with an adequate margin of safety, will protect public health from significant risk from these chemicals and below which level remediation will be permitted but not required.
(d) Congress resolves that to implement these conclusions a maximum level of remediation in soil, surface water, groundwater, and other environmental media shall be set, initially, for solvents for the dry cleaning industry.
Sec. 3. Standard for Clean-up.
The maximum level of remediation of dry cleaning solvents in soil, surface water, groundwater, and other environmental media that a Federal, State, local agency, or court may require of a person engaged in dry cleaning or the owner of land or a facility in which such a person is conducting dry cleaning shall be one-tenth the equivalent exposure of the workplace standard for such solvents established by the Secretary of Labor under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
Sec. 4. Calculation of Equivalent Exposure.
(a) In consultation with the Administrators of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences shall, within 6 months of the date of the enactment of this Act, publish in the Federal Register its computation, based on realistic scientific assumptions, of equivalent exposure by ingestion, inhalation, and absorption indices for the general public, for soil, surface water, groundwater, and other environmental media in nonoccupational circumstances.
(b) The equivalent exposure shall be calculated from the workplace standard for dry cleaning solvents which assures on the basis of the best available evidence that no employee will suffer material impairment of health or functional capacity even if such employee has regular exposure for the employee's entire working lifetime.
Sec. 5. Authorization To Remediate at a Lower Level Than the Maximum Level of Remediation.
Nothing in this Act--
(1) shall preempt or otherwise prevent a Federal, State, or local government or private party from remediating soil, surface water, groundwater, or other environmental media to a lower level than the maximum level of remediation at its own cost and expense, or
(2) shall alter or affect the Federal drinking water standards under title XIV of the Public Health Service Act.
Sec. 6. Definitions
For purposes of this Act:
(1) The term "other environmental media" means air and organic and inorganic material.
(2) The term "equivalent exposure" means the amount of a chemical substance found in air, surface water, groundwater, and other environmental media which is equivalent, under general and realistic conditions of human exposure, absorption, and toxicity, to that of the workplace standard for that substance.
(3) The term "maximum level of remediation" means one-tenth the equivalent exposure and is deemed fully protective of human health.
(4) The term "workplace standard for dry cleaning solvents" means the standard established by the Secretary of Labor under section 6(b)(5) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 as the time-weighted average and set forth in section 1810.1000 Z-2 of title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
To the Editor:
I just finished reading he article in the May issue of Clothesline by Hadley Scotland of Aqua Clean Systems.
I feel this should have run as an advertisement, not a feature article, I cannot conceive of Mr. Galuska of Professional Cleaners making a statement that perc and other cleaning solvents pollute. I can understand why we (in the drycleaning industry) have so much trouble with environmentalists when a drycleaner makes statements such as Mr. Galuska's.
Have Mr. Galuska read Stan Golomb's article in that same issue.
Harold Schantz
Peoples Cleaners Inc
Norfolk, VA.
SILVER SPRING, MD -- Lang Houston of Cocoa, FL, and Debbie Barnett of Indianapolis, IN, were installed as new members of the International Fabricare Institute board of directors during Clean '97 in Las Vegas last month.
At the same time, Gary Newton of Mountain Brook Cleaners in Birmingham, AL, began a one-year term as president of IFI, while the previous president, Jack Alquist of Guild Cleaners in Lodi, CA, became chairman of the board.
Other new officers of the association are Tom Kimmell of Kimmell Corp. in Upper Sandusky, OH, president elect, and Eric Kloter of Swiss Cleaners in Rockville, CT, , treasurer.
The new board members were elected by members in Districts 3 and 4 this spring.
Houston, of Crest Cleaners, will represent District 3 which include Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
Houston has been in the industry for more than 30 years and is active in the South Eastern Fabricare Association, the Florida Drycleaning Coalition, the local Chamber of Commerce and many other local organizations, including youth sports clubs.
Barnett, of The Washboard, will represent the District 4 states of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Michigan. She has been in the industry for 11 years.
Barnett's organizational involvements include the National Federation of Independent Business and the Indiana Drycleaning and Laundry Association. She has worked with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance in developing an industry-specific manual for perc drycleaners.
Both were elected to four-year terms on the IFI board.
Continuing board members include:
District 1 (Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey New York and Rhode Island), Eric Kloter of Swiss Cleaners in Rockville, CT.
District 2 (Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia), Bill Griggs of Wayside Cleaners in Portsmouth, VA.
District 6 (Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma), Don Maisel of Cowboy Cleaners in San Antonio, TX.
District 5 (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin), Lauren Dison of One Hour Martinizing in Rochester, MN.
District 7 (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming) Bob Shirley of City Laundry and Cleaners in Las Vegas, NV.
District 8 (California and Hawaii) Harvey Gershenson of Sterling Westwood Inc. in Los Angeles, CA.
TORONTO, ON -- The Canadian Launderers & Drycleaners Exposition will be held April 3-5, 1998, at the Toronto Congress Centre.
The event, sponsored by the Canadian Cleaners & Launderers Allied Trades Association, is expected to have 140 exhibiting companies with attendance in the range of 4,000.
In addition to the exhibits there will be two separate conference sequences. The first will be a paid conference that will feature professional speakers on industry trends, regulations and issues. The cost of $50 per delegate will include coffee breaks on the show floor.
The second set will be a series of free seminars conducted by exhibiting companies and covering topics like maintenance, automation, computerization, waster water treatment, advertising and public relations. All show attendees will be able to participate in this series at no charge.
The conferences will be scheduled for Friday and Saturday afternoons. Sunday afternoon will be reserved for related conferences, such as those desired by associations and other organizations who want to meet during the show.
There will be no charge for admission to the show itself. Show hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Activities at the show will take place around a golf theme. Golf related incentives will be offered at the show gate and there will be a chance to win a grand prize golf vacation for two.
For more information on CLATA Update '98, contact Glenn Waterman, show manager, by phone at (416) 252-7791; fax (416) 252-9848; or e-mail glennw@intltradeshows.com.
SILVER SPRING, MD -- A series of eight-hour stain removal seminars is being offered by the International Fabricare Institute and its joint state affiliates.
The programs focus on stain removal tools and techniques, watermark and sizing ring removal, fibers and fabrics, pH scale, special handling of unique fabrics, mineral oil barriers and bleaches. The registration fee of $99 for IFI/joint state members and $129 for non-members includes all supplies, a workbook and lunch.
Upcoming dates and locations include: July 12, Birmingham, AL; July 26, Savannah, GA; Aug. 9, Orlando, FL; Aug. 23, Columbia, SC.
Resident courses on drycleaning are continuing at IFI headquarters in Silver Spring.
Introduction to Drycleaning is a one-week course covering the basic elements of drycleaning, stain removal and finishing for employees and owners/managers with less than one year of experience. The course fee is $350 for members and $455 for non-members. Starting dates for the remaining 1997 sessions are Aug. 11, Sept. 15 and Oct. 13.
Advanced Drycleaning is a two-week course covering more advanced drycleaning procedures, including stain removal techniques and finishing procedures, wetcleaning, and fiber identification. Tuition is $700 for members and $910 for non-members.
The class can be taken in consecutive sessions with the introductory courses for a total cost of $995 for members and $1,295 for non-members. Starting dates for the remaining 1997 sessions are Aug. 18, Sept. 22 and Oct. 20.
One-day courses on wetcleaning will be offered Aug. 2 and Nov. 1 for those who want to learn about various aspects of wetcleaning and using the new wetcleaning equipment and supplies. Cost of the course is $99 for members and $119 for non-members.
Advanced Stain Removal is a three-day class that delves into more advanced techniques, including using bleaches, handling antique and specialty items and removing difficult stains.
Members can attend this course for $210; non-members pay $300. One of the most popular classes offered at IFI in 1996, the class will be offered again Nov. 14-16.
Registration and other information about the resident classes and other education programs at IFI is available by calling (800) 434-622, ext. 144.
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Pre- and post-convention tours are planned in conjunction with the International Drycleaners Congress annual convention which will be held in Orlando, FL, Oct. 18-22.
The pre-convention tour will begin in Myrtle Beach, SC. Oct 8 and be headquartered at the Myrtle Beach Hilton for three nights. On Oct. 11 the tour will move on to The Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, SC, then it will be on to Hilton Head where the Hyatt Regency will be home for three nights. On Oct. 15 the tour moves on to Ponte Vedre, FL and two nights at the Ponte Vedre Club before starting out for Orlando and the convention on Oct 17.
Special sight-seeing, entertainment and dining activities are planned throughout the tour. The total cost is $2,498 per person (sharing a double room) for 10 days and nine nights.
Headquarters for the convention will be Disney's Grand Floridian Beach Resort. Rooms are also blocked at Disney's Polynesian Resort.
Hotel accommodations at the Polynesian resort are $185 per person per night for a single or double and $249 per night at the Grand Floridian.
Convention registration is $490 per person which includes the welcome buffet reception, daily continental breakfast, luncheon, convention sessions, an evening at the magic kingdom, a plant tour and the IDC banquet and entertainment.
The post convention tour will depart from Orlando to St. Louis, MO, on Oct. 23. The following day, travelers will board the Delta Queen's Mississippi queen for a steamboat trip up the Mississippi River to St. Paul, MN. Fall foliage should be in full color on the upper Mississippi as the steamboat makes its way north.
Costs for the post convention tour vary depending on the accommodations desired on board the Mississippi Queen. Space is limited, so those who want to join the tour should make arrangements immediately.
For more information, contact Joyce Francis at the Yamato Travel Bureau, 200 S. San Pedro St., Suite 502, Los Angeles, CA 90012; phone (800) 334-4982 or fax (213) 680-2825. In the 213, 818 and 310 area codes, the phone number is (213) 680-0333.
BOSTON, MA -- North East Fabricare Association was recently contacted by Paula Lyons, WBZ-Boston television Consumer Advocate, for a drycleaner to participate in a special report on "The Home Drycleaning Kit." The kit is called a home remedy for "drycleaning" clothes. It consists of a chemical on a small napkin-type material, and a bag. The consumer blots the napkin onto a stain on the garment, puts the clothing in an enclosed bag and places the bag into a dryer.
Ron Sarni of Sarni's Cleaners in Waltham, MA, was contacted by the association. Sarni was asked to test, comment and evaluate the results of the test on Lyon's television show.
Paula Lyons ran tests on five articles of clothing.
One item, the stain was removed but a large ring where she applied the napkin was formed and could not be removed. The other stains were not removed and several rings had formed.
She had placed an article of clothing above a cooking grill at a restaurant to give the clothing a smoky odor, then placed the clothing in the bag and put it in the dryer. After the "cleaning" process, the clothing still retained a smoky odor.
Sarni conducted his own tests on several stains (pen, lipstick, grape juice, chap stick) and came to the conclusion that "The Home Drycleaning Kit" didn't live up to expectations, NEFA said.
None of the stains were removed, it reported, and most were transferred to another area on the clothing. Also, some areas where the napkin was applied were left with rings.
At the conclusion of the segment Paula Lyons asked Sarni what he thought the kit does for clothing.
"It may only refreshen clothes, it doesn't clean them," he said. Sarni also said "some consumers may try the product, but after it fails they'll be back to their drycleaner plus the consumer likes the convenience of having their clothes professionally finished," Sarni replied.
NEFA expressed gratitude to Sarni for his cooperation.
There are two types of plant and general managers: working and managing.
Which type are you?
Actually, both types are viable and vitally important to the success of the entire operation, but first, let's find a definition for each type.
Working manager: A working manager is one who can do almost any job in the entire organization, even down to simple bookkeeping and ordinary records preparation.
As far as our industry is concerned, this person can perform all the duties of counter personnel, mark-in, maintaining an orderly method of work flow (but only to a basic form of grouping/lot control), run the drycleaning machines, spot, finish all garments except the most tedious and ultra fancy, perform assembly and bagging, perform operator maintenance of all equipment except the most sophisticated, and be the one who calls all the shots and answers all of the simplest, and sometimes, most stupid of questions.
In short, the working manager is the hardest worker in the plant. He or she is fast and accurate, and the other workers know and do only what they are told and in the repetitious manner in which they were trained.
This type of manager has no time for complete training on an operation or job, but only enough time for skeleton bits of training merely to get the job done in a robotic sense. He or she was selected only because of being the best worker.
Managing manager:A managing manager is one who reveres the following words: responsibility, delegation, motivation, supervision, training, decision- making, quality work, customer relations and respect.
This person will usually have both technical and administrative skills, or at least he or she will have an overall good working knowledge of the entire process.
This person has earned the respect of the work force by his or her decision-making attributes, work flow technique and training program implementation. He or she know that a well-trained worker is better motivated than a halfway trained worker since more knowledge and skill of the job results in higher wages, promotion and job performance recognition (feeding egos).
Most times, the not-so-fast or the not-the-hardest working worker in the plant will be the best candidate for training to be a managing manager or director, mainly because this person will make every effort to get the subordinates to do the work.
After all, we now have plenty of workers, but what we do need is someone to lead, motivate and encourage these workers to get the job done with both quality and timeliness.
This person knows that well planned and organized training programs are just as important to fill the orders of customers as good counter procedures and customer relations are important to receive those orders of customers.
Note: In this regard, we will publish a past article on training programs, from hiring the worker to his or her elevation into management position. In these days of serious competition for both workers and business, we must begin to mold the raw, inexperienced workers off the street into highly skilled, cross-trained technicians and then keep them with us by reward, motivation and recognition. This is what separates a working manager from a managing manager.
I am publishing the following article, which I wrote more than 10 years ago, just to prove that the need for a good manager is as critical now as it was then.
Working managers: How effective are they?
Many times the position of the lead supervisor is confused with the position of plant or store manager.
I remember my father constantly reminding me that "You can't run a plant from a spotting board or pressing machine because you see only the job your are presently doing."
How trues those words were, and how true they are today.
Finding workers experienced in the technical skills of drycleaning, spotting, bleaching, wetcleaning, digesting, finishing, laundry washing and tailoring is almost impossible today. Just as difficult is finding skilled leaders, creators, decision-makers, trainers and motivators. These are the critical skills of a good manager.
For package plants doing under $200,000 per year, the working manager is absolutely essential. With a total crew of only five or six people, the working manager must perform both managerial and worker duties. He or she must devote a minimum of 50 percent to strictly managerial functions, and the balance of his or her time should be allotted to production and counter operations.
Most of the working manager's working time should be spent at the counter and in the assembly/inspection area to make sure that the work looks good and customers are served promptly and courteously. The manager should sell tailoring and other services while working at the counter.
The working manager's management time should be spent mostly in the cleaning and finishing areas to correct mistakes, help where needed and see that the right garments are worked on in the right sequence.
"Specials" must be gotten out before "regulars," and "short orders" must be completed as soon as possible. The manager must survey the "short rack" so that stragglers are either accounted for or received by the assembly person.
The working manager must possess both cleaning and spotting skills as well as knowing how to read dials and gauges, He or she must know how to recognize poor solvent maintenance and an inadequate solvent flow rate and then know how to correct these deficiencies.
A changing role
ies take on an entirely different ratio between those that are managerial and those that are productive.
As volume increases, the need for more supervision, decision-making, and worker motivation also increases. The need for performing more administrative tasks becomes greater for the working manager: Deposits, poundage reports, inventory control, cash reconciliation, supply management, maintenance management, advertising layout, payroll information and personnel management.
As volume climbs past the $250,000 per year mark, managing from the spotting board, pressing machine or even the front counter becomes much more difficult for the working manager.
Now the point is reached where the manager must manage and constantly make serious production, administrative and general business decisions whether he or she is the owner or the employed manager. This means that he or she is no longer the working manager and is now the "general manager." More subordinates are required to free the "managing manager" from "working manager" status.
A full complement of workers should be hired so that all work stations are staffed; and the general manager must supervise, direct, coordinate, advise, train, report and assist his or her subordinates. The manager must devote a considerable amount of time to the motivation of subordinates with a continuous eye on employee relations.
The general manager requires a only perform the necessary administrative jobs. He or she should not make a desk and chair the major headquarters. Management of a drycleaning plant is accomplished on your feet, not on your seat. The manager should constantly be on the move, covering all work stations, setting the pace, motivating subordinates and checking to ensure the quality demanded by today's customers.
Decisions and trouble-shooting
What must the manager of this high-volume plant do when a production employee is absent?
First, the manager must decide whether the job is vital to the day's production quota. If the job can be blended into another person's job for that day, the manager should follow that course of action.
If the multi-plant operation (assuming the manager's plant is in that form of organization) has a "floater" to fill in where needed, he or she will call for that back-up support. If the absentee's job can be filled by another worker who ha been cross-trained, and the job is one of less importance, or is one which can be completed the next day, then the manager should fill the absentee's job with the available substitute. Finally, if no substitute is available to till the absentee's important job, then the manager must be able to fill that job personally
This is where a comprehensive training program becomes an absolute, critical necessity for a multi-plant or franchise operation. Not only must the working or general manager know how to supervise, direct and make decisions, but he or she must also possess all the technical knowledge required to get the work out in a timely and quality fashion. Not only is the manager a student of the manager training program, but also an instructor of the worker training program.
Yes, working managers are vital to a package plant operation, but you must remember that the skill of leadership is much harder to employ than the skill of spotting or finishing in spite of the high technical nature of those positions.
Last -- but not least -- motivate your manager. Pump up his or her ego. It's contagious.
Spandex is an elastic fiber produced from a long chain polymer consisting of polyurethane.
The use of spandex allows a garment to be a tight fit and provides comfort since it expands and contracts with body movement.
Although stretch can be accomplished with knitting construction and stretch yarns, spandex is popular due to its ability to provide better support and shape to the body.
Spandex yarns may be similar in appearance to rubber yarns but they differ in many respects. Spandex is different chemically and is superior to rubber in resistance to sunlight, weather, abrasions, solvents and flexing.
Spandex varies in its manufacture and can be made from dry or solvent spinning. The fiber may contain delustering agents, dye receptors, whiteners and lubricants. The fibers can be produced with different degrees of stretch. The fiber may be a mono-filament or multi-filament ranging from fine to coarse.
Spandex can be used uncovered or covered with other textile yarns in both woven and knitted garments for men, women and children. Denims and other casual wear garments using spandex yarns are gaining popularity.
Spandex is also used for waistbands of men's trousers and women's slacks. Spandex used for the bodice and waistline area of dresses and gowns give the garment a better fit as well as the look of matelasse.
Common trade names for Spandex are Glospure, Lycra, Numa, Unel and Uyrene.
Fabric problems
The spandex yarn may withstand limited wear, drycleaning and washing. The manufacturing process and the end use determine the serviceability of the spandex yarn.
Spandex used in fine yarns will snap easier than thicker yarns. Spandex made with less elasticity will snap when used with a tight fitting garment.
Areas of a garment subjected to a great deal of bending and flexing, friction, abrasion and perspiration will cause the spandex yarn to snap.
Repeated drycleaning and pressing will weaken the spandex yarn. The use of dryside solvents and lubricants will weaken spandex yarns. Although spandex yarns do not shrink, the fiber wrapped around the spandex yarn can.
Inspection
Look for the trade names of spandex in the fiber content of garments. Check the waistband area of men's trousers and women's slacks for loss of elasticity and bagginess and broken spandex yarns. Check garments for loss of elasticity and stretching on arm areas, waistline and uneven hem line.
Broken spandex yarns may protrude from a fabric as the appearance of tiny rubber fibers. Explain to customer that spandex will weaken after several drycleanings. The fact that the garment was previously cleaned does not necessarily mean that the garment will not weaken. Check garments with a matelasse look for broken yarns, loss of the puckered effect and stretching.
Drycleaning
The life of the spandex yarn is extended by shortening the drycleaning cycle and lowering the heat of drying. Spandex used in knitted silk-type fabrics and soft texture fabrics should be drycleaned three minutes in a high solvent level.
Drying temperature should not be higher than l20°F. Use net bags on loosely constructed garments. More durable fabrics should be given a seven-minute drycleaning and the same low temperature in drying.
Spotting
Limit the use of excessive mechanical action which can break the spandex yarn. Avoid excessive brushing which can cause a closely woven or knitted fabric to expand.
Do not use chlorine bleach as this will degrade the spandex yarn. Keep the steam gun at least five inches from the fabric to avoid yarn damage.
Limit the use of dry lubricants (OTPR) and amyl acetate, which can cause weakening of the yarn. Limit the application of chemicals which require high heat for activation.
Finishing
Use light steaming. Avoid use of hard head pressure, hot head presses and hot irons. Do not place knitted fabrics on steam air finishers. Do not pull elastic fabric tightly on back of the pressing machine. Otherwise stretching will occur. Use puffers for touch up.
Wetcleaning
Garments that are washable should be placed in a bath using cool water (90°F) and a mild detergent. Agitate by hand.
Rinse, extract lightly and hang to dry. Knitted garments should be folded over a hanger to avoid stretching or placed on towels to dry.
We have met the enemy and he is us. I believe it was in the comic strip, Pogo, that I first read the line, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." Or perhaps it was from Bill Seitz that I first heard this expression of Pogo's used.
Either way, my comment is, "How true it is!"
Many of you have no idea about a drycleaning network on the Internet that involves about 400 or so drycleaners and suppliers from all over the U.S., Canada and even Australia, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
This group trades ideas daily with 20 to 50 comments dealing with every subject under the sun, including Superfund, the removal of stains, finishing methods, equipment uses, etc. The contributors are from the International Fabricare Institute, the Neighborhood Cleaners Association-International and most of the leading consultants in the trade.
One of the drycleaners on the net recently wrote that he had a huge day after the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 26, 1997. When the store closed on Tuesday at 7 p.m., his help all walked out and left this poor guy to mark in this mountain of work by himself.
This cleaner is very conscientious about treating his help with all kinds of perks. He is very sensitive to his help's personal needs, but he really felt sorry for himself when they all walked out without offering to help. He claims it would have taken about 15 minutes if they gave him a hand, but hours to do it himself.
This poor guy came face to face with the enemy, and it was him.
As I write this, I'm reminded of a huge granite stone that sits in the entry of two of the most profitable supermarkets in the world, located in Connecticut. I have seen this 10-foot tall stone in both Stu Leonard stores that lists the company's two rules, carved in stone.
Rule #1. The customer is always right.
Rule #2. If the customer is wrong, go back to Rule #1.
I'm reproducing the first page of a two-page article that appeared in the June issue of Inc. Magazine that is readily available on the newsstand or library. Please read the article and review the education and power you may have given your employees to make customer-oriented decisions.
IT'S NO SECRET that there's an epidemic of bad customer service going around. Some people, I know, blame it on changes in the workforce. They may be a factor, but I think the major fault lies elsewhere. In most cases, after all, it's not the employee who creates the problem. It's the employer. How? Usually by establishing a bad rule.
Here's an example from my wife's uncle Arnold, who lives in upstate New York. He called recently to tell me about an experience he'd had when he took his car to be repaired at one of the dealerships in town.
This was the second time he'd brought it in for the same problem. When he returned to get the car, he was told the bill came to a couple hundred dollars. "Fine," he said, "but I want to take the car for a test drive, just to make sure the problem is really fixed."
"OK, but you have to pay first," said the guy at the service desk. "We aren't allowed to let any car leave here until the bill has been paid."
Now, Arnold is not a stranger to these people. He's been doing business with them for 40 years. He used to be the head of administration at the local hospital. In that capacity, he'd purchased five or six cars a year from the dealership, which had even assigned a salesman to his account. In addition, Arnold had bought a new car for himself every four or five years.
So we're talking about a million-dollar customer. And the guy at the service desk knew exactly who he was. Arnold was incredulous. "Wait a minute," he said. "Are you really telling me that I can't drive my car out of here because you don't trust me to pay a minor repair bill?"
"I'm sorry, sir," the guy said. "Those are the rules, and we can't change them."
Arnold went home and called the owner of the dealership. He said, "Jim, what's going on here? This is ridiculous!"
The owner apologized and told him not to worry. He'd take care of it. He'd personally bring the car over. Arnold could drive it for a day or two and pay the bill when he was satisfied.
So what had the owner accomplished with his rule? He'd aggravated a good customer. He'd made an employee look like a fool. And he'd caused himself embarrassment and inconvenience.
Every business needs rules, but if you're not careful, you run a high risk of creating bad ones.
I can sympathize. I've done it myself.
I understand why companies have rules. You get to a certain size, and you suddenly realize that you need them. Employees have to know where the boundaries lie -- how they're supposed to conduct themselves, what's going to get them into trouble and what isn't.
Some rules you establish for survival's sake, to avoid mistakes that might put you out of business. Others you have because you want to maintain certain standards. Still others you decide you need after you get whacked on the head. Then there are those you institute because you think you've discovered a terrific new way to boost your sales or streamline your management system or cut your costs -- whatever.
Behind every rule there's almost always a good reason, or at least a good intention. At the time you establish them, the rules appear to make all the sense in the world. And yet, if you're not careful, you run a high risk of creating rules that will hurt your business.
What happens is that you take away your employee's ability to use common sense in responding to the reasonable requests of customers.
If an unhappy customer has time to think about a grievance while they're waiting to hear from the "boss," they have just that much more time to get steamed.
Have you created a situation that takes away your employee's ability to use common sense? Or do you allow them to use their discretion to smooth over potentially ugly circumstances by handling it on the spot?
Think about it.
Dry spot removers are used to dissolve and break up solvent soluble spots, stains and soil on suede, leather, fur and cloth combination items before cleaning.
Although they are specifically formulated for use on suede and leather so that they will not remove color or harden the skins, they are also highly effective on cloth portions of suedes, leathers and furs, such as linings, waist bands and cloth trim. There are two types of dry side spot removers.
The dry, oily type dry spot remover which is formulated for removing oil-based paint, oil, grease, ink, dye, shoe polish, tar, lipstick or wax. It is an amber colored liquid formulation.
The VDS volatile type dry spot remover is formulated for removing glue, glue bleed, latex paint, oxidized oils and cosmetics. It is a clear, colorless liquid formulation.
Both spot removers are used full strength and can be applied directly to the spot. Spotting bottles with adjustable spouts are provided for both.
Dry spotter
Dry spotter may be applied to small spots full strength with a spotting bottle. If the spot or stained area is large, then the dry spot remover may be sprayed on with a hand-held trigger sprayer, a pressure tank sprayer or a spray gun.
Spraying speeds up the application to large areas that are covered with oily, ground-in soil. These areas are commonly found in the bends of the arms, elbows, cuffs, collars, hems, seats, fronts and pocket areas.
Mechanical action can be applied to enhance the effectiveness of the dry spot remover. Use the all-bristle suede and leather spotting brush or wire bristle suede spotting brush and/or a bone or metal spatula or scraper.
Caution: Be careful not to rub the finish off painted leather.
For more mechanical action on suedes only, the abrasive strip and abrasive block may be used after the spot or stain has been wet with the dry spot remover. Under normal conditions, the suede, leather or cloth item can be cleaned immediately after it is spotted.
However, if the item is excessively soiled or stained, the dry spot remover should be left on the item for at least 30 minutes before cleaning to allow it to continue to loosen the soil and stains prior to cleaning.
Ground-in soil almost always contains both water-soluble and solvent-soluble components. Therefore, these soiled and stained areas on suedes and leathers are most effectively prespotted by applying both the dry spot remover and the wet prespotter.
Normally, a dry spotter is applied first. However, since these products are specially formulated for use on suede and leather, the wet spotter may be applied first with no harmful effects.
If the item is excessively soiled it should not be cleaned immediately. After prespotting, wait at least 30 minutes before cleaning to allow the wet and dry spotters to continue to loosen the soil and stains.
VDS
The VDS volatile type spot remover is normally applied full strength directly to the spot with a spotting bottle.
Apply mechanical action as needed with the special all bristle suede and leather spotting brush or the wire bristle suede spotting brush and/or the metal or bone spatula or scraper.
Caution: Be careful not to rub the finish off painted leather!
For more mechanical action on suedes only, the abrasive strip or the abrasive block may also be used. The item may be cleaned immediately after spotting.
When spotting glue bleed in double stitched seams and other areas, apply the VDS spot remover liberally and use mechanical action. Repeat two or three times. Then wait several minutes for the spotter to dissolve and loosen the glue bleed before cleaning.
Caution: Be careful not to cut through the stitching with the abrasive strip or block!
Surface smudges that occur after cleaning can be removed by moistening a soft cloth with the VDS spot remover and lightly brushing it across the surface smudge until removed.
Caution: Do not use steam or spot removers other than the spotters or color loss and damage will occur to suede or leather skins.
All cleaners have a certain amount of customer turnover each year.
Most cleaners have a strategy for minimizing their customer "churn" rate.
Some cleaners collect information from customers to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
A few cleaners, however, have an in-depth understanding of why their lost customers have taken their business elsewhere, and are prepared to take the necessary steps to prevent their departure.
Customers who switch belong to one of two categories: "jumped" and "pushed."
Some customers switch not because of a bad experience or dissatisfaction but because they encountered another offer, which they perceived to be a better value for the money or better suited to their needs.
These customers were not consciously hunting for an alternative cleaner. They were acquired by another cleaner with a better proposition -- be it better quality, better service, or a better price. On the other hand, customers who have bad experiences and are dissatisfied will consciously go and look for an alternative.
Contented customers who encounter a better alternative are those who have "jumped." Dissatisfied customers in a search of an alternative are being "pushed" from their current cleaner.
There's a third category, the "hanging on," composed of customers who have not thought about switching even though they're dissatisfied with their present drycleaner. They will be the future jumpers, or the next to be pushed.
The jump involves the perceptions of available alternatives. Whether dissatisfied with their current drycleaner or not, customers who perceive an alternative as significantly better have a higher likelihood of switching.
The main difference between the "jump" and the "push" is whether a customer was in search of an alternative or merely encountered (usually through advertising) a cleaner with higher quality customer service, services more in line with their needs, or simply a lower price. Those who "jump" for better quality or services are more likely to remain loyal to their new cleaner.
Customers who switch for a lower price, however, are more likely to do so again when the opportunity arises. These bargain hunters will always be able to find a new competitor with a budget offering, especially in markets where there is little perceived difference of quality and services.
The push begins when a customer is dissatisfied or does not feel that his or her needs are being fulfilled at a reasonable rate, or at a reasonable price. He or she is likely to start looking for a better alternative.
It is unusual, however, that one or two isolated bad experiences cause a customer extreme dissatisfaction. Sometimes not even a series of problems can cause a customer to switch, provided they are handled well and resolved quickly. It's only when there is consistently bad service, indifference to the customer, poor quality, continually rising prices, or an inability to adequately resolve a problem, that customers are pushed into switching cleaners.
Moreover, when this happens, customers are highly unlikely to return and will probably become vocal detractors, spreading negative publicity about all their bad experiences.
The hanging on are those customers who have not considered switching even though they're dissatisfied with their present drycleaner. They do not believe the alternatives would be any better.
About a year ago, a colleague of mine told me about a series of unsatisfactory events he had experienced over a number of years with a particular airline. He believed these bad experiences were nothing but "things you have to put up with when you fly." He was hanging on because he didn't think any of the other airlines would be better.
An interesting question now arises. If these hangers-on are introduced to or experience a better offering and subsequently switch, did they jump or were they pushed?
These customer are not completely satisfied, but they are satisfied enough to wait for an opportunity to jump. Essentially they are being held at arms length, far enough away to prevent forming a binding relationship, but not so far as to cause immediate switching.
Recently my colleague decided to fly with an alternative airline and described it as "a revelation." He intends to use this new airline at every opportunity. He is one of their most vocal advocates. More importantly, he is now a vocal detractor of his former airline.
It is essential to have an understanding of what is causing customers to switch. How much of customer turnover is due to dissatisfaction and how much is due to failing to maintain high quality and services?
Retention marketing not only involves asking ourselves, "What are we doing wrong?" but also asking, "What are we doing right?"
It is not only important to minimize the number of customers who are pushed, but we must minimize the number of customers who jump! An in-depth understanding of why customers take their business elsewhere can provide greater direction and focus to any customer retention program.
Everyone who has read my articles in the past knows that Management 101 defines management as "the ability to get work done through others."
The problem confronting management today is finding the "others" to do that work. Not only is this today's biggest problem, it will continue to be businesses' biggest problem for the foreseeable future. That's rightŠ you are not only in competition with every other drycleaner for employees you are in competition with every other business.
The nation's unemployment rate dropped to 4.8 percent in May 1997, which is the lowest it has been since November 1973. Our national economy is currently creating more jobs than there are people entering the job market. The challenge of finding, hiring and keeping good people is going to get tougher.
The majority of drycleaners I know are currently taking in more work than their employees can process in a 40-hour week. The solution is to hire more qualified/trainable people or work overtime.
Most owners/managers are having such a difficult time finding new employees that they are paying overtime premiums.
At this time of year the plants are getting hotter and people are required to work longer hours (yes, you can require employees to work more than 40 hours per week). Productivity always suffers and with longer hours it is hard to maintain consistently high levels of quality work. Overtime is a short-term solution to a long-range problem.
In last month's article I addressed the ongoing problem of finding good employees. Since then I have communicated with dozens of people in person and by phone, fax, e-mail and the Fabricare Forum and the suggestions about where to look for employees are numerous. They include referrals from other employees, classified ads and facilities for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.
The most innovative and proactive program to date is the one that is being developed by Joel Deutsch, executive director of the South Eastern Fabricare Association (SEFA). About a year ago, Joel polled his members with a "Needs Analysis Questionnaire" (What a unique idea for a trade association!) and discovered that one of their major concerns was finding good employees. At about this same time, the idea of putting welfare recipients to work became a real hot political issue.
What would appear to be a mission impossible for most, Deutsch set out to find a way to connect the needs of his members with the needs of the people who want and need to provide for themselves.
The resulting pilot program involves the cooperation of several government agencies in Alabama. Deutsch told me that working with a variety of state agencies has been much easier than he had anticipated. He said that the state agencies and their employees are as dedicated and committed to placing and training welfare recipients as he is to finding a labor pool that will fit the needs of his members.
The program is called the "Job Placement Partnership" and is being promoted locally by the Mobile Coalition of Drycleaners. The state agencies involved in this effort are Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Department of Human Resources, Department of Economic Community Affairs, Mobile Transit Authority and Alabama Industrial Development Training.
The way it will work is the state of Alabama will test and screen the applicants prior to placing them in a drycleaning plant.
They will also teach the applicants "life skills" to ensure that they are employable. Furthermore, through the federally funded Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) private-for-profit employers hiring new employees from certain "targeted" groups can earn federal tax credits of up to $2,100 per new employee. The targeted categories are:
The drycleaners who participate are responsible for developing and documenting a training program for each skill area. Having an actual training program in your plant probably wouldn't be a bad idea even if you weren't getting some money back, eh?
Joel Deutsch has invested a great deal of time and effort to make sure that the drycleaners in the Mobile, Alabama, area have an opportunity to participate in this win, win, win program.
Everybody wins
The state and the taxpayers win by reducing welfare costs. The welfare recipients win when they get a chance to learn life skills and work skills, thereby giving them an opportunity to be self sufficient. Best of all for the drycleaners is they win a new labor pool to draw from, tax credits for training and an opportunity to give back to their community.
My congratulations to Joel for listening to his members and responding to their needs with this admirable new program. More information is available from SEFA at (770) 998-9900.
Locate where workers are
Another avenue to explore for finding new employees is to locate a central plant in an urban area where many of the unemployed live. As mentioned earlier, unemployment dropped to a 24-year low in May of this year (4.8 percent). For whites, unemployment was 4 percent, for African Americans it was 10.3 percent and for Hispanics it was 7.4 percent.
A central plant can process the work for your dry stores and routes. Furthermore, many cities and states have "enterprise zones" that offer a wide variety of financial incentives for businesses that are willing to locate there. Once again, this idea is not for everyone but it does offer potential for the owner who is in the right location and willing to work with the disadvantaged in the inner cities.
Finding good employees is a formidable task but the major challenge is keeping the best employees without breaking the bank. Your employees are your most valuable resource. They can be the most expensive, unpredictable, frustrating and difficult part of running a drycleaning business. It is for these reasons that every manager must work diligently at improving his or her management skills to retain current employees and to attract and retain new ones.
A learning experience
The drycleaners I know have had a great deal of training in the technical aspects of the business. They take courses, attend seminars, read books and watch tapes about spotting, fabrics, drycleaning, pressing, boilers, etc.
Unfortunately, there are very few courses or seminars offered to drycleaners on how to do a better job of managing people. I am presently developing a series of management seminars to fill this void. They will focus on personnel policies and procedures, financial management, including break-even analysis, labor costs, cost per piece, production standards, etc. I would appreciate any input and suggestions from you concerning the management subjects you are interested in learning more about.
Remember, in the game of business the more you know the better you can play the game.
HARRISBURG, PA -- The Drycleaner Response Act introduced in the Pennsylvania legislature is in the senate environmental committee with no legislative action planned for the current version of the bill.
It appears the state Department of Environmental Protection has reservations about the bill. This caused a delay in committee action while supporters of the bill worked with DEP representatives on a compromise.
"We had a good four-hour meeting" in mid-June, said Dale Kaplan of the Pennsylvania Drycleaners Coalition. "We came up with a way to rewrite bill."
According to Kaplan, the problem was the original bill was "set up so everybody would have a Phase 1 (site evaluation) and those who needed Phase 2 would get a priority ranking. Pennsylvania calls for voluntary compliance with DEP under Act 2."
Under the system cleaners ranked would receive a release. DEP was reported as hesitant toward the removal of the incentive to clean up sites.
Promoters of the bill, SB 973, said it would "help us clean up environmental contamination associated with certain substances from drycleaning operations."
For information on the measure, call the Pennsylvania Drycleaners Launderers Association, (215) 830-8495.
RED LION, PA -- The sixth annual golf tournament and banquet to benefit the Special Olympics of York, PA, will be held Aug. 21 at the Hickory Heights Golf Club in Spring Grove, PA.
The Central Pennsylvania Drycleaners Association is the sponsor of the event. Last year the local trade group raised more than $3,000 for the York Special Olympics committee.
Tee time is 11:30 a.m. and the donation fee is $75 a player. Players are asked to arrive one-half hour prior to tee-time. The format is handicapped scramble.
Carl Gardner, Gene Haas and Bob Ford are the people responsible for coordinating the program.
"We're proud of the effort. It's for a good cause," Ford said. He hopes to sell sponsorship of all 18 holes by July.
Banquet-only tickets are available for non-golfers who want to support the drive.
For information on the event, call Ford, (717) 244-0190.
KING GEORGE, VA -- The Mid-Atlantic Cleaners and Launderers Association has relocated its offices to 7091 Peppermill Road, King George, VA.
"We hope to make this move as seamless as possible," association executive vice president Dave Norford said just prior to the move. Unfortunately for him, the telephone company didn't meet that standard in switching the lines. It took almost a week to get the new telephone numbers working right, causing Norford "seamless aggravation."
The new MACLA numbers are (540) 775-2525 for voice and (540) 775-7441 for fax. The toll-free number stays the same, (800) 235-8360.
MACLA announced the addition of a pair of field representatives to its staff.
Randy Levan, a MACLA allied trades member, and association board member Curley O'Dell are the new staffers.
Levan will handle Maryland, Washington and northern Virginia while O'Dell will be responsible for Virginia south of Richmond and West Virginia.
LANSING, MI -- The annual convention of the Michigan Institute of Laundering & Drycleaning will be held Aug. 13 at the Grand Traverse Resort in northern Michigan. Planned events range from the annual meeting of the association to a wetcleaning/drycleaning overview.
The Friday, Aug. 1, program begins with the annual member and board meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. Dr. Wayne Hill of Management & Behavior Consultants will talk on "Don't Let Stress Take You to the Cleaners."
The evening features a casual outdoor reception and dinner.
Saturday's agenda begins at 7 a.m. with a golf tournament on the Spruce Run Resort with the morning left free for attendees to do as they wish.
The business program starts at 2 p.m. with a two hour presentation. The opening session is a presentation on the MILD self-insured workers' compensation fund titled "Profiting from Safety in the Work Place." This will be followed by Canadian Fabricare Association executive director Vic Vandermolen. His topic is "Aqueous and Non-Aqueous Dry Cleaning."
The President's Banquet follows the seminar with coach-boarding at 5 p.m. for a ride to a "black-tie optional" reception at the Chateau Chantal. This wine and cheese party is the prelude to a banquet and hospitality reception planned for the Grand Traverse Resort.
An "Eggs & Issues" breakfast on Sunday, Aug. 3, opens the concluding session. Two panel discussions are planned: "How Can I Afford Employee Benefits?" and "So Your Customer Is Taking You to Court." MILD members and professionals from corresponding industries will participate on the panels.
Information on the MILD program is available from Merry Bering, (317) 337-2909.
MADISON, WI -- A Wisconsin Drycleaner Environmental Response Fund was approved by the legislature's Joint Committee on Finance last month as an amendment to the Wisconsin state budget bill. Because of this decision, the proposal stands an excellent chance of being enacted as law this summer.
The Wisconsin Fabricare Institute said the proposal creates a fund to be used in Wisconsin to clean up discharges of drycleaning solvents.
Every drycleaning establishment in the state would be licensed and pay a 1.8 percent gross receipts tax on drycleaning and laundry services. In addition, there will be a $5 a gallon fee on perc (existing stock included) and a 75 cents a gallon tax on stoddard solvent.
Commercial laundries are excluded from the process in its entirety.
Cleanup cost reimbursements would come with a $5,000 deductible on interim remediation costs. The cap on reimbursement for this activity is $15,000.
The general cleanup costs have a deductible of $10,000 for expenses up to $200,000. After that, drycleaners are responsible for an additional eight percent on the costs up to $400,000 and 10 percent on costs between that and $600,000. The cap on cleanup reimbursement is $600,000.
When the fund is in operation, drycleaning businesses that have incurred contamination remediation costs since Jan. 1, 1991, will be reimbursed according to the process.
"Historical" sites -- plants no longer operating -- would be eligible if the former owners bought into the system "at the determined average of license fees collected from operating drycleaners," WFI reported. They have five years in which to join the program. After that, no applications will be accepted.
Active cleaners have 10 years in which to apply for clean up funds.
Approximately 10 percent of the fund will be available for emergency cleanups, 46 percent for interim and the balance for general clean ups.
WFI said the program has provisions whereby drycleaners may be eligible for third-party liability awards.
The law has a 35 year lifespan. The state Department of Natural Resources has the right to review the fund after its first five years. At that point, DNR can recommend changes in the program and decide whether the program should be expanded or ended.
WFI executive director Joe Phillips said "the 15-1 vote in the joint committee on finance incorporated proposal into state budget bill. That was the big hurdle, since the finance committee is the most powerful committee in our legislature."
WFI took the approach of avoiding the introduction of a separate bill by pursuing change through the budget process. Phillips called this "a shortcut approach."
"It cut down the time element and we didn't have to go through what could be the difficult process of hearings," he added.
Two Midwest trade associations have released their programs for conferences planned later this summer.
The Mid America Fabricare Institute will hold its 1997 annual conference Aug. 1517 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons, Lake of the Ozarks, MO.
The Friday program is a social event in the form of an association welcome cocktail reception at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, the business sessions open with a 7:45 a.m continental breakfast which rolls into the annual membership meeting and elections of officers.
At 8:30 a.m. a Clean '97 report on new ideas, equipment and technology will be presented by various MAFA members.
From 9 a.m. to noon Sam Schwartz presents his Practical Management Course.
This will be followed by a working lunch where attendees will examine the topics of "Motivating Employees" and "Marketing."
Schwartz continues with Practical Management from 12:45 to 2 p.m.
On Sunday the association offers a dinner cruise.
MAFA information is available from executive director Dennis Loomis, (314) 644-5583.
The Wisconsin Fabricare Institute will hold its fall conference Sept. 1214 at the Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Business sessions are planned for Saturday morning followed by a golf outing in the afternoon. A banquet is planned for the evening.
The Sunday program features additional business sessions followed by a closing brunch.
For WFI information, call Kari Foster, (414) 529-4707.
JOLIET, IL -- The Illinois State Fabricare Association said its Drycleaners Environmental Response Fund Bill was approved by the Illinois legislature and awaits, he governor's signature.
The key benefits of the law include a remedial action account which will provide financial assistance for the cleanup of existing soil and water contamination, an insurance account to provide financial assistance for the cleanup of future contamination, an improvement in the marketability of both drycleaning sites and operations, an improvement in the business loan market for drycleaners and the promotion of environmental compliance by cleaners.
The law will provide reimbursement of site investigation costs and cleanup of existing soil and groundwater contamination that is discovered between July 1, 1997, and June 30, 2002. Benefit claims must be filed with the state by June 30, 2002.
For more information, call Jinelle Walker, (815) 729-0137.
Jinelle Walker, the executive director of the Illinois State Fabricare Association, tendered her resignation to the association in mid-June. She intends to pursue new career opportunities in the textile care industry.
KOKOMO, IN -- Drycleaning consultant Kenney Slatten, attorney David Sweider and a trio of drycleaners are on the program of the Indiana Drycleaning & Laundry Association Summer convention July 25-26 at Indiana Beach.
The seminars will be held July 26.
Slatten, a third-generation cleaner as well as textile care business consultant, will present a seminar on employee management and retention.
Sweider will discuss "Hot Topics on Labor Law." Sweider specializes in labor relations and will hold a question and answer session with attendees. He is associated with the law firm of Bose, McKinney & Evans.
The panel discussion is scheduled to follow lunch.
"Along with our guest speakers, three of Indiana's professional drycleaners will help you answer any of your business needs," association executive director Rex Beddies said.
Recreational activities for the weekend include golf, swimming, games and a free tour on the Shaffor Queen paddle boat. Reservations and information on the program is available from Beddies the IDLA office, (800) 401-0703.
Beddies has been promoting programs offered by the association.
"Education is so important in today's marketplace," he said. "We decided to provide seminars throughout all of Indiana for the convenience to the small drycleaner who can not spend time away from their business."
NEW YORK, NY -- The seminars and programs for Tex-Care '97 Sept. 20-21 in Edison, NJ, has been announced by the Neighborhood Cleaners Association International.
Six sessions are planned over the two mornings of the show. All seminars are held before the exhibit hours.
The Saturday, Sept. 20, sessions start at 9 a.m. with trade journalist Scott Alloway discussing how cleaners can use the internet to find information and e-mail to communicate with other drycleaners.
At 10 a.m. environmental consultant Mike Tatch will explain how cleaners can pass the New York state "negotiated rule making" inspection on the first visit.
At 11 a.m. Bob Stewart will show drycleaners the "how-to" of wet processing suede and leather garments in their own stores.
On Sunday, Sept. 21, NCAI garment analyst Dan Eisen opens the day's program at 8:45 a.m. with a how-to session on dealing with customer complaints. He will explain ways to avoid problems by solving them before they get past the front counter.
Management consultant Deborah Rechnitz will address the issue of planning for changing your future. Her session is scheduled from 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Concurrent to these two Sunday sessions is a Korean-language program offered by NCAI Korean Affairs manager Frank Choy. The seminar is on training counter personnel.
Entry to all programs and admission to the exhibit hall is free.
Exhibit hours are noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Advance registration is encouraged to expedite the creation of admission badges.
The Crowne Plaza is the headquarters hotel for the convention.
For more information on Tex-Care and for registration packets, call NCAI, (212) 967-3002.
WAKEFIELD, MA -- Training programs for drycleaners are being offered this summer by the North East Fabricare Association.
The programs begin July 23 with a Problem Garments and customer Service Representatives program in Providence, RI.
A second seminar on the same topic is planned for Aug. 6 in Connecticut. The location will be announced soon.
A Professional Finishing course will be held Aug. 12 in Portland, ME.
Environmental Cleaning and Spotting will be the subject of a July 2526 session in Connecticut. A location is being finalized.
A spotting seminar will be held in Boston on Aug. 89.
Carmelia Bernardi is the instructor for all courses. Peter Blake joins her for the Environmental Cleaning and Spotting seminars.
Tuition fees vary with discounts given to NEFA members.
NEFA representatives said they have begun plans for their 1998 convention and exhibit. Fabricare Image '98 will be held at the Centrum in Worcester, MA,on April 45.
Previous shows were held in Marlboro, MA, but space limitations caused the association to seek a new venue.
More information on the program is available from NEFA, (617) 245-6688.
DENTON, TX -- The Southwest Drycleaners Association posted its web page in mid-June, joining a growing list of textile care individuals, associations and businesses with a presence on the internet.
The SWDA site address is "http://www.sda-dryclean.com" and requires a browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape 3.0 for optimum viewing.
"This will give you the most up-to-date information on the Southwest Drycleaners Big '98 show, course information for the Texas Research Center for Laundry & Drycleaning, membership information, affiliate associations and more," SWDA said.
The association also announced the installation of officers and directors at its San Antonio board meeting.
Jim Cripe is the new president of SDA. Cripe owns and operates plants in Temple and Gatesville, TX. He holds a business degree from Northwestern State University in Louisiana and entered the cleaning industry in 1975 when he purchased two drycleaning plants as an investment.
His wife Cissy and their four children are all active in the drycleaning industry.
Other officers elected include first vice president Bruce Baldwin of Sugarland, TX, second vice president Shirley Reichstadt of Dallas, TX, sergeant at arms William Harkrider, II of Houston, TX, and directors' representative to the executive committee Darryl Sawyer of Boerne, TX.
The newly-formed allied trades liaison committee includes Robert Nagel of Austin, TX, Tom Tipps of Albuquerque, NM, Carl Wade of Lake Kiowa, Sonny Kahn of San Antonio, TX, and Pat Davis of Fredricksburg.
Frank Salat of the Texas Small Business Technical Assistance office provided board members with advice on dealing with EPA inspectors. He also offered assistance to anyone who wanted information on what will be required of drycleaners.
SDA also announced class sessions at the Texas Research Center for Laundry and Drycleaning.
Finishing classes will be held the week of Oct. 1519 while stain removal classes are planned for Nov. 1014.
For information, call (210) 826-4684.
JACKSON, MS -- The South Central Fabricare Association has finalized plans for a training seminar this fall.
Rex Beddies and Dana Horvath of the Indiana Laundry & drycleaning Association will lead a stain removal class in Lafayette, LA, on Oct. 18
The all-day Saturday program starts at 8:30 a.m. and lasts until 5:30 p.m.
Tuition fees are $65 for the first person from an association-member plant, $45 for the second person and $95 for non-SCFA members.
Information is available from SCFA executive director Darienne Wilson, (601) 354-2049.
FRANKFORT, KY -- The Kentucky Fabricare Association board of directors ended three months of deliberation with an announcement that the association has reached a "joint marketing agreement" with the Neighborhood Cleaners Association International.
"We believe we have the best membership value available," the KFA board said in a June 1 letter to members. It noted the association ended its affiliation with the International Fabricare Institute earlier this year "because of escalating dues and declining perceived value of membership." At that time KFA membership dwindled to 49 operating plant owners.
The agreement with NCAI establishes a fixed dues rate of $350, puts in place a delivery system for technical and educational information and allows the state association flexibility in developing an long-term plan.
KFA members and board directors met at the NCAI booth June 3 at the Clean Show to formally announce the agreement. Led by KFA president Ken Rapier, a group of cleaners filled out and submitted KFA/NCAI membership forms.
As it made note of the new direction, it also asked cleaners for feedback.
"The KFA board of directors is committed to you, but needs your commitment in return. What we really need is your input," KFA said. It asked for suggestions on services, publications and seminars that might best serve the needs of Kentucky drycleaners.
Rapier also sent a letter to all Kentucky cleaners asking for support for the Barton bill.
"It is our responsibility as drycleaners to contact our Senators and Congressmen on the importance of the passage of the Barton Bill," Rapier said. "Contact the entire Kentucky Congressional delegation, with particular emphasis on the elected officials from your district."
The KFA office can be reached at (502) 223-5322.
RALEIGH, NC -- The North Carolina Association of Launderers & Cleaners is still being considered in the house finance committee as the legislature deals with pressing budget problems.
The state must have a negotiated budget before the end of this year's session. Should the measure stay as is, it faces an uncertain future with this legislature as next year the legislature convenes for a "short session" to deal with budget items.
ATLANTA, GA, -- Four stain removal seminars are planned in the southeast this summer.
The eight-hour programs are "designed to benefit beginners or experienced spotters," SEFA said.
Short video clips as well as a new notebook with reference sources highlight the presentations.
Each seminar is scheduled for Saturday. The one-day class hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The opening seminar is July 12 in Birmingham, AL.
The second presentation is July 26 in Savannah, GA.
Orlando, FL, is the host city for the Aug. 9 program.
Columbia, SC, is the site of the concluding class on Aug. 23.
Each course is led by an International Fabricare Institute instructor and will be conducted in a hotel.
Information on the course and the tuition fee schedule is available from SEFA, (770) 998-9900.
NASHVILLE, TN, -- The annual members meeting, a general membership meeting and the Southern Drycleaning Expo are on the calendar of the Tennessee Fabricare Association.
The annual meeting is scheduled for Aug. 1-3 in Gatlinburg.
An association membership meeting will be held Nov. 13 in Memphis.
The 1998 Southern Drycleaning Expo takes place March 2629. It will be held at the Nashville Renaissance Center. Program plans are being developed.
For information, call TFA, (615) 254-3687.
LAS VEGAS, NV -- A meeting to create a joint service and programing system for drycleaners was held by members and officers of a number of western United States textile care trade associations in Las Vegas June 4.
The purpose of the venture is to develop a fully-operational education, service and information system for cleaners from the Rockies to the Pacific coast. The meeting was planned earlier this year during a series of phone conferences among the participants.
The Alliance of Western States Drycleaner Associations, as the group called itself, spent the time defining its mission and the planned scope of services.
The target audience for the alliance are states which do not have an affiliation with a national trade association, one participant said.
"The other associations won't be left out, but our primary concern is services for the unaffiliated states," California cleaner Harry Boucher confirmed.
"We agreed, in the formation stage, wanted to develop a mission statement, due in our office by June 18 so we can tell people what we're about," he added.
The meeting was held for officers and directors of associations, rather than management staff of the trade groups.
Northwest cleaners attending were Pickett and Margaret Galbraith. CFI members Boucher and Barry Gershenson and WSFA member Link also participated.
Also attending were drycleaners from Oregon and Colorado.
Among the programs which are open to sharing are pollution liability insurance, natural gas and credit/debit program.
The only association executives present were Lee Adler and Cheryl Demitriff of the Messersmith Group in Sacramento, CA. According to several attendees, they helped facilitate discussion of the proposed cooperative venture.
Information on the effort can be obtained from Demitriff, (800) 390-8409.
SACRAMENTO, CA -- The California Fabricare Institute will hold its annual convention Aug. 1417 at the Marriott City Center in Oakland, CA.
The association, which has links to a number of local drycleaning trade groups, has plans for education seminars, a golf tournament, receptions and awards banquet.
The golf tournament starts the long weekend on Thursday, Aug. 14. It is co-sponsored by CFI, the Central Valley Drycleaners Association and the Peninsula Dry Cleaners Association.
Information seminars include programs on business redesign, hiring and firing, lease negotiations, the CFI Five-Star program, plant maintenance and computer troubleshooting and the CFI pollution liability program.
Other events include the annual membership meeting, a legislative and regulatory update, presentation of the CFI long-term plan and the election of officers and directors.
CFI committees and the board of directors meet the morning of Aug. 17 before a Vintners International Art, Wine and Jazz Show concludes the weekend.
Registration, program and hotel information is available through the CFI office. Call (800) 390-8409.
Mildred Aldridge was presented with the Andre Gelpi Memorial Award at the 1997 Swan Cleaners Recognition Dinner. The award, named after the founder of Swan Cleaners, is presented each year to an outstanding Swan associate who has upheld the founder's tradition and ideals. It is the company's most distinguished honor. Aldridge has worked for Swan Cleaners for more than 24 years, starting with the company in 1972 as a presser in the old Swan Northern Lights location. Over the years she has worked at several Swan stores as both a presser and a trainer of pressers. She now works at the Reed & Henderson location in northwest Columbus, OH. "Her customers and co-workers alike know her as a kind, dedicated person with a wonderful, positive attitude," the company said in its announcement of the award. Swan President Paul Gelpi honored Aldridge with a special commemorative plaque and $1,000 cash at the 29th Swan recognition dinner. The annual even honors Swan associates with five or more years of service with the company. Associates are presented with Swan custom jewelry set with gemstones to mark their years of service.
Pat King has been promoted to vice president/marketing and Cary Becknell has been appointed vice president/sales for the Hoyt. Corp. laundry and drycleaning division. The company also announced that Rod McLemore is its new Southwest regional sales manager and that John Olinger has joined the company as industrial sales manager. King has 25 years of experience in the field and will be responsible for all marketing, advertising, customer service and sales administration activities, including field sales support staff. She will continue her sales responsibility in the Northeast and Midatlantic territory. She is a resident of Swansea, MA. Becknell, who has a long career in selling commercial laundry and drycleaning equipment, will be responsible for the regional sales force and the distributor network. He will also continue his responsibility for sales in the Southeast. He lives in Charlotte, NC. King and Becknell will combine their efforts to strengthen the distributor sales network and the company's future marketing and advertising. McLemore, who joined Hoyt last year as regional sales manager for the Southwest, has many years of previous experience in the drycleaning industry. He resides in Dallas, TX. Olinger will promote nationally the petroleum drycleaning product line to industrial launderers. His background is in sales and marketing and he lives in Chicago, IL. Hoyt noted that its petroleum dry-cleaning division has expanded and that, now in its 48th year, the company is putting "great emphasis" on this line. Hoyt said it has developed and will continue to develop new products and add to its current line for both its drycleaning and laundry divisions.
Midwest Hanger has been commended by the Missouri State Senate for its ongoing commitment to excellence and contribution to the community. Cited in the Resolution were the company's achievements in business, which include the recognition of the Cameron, MO, facility in 1996 as Small Business of the Year by MO-KAN Development Inc. Also acknowledged were the Kansas City-based company's "high quality standards and their visionary leadership. Midwest Hanger has been a manufacturer of wire clothing hangers for drycleaners and industrial launderers for 45 years. The Cameron, MO, plant, founded in 1992, is in addition to the main plant in Kansas City, MO.
Dan Goldman has been appointed national sales manager for Wascomat. his responsibilities include developing the company's dealer network for self-service coin-operated and on-premise laundries and assisting in the marketing of Aqua clean. Goldman has more than 17 years of experience working on the dealer level, selling laundry and drycleaning equipment and cleaning chemicals and supplies. "I find the current trend toward greater water and energy efficiency and, larger coin stores, greater reliance on computer controls and the evolution of wetcleaning technology to be fascinating," Goldman commented. He can be reached at the Wascomat office in Inwood, NY, (by phone at (800) 645-2204, ext. 140, or by e-mail at salesdept@wascomat.com.
Michael Graham has been named vice president of marketing and sales by Pittsburgh Tag Systems Inc. Graham, a 23-year veteran of the beer industry, was the president and COO of the nation's ninth largest brewery, Pittsburgh Brewery Co. He was vice president of marketing and sales for the brewery beginning in 1980 and was named president in 1982. Previously he was in the business forms industry. Graham started with Pittsburgh Tag on march 31 and has spent his initial period learning about the business with the company's sales force. He is a 1971 graduate of American University in Washington, DC, which he attended on a full basketball scholarship. He earned a masters in business administration from Duquesne University in 1978. Lee Griswold, president of Pittsburgh Tag, said Graham will "provide depth to our management team" as the company seeks to sustain the growth it has realized over the last 10 years. "He gives us significant experience in sales and marketing to manage our expanded product lines for the laundry and drycleaning trade," Griswold said. Graham noted that while the products of his present and former companies are different "the challenge of providing good products through a three-tier distribution system is something I have been doing for a long time." Founded in 1927, Pittsburgh Tag has been expanding in every aspect of its business. It entered the point-of-sale segment with the acquisition of Courtesy Systems and Max Computer systems in 1993 and Core Image Systems in 1995. The company also produces continuous tags and forms to its work systems for laundry and dry-cleaning. Joel Levine, who was recently promoted to senior vice president of the company, was credited for much of its recent progress.
Tim Clifford has been appointed vice president of financing and leasing operations for Viking Financial Services L. L. C. of Inwood, NY. Viking finances and leases laundry equipment to coin and on-premise laundries and wetcleaners. Clifford has more than 10 years of experience in the laundry equipment industry. The company accepts on-line credit applications at its World Wide Web site: http://www.vikingfs.com.
ArctiChill Inc. has announced that all sales and marketing reorganization of its sales and marketing operation. The drycleaning products group will continue to work from the factory in Newberry, SC and application, special products and designs and listing pricing will also be handled by the engineering department in Newberry. The company's industrial, HVAC/R and wholesale-distribution market segments, both domestic and international, will be handled from a new office in Norcross, GA. This includes sales information, literature requests, administration policy, special pricing and quotation. The contact information for that office is 3883 Glen Meadow Dr., Suite 100, Norcross, GA 30092; phone (770) 449-7282 or (800) 375-8585; fax (770) 449-7281. The company's medical sales and marketing will continue to be handled from the office in Princeton, NJ.
Fulton Boiler Works Inc. presented its Sales Office of the Year award to Gulf States Laundry Machinery of Houston, TX, during Clean '97 in Las Vegas. At the presentation were Pravin Parmar of Gulf States, Fred Riano, national sales manager for Fulton; Harish Parmar, Ben Patel and Ted Kim, all of Gulf States.
WESTPORT, MA -- Hoyt's Petro-Miser petroleum solvent recovery dryers are now available with programmable controllers and refrigeration. The company said the tumblers provide recovery of up to 95 percent of the solvent from washed and extracted garments. The recovery dryers are offered in 50- and 105-lb. capacities and in three different versions: water cooled with remote control panel; water cooled with integral programmable controller; and refrigerated with integral programmable controller. The design requires no venting and eliminates the permitting process in many areas. A refrigerated condenser on the refrigerated units eliminates the need for a separate chiller and water feed to the unit. The 25- and 50-ft. precharged line sets with self sealing quick connect fittings allow quick hookup of the unit's refrigeration system to a remote condenser. The Petro-Misers are transfer units which can provide more production capacity than similar size dry-to-dry units. The control panel is located on the front of the unit and the refrigerated condenser reduces cycle times. The self cleaning condenser coil allows higher efficiency and faster solvent reclamation and a patented lint filter cleaning system keeps the filter bag functioning longer.
------CLEVELAND, OH -- PressPointe one-touch software system uses touchscreen technology to allow non-computer oriented employees to learn the system while performing on the job. No keyboard is needed since all input is done with touchscreen technology guided by window help boxes. Tickets can be bar-coded and computer generated and strip tags can be produced that print the ticket number, customer name and piece count. Garments removed from inventory are scanned and matched to the invoice ticket, providing complete cash and inventory control. A complete listing of all open tickets is displayed to reduce the problem of aging inventory. The system can be adapted and controlled by the customer. A variety of reports and analyses for business operations can be generated, including drop-off and pick-up activity; payment receipts; price detail; upcharges and re-do reports; coupon activity; inventory detail and exception reports; item quantity reports; production scheduling; cash reconciliation; top customer lists; mailing labels; and employee time clock reports. The system allows automatically calculating of upcharges, discounts and coupons; storage and environmental fees; price and alteration charges, press/clean/repair only charges and re-do adjustments.
------INWOOD, NY -- Aqua Clean Systems has introduced three new wetcleaning systems, a 12-lb mini, a 15-lb. medium and a 90-lb large size. The new sizes are in addition to the 30-, 50-, and 80-lb. capacity system already offered by the company. All systems are available with matching dryers. The EX90 system provides 90 pounds of wetcleaning washer capacity, large enough to clean commercial draperies and rugs but also gentle enough for silks, leathers and beaded and sequined wedding gowns. The system has a frequency controlled motor and programmable controls. The 15-lb. capacity professional wetcleaning and shirt laundry system features a FLE66PCS washer with a fully programmable microprocessor control, including a built-in wetcleaning and shirt laundry wash formulas. The machine has a three-pump chemical injection system, high-speed extraction for shirt laundering and a frequency controlled motor for wetcleaning. The companion TT166 Residual Moisture Control dryer is a multiple sensor electronic dryer that directly measure garment moisture with three automatic programs. The 12-lb, mini system, a stacked washer and dryer, measures less than 24 inches wide and is 68 inches tall. The company is offering a one-year purchase price credit guarantee on the system toward the purchase of a larger size system.
------MARIETTA, GA -- ScaleAway can be used in conjunction with current water treatments for eliminating lime scale buildup on heat exchange surfaces of boilers. It removes built-up scale which will reduce day-to-day operating costs and expensive repairs and downtime for scale-damaged equipment, according to the manufacturer's representative, The Fuller Group. ScaleAway operates by transmitting a complex variable frequency signal that disrupts covalent bonding of scale forming molecular clusters, causing the fluid-bound minerals to remain in suspension. It also lowers the surface tension of the water while increasing the solubility of the minerals to act as a mild abrasive cleaner for removing existing scale. The device uses a UL-approved power supply and operates 24 hours a day.
------KENNER, LA -- The Caplan Method of Stain Removal is a training program put together by longtime industry educator and consultant Stan Caplan. The package includes a one hour and 17-minute video, a comprehensive handbook and a quick spotting guide for use directly at the spotting board. In the video, Caplan explains and demonstrates the procedure for removing stains from each of the eight major categories and from common "special" stains. Each page of "The Spotter's Quick Guide" has been coated with a chemical resistant enamel for use on or near the spotting board. It is indexed in the front to provide quick reference to the stain removal techniques for hundreds of stains. The back cover shows a spotting board layout recommended by Caplan. The package can be used to train new personnel or to retrain existing personnel in the Caplan method. The video can be shown to staff at a time convenient for plant operations and the 86-page handbook can be taken home by spotters-in-training for study on their own time. The program is available through the Successful Management Group in which Caplan has participated. He was chief instructor at the International Fabricare institute for more than 10 years where he wrote many technical bulletins and other educational materials. Before that he owned and operated a multi-million dollar laundry and drycleaning facility on the Army depot at Ft. Meade, MD. For more than a quarter century he has been a teacher, lecturer and consultant to the industry and his own education includes degrees in law, accounting and engineering
------RIPON, WI -- A system that can reduce water consumption and sewer output by up to 32 percent has been developed by UniMac. Available on the company's UW and UF washer-extractors, the water reclamation system stores and filters rinse water used in the previous wash cycle for use in the pre-wash and wash stages of the next cycle. UF soft-mount models that have the self-contained water reclamation unit do not require special plumbing, extra floor space or a foundation mountings.
------ST. LOUIS PARK, MN -- PROS has announced the availability of its new 1997 drycleaning parts catalog. The catalog has more than 100 new photographs of parts for easier and faster identification along with new lines of parts and more information to help find the correct part.
------COLD SPRING, KY -- Fabritec International Research has announced the development of a procedure in which Stamford Care Coat Extra water and oil repellent can be applied to fabrics in a wetcleaning process. The new formulation of the original spray water repellent, normally sprayed onto cleaned garments or fabrics, can now be added to the last rinse of a wetcleaning process at two ounces per gallon of water followed by a light extract and drying to produce water and oil repellency.
------LARGO, FL -- CareChem has introduced Uni-Care, a new drycleaning injection detergent that is biodegradable and formulated for use in either petroleum or perchloroethylene systems. The company said that Uni-Care removes water-soluble stains and controls moisture and static.
------TULSA, OK -- Fire Load is a batch additive from Royaltone that is added to the drycleaning wheel to remove soot and smoke odor from the fire damaged items. Fire Load can be used in any drycleaning solvent and in any drycleaning machine, the company said. Best results are achieved when Fire Load is added to the wheel at two ounces per 10 pounds of fire-damaged items and batch cleaned for five minutes with no filter.
Date created: June 24 1997 Copyright © 1997, BPS Communications Inc. National Clothesline ncled@aol.com
