July 1998
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Consumers gave mixed signals on price vs. quality in a survey taken by members of the Michigan Institute of Laundering and Drycleaning. Some of the 30,000 visitors to the International Women's Show in Novi, Michigan, were asked about their attitudes towards clothing and garment care. Pictured at MILD's booth at the show are, from left, Teresa Woods of the MILD staff, Mike Hoelzel of C & V. Inc., and Jan Barlow of Jan's Professional Cleaners. A survey by Cotton Inc. also asked consumers about garment care. Some said they look for clothes with "Dryclean Only" care labels.
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- Jeff Berkowitz: You start young, work for the family enterprise and learn the business from top to bottom. After a decade or two, if you're the member of your generation who stayed with the business, you get your chance to take over and run things your way.
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Consumers may say that quality is the most important factor in their choice of a cleaner, but their actions suggest that price is more influential than they admit.
Two surveys taken by the Michigan Institute of Laundering and Drycleaning at the International Women's Show -- one last year and one this spring -- indicate that customers are more easily swayed by price than they themselves may believe.
In the 1997 survey, MILD members asked show attendees to rank in order of importance quality, price and timeliness. Quality was the overwhelming leader, with 83 percent of the respondents calling it most important. Half as many -- 40 percent -- named price is their leading consideration while 26 percent ranked timeliness as most important. (The percentage figures exceed 100 because some respondents listed two or more as equally important.)
When MILD members surveyed show attendees this year, the question was asked a bit differently: "If you have used more than one cleaner in the past year, why have you switched?"
In this survey, quality, price and convenience came out about even. Coupons and discount sales lured away 35 percent of the customers. The quest for quality caused 34 percent to switch. Location or store hours were the deciding factor for 30 percent of the respondents.
Most of the 500 survey participants were users of drycleaning services -- only two percent said they had not used a drycleaner in the past year. Most were, by and large, loyal to one cleaner -- 42 percent said they had used only one cleaner in the past year while 35 percent said they used two different cleaners. Others were more fickle, using three or more.
Both this year and last year, MILD asked consumers if they take their business casual clothes to the drycleaner.
Responses were similar in both surveys. Just under a third answered "no," while the rest said "yes" or "sometimes."
Both surveys also asked how many hours a week are spent doing personal or family laundry at home. Here, too, the results were similar for both years. About half reported devoting one to four hours a week for home laundry chores while third spend more than four hours a week. The remainder, about one in five said they spend an hour or less a week doing laundry.
Care label instructions influence most garment purchases, MILD learned from a new question asked in this year's survey. Only 14 percent said the care instructions never affect their clothing purchase decisions.
Nearly half said care instructions are always a factor while the rest allowed that "sometimes" they take the care instructions into consideration.
The International Women's Show is held annually in Novi, Michigan, as a showcase for companies and industries that market products and services to women.
MILD's participation in the shows goes beyond collecting survey information from consumers. Volunteers from the association have given their time to meet the thousands of show visitors, answering questions and distributing information about professional garment care at MILD's booth at the show.
MILD members who worked the boot this year include Tom Cooper and Diane Callaway of Cooper's Drycleaners; Mike Hoelzel of C & V Inc.; Dave and Jan Mathes of Janet Davis Cleaners, Bob Rewold of Colony Cleaners; Paul White of Roth Cleaners; Don and Sandy Welch of Welch Cleaners; Dave Dupuis of Clayton Cleaners; Saralee Stora of Wayland Drycleaners; Christa Pfeffer of Shores Cleaners. Merry Bering and Teresa Woods of the MILD office also helped out and Jan Barlow of Jan's Professional Cleaners provided the booth and hand-outs. Helmac Products Corp. of Flint, MI, donated lint-pickups to hand out to booth visitors who took the time to answer MILD's survey questions.
Surveys of consumers conducted by Cotton Inc. on women's attitudes toward clothing care revealed that most will check care labels before making a purchase.
How the care label influences their purchase decision depends upon the consumer.
In four separate surveys conducted over the past three years, women were asked when they are more likely to check a garment's care instructions -- before the purchase or after. In all four surveys, just under 60 percent said they read the label before buying.
What are they looking for when they read those labels?
The answers, Cotton Inc. said, vary according to life-style and the kind of clothes being bought. Although many women prefer clothing that can thrown in the wash, a good number actually look for clothes that require drycleaning due to today's frenetic pace.
"I like drycleaning better," one respondent told Cotton Inc. "I don't have time to wash and iron, In fact, for work clothes, if it's washable, I wont buy it."
Another said: "I don't like to iron and I want my clothes to look nice. I'll dryclean clothes even if they're washable."
A J. Crew sales associate told Cotton Inc. that for most of her customers, "washable is not a selling point." She said women think about care after they have tried something on.
Dryclean label a plus
"If an item is fairly expensive, the fact that it needs drycleaning is fine with them. They're buying a look, which includes drycleaning," she said.
A Florida woman commented that she "hopes" it is washable when she buys something, but added "I would still buy even if it needed drycleaning. I like things that are hand washable because it save time and money."
But two sales representatives at a Connecticut store said that their customers are looking for items that are machine washable.
"They like clothes that look good for business, yet can be washed."
What about ironing?
Home washing often means home ironing. Although ironing can be more of a chore than washing, fewer than 2 percent of the women surveyed said they wouldn't buy an item if it needs ironing.
About 80 percent of all age groups said they iron at home. About half of the others said they'll send the garment to the cleaners while many of the others said they will wear it wrinkled.
As a Connecticut consumer said, "I'm not thrilled I have to iron, but I do it when I have to. It won't stop me from buying."
Wrinkles away
As much as women don't like ironing, they dislike wrinkles even more.
Wrinkle-resistant garments may be an option, Cotton Inc., suggested, but only 15 percent of the survey respondents said they would pay more for wrinkle-resistant cotton, rather than buy a cotton/poly.
"Wrinkle-free would be a plus," one said. "But only if the fabric feels good and is a good quality."
Portions of Cotton Inc.'s Life-style Monitor Surveys, which focus on consumer attitudes toward clothing and related subjects, are published every Thursday in Women's Wear Daily. An archive of the survey articles is available at Cotton Inc.'s Web site: www.cottoninc.com
The Zurcion Method of gown cleaning, long a target of questions and complaints from cleaners and consumers, now must answer to the Federal Trade Commission.
Care labels that specify the Zurcion Method are most commonly found on wedding gowns usually accompanied by an toll-free telephone to call to arrange for cleaning.
In an administrative complaint filed May 27, the FTC alleged that the care instructions calling for "Dryclean Only by Zurcion Method" violate the Care Label Rule and that advertising and promotional materials for the process are false and misleading.
The FTC action was filed against New York-based Continental Gown Cleaning Service Inc. and four related companies -- Nationwide Gown Cleaning Service Inc., Prestige Gown Cleaning Service Inc., Gown Cleaning Service Inc. and Jonathan Ashley, Ltd.
Two individual defendants, Lewis Weissman and Gary Marcus, were also named. Both are corporate officers of the companies.
The FTC issues a complaint when it has reason to believe that the law has been or is being violated and a proceeding would be in the public interest.
The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the law has been violated; it only marks the beginning of a proceeding in which the allegations will be ruled upon after a formal hearing.
The companies and individuals named in the May 27 complaint were given a tentative June 24 hearing date before an administrative law judge.
Under the Care Label Rule, if a garment's care instruction calls for drycleaning the cleaner can assume that any commercially available drycleaning solvent will be safe to use unless the label warns otherwise. Also, if any part of the normal cleaning process could harm the garment, the label must warn about that, too.
The FTC said that most garments carrying the "Zurcion" label would be harmed by some types of drycleaning solvent or some part of a normal drycleaning process. Thus an accurate care label should indicate at least one type of solvent that can be used safely and warn against procedures that could damage the garment.
The rule also says that manufacturers or importers must have "reliable evidence that the productŠ was harmed when cleaned by methods warned against in the label." Companies using "Zurcion" care labels have no evidence that other cleaning methods would harm the garments.
The FTC also said that advertising and promotional material for the "Zurcion Method" contains false and misleading statements. Contrary to claims made in advertising, FTC said the Zurcion method is not patented, it is not the only safe and effective method for cleaning and preserving gowns and the companies named in the complaint are not the only ones capable of providing safe and effective cleaning and preservation of the garments.
The FTC complaint also cited the "guarantee" offered in connection with the Zurcion Method.
The companies claim they "absolutely guarantee" their work, FTC noted, but under the terms of the guarantee "a consumer who has sent a garmentŠ for cleaning and preservation cannot examine the garment to determine whether it has been satisfactorily cleaned and preserved," FTC said.
Garments are returned to consumers in sealed containers with a printed warranty that includes a warning not to break the seal of the container in any manner. The warranty states that if the garment is to be reused, it must first be returned to the cleaner in its sealed container, so that it can be "unpreserved." Failure to adhere to these instructions invalidates the warranty.
"Thus the consumer cannot examine the garmentŠ to determine whether (it) has been satisfactorily cleaned and cannot reuse the garment without first returning the garment for further processing by the respondents," the FTC's complaint says.
Failure to disclose these conditions and limitations of the Zurcion guarantee constitute a "deceptive practice," the FTC said.
The FTC's notice order issued with the complaint calls for a number of corrective actions. These include prohibiting the companies from claiming that the "Zurcion Method" is the only safe way to clean and preserve wedding gowns, prohibiting them from providing care labels to manufacturers and from falsely stating that the "Zurcion" care instruction complies with the Care Label Rule.
The companies would also be required to have evidence for any claims about the safety and effectiveness of any cleaning or preserving service they sell and to fully disclose the terms and conditions of the guarantee.
They would also be required to advise garment manufacturers and bridal shops to whom they have provided care labels and promotional materials that the labels are inaccurate and that other cleaners can clean and preserve garments that have the "Zurcion Method" label.
Disclosure required
The companies would also be required to disclose that garments that have "Dryclean Only by Zurcion Method" or similar instructions have labels that are inaccurate and that cleaners other than the named companies may be able to clean and preserve the items.
The companies would also be required to file with the FTC a detailed written report on steps they have taken to comply with the order.
The report would have to include a detailed description of the Zurcion method, or any other similar or specialized method of cleaning or preserving textile wearing apparel that they advertised, including the solvent or solvents use in the progress. That information, however, could be kept confidential if the companies request it.
The commission also said that it may be necessary and appropriate to seek relief to redress injury to consumers or other persons, partnerships or corporations in the form of restitution and refunds of past, present and future consumers.
The FTC will decide whether to apply to a court for such relief on the basis of the adjudicative proceedings in this matter.
Both the International Fabricare Institute and the Neighborhood Cleaners Association-International cheered the news that the Federal trade commission was taking action against the "Zurcion Method" of cleaning.
Both trade groups noted that they had been asking FTC to investigate the issue for years.
IFI issued a press release in which it said it "applauds the FTC" for its action.
"For the past nine years, IFI has urged FTC to address this issue," the release said. "During that time, IFI has supplied the federal agency with technical information, such as analysis reports, supporting the administrative complaint."
IFI said its interest was driven by a concern that "the business practices of these firms has tarnished the cleaning industry's reputation."
NCA-I said in its June bulletin that it has fielded hundreds of questions from drycleaners and consumers across the country about the Zurcion Method.
"We investigated and found this method to be no different than any other effective way of cleaning wedding gowns, dry or wet," NCA-I said. "We wrote several articles in the NCA-I bulletin and also wrote to the FTC."
NCA-I thanked FTC attorney Connie Vecellio for "her tenacity in pursuing the Zurcion Method issue."
"We hope that she proceeds with all deliberate speed in the formal hearing process and brings to closure the deceptive practices that unfortunately have gone on too long," the article concluded.
The Barton bill got a boost as Congress neared its summer recess when five more cosponsors joined the 75 already signed on to Rep. Joe Barton's legislation designed to reform cleanup standards for drycleaning solvents.
The new cosponsors are Democrats Jim Barcia of Michigan and Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania and Republicans Scott McInnis of Colorado, Christopher Cannon of Utah and Barbara Cubin of Wyoming. They are the first group of cosponsors to sign on since early April, although several had indicated their intention to support the bill some time ago.
Congress will be on its "Independence Day District Work Period" from June 26 through July 13 providing an opportunity for constituents to meet with their representatives in their home districts. Congress will again be out from August 10 through Sept. 8 for the "Summer District Work Period," another good time to schedule meetings in home districts.
"Many may be especially receptive to hearing from constituents now, in this election year," said Charlotte Gillespie of the Baise, Miller and Freer law firm which has been working to get the bill through Congress.
But Gillespie also noted that time is short for the 105th Congress. The July 14-Aug. 9 session will be followed by just a few weeks of work after Labor Day. With elections coming up in November, Oct. 9 is the targeted adjournment date.
Rep. Barton has said that if there is no action on the bill this year, he plans to round up the supporters and reintroduce the measure when the new Congress convenes in 1999.
Barton had asked the industry to line up 100 supporters for the bill after he introduced it last year. Industry supporters remain confident that can be achieved.
Fund-raising efforts for the bill continue, too, through the Dry Cleaners Action fund of America. Contributions continue to come in, but expenses associated with lobbying continue, too. Donations in any amount can be made in the form of a checks made out to the Dry Cleaners Action Fund of America and sent to DCAFA, c/o MILD, PO Box 14044, Lansing, MI 48901.
A new permissible workplace exposure standard for perchloroethylene will not be included in the first round of revised standards coming from OSHA.
Perc is among 20 chemicals that OSHA is considering as possible candidates for new Permissible Exposure Levels (PEL). The PELs stipulate the maximum amount of exposure workers can have to specified chemicals.
The PEL for perc currently is 100 parts per million (ppm) time-weighted over an eight-hour period.
Although OSHA has given no indication what the new PEL for perc might be, industry observers of the regulatory scene have said levels as low as 15 ppm or even 5 ppm are possible.
Nine years ago OSHA proposed lowering the PEL for perc to 25 ppm. Several hundred other chemicals were included in that proposal, which was ultimately voided by a federal court.
The court said that OSHA must show a scientific basis for setting new levels of each chemical.
No further action was taken until two years ago when OSHA announced it was beginning a review process for about 20 chemicals, including perc.
OSHA's regulatory plan published last fall called for proposing revised limits this spring for some of the substances under review.
That deadline has been missed. Even so, perc was not among that first group, according to OSHA's Bob Burt, who spoke at a conference on drycleaning sponsored by EPA this spring. Burt said that the agency had just begun gathering data on perc.
The review process as outlined by Burt can be a lengthy one. First OSHA must demonstrate that the regulated chemical poses a "significant risk."
Then it must show that reduction of the risk is both technologically and economically feasible.
For its economic analysis, the agency must consider all of the industries that use the chemical, how many people are employed in those industries, how they are exposed and process and alternatives for use of the chemical.
The agency must also consider if new regulations would have significant impact on a number of small entities," Burt said. This could involve convening a small-business advocacy review panel, perhaps leading to special guidance for small businesses.
ATLANTA, GA-- The exhibitors' prospectus for Clean '99 has been released, giving companies a full year to make plans for the all-industry show that will be held in Orlando, FL, June 24-27.
Assignments of booth space at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
The base rate for exhibit space will be $34 per square foot with a minimum size booth of 100 square feet. That is the rate paid by a firm that is not a member of one of the six cosponsoring trade associations and is taking under 700 square feet of space. The minimum booth size is 100 square feet (10' x 10').
The square foot rate declines as the amount of space increases. The lowest non-member rate is $29 per square foot for booths of more than 3,600 square feet.
Exhibitors at Clean '99 may qualify for additional discounts if they are members of one or more of the six cosponsoring trade associations: the Textile Care Allied Trades Association, the International Fabricare Institute, the Coin Laundry Association, the Textile Rental Services Association, the Uniform & Textile Services Association and the National Association of Institutional Linen Management.
The single square foot rate covers most exhibit costs from the time the exhibit arrives at the convention facility until it is removed.
More than 26,000 people attended the Las Vegas exhibition where 546 companies covered more than 255,000 net square feet of exhibit space. Riddle and Associates, the management company for the show, said it is undertaking several strategies to increase attendance at the 1999 show.
That includes promotion of the show on the World Wide Web (www.cleanshow.com) with a wide range of information, including a list of companies contracted to exhibit, a show floor plan and other show information. Exhibitors will receive a complimentary listing on the web site. They can also have their own page on the site and a dedicated e-mail address or a "virtual booth" for additional charges.
Exhibitors also receive a free listing in the Clean Show guide book, which is distributed to all attendees, and can purchase advertising in the book.
The promotional campaign will include advertising in U.S. and international trade publications, direct mail to buyers, and statement stuffers and label reminders for exhibitors.
Attendee registration fees for the Orlando show will be the same as for the Clean '97. Pre-registration will be $35 per person; on-site registration will be $60. The fee includes access to the exhibit hall and all education sessions. Attendees will be able to use a credit card to pay the registration fee.
New this year will be a quick-response e-mail messaging system for potential attendees who have questions about the show.
Information on discounted hotel rates and air fare will be announced later.
Clean show policies are established by the Clean Executive Committee, which also oversees its management. The highest paid executive staff person of each sponsoring association sits on the committee.
Information about the show is available from Riddle & Associates, phone (404) 876-1988; fax (404) 876-5121; or email info@cleanshow.com.
CHICAGO, IL -- A wetcleaning roundtable will be sponsored by the Center for Neighborhood Technology in Chicago July 11-12.
Titled "From Here to the Future," the roundtable will provide wetcleaners with a forum to discuss opportunities and challenges. Wetcleaners and others interested in the wetcleaning processes will hear from experts on the subject and get information on how to focus on specialty items like weddings gowns, leathers and suedes. Discussion on organizing a wetcleaners' network is also planned.
The heart of the program will take place on Sunday, July 12. The morning program will begin with updates on wetcleaning issues by consultant Ann Hargrove and Sylvia Ewing-Hoover and Anthony Star of CNT.
Equipment and chemical options will be presented by allied trades people at the second morning session.
At lunch, a discussion on "Challenge and Opportunities" is planned. Invited speakers include Scott Alloway, Ed Share and Marcia Todd.
Several wetcleaners will offer their perspectives at the afternoon session.
Presentations will be given by Eric Jones on leather and suede, Marilyn Fleming on wedding gowns, Ann Hargrove on wetcleaning fundamentals, Ewing-Hoover on marketing.
Managing a wetcleaning operation will then be discussed by owners of wetcleaning plants, including Fleming, Debra Davis and Sid Lieken.
Concluding the day's program will be a moderated group discussion on "What Do Cleaners Need?" and discussion of organizing a wetcleaner's network.
CNT said the conference is modeled on a roundtable it held in November, 1995.
Three equipment companies and two chemical representatives who participated in that conference and CNT said this second gathering "is planned to focus on wetcleaning and the options for equipment and chemicals which have increased greatly since that time."
Social activities
In addition to the conference, there will be a kick-off dinner on Saturday, July 11 at the Italian Village Restaurant from 6 to 9 p.m. The restaurant is five blocks from the conference hotel -- Hotel Allegro, 171 W. Randolph St. in Chicago.
CNT is also organizing an family outing to Chicago's Navy Pier as an activity for family members who want to enjoy Chicago while the roundtable is taking place on Sunday.
Full registration for the conference, which includes the Saturday dinner and the Sunday roundtable, is $60. Registration for the Sunday roundtable only is $50 and registration for the Saturday dinner only is $25.
To register or for more information, call CNT, (773)278-4800, ext. 299.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- SpinCycle inc., a Scottsdale-based chain of coin-operated laundries, announced the opening of its 10th store in the Los Angeles market in June and plans to open up to nine more facilities by August.
The expansion plan would bring to a total of 20 units in Southern California. The first was opened in the area in 1997.
Nationwide, the company has 110 units in 15 states. Founded in 1995, SpinCycle is pursuing a nationwide expansion that includes building new stores and acquiring and redeveloping existing ones. The company spent more than $125,000 refurbishing the newest Los Angeles store, a 4,154-sq.-ft. location.
Each SpinCycle store has full-time attendants, multiple televisions, and central air-conditioning. Equipment includes at least 100 washers and dryers.
"We promise to deliver the highest quality equipment and the cleanest, safest environment for our customers and their families," said Peter Ax, chairman and chief executive officer of SpinCycle.
The company recently announced the promotions of James Puckett to chief financial officer, Patrick Boyer to chief information officer and David Erickson to controller.
Puckett was previously vice president for corporate development for SpinCycle. Before joining the company, he was a senor member of the real estate finance group and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. He also has worked in the investment banking division of Paine Webber.
Boyer has been with SpinCycle since March 1996, overseeing the development of the company's management information system infrastructure. Previously he was president of Portable Systems solutions Inc., a management information systems consulting firm, and also worked as controller at Hogue Printing and as a systems consultant with Arthur Andersen and Andersen consulting.
Erickson was previously manager of financial reporting for the company. Before coming to SpinCycle, he was senior financial analyst of American Fence Corp., a producer and distributor of steel tube and fence products. Before that he was controller of airy Maid foods Inc., an ice cream distribution company, and was manager of financial reporting of Smitty's Super Value Inc. a retail grocery chain.
EL SEGUNDO, CA -- Unilever HPC-USA has signed a cooperative agreement to join the group of technology providers for the DryWash liquid carbon dioxide cleaning process.
The company has developed CO2 patents and has received related patents.
The company will market the chemistry through Global Technologies and its licensees for use in the DryWash process.
Unilever HPC-USA is an affiliate of multinational Unilever which has headquarters in London and Rotterdam.
The company's focus is on food products and products for home and personal care marketed under more than a thousand brands.
The company's fabrics cleaning product line includes brands ranging from basic detergent bars for hand-washing to sophisticated detergents for washing machines.
Unilever is also involved in development of new technologies for its industrial detergents business which serves customers in factories, hotels, hospitals and institutional premises in 45 counties.
The 1998 International Drycleaners Congress convention drew 136 delegates from 11 nations to Munich, Germany, May 3-7 for its 40th annual convention.
The Hohenstein Institute research organization served as co-host of the 40th annual convention and several of its representatives, including Dr. Stefan Mecheels, the institute's chief executive officer, spoke at the convention. A tour of the Hohenstein facilities, led by Dr. Mecheels and his staff, was offered before the convention opened. Dr. Manfred Wentz, IDC's outgoing president, and Egon Burchard, the convention chairman, are both graduates of Hohenstein.
In his convention keynote address, Dr. Mecheels explained why the textile care industry is an integral part of the textile chain. He discussed several case studies that demonstrate how research helps the textile, apparel, retail and the textile care industries meet consumer needs.
On the opening day of the convention, Makoto Igarashi, one of the IDC founders, reviewed the organization's past and looked to its future.
Representatives from the fashion industry joined cleaning industry leaders in discussions of subjects of mutual concern and interest.
Innovative marketing strategies were the topic of presentations at the first business session. A bright future lies ahead for those who love drycleaning, according to Hans Von Korff.
The state of the textile care industry in various nations was reviewed by industry leaders from around the world during presentations on the convention's second day.
Theo Legrange, president of CINET, the Federation of European Trade Associations, offered trend predictions for European countries. CINET held its semi-annual meeting at the convention's host hotel so its members could attend the IDC convention.
Mark Rockcastle of R. R. Street & Co. Inc., substituting for L. Ross Beard, gave a conceptual framework for the future of the drycleaning industry.
The day concluded with assessments of new cleaning technologies and environmental issues by the research directors of the International Drycleaning Research Committee, which held its annual meeting at Hohenstein just after the IDC convention
An international panel followed with talks centered on the convention theme, "Textile Care and Fashion: A Winning Combination."
All presentations at the convention will be available to IDC members in a bound "Book of Papers."
The final day of the convention brought traditional IDC Fellowship presentations. The three recipients of this year's fellowships -- J. P. Renaud, Marcos Schvartzman and Joe Hallak Jr. -- reported on their experiences.
The fellowships give younger industry members an opportunity to travel, exchange information and communicate with other members.
To support the program, a donation of $10,000 was presented at the convention by the Japan Cleaning Productivity Council. JCPC president Yoshihe Nishiwaka. presented the donation to Dr. Wentz at a special ceremony during the IDC luncheon.
"This generous gift from our Japanese friends reflects the faith in the future of IDC," Dr. Wentz said. "It will enable young professionals to experience first-hand one of the most important benefits IDC offers to the textile care industry: international professional and personal contact and experience."
Also at the luncheon, incoming president Tom Hopkins of Gibson's Cleaners in Toronto, Canada, introduced his Canadian Team which is planning the next IDC convention in Toronto. Hopkins was selected as the International Drycleaner of the Year.
Other special honors went to Dr. Wentz, recipient of the George Shepherd Award for contributions to the textile maintenance industry, and past IDC president Ruediger Bohler, who received a special Presidential Award. Also honored for dedication to the international organization was Max Zimmerman, a long-time member and former vice president.
In parting remarks, Dr. Wentz thanked those who had assisted him in his year as president, singling out Bill Pulley and Carolyn Portwood for "their personalities, efficient management styles and dedication."
He also recognized Egon and Gisela Burchard who served as general chairman and host at the Munich convention for "leadership that made the conference a rich and memorable experience." Wentz also noted the contributions of Peggy Mikuni and Joyce Francis for handling travel and lodging arrangements.
MIDLAND, MI -- Reductions in perc use by drycleaners do not trouble Dow Chemical Co., a major producer of the solvent.
Decreasing demand for perc is good news, wrote Elaine Murphy in the spring issue of Dow's Spot News, a quarterly publication that highlights the company's involvement in the drycleaning industry.
Murphy, who is the drycleaning industry manager for Dow, noted that perc use by the drycleaning industry has decreased 68 percent over the past 12 years, from a high of 260 million pounds in 1985 to 83 million pounds in 1997.
That, she said, is good news for the industry, good news for the environment and good news for the producers of perc.
"You may think I've taken leave of my senses," she wrote. "After all, my job is to market perc to the drycleaning industry."
But Murphy said that she is looking at the issue from a "broad perspective."
"I think most or our readers agree that perc is the most effective, efficient and economical solvent for cleaning the widest range of fabrics and that is in the best interest of both the drycleaners and their customers to maintain perchloroethylene drycleaning as an available option for the long term," Murphy said.
"This calls for keeping perc out of the environment and in the drycleaning machines, and the more efficiently we can do this, the longer we will have the perc to work with. That is my overriding goal, and I believe it is the goal of most drycleaning professionals."
Murphy cited several factors in the decline in perc use -- more efficient drycleaning equipment, new technology for emission reductions, and the willingness of drycleaners to buy the new equipment and implement the new technologies.
"Even the simple expedient of replacing transfer equipment with dry-to-dry has a marked effect on solvent mileage, to say nothing of the move to third, fourth and fifth generation machines," she said.
Murphy said that she sees no major movement of drycleaners away from perc. About 90 percent of the cleaners in the United States continue to use perc.
What has changed, she said, is that in the 1980s that 90 percent used perc exclusively while today many have diversified into wetcleaning.
More studies on perc
he same issue of Spot News also noted that perc producers are funding research to "further clarify the potential health effects of perc" through the Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance.
An article by Janet Hickman, the drycleaning industry development leader for Dow, noted that several studies are in progress but quick results are not to be expected.
More than $2 million has been committed to studies on the health effects of perc. Studies underway include the following:
- A series of studies designed to better understand the differences in metabolic and physiological processes among rats, mice and humans.
- An HSIA-funded update and reanalysis of existing epidemiological studies to further investigate whether drycleaning workers face a greater potential risk for cancer compared to other professions and the general population.
- The European Chlorinated Solvents Association (ECSA), HSIA's European counterpart, is conducting the first phase of a new epidemiology study to provide more definitive answers about the health effects of perc.
Among the main considerations cited in Europe is that the study must have a sufficient number of people willing to be included, that sufficient medical history and work practice information exists on them, and that consideration be taken of confounding factors like smoking, alcohol use, age, family health history, ethnic background and diet. These considerations may not have been adequately addressed in older studies.
- HSIA also has committed to fund a series of studies on the potential effects of chlorinated solvents, including perc, on the body's immune, neural and reproductive systems.
These studies have been called for by regulatory agencies and HSIA is working with those agencies on details of the project.
Authoritative sources
In the drycleaner's favor, Hickman noted, is that the many consumers look upon the local cleaner as an authority who has the answers to their questions.
"The drycleaner should be prepared to explain how he uses perc safely and minimizes risk to his workers, the environmental and the public," Hickman wrote.
"It's up to people in industry to provide the drycleaner with supportive material to assist him in communicating with his customers."
By Rick Osewalt
Hiring employees used to be a fairly straightforward matter: You selected the people you wanted, put them to work and waited for them to "sink or swim."
Like much of life, however, the hiring process has become increasingly complicated in recent years. In the strong economic climate being experienced in many regions, finding and keeping good employees is extremely difficult.
For growing companies, hiring just one unqualified employee can have a terribly negative effect on productivity, profitability and morale.
The time required to duplicate work and rebuild customer relationships because of employee incompetence is costly.
In addition, losing good employees to competitors is expensive. With each employee departure, you forfeit whatever you invested in training, and an amount of knowledge and information that even experts haven't dared calculate. And increasing governmental and legislative involvement in labor and employment issues means that business owners must be prepared to defend hiring and firing decisions in court.
While there is no way to prevent employee-related legal problems, business owners can minimize their legal and financial risks by complying with federal and state regulations that govern employee-related policies and procedures.
Although most large, well-established companies maintain a human resources department or in-house counsel to keep them "up to speed" on labor and employment issues, growing companies often don't have the time or resources to dedicate to creating or implementing structured HR guidelines.
By taking a few common sense steps, however, any business can safeguard itself against making costly legal mistakes in hiring, managing and firing employees.
These steps provide a quick, efficient and cost-effective system for establishing a "paper trail" of written records that can be used to document employee-related issues if legal disputes should arise. Business owners should:
1. Demonstrate a businesslike approach from a prospective employee's first involvement with your company.
This means providing an easy-to-understand employment application and explanation of your hiring timetable, and a straightforward interview process. Offer a clear job description, and avoid the use of "loaded" terms that could suggest discrimination like "Salesman," "Girl Friday" or "Young." In addition, you should state at every opportunity your company's intent to be lawful.
Make sure your company's job advertisements and employment application materials communicate clearly that your company is an equal opportunity employer. In addition, avoid asking personal questions during interviews. Questions about such matters as whether a person is married, has children, goes to church and so forth can potentially raise questions of discrimination.
Confine your line of questioning to job-related matters: Will the candidate be comfortable doing lots of heavy lifting or meeting customers? Can he or she work odd hours or weekends?
Provide written materials that explain all established company policies, from a list of paid holidays to attendance requirements. In some cases, the policies will cover areas required by government regulation. For example, a number of states now require that companies provide formal policies about identifying and reporting sexual harassment incidents.
Keep the policies in a notebook or manual of some kind. If it gets thick enough, consider having it printed in booklet form for distribution to new and existing employees.
When you do hire someone, be sure to have the right forms on hand for the new employee to fill out. These include 1-9 and W-4 forms. The message to new employees is not only that you are organized, but that you follow the law to the letter.
2. Maintain complete and up-to-date records on each employee.
Keep job performance files that include written information on such matters as attendance, changes in duties or salary and job performance. Be sure to save any written inquiries or statements from employees as a part of such records.
In addition, document any warnings you provide an employee, even if warnings are made orally. Use and file written performance appraisals that reflect an honest assessment of an employee's job performance.
Legal problems can arise if an employee with a glowing set of reviews is suddenly fired. Document all job-related accidents or illnesses and be sure to write down exactly what happened, how the problem was treated, how the employee described the situation and who else was present.
3. Keep your employees well-informed.
Make sure they know about changes in the law, especially those related to minimum wages, overtime reporting and safety standards. Safety and health posters that advise employees on how to comply with state and federal safety, waste disposal and other related regulations should be mounted in visibly prominent locations. This can help head off legal problems if an employee claims that he or she "wasn't informed" about these matters.
Sharing information with employees sets the stage for encouraging more open lines of communication with them. Many potential problems can be prevented simply by making employees feel that they can talk openly about their problems or concerns. Employees don't necessarily expect every problem to be solved. What's typically more important is that they feel they are being listened to.
Rick Osewalt is director of business management for New England Business Service, Inc. (NEBS). As a direct supplier of small business products to more than 1 million customers, NEBS has been committed to improving small businesses management, marketing and operational success for the past 45 years. For more information on NEBS Human Resource Essentials products to help companies find and keep their "best" employees, call (888) 228-6327.
Kansas City drycleaner David Porter has unveiled a prototype of his "SmartBox," an invention he hopes will revive home pickup and delivery of drycleaning along with dozens of other consumer items.
The SmartBox provides a means of secure access for pick-ups and deliveries to homes. Mounted in an exterior wall of the home, the box opens both on the inside and outside and appears to be, roughly described, a refrigerator with doors on both the front and back.
Not only does the box create a secured drop-off point for residential deliveries, it also can keep warm items warm and cold items cold, which would facilitate delivery of groceries or prepared foods. The prototype has a traditional refrigerator/freezer unit that blows cold air from the top and a warming pad wired to the bottom floor. An adjustable, removable shelf above the warming pad is insulated to provide separation for hot and cold items.
For secured deliveries, the prototype uses a telephone/home alarm type interface. The homeowner sets a code for outside access to the box, then give the code the delivery person. But Porter foresees the possibility of an Internet interface where each delivery could be assigned a unique code from a website.
That ties in with Porter's belief that on-line shopping will continue to grow and that retailers selling goods over the Internet will need a secured means of delivering items to people's homes. To date, he noted, most of the concern in on-line purchases has centered on security of credit card numbers. As that is resolved, he believes the next concern will be safe delivery of items ordered electronically and the SmartBox will fill that bill.
Porter has a patent on the SmartBox but he said much development of the idea remains. In particular, ownership and control over the box remains to be determined -- in other words, who will foot the bill for installation and maintenance?
In that regard, he believes that the growth of on-line and telephone shopping in combination with the "not at home" syndrome of today's busy households, will act as an economic stimulus to bring the SmartBox to market.
"We're hopeful that a big need will come from the business community, and particularly the on-line grocery industry, when the realize that consumers will be less likely to order if they anticipate that their goods will be left unsecured outside their door," Porter said.
In addition to his interest in SmartBox development as the patent-holder of the device, Porter has a drycleaner's interest in it as well. The idea sprang from his desire to revive the home laundry industry which he sees as the key to growth and expansion for today's drycleaning industry.
To capture more of the home laundry market, Porter believes two things are necessary: lower cost commercial processing and secured pick-up and delivery.
"Today, folks are dressing more casually and need drycleaning less," he said. "In addition, today's families seem to have a real shortage of time."
SmartBox combined with the "Fast Laundry" concept that he has also been researching and promoting could lead a revival of the commercial home laundry, taking home laundry chores off of consumer's hands and bringing more work to professional cleaners that currently is run through the home washer and dryer.
While it may be that a large company or consortium of companies takes over development and implementation of the SmartBox, Porter said he would rather see that come from within the drycleaning industry.
"The drycleaning industry can lead. We can show that we are the ones doing it," he said.
TV sitcoms reflect, and may even influence, how people dress for work.
A recent article in Women's Wear Daily noted that programs set in work environments reflect a new style of professional dressing, a change from the "power suits" popularized in the 1980s by "L.A. Law" and "Murphy Brown."
The new breed of prime time shows, WWD said, is popularizing office looks like twinsets to replace structured jackets, knee-length skirts, sheer underpinnings worn under suits, the white shirt, slim pants and long coats worn over leggins or pants.
Kathy Bufano, executive vice president at Macy's East, said TV shows have helped validate some of the looks for the office, such as duster coats, twinsets and short skirts.
"People are very interested in fashion and they look at the stars to how they are dressed," she told WWD.
Brooke Shields, starring on NBC's "Suddenly Susan" as a magazine columnist, brings a laid back approach to dressing with over-the-knee floral skits and T-shirts, boot-cut pants with cardigans or leather jackets.
Another NBC program, "Veronica's Closet" has helped popularize the duster coats worn by Kirstie Alley in the role of the owner of a New York lingerie business while the network's "Just Shoot Me," set at a fashion magazine in New York, serves up animal-print skirts, sleek mid-calf dresses and fur-trimmed jackets.
On Fox TV's Ally McBeal, the main character is an attorney in a Boston law firm whose 15-inch hemlines have raised eyebrows while her novelty underpinnings such as V-neck stretch sweaters have been growing in popularity.
"TV is re-educating the American woman as to dressing in he workplace. It is not necessarily about stuffy clothes Monday through Friday," Max Azria, a designer whose styles are seen on "Ally McBeal," told WWD.
"There is a lot more freedom in the office and TV portrays that," said Shelli Segal, a designer for Laundry, whose twin sets, knee-length skirts and shaped jackets appear regularly on the program.
"In the Eighties, it was all about a feminized version of a male suit with big shoulders, nipped-in waists. Now there are all these different looks and so there are a bunch of uniforms. TV has become so powerful in pushing what looks right for the office. It is almost like brainwashing. It gives people a handle on style," Segal said.
Demographics play a role. A few years ago, TV was awash with shows that focused on teenagers struggling with acne, relationships and family issues. Those viewers have grown up and are getting into the workplace and TV producers are following them to the office.
"Over the past few years, office wear had been the sexy power suit, but now it has been replaced by the pencil skirt with the sweater set," commented a spokeswoman for Bebe, a retailer whose body-conscious suits were popularized on Melrose Place five years ago. The show still features the power suit, but now characters are also shown in soft separates.
Retail buyers and apparel executives welcome the diversity in TV fashion, which they see as validating certain trends and promoting sales of specific items. With a short lag between when clothes are bought and when they appear on TV, the fashions people see on these programs are in sync with what is selling in stores.
But TV fashions are sending the wrong messages. WWD reported that David Wolfe, creative director at the Donegar Group, has a "big problem" with the 15-inch skirts worn by Ally McBeal.
"These TV shows are issuing dress codes for people who think this is how people really should dress," he said. "I think consumers have a big problem separating this from reality. They think that if you show up in a short skirt on TV, it is OK for work."
Virginia Sullivan, owner of a fashion consulting firm called Image Communications International, agreed.
"The shows are sending out confusing messages," she said. "You can be feminine at work and sexy at night, but you can't be both sexy and feminine in the workplace at the same time. A lot of my clients are taking the shows literally. They are looking at all of it and they think they can wear it to the office. They need better role models."
Laurie Perell, a costume supervisor for Ally McBeal, said viewers shouldn't take the show too literally. "I think everyone gradually realized the show wasn't reality-based. It is now accepted," she said.
Perell is also costume supervisor for "The Practice" a drama that takes a more staid approach to fashion with characters wearing pantsuits from Anne Taylor and Taharai.
The character and the script are the guiding principles for costumes, Perell said. "Costumes are not led by fashion changes. A changeŠ would have to be motivated by producers, or what the character is going through. The script guides us."
For some viewers, at least, the script also seems to be guiding their choices for office wear. Perell said she gets calls from viewers asking where to get the outfits for seen on "Ally McBeal."
Cleaners who complain about the quality of some Tommy Hilfiger labeled garments have a new ally in their midst -- Tommy Hilfiger himself.
Tommy Hilfiger USA Inc. and Tommy Hilfiger Licensing Inc. have filed suit against Wal-Mart seeking to prevent the retailer from selling counterfeit Tommy Hilfiger apparel over the internet.
Documents filed in U.S. Federal District Court in New York said that Wal-Mart has been selling counterfeit Hilfiger apparel, including socks and T-shirts, through its Internet shopping site.
"Quality issues became apparent," a Hilfiger spokesperson said. "The stitching, the look of the logo, the colors and the labeling were inconsistent with normal standards."
In a motion filed in June, Hilfiger asked the court to find Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Sam's Wholesale Club in contempt for violating a 1996 court order. Hilfiger also asked the court to order Wal-Mart to recall the infringing articles and reimburse the money Internet shoppers paid for them. The motion states: "Any experienced apparel buyer would know, instantly, merely by examining the goods, that they were counterfeit.
Hilfiger does not currently authorize the sale of its products over the Internet. Wal-Mart established its Web site in 1996 and has the most extensive web site of the big three discounters. The other are Kmart and Target. About 500,000 items are displayed for purchase on-line including books, apparel, automotive, computers, groceries, hardware, records and sporting goods.
MAMARONECK, NY -- Ecomat Inc., the beleaguered wetcleaning and laundry franchiser, reported a net loss of $2.7 million dollars for the year that ended Dec. 31, 1997, in its Annual Report filed the Securities and Exchange Commission in June.
Early this year, the Neighborhood Cleaners Association-International accused Ecomat, which advertises that it does not use "toxic drycleaning chemicals," of sending some of its customers' garments out to drycleaners for processing.
NCA-I presented affidavits from a drycleaner and former Ecomat employees who had been involved in handling the garments, but Ecomat denied that any customers' clothes were sent out for drycleaning and that the garments were taken to drycleaners only for testing.
In January, Diane Weiser resigned as president and chief executive officer of Ecomat, positions she had held since December 1995. Astrid Hindemith was then elected chairman and chief executive officer of Ecomat Inc., the company's board of directors. At that time Hindemith apprised the board of steps to reduce the operating expenses of the company and narrow its operating losses, including termination of outside consultants, reductions in staff, renegotiation of payables and improvements in inventory management and customer service procedures.
The net loss reported for 1997 was more than double that reported in the previous year and brought the two-year total to $3.9 million.
Revenues were up slightly in 1997, at $547,967 compared to $415,498 in the previous year, an increase of $132,469. Revenue from company-owned stores for 1997 was $392,327 compared to $411,413 in 1996 and franchise revenue and royalties amounted to $155,640 compared to $4,085 in 1996. None of the company-owned stores has generated sufficient revenues to achieve profitability, the report said.
The cost of company-owned cleaning and laundry facilities far outstripped total revenues, increasing from $579,362 in 1996 to $1,008,873 in 1997.
A large portion of the increase was related to the operations of the four facilities newly acquired in 1997, including the two facilities in Connecticut that were closed at the end of the year.
These four facilities added approximately $142,000 to compensation, $81,000 to rent, $17,000 to supplies and $22,000 to maintenance and repairs.
The company's general administrative expenses increased sharply from $805,163 in 1996 to $1,537,245 in 1997.
Professional and consulting fees accounted for 54 percent, or $392,117 of the total increase, and consisted of legal and accounting fees associated with fulfilling the obligations of a public company and the engagement of outside consultants for public relations, investor relations and for the franchise sales promotion programs.
The company said it expects to continue to incur losses until it is able to generate adequate revenue from franchise sales and from company-owned stores to offset expenses.
Management also announced that during 1998 an additional $700,000 has been loaned to the company by its principal shareholder, Palatin AG, a Swiss company of which Hindemith is president and sole shareholder, and other Swiss investors. Ecomat is in negotiations with these investors with respect to an additional infusion of capital.
Ecomat stock, which sold for as high as $9 per share during 1997, closed at 50 cents per share on June 25.
KREFELD, GERMANY -- Research and development in textile cleaning technology was the topic of the 38th International wfk-Detergency conference held May 5-7 at the wfk Cleaning Technology Research Institute in Krefeld, Germany.
The three-day conference featured 59 lectures and 20 poster presentations for some 350 participants from 25 nations. Scientists from the fields of domestic laundering, detergent development for laundry and cleaning and professional care service covered topics pertinent to their fields of expertise. Among the participants from abroad were representatives from Columbia, Ecuador, Iran, Japan and the United States.
Dr. Helmut Kruessman, head of the wfk institute, said the conference endorsed the concept of an international orientation. "Economic globalization obliges research also to operate globally," he said.
Domestic laundering was the topic of the first day of the conference with discussions focusing on questions of energy and water saving. It was noted that hand-washing accounts for more than 70 percent of all wash treatments world-wide and that, combined with high solar radiation, lead to different focal points for products and test methods for detergents.
Developments in detergents were the subject of the second day of the conference. The use of enzymes was the center of discussion along with the exploitation of synergies in the development of environmentally friendly detergents through the use of mutually supportive materials.
Professional textile care service was the subject of the final day of the conference. Three lectures on the topic of wetcleaning were presented.
Kaspar D. Hasenclever, managing director of the Kreussler Co. of Wiesbaden, said a genuine opportunity exists in the growing market of easy-care garments that can be profitably wetcleaned.
Ralf Bärwald, an engineering graduate and recipient of this year's wfk prize for his work on economic and technical studies to optimize wetcleaning, agreed with Hasenclever. Wetcleaning offers commercial textile care a new opportunity to expand its market or to regain previous market share, they believe, but for various reasons that industry has not yet seized the opportunity.
Also discussed was the use of liquid carbon dioxide in garment cleaning. Sten-Hakan Almstroem of the Electrolux Co. of Sweden described the process as an environmentally friendly option whose technical and economic feasibility is still under examination.
Lectures on issues and measure of laundry hygiene and planned guidelines for textile suppliers to the food-processing industry were also presented at the conference.
NEW YORK, NY -- The Neighborhood Cleaners Association-International will have a one-week course on the "Principals and Practices of Drycleaning and Spotting" Oct. 5-9.
The resident course will combine practical, hands-on work with classroom instruction, meeting daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the New York School of Drycleaning at NCA-I headquarters, 252 W. 29th St., in New York City.
The course will cover stain and problem garment identification, safe stain removal techniques and procedures, safe handling of silks and other difficult fabrics and proper use of chemicals, including bleaches, on problem stains.
Students will gain an understanding and learn how to handle fabrics and dyes and how to use drycleaning techniques, including filtration, distillation, machinery operation, maintenance and trouble-shooting. Environmental requirements and wetcleaning will also be covered.
Bill Seitz, NCA-I executive director and director of the New York School of Drycleaning, and Dan Eisen, NCA-I's chief garment analyst and assistant director of the school, will teach the course. Students are invited to bring problem garments and let the experts show them how to correct the problems.
The cost of the course is $410 -- $50 for enrollment, $300 for tuition, and $30 each for a student notebook and a "Fabrics Today" book.
A 50 percent minimum deposit is required to reserve a place in the class. NCA-I can help students find hotel accommodations at special rates.
The New York School of Drycleaning also offers evening courses in drycleaning and spotting that meet 20 times over a 10-week period and a pressing course that meets eight times over a four-week period. The next session of the drycleaning and spotting course begins July 20 and meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 11 p.m. Call the association for complete information on registration and scheduling.
NCA-I is also continuing its series of one-day advanced stain removal courses at locations Florida and the Northeast. The cost is $125 for NCA-I members and $175 for non-members. For non-members who join the association at the time of the class, the extra $50 will be applied toward 1998 NCA-I membership dues.
The schedule is as follows:
July 12: 1. NCA-I Headquarters, (Korean) Dan Eisen/Frank Choy. 2. Presto Cleaners, 1013 So. University Drive, Plantation, FL 33324, (954) 424-1793, Charlie Hacker.
July 19: Elite Cleaners, 22 Temple Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601, phone (201) 342-0460, Dan Eisen.
July 26: 1. Country Cleaners, 410 W. Main St., Huntington Village, LI, NY 11743, phone (516) 271-2400, Bill Seitz. 2. Doroís Cleaners, 3466 Genesee St., Buffalo, NY 14225, phone (716) 633-7767, Dan Eisen.
Aug. 2: Dependable Cleaners, 320 Quincy Ave., Quincy, MA 02169, phone (617) 770-9230, Dan Eisen.
Aug. 16: NCA-I Headquarters, (Korean) Bill Seitz/Frank Choy.
Aug. 23rd: Comet Cleaners, 35 Broadway, Freeport, NY 11520, phone (516) 378-9141, (Korean) Bill Seitz/Frank Choy.
Sept. 20: NCA-I Headquarters, (Korean) Bill Seitz/Frank Choy.
Oct. 4: NCA-I Headquarters, (Korean) Bill Seitz/Frank Choy.
Oct. 11: Sun Clean Cleaners, 310 N. Harbor City Blvd., U.S. #1, Melbourne, FL 32935, phone (407) 254-2224, Charlie Hacker.
Oct. 18: Wiltshire Executive Cleaners, Monroe St. and Martin Luther King Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33901, phone (941) 334-1353, Charlie Hacker.
For more information, call the association, (212) 967-3002.
LANSING, MI -- Michigan cleaners were warned of telephone slamming, an illegal method of changing someone's long distance telephone service.
The message was published by the Michigan Institute of Laundering & Cleaning in a recent association newsletter.
The Michigan Public Service Commission described a scenario which slammers use to trick someone into changing service.
According to MPSC, a business is called by someone who claims to be with a company's present long distance carrier. In the ensuing conversation, the solicitor tells the business owner of a plan he or she can enroll in that will consolidate all telephone bills. If the owner agrees to the plan, he or she will soon receive a bill from another long distance carrier with costs that are most likely higher than what the business previously paid, the commission stated.
The business owner is often left wondering how this happened. MPSC warned that this occurred by the misrepresentation of the prior contact or by outright fraud.
If a company is slammed, the commission advises a series of steps it should follow to correct the situation.
First, call the local phone company and explain that "your business did not request service from the new long-distance company, that your business must be reconnected to your preferred long-distance company and that all switching charges must be removed from your telephone bill." After that, the business owner should call the company that made the change and tell it that the business will pay only for charges that the preferred carrier would have imposed and that the slammer must pay all reconnection charges.
The business owner should call the preferred carrier and report that the business long distance service was switched without prior permission. The owner should ask that the regular service be reconnected at no charge.
Finally, a complaint should be filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by sending a letter to: FCC; Common Carrier Bureau Consumer Complaints; Mail Stop Code 1600A2; 2025 M Street NW; Washington, DC 20554.
A toll-free telephone number is also available at (888) 225-5322.
For those who want to switch companies, a few rules should be followed. A written authorization should be sent from the new carrier on a "Letter of Agency." Also, the new company should provide a toll-free number which the business owner can use to verify the switch. A third-party should verify the decision to switch and an information packet should arrive within three business days of the request to change carriers.
The new company must wait 14 days after the mailing to submit the change order.
Cleaners have a number of opportunities left to attend a trade show this year as five associations present their biennial exhibits between now and the end of October.
Illinois, California, Florida and New Jersey play host to exhibits in August and September with Michigan capping the show year with its exhibit at the end of October.
The Illinois State Fabricare Association will hold Chicago '98 at the Inland Exposition Center, Westmont, IL, Aug. 14 16.
Exhibit hours are 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
ISFA has combined its education programs with credits for the Illinois Drycleaners Star Recognition Program.
The association has developed 14 course offerings for the three days of the show. Each has been assigned continuing education units which apply to the star program. Program leaders include allied trades as well as ISFA, the Korean American Drycleaners Association and the International Fabricare Institute. Seminar hours are 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Most of the CEU sessions are one hour long.
For information on the programs and the show, call ISFA, (815) 729-0137.
The California Cleaners Association will hold its 77th annual convention Aug. 21 23 in Anaheim, CA.
Programs include presentations on establishing a route business, identifying and caring for problem garments and managing returns on investments. Speakers scheduled include Kenney Slatten, Jane Zellers, Bill Hay and Jim Beecher. CCA will honor its five-star cleaners and association school contributors on Friday, the opening night of the show. Saturday night features a reception and banquet with syndicated columnist Heloise presiding over "A Night of Stars," the association's recognition of various members for their accomplishments, and the naming of the drycleaner of the year.
Exhibit hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Information on the show can be obtained from CCA, (800) 390-8409.
The Neighborhood Cleaners Association-International will hold Suncess '98 at the Orlando Centroplex and Orlando Marriott Downtown in Orlando, FL, Sept. 12 13.
Seminars will be held both mornings with the exhibit floor opening immediately after the conclusion of the programs.
The sessions start Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. Topics include the Florida remediation program and a new legislation update, hazardous waste management and the drycleaning solvent cleanup program and pre-employment screening The Sunday sessions include a customer service program and a discussion of consumer attitudes about service, garment care, care labeling, wetcleaning and apparel preferences, including dress-up/casual wear.
Program speakers include Nick Albergo, Dennis McCrory, Dan Eisen and Dr. Nancy Cassill.
Exhibit hours are noon to 6 p.m. on Sept. 12 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 13. Exhibits are in the Centroplex facility.
NCAI has arranged for hotel room discounts with the Marriott. The rate for the convention is $94.53 a night (tax included). The association advised attendees to call the Marriott at (800) 574-3160 and mention NCAI Suncess '98 when reserving a room.
For information on the show, call NCAI, (212) 967-3002.
The Pennsylvania Drycleaners Launderers Association show will be held Sept. 26 27 at the new Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ.
Seminars will be held both mornings and cover such topics as low cost ways to promote a business, marketing ideas and customer satisfaction. A panel discussion on "Saving Your Business" will be held Sunday morning followed by a series of technical workshops at various booths on the show floor prior to the opening of the exhibit. These latter sessions feature service technicians demonstrating routine maintenance procedures.
Among the speakers are Gary Baise, Abe Cho, Barney Deden, John Jordan, Jane Zellers and Barbara Zippi.
Exhibit hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information on the PDLA show, call the office at (215) 830-8495.
The Michigan Institute of Laundering & Drycleaning closes the show season with the 1998 Great Lakes Expo and 85th anniversary celebration Oct. 23 25 in Novi, MI.
The trade show will be held in the Novi Expo Center and includes seminars as well as machinery exhibits.
The program agenda is being developed with a panel on emerging technologies included in the presentations. MILD will also have a maintenance seminar with the exhibitors at their booths on the exhibit floor.
For more information, contact MILD at (517) 337-2929.
Just when it looked like the Barton bill was about to sink below the horizon, five more members of Congress stepped up to add their names to the list of cosponsors. It had been well over two months since any new sponsors had appeared, so the addition of two Democrats and three Republicans coming just as Congress was leaving Washington for a summer recess was a welcome one.
Between now and Labor Day, representatives will be spending a lot of time in their home districts. And while they may be "on vacation" from Washington, they are not on vacation from their jobs. In fact, they are likely to be working harder than ever, looking for votes in this fall's elections. Your vote is one they want. They are likely to be more accessible than ever as the election campaigns open. That means it is prime time for telling your representative that the drycleaning industry needs more reasonable clean-up standards and that the vehicle to accomplish that goal is already on the road. All they need to do is to get on board by signing on as a sponsor of the Barton bill.
It has been just over a year since Congressman Joe Barton asked the industry to bring him 100 cosponsors so he can move this legislation through Congress. To date, he has been supplied with 80. That is far more than many skeptics thought possible, but it is still a bit short of what Barton requested. The fact that so many cleaners have been successful in getting their representative to sign on shows that it can be done.
Will the bill pass this year? Not likely. With elections looming, few legislative work days remain. But Barton, who should be easily reelected in his Texas district, has promised that he will bring this bill back in the new Congress. We are certain that he will keep this promise, but as an industry we need to keep up our part of the bargain by bringing him the 100 sponsors he has asked for.
Your voice as a constituent is louder than ever now. If your representative has not yet signed on as a sponsors of the Barton bill, these weeks leading up to the election are a great time to tell him (or her) what you, as a voter and small business job provider, need done in Washington. Tell him (or her) that you will be happy to vote for him (or her) in November if he (or she) will vote for you now by joining the 80 colleagues who are supporting the Barton bill.
Everybody talks about education, but after that, what do you do to keep a record of what has been taught, let alone what it was worth? In Illinois, a cleaners' trade association has adapted a process long used in other industries to keep track of classes. In doing so, they have created a new basis for measuring the courses cleaners can take to improve their skills.
We are talking about the Illinois State Fabricare Association and the Continuing Education Units its seminars award to participants in education programs. At its August trade show, ISFA has scheduled seminars throughout the weekend. Each class offers CEUs and has a course number which identifies it. As attendees accumulate CEUs, they come closer to earning recognition in the Illinois Drycleaner Star Recognition Program. This method is the raising of the standard of course delivery and indicates an improvement in the delivery of education services to cleaners.
There are certification courses and exams offered by the national associations. These are accepted in some states as proof of competency. But there is a need for the establishment of a universal standard through which courses from national, state and local associations as well as those offered by independent consultants may be identified.
Taking it a step further, this CEU process could be used to recognize proficiency and/or competency in areas requiring the same. Credits earned from one group's class could be added to those acquired from a course offered by another to meet various recognition standards.
Universal education standards for cleaners will be in place someday. It may be time to start discussing what the industry may want as a basis for the standards, and how the services may be measured and delivered.
PDLA announces new member benefits
WILLOW GROVE, PA -- The board of directors of the Pennsylvania Drycleaners Launderers Association announced the development of four new programs to be included in the members' benefits package offered by the group.
Health coverage, credit card services, medical services discount cards and long term care insurance are now offered by the association.
The health package offered is "individual coverage at reduced group rates," PDLA said. "You can pick from a variety of programs offered by the PDLA healthcare plan." Plans can be created with dental coverage as well and employee packages are available.
The credit card acceptance program is offered by BankBoston. There are no application, monthly or membership fees and PDLA said the discount fee averages two percent. A no-obligation free trial period is offered.
A discount card from the American Medical Benefits Association is the third new member benefit. This is not an insurance plan, but a discount card for medical services and supplies, including prescription drugs, medical care, family counseling, drug testing and travel assistance and emergency evacuation.
Long term insurance is the final new benefit. Offered through a well-known insurance company, this provides for coverage in nursing homes, adult day care and assisted living facilities. The PDLA plan provides a 10 percent discount off the standard insurance rates.
For information on PDLA programs, call (800) 822-PDLA.
MACLA working on employee handbook
KING GEORGE, VA -- The Mid-Atlantic Cleaners & Launderers Association is working on a project which would create an "Employee Handbook Manual." The idea is to produce a book which can be easily modified to fit the needs of any cleaner.
MACLA explained that the project evolved from the practice of "courts and juriesŠ finding that oral representations and established but unwritten or out of date employment practices and rules can be contractually binding." The association has retained a legal specialist to assist in the development of the handbook.
MACLA is seeking six member companies in Maryland who want to be a part of the project. Participation will be of limited duration, MACLA, and will take a commitment of $125. Participants will receive an employment manual at the conclusion of the project.
Interested candidates may contact the association at (800) 235-8360.
MACLA also noted that it has a new address. Mail should now be sent to MACLA, 7430 Little Chatterton Lane, King George, VA 22485.
The telephone number remains the same, (540) 775-2525.
David Norford is the executive vice president of MACLA.
Trade groups question NY rule interpretation
An interpretation of the new perc drycleaning rules by the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation has two trade associations seeking a re-examination of a department classification of building usage.
The Neighborhood Cleaners Association International and North East Fabricare Association have written DEC representatives expressing "consternation" and "concern" over a ruling on mixed-use facilities.
According to representatives of both associations, the DEC determined that any drycleaning plant that also has a laundromat as part of its facility is a mixed-use building. An NCAI representative indicated the department was basing its decision on the differing SIC codes. NEFA executive vice president Peter Blake said "during the rulemaking process, the definition was to only include businesses separate and distinct from the drycleaning operation." Blake claimed "many cleaners use a laundromat in day-to-day operation of the plant and, in effect, they are truly one business." A NEFA letter to DEC division of air resources director Robert Warland observed that "in early outreach programs presented in 1997, the very question was asked of the DEC and Stan Byer's response was 'if it is the same business, it is stand alone.'" Blake asked the director to contact him to discuss the issue.
The NCAI position expressed similar concerns.
In a letter to DEC commissioner John P. Cahill, NCAI executive director Bill Seitz said the DEC policy statement "is in direct contradiction to the interpretation offered by DEC personnel during your 1997 outreach campaign, and not in keeping with the Neg Reg concept of vapor barriers in mixed-use commercial settings." "More specifically, the requirement for vapor barriers in mixed-use commercial buildings, as opposed to mixed-use residential, was justified as necessary because of the possibility of certain specific types of commercial uses, such as food establishments, adjoining a drycleaner," he added.
NEFA issued an update to New York state cleaners to warn them of the potential problem. In it, NEFA attributed the decision to call the sites mixed-use to the DEC legal department.
NCAI also wrote New York Gov. George Pataki regarding the problem.
Seitz told the governor of his concern regarding the position changes of the DEC.
"As you may know, NCAI supported the enactment of NYS DEC regulation Part 232 covering perchloroethylene drycleaners in the early days of your administration," NCAI said. "Since that rule was adopted, we have had several disagreements with the department concerning interpretations of the regulation, which we strongly believe were outside the neg reg committee's conceptual agreement." "We ask that you assign someone from your staff to monitor the developments on these issues. Fair and reasonable treatment for a 'Mom and Pop' industry that placed great faith in you and your administration in 1994 is all we are asking for at this time." In developments related to the New York perc drycleaning rules, both NEFA and NCAI said their respective versions of certification training will be submitted to the DEC soon. The state will then evaluate the training proposals.
An independent testing organization will be contracted by DEC to test certification candidates.
NY certification requirements are coming
New York State will soon require certification of perc drycleaners and the state is now reviewing proposed programs submitted for official approval.
New York Department of Environmental Conservation official Patrick J. Lavin is responsible for evaluating and approving the plans. Lavin is the chief of the permitting and compliance, bureau of stationary sources, division of air resources.
His responsibilities include evaluating programs for adherence to department standards.
"We review the training programs for completeness as to what constitutes an acceptable training program," Lavin said. Proposals from several Korean institutions have submitted, including the Empire Institute of Technology.
"There are two sets of training requirements. One is for owners/managers and one is for operators. The operators have to have a hands-on component" in their training program, Lavin said.
Lavin also said the agency is developing a request for proposals for an independent testing organization.
Lavin predicted "we'll have the program in place by the end of the year." He indicated the three who have applied must now go through the review process to see if they are acceptable.
The Neighborhood Cleaners Association International and North East Fabricare Association are working on their individual submissions to the agency. Both are expected to complete their proposals soon and submit them for review.
Connecticut requires posting of prices
A new state law will require Connecticut cleaners to post drycleaning prices for each kind of garment accepted for cleaning. The statute goes into effect Oct. 1 of this year.
The retail price and tax must be posted, although garments requiring special handling are exempted from the list mandate. In addition, cleaners must have a printed copy of their price list available for any customer who requests one.
Price law violators will face charges of unfair trade practices and will be subject to fines of up to $100.
NEFA plans September move
The North East Fabricare Association is moving to new offices effective Sept. 1, the association said last month.
The new office site is 580 Main St., Reading, MA, about 10 miles from current NEFA headquarters. The old office is being vacated because the property is being developed into a residential property and the owner sold the building. Nine homes have been built around the NEFA office this spring while the association looked for a new office.
A lease for the new offices has been drawn up and association officials signed the documents in mid-June.
A new telephone number for the association is expected to be assigned in mid-August. The group's toll-free number remains the same, (800) 442-6848.
Wisconsin Fabricare Institute published list of cleaners in compliance with state law
GREENFIELD, WI -- The Wisconsin Fabricare Institute is battling a proposal it says could add $3,000 to $5,000 to cleanup action under the state's Drycleaner's Environmental Response Fund (DERF) program.
Under the 1997-98 budget bill approved by the state legislature, the Department of Natural Resources was authorized to collect fees by administrative rule for paperwork involved in contamination cleanups. These kinds of services -- investigation reviews, approvals, etc, had been furnished at no charge to the individual or company involved in site investigations or cleanups, WFI said.
Joe Phillips, WFI's executive director, noted that the DERF program is already subsidized entirely by the industry and provides for administration costs to be absorbed by the fund itself. He and Don Gallo, the association's legal counsel, have been in contact with state officials on the issue. Phillips said the intent of the legislature apparently was to have the fees imposed by DNR for work it does in connection with new Brownfields legislation.
Phillips had planned to testify against applying the fees to the DERF program or any cleanups involving drycleaner at a DNR board meeting in late May. That action has been delayed until August at the earliest.
The DERF program requires drycleaners to register with the state and pay a 1.8 percent fee on the gross receipts from drycleaning which is to be used to fund a site cleanup program for Wisconsin drycleaners.
In the May-June issue of WFI's publication, Impressions, a list of all cleaner who were licensed with the state under the DERF program. Approximately 325 drycleaners -- about 90 percent of the state's total -- had registered.
In publishing the list, WFI asked its members to review it and report to the association office any cleaners who are not on the list and may be in violation of state law. The names of alleged violators will be submitted to the state Department of Revenue "to take whatever action is deemed appropriate," WFI said.
"The list of licensed drycleaners has been published to ensure that we have a level playing field, that there are not those who would take advantage of their competition by considering themselves above the law," wrote WFI vice president in a commentary in the same issue of the publication.
"Unlicensed drycleaners will certainly not be jailed, but they could have their doors closed by the Department of Revenue until they have fulfilled their entire obligation to the DERF program," Kantor said.
He added: "Many of use won't realize the benefits of the DERF program for perhaps another 10, 20 or 30 years, but it is a security blanket that the industry must maintain if each of us is to conductŠ business with a sense of promise and enthusiasm and not under a dark cloud of fear and anxiety."
The law, enacted in October, 1997, and required all cleaners to obtain a licensed in January. The license fee is based on 1.8 of gross receipts on drycleaning services performed from the middle of October through Dec. 31, 1997.
In January 1999, all cleaners in the state will need to have their license renewed by again paying the 1.8 percent gross receipts fee, this time for all of 1998.
Question about the program can be directed to the WFI office, (414) 529-4707.
State of the Industry forum at Ohio convention
COLUMBUS, OH -- The summer meeting of the Ohio Cleaners Association will be July 10-12 at the Radisson Harbour Inn in Sandusky, OH.
A "State of the Industry" roundtable forum will consider such topics as liquid carbon dioxide cleaning technology, Rynex, wetcleaning, and alternative cleaning and finishing technologies. Seminar speakers will be Bill Fisher of the International Fabricare Institute, Bill Seitz of the Neighborhood Cleaners Association, Manfred Wentz of R. R. Street & Co. Inc., Tom Kimmel, IFI president and Debbie Barnett, IFI district 4 director. The seminar will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. Other events scheduled for the weekend include a golf tournament on Friday morning, an allied trades reception and annual meeting and banquet on Friday evening and the OCA board meeting on Sunday morning.
The full convention registration of $140 per adult includes the reception and banquet on Friday, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings and the Saturday seminar. Separate registrations and programs are offered for children and teens.
For more information, call the association, (614) 221-3458.
11 take first Wisconsin CPD test
GREENFIELD, WI -- Eleven Wisconsin drycleaners took the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute's new Certified Environmental Drycleaner (WI-CPD) examination on May 14.
The WI-CPD designation represents a next level for cleaners who participate in WFI's certification program. The association previously instituted its own Certified Environmental Drycleaner Program (WI-CED). Thirteen cleaners took the WI-CED exam on May 14 and seven others took the WI-CED recertification exam that was offered on May 13.
The Wisconsin certification programs are a partnership between WFI, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin Extension's Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center. The program focuses on drycleaners' awareness of environmental laws and regulations and the safe, effective and professional servicing of garments.
Philip (Jack) Annis of SHWEC wrote the study manual and exam for both tests.
Cleaners who achieve the WI-CED and/or the WI-CPD designations can use those titles following their names.
To maintain the certified status, they must meet ongoing training and participatory requirements and be re-certified every three years.
WFI said the tests have been designed to be as comprehensive as the CED and CPD exams offered by the International Fabricare Institute but more specifically oriented to regulations and conditions in the state of Wisconsin.
The exams for initial qualification for the WI-CED and WI-CPD designations are offered twice yearly on the second Thursday in May and the second Thursday in November at statewide University of Wisconsin Extension offices. The next exam date is Nov 12.
Recertification exams will be offered on the second Wednesday in May and again in September. The next recertification test will be given Sept. 18 in conjunction with WFI's fall conference.
WFI advises that cleaners allow themselves one to two months to adequately prepare for the WI-CPD exam and at least three weeks to prepare for the WI-CED exam. Call the WFI office, (414) 529-4707, for more information.
Zellers to lead customer service, finishing seminars in Wisconsin
GREENFIELD, WI -- Jane Zellers will lead customer service and finishing seminars sponsored by the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute in July.
The customer service seminar will provide training on effective communications with customers and how to understand their concerns. Sessions will be held July 22 at the Midway Hotel in Brookfield, WI, from 6 to 9 p.m. and on July 25 at the Wintergreen Resort in Wisconsin Dells from 1 to 4 p.m. The cost is $20 per attendee for WFI members and $30 for non-members.
The finishing seminar will be offered on July 23 at Carriage Cleaners in Greenfield, WI. The instructional session will be from 5 to 8 p.m. and an optional hands-on Q & A session will run from 8 until 9:30 p.m.
The seminar will cover fibers, fabric, construction dyes, and pigments, finishing equipment, trims and appliques. Those who attend the optional hands-on session are asked to bring along one pleated garment, one pair of trousers, one dress and one sport or suit coat.
The cost of the finishing seminar is $105 for WFI members and $150 for non-members. Enrollment is limited to 30 students.
For registration or more information, call the WFI office, (414) 529-4707.Wisconsin Fabricare Institute publishes list of cleaners in compliance with state law
WFI fights addtional fees for cleanups
GREENFIELD, WI -- The Wisconsin Fabricare Institute is battling a proposal it says could add $3,000 to $5,000 to cleanup action under the state's Drycleaner's Environmental Response Fund (DERF) program.
Under the 1997-98 budget bill approved by the state legislature, the Department of Natural Resources was authorized to collect fees by administrative rule for paperwork involved in contamination cleanups. These kinds of services -- investigation reviews, approvals, etc, had been furnished at no charge to the individual or company involved in site investigations or cleanups, WFI said.
Joe Phillips, WFI's executive director, noted that the DERF program is already subsidized entirely by the industry and provides for administration costs to be absorbed by the fund itself. He and Don Gallo, the association's legal counsel, have been in contact with state officials on the issue. Phillips said the intent of the legislature apparently was to have the fees imposed by DNR for work it does in connection with new Brownfields legislation.
Phillips had planned to testify against applying the fees to the DERF program or any cleanups involving drycleaner at a DNR board meeting in late May. That action has been delayed until August at the earliest.
The DERF program requires drycleaners to register with the state and pay a 1.8 percent fee on the gross receipts from drycleaning which is to be used to fund a site cleanup program for Wisconsin drycleaners.
In the May-June issue of WFI's publication, Impressions, a list of all cleaner who were licensed with the state under the DERF program. Approximately 325 drycleaners -- about 90 percent of the state's total -- had registered.
In publishing the list, WFI asked its members to review it and report to the association office any cleaners who are not on the list and may be in violation of state law. The names of alleged violators will be submitted to the state Department of Revenue "to take whatever action is deemed appropriate," WFI said.
"The list of licensed drycleaners has been published to ensure that we have a level playing field, that there are not those who would take advantage of their competition by considering themselves above the law," wrote WFI vice president in a commentary in the same issue of the publication.
"Unlicensed drycleaners will certainly not be jailed, but they could have their doors closed by the Department of Revenue until they have fulfilled their entire obligation to the DERF program," Kantor said.
He added: "Many of use won't realize the benefits of the DERF program for perhaps another 10, 20 or 30 years, but it is a security blanket that the industry must maintain if each of us is to conductŠ business with a sense of promise and enthusiasm and not under a dark cloud of fear and anxiety."
The law, enacted in October, 1997, and required all cleaners to obtain a licensed in January. The license fee is based on 1.8 of gross receipts on drycleaning services performed from the middle of October through Dec. 31, 1997.
In January 1999, all cleaners in the state will need to have their license renewed by again paying the 1.8 percent gross receipts fee, this time for all of 1998.
Question about the program can be directed to the WFI office, (414) 529-4707.
Annual conference for MAFA
The Mid-America Fabricare Association will hold its annual conference July 31 Aug. 1 at the Lodge of the Ozarks in Branson, MO. A board of directors meeting will be held Aug. 2, following the convention, with members invited to attend.
MAFA has invited Deborah Rechnitz as its lead seminar speaker. Her topics cover practical tips on how to manage employees and your cost to increase profits.
According to MAFA, the seminar will devote part of its time to an analysis of costs "of a typical Kansas and Missouri cleaner," MAFA reported. Attendees will be encouraged to bring their own costs (by percentage) so they may compare numbers.
Rechnitz is the owner of Methods for Management, writes a column about business in a national trade publication and is executive director of Northwest Drycleaners Association.
The agenda for the weekend includes a welcome cocktail reception at 6 p.m. on July 31 and a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by the annual meeting at 8 a.m. on Aug. 1.
The business management seminar with Rechnitz will be held Aug. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. immediately followed by a luncheon and IFI update. The MAFA directors meeting will be held 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 2.
The conference preregistration deadline is July 27. On-site registration is available for all activities except the Saturday luncheon and a Saturday evening stage show. Call MAFA for details, (314) 832-1839.
Nebraska sets fall convention
The Nebraska Fabricare Association will hold a fall convention in Omaha Sept. 19-20. Among the programs planned for the weekend is an all-day stain removal seminar taught by Jane Rising of the International Fabricare Institute.
The training session will be held Sept. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants will receive a certificate from IFI. The fee for the class has not been established yet.
Also planned the same day are a plant tour and an association banquet.
On Sept. 20 the association will hold a membership meeting.
NFA is in the process of surveying its members regarding what they want at a convention. Questions asked include how often the members want a convention, when they want it, where it should be held, events which could be held in conjunction with a convention and topics that should be addressed.
For more information, contact NFA executive director Patty Deden, (402) 558-3314.
Wisconsin plans to track air pollutants
Representatives of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Fabricare Institute met recently to discuss the state's plan to track actual emissions of air pollutants.
According to WFI, the state's air emissions inventory has a perc emission reporting level of three tons a year. That figure translates to the consumption of 540 gallons of perc a year for transfer machine operators; 630 gallons a year for other perc cleaners, WFI said.
"Few firms use that much perc in a year, " WFI said. "Few, if any, will have to pay the inventory fee." The fee is $36.25 a ton with an inventory report due March, 1999, and the fee payable in June, 1999.
For more information, call WFI, (414) 529-4707.
SDA starts study of technologies
SAN ANTONIO, TX -- The Southwest Drycleaners Association board of directors has created a standing committee charged with seeking out, reviewing and reporting on emerging technologies in the areas of drycleaning, laundry and wetcleaning equipment and chemicals. In addition, the committee will study computer advancements as they pertain to the cleaning industry.
Committee members include Samuel Cox, Jim Cripe, Jess Culpepper, Keith Kocher (chairman), Joyce Shoolenbarger and Bruce Squires.
Kocher said the committee was charged by the board "to keep up with the new technologies." Key among the subjects the group will study are computer systems and "who has what." Kocher also said the committee is interested in information on "anything that's in the development stages as far as the drycleaning industry goes." Regarding the group's search for other new technology, Kocher said "the association is really looking for anything new and upcoming, especially CO2 and wetcleaning." "We want to find out about new advances in cleanups, too," he added.
Finding an answer can be time consuming, however.
"Someone said someone at Texas A&M was working on a microbe that eats perc," Kocher reported. "I made more than 30 calls on that one. Texas A&M sent me to a number of departments to check on it." Kocher said he is reading a number of web pages to keep up on developments. He said he's discovered there are "a lot of things out there." "Anyone with information on new technology to e-mail me at KAKComet@slash.net," he added.
SDA will report the developments through articles in its newsletter. "This way the members can be on top of what's happening," Kocher said.
Streets helps with seminars in Louisiana, Mississippi
The Louisiana Mississippi Drycleaners & Launderers Association will sponsor a short series of seminars this summer in cooperation with R. R. Street & Co.
Association executive director Darienne Wilson said two dates in August have been selected with an October program being finalized.
"Products and Process Education" will be held Aug. 15 in Lafayette, LA, and Aug. 29 in Shreveport, LA.
The October date has not been selected for the Jackson, MS, session.
The all-day sessions will include presentations on nine topics. These include understanding soil contaminants, drycleaning plant productivity and profitability, fundamentals of filtration and understanding drycleaning processes.
R. R. Streets will provide the seminar leaders for the programs.
A continental breakfast and lunch will be offered at each seminar.
Advance reservations for the sessions are recommended.
The association also said it has started making plans for its 1999 convention in Biloxi, MS. The group is scheduled to hold it on "the world's largest floating hotel," Wilson said.
For LMDLA information, call (601) 352-4291.
Florida cleanup law is amended
The Florida legislature amended the state drycleaning solvents cleanup program by shortening of the eligibility period, adding new incentives for voluntary cleanups, reducing taxes on perc and easing the program application status to make it more difficult for regulators to deny program applications.
The changes in the law take effect July 1.
Neither the Neighborhood Cleaners Association International nor the Florida Drycleaners Coalition sought the change, but NCAI said the two cleaners' groups worked with bill sponsors Sen. Jack Latvala and Rep. Adam Putnam as the measure went through the legislature.
Starting in July, applications for participation in the state voluntary cleanup program must be submitted by Dec. 31, 1998, rather than Dec. 31, 2005.
Also amended was the status of sales tax on perc solvent. The law now clearly states perc is not subject to state sales tax.
In addition, cleaners now can apply 35 percent of the cost of a voluntary cleanup as a credit against the state intangible or corporate profits tax.
Removed from the law was a $10,000 credit against future gross receipts for cleaners who expend funds on an immediate response cleanup and site remediation.
The new version of the law allows the use Risk-Based Contamination Assessment standards in determining the status of a proposed cleanup of a site.
Insurance standards were changed in that third party liability insurance coverage must be retroactive to the date drycleaning operations commenced at a location.
Dry stores are now included in the gross receipts tax.
"Wet plant operators who also operate dry drop-off facilities will not be affected; the tax will continue to be levied on total combined sales," NCAI reported.
To date, a reported 1,300 cleaning facilities out of 1,650 sites have applied for the state program, NCAI said.
New SEFA president calls for more professionalism
Leland Waite of Waite's Cleaners in Mobile, AL, was elected president of the South Eastern Fabricare Association at the group's annual meeting during the convention in Atlanta in May. He takes over from Wayne Hardaway.
In his acceptance speech, Waite called for more professionalism among the ranks of the industry's cleaners.
"The clothing care industry used to sew care labels in their garments that would read "Professionally Dry Clean Only." Now they only read "Dryclean Only," he noted.
The reason, he said, is because there are very few professional drycleaners in the country today.
"This is a shame, and it is our fault that we have let our industry fall."
Waite, whose father started the family business in 1952, compared drycleaners to lawyers, doctors and CPA's.
"When was the last time you looked in the newspaper and saw an ad for a heart doctor running a 40 percent off sale on bypass surgery or a CPA running an ad promising to double your refund if you let them do your income taxes? It does not happen. And guess what. They have a full work load."
Waite said professionalism requires continuing education and that as SEFA president he will try to provide members with professional education.
"We want to remain professional drycleaners," he said. "We want to be able to hold our heads up high when we walk up to our front counter and see that customer holding up the bag checking if the stain came out or that the finishing is to the best that it can be."
Confidence to build
Waite said that his father, who passed away in June of last year, lived to see his son realize a dream with the completion of a new 10,000-sq.-ft. building.
"Because of the knowledge and understanding of our industry that I received from not only being a SEFA member but also from serving on the board, I had the confidence to build such a building."
Waite said that with that one location in Mobile his company is known as a "professional drycleaner" and that he has been able to establish strong relationships with clothing retailers in the area.
As president, Waite will lead an association board that consists of 39 members who volunteer their time and pay their own expenses to attend four board meetings a year.
Joining him as officers of the association are Barry Morgan, Morgan's Cleaners in Brunswick, GA, executive vice president; and vice presidents Jean Barr of Aladdin Cleaners, Birmingham, AL, Greg Myers, Southside Cleaners and Launderers, Lakeland, FL, and Ed Robinson, Ed Robinson Laundry and Drycleaners, Columbia, South Carolina.
Hardaway is now serving as chairman of the board.
Alabama coalition working on trust fund
BIRMINGHAM, AL -- The Alabama Dry Cleaning Coalition is working on a drycleaners trust fund for the state, the South Eastern Fabricare Association reported last month.
George Berthon, president of the coalition, said the group has "studied all the states that currently have bills and is trying to pattern ours to take advantage of the mistakes others have encountered." ADCC has a rough draft prepared and has hired an attorney "that specializes in pollution problem lawsuits," Berthon said. "He has a lot of experience and worked with Florida on their bill." The coalition is creating a bill to fill a void it believes exists because of the lack of credentials needed to be a cleaner.
"This is the only industry where you can go out and buy equipment and hazardous substances and start out," Berthon said.
He also cited the adverse reaction to negative publicity whenever the phrase "hazardous substance" is referred to in news stories.
"The public and the environmentalists tend to panic," he claimed.
The coalition's biggest concern is getting the majority of the cleaners in the state to support a proposed site cleanup bill. Berthon believes there a many cleaners "who are afraid of it because they know it's going to cost them some money." He attributes this to a mindset of "if you don't think you have a problem, you don't want to support a site bill." He warned that if a cleaner is forced to do Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies and finds they have a problem, then they discover they are forced to do something.
"Our bill isn't going to force studies," Berthon said. "But if a problem is found, the bill will say that it will have to be fixed." ADCC doesn't believe the state will go out to inspect every site to see if there's a problem. "But if one is found, you'll have to fix it." Although the details of the proposed legislation are still being worked out, one issue is the appointment of a board to oversee the site remediation process.
"We would like to have a broad spectrum of people on the board," Berthon said. "A board of five or six, maybe eight people at the most." These would include cleaners, manufacturers, state representatives and others.
For now, ADDC plans to hire a lobbyist and find what procedure they have to go through to get a bill before the legislature.
"We don't want to go in unprepared," Berthon said. "But we'll go in as quickly as we can get all the details ironed out." Berthon can be reached at (205) 322-7845. Other ADDC officers include vice president Jim Massey III, secretary/treasurer Jean Barr and SEFA president Leland Waite.
Tennessee inspectors visit drycleaners
NASHVILLE, TN -- Inspectors from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Air Pollution Control (APC), have been visiting perc drycleaners to verify permit application information, the Tennessee Fabricare Association warned cleaners recently.
TFA said inspectors "verify the accuracy of information already submitted to APCŠ assist the perc drycleaners in the completion of permit application forms andŠ determine compliance status." Completed inspection reports are filed with the APC office where the division determines the applicable permit for a perc drycleaning plant. Then the office will issue the permit.
TFA said a permit is issued even if the annual state emission fee is not paid. However, cleaners who do not pay the fee are subject to monetary penalties.
Cleaners should be aware that if a cleaning facility plans to add new equipment or build a new plant, they must contact APC for a construction permit application 90 days prior to the beginning of construction.
Mark McAdoo of the small business clean air assistance program is available to answer perc cleaners' questions, (800) 734-3619.
Oregon DEQ sees better compliance with state law
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality reports improved compliance by drycleaners with the state's three-year-old law that created a site clean-up fund and set forth environmental management practices.
DEQ said that 365 drycleaners and dry stores had submitted reports as of June 1 and that this year's reports were "more complete and accurate than the information provided after the first year of the program." More cleaners reported the quantity of solvents purchased during the year and the level of compliance with waste minimization requirements improved during the year, DEQ said in its Annual report.
Under the law, cleaners are asked to verify basic information that identifies the facility and the owner; report on compliance with waste reduction equipment; and quantify the types and amounts of solvents used and waste generated at the facility.
DEQ also reported on progress made with drycleaning sites that have entered the program. Those included seven sites in the program at various stages ranging from initial site assessment work to one location that was recommended for no further action.
Revenue for the program has come primarily from fees paid by drycleaners, a total of $1.58 million of the just over $1.6 million in total revenue from January, 1996 to March, 1998.
The fees paid by drycleaners include an annual site fee ($1,000 for a drycleaning facility; $500 for a dry store) and per-gallon use fee on solvent purchases, currently $12.73 for perc and $2.55 for other solvents.
One-fourth of the just over $1 million expended by the program between July 1, 1995 and March of this year went for work on a site that has been classified as a "high priority." DEQ said that groundwater samplings from the Lebanon area indicated that perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene and chloroform were present in the groundwater at the Johannsen Cleaners site, with perc concentrations as high as 93 parts per billion.
A contractor has been selected to complete the site investigation and procure and installed equipment to remediate the risk from contamination, DEQ said.
Amounts expended on the other sites ranged from $30,000 to $95,000. One other site, Professional & Budget Dry Cleaners, has been classified as "high priority." Full evaluation and a determination of remedial action has been recommended.
Sampling done at another site, Peacock Cleaners, showed only low levels of contamination and DEQ is recommending no further action for that site.
The total amount allocate for cleanups in the budget report was $564,500.
Other areas of expenditures were program administration, $162,462; program development, $107,324; technical assistance, $113,713; and a technical assistance contract, $70,000.
The technical assistance contract is a two-year agreement under which a consultant, Scott Lee, will work with the Oregon Dry Cleaners Association and the Oregon Korean Dry Cleaners Association to help the state's cleaners meet the program's goal of eliminating releases of toxic solvents.
DEQ said Lee will work directly for the associations and will not report information about individual cleaners to the DEQ.
He will attempt to visit each drycleaning plant in Oregon to help owners and managers understand and comply with requirements for hazardous waste minimization requirements, reporting, and environmental cleanup. Lee will report cumulative data on the amount and type of assistance and the level of compliance he observes in quarterly reports he will make to the DEQ.
Compliance with the Oregon law means not using transfer equipment; providing secondary spill containment, using refrigerated condensers, having close, direct-coupled solvent delivery, and no sewer disposal of solvent-contaminated water.
His reports to the DEQ will include aggregate information only. He will also report to the oversight committee which will manage his work.
Committee members are Gary Campbell and Earl Eckstrom of the Oregon Dry Cleaners Association and Kwan Lee and Jin Kim of the Oregon Korean Dry Cleaners Association.
A meeting of the Dry Cleaner Advisory committee was scheduled for June 24 in Portland. The agenda included role of the advisory committee, technical assistance contract, waste minimization requirements, delivery systems, status of the fund and cleanup activities and a report to the legislature.
California seeks nominees for Drycleaner of the Year
The California Cleaners Association is looking for nominees for the 1998 Dry Cleaner of the Year, an award which will be announced and presented at the group's 77th annual convention in August.
CCA said nominations may be made through the association's office. The award will be made Saturday, Aug. 22, at the president's reception and dinner at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel.
The convention and trade show takes place Aug. 20 23 with a golf tournament, social events, board and membership meetings and three days of allied trade exhibits. The Anaheim Convention Center and Anaheim Marriott are the sites for the long weekend's events. Among the activities at the convention will be the announcement of winners of the five district board seats up for election. They will be announced at the Aug. 21 board meeting.
California five-star cleaners will be acknowledged at a Friday evening cocktail party at the Marriott. Contributors to the fledgling CCA school of drycleaning will also be recognized at that reception.
CCA is also accepting nominations for Oscar winners, a ballot that underscores the theme of the Saturday evening dinner, "A Night with Stars." The special guest star that night is nationally-syndicated newspaper and magazine columnist Heloise. She will present the Dry Cleaner of the Year award as well as awards to the "Oscar" winners.
The education sessions are planned for Friday through Sunday mornings. Presenters include Kenney Slatten, Jane Zellers, Bill Hay and Jim Beecher.
For details on the CCA program, contact the association, (800) 390-9409.
McCrory to lead Colorado seminars
The 1998 Rocky Mountain Fabricare Association annual conference will be held on consecutive weekends in Colorado and Utah.
The program agenda is identical for each -- only the location changes.
The Colorado series is July 31 - Aug. 1 at the Village at Breckenridge in Breckenridge, CO.
The Utah program will be held Aug. 7 - 8 at the Inn at Prospector Square in Park City, UT.
Both weekends open with a member reception on Friday night.
On Saturday the sessions start with "How to Interview and Hire Winners." This program starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 11:30 a.m.
At 1 p.m., a three hour session on "Marketing Magic: Effective Ideas That Work" will be presented.
Both Saturday programs feature a barbecue, comedian and silent auction followed by a comedy presentation by Dennis McCrory.
For details, contact RMFA, (303) 443-4446.
Arizona offers protection
PHOENIX, AZ -- The Arizona legislature has forwarded a bill which allows businesses to get "restitution for arbitrary, capricious or illegal actions" to Gov. Jane Hull, the Western States Drycleaners & Launderers Association reported last month.
WSDLA said the governor has indicated she will sign the bill.
The impetus for the proposed law was a nine-year investigation of Airborn Manufacturing Company by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The agency contended the company contributed to groundwater contamination and AMC spent $1.5 million in a successful defense.
"Testimony by several members of the drycleaning industry and the continued urging of the association were instrumental in securing the positive result," WSDLA said.
WSDLA can be reached at (602) 253-9186.
You start young, work for the family enterprise and learn the business from top to bottom. After a decade or two, if you're the member of your generation who stayed with the business, you get your chance to take over and run things your way.
This is the most common family business story. But it's the details of what happens when Generation Two takes over that explains what can go right when the business transitions to the younger family member.
In Connecticut, cleaner Jeff Berkowitz is a baby boomer who has made that transition from family employee to business owner and decision maker. His family purchased Grimes Cleaners in New London, Connecticut, from Carl Grimes more than three decades ago. At the outset it was a one plant operation near the center of town in an area destined for redevelopment. Berkowitz started working in the plant as a teenager, beginning with the basic chores.
"I swept up the floors and learned how to do button hole tags," he recalled of his introduction to workplace.
He continued work