Disruptor of Drycleaning

National

January 2018 Clothe Volume 59 Number 4 sline www.natclo.com ImagineDisruptor a competitor with a 200,00-sq.-ft. plantof that on-linedrycleaning at renttherunway.com or at one of the company’s can process 5,000 pieces per hour, targets high income brick-and-mortar stores in New York, Chicago, Wash- customers in the 25 to 40 age group. This competitor has ington, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The price of the already raised $130,000 million to fund its growing busi- rental is a fraction of what it would cost to buy the gar- ness and has the goal of capturing 10 percent of the $7 ment outright and that price includes shipping to and billion U.S. drycleaning market. from the customer and, of course, the drycleaning. This is not an imaginary competitor. It’s Rent the “Drycleaning is not something that is really important Runway, which aims to replace the closet in the home to Rent the Runway,” he said. “It’s something they do on with a closet in the cloud. the side. They’re really out to disrupt fast fashion but A look inside this operation was provided by Charles you, the drycleaner, will probably be collateral damage.” Ickes, former chief logistics officer of New York-based While drycleaning is not the focus of Rent the Run- Rent the Runway, who spoke during the National Clean- way, it’s important to have the cleaning operation opti- ers Association’s Texcare event in Secaucus, NJ, in Oc- mized to handle that many garments quickly and effec- tober. tively. The company’s investment in a $60 million The company was started in 2009 by two Harvard inventory requires that the returned garments can be Business School classmates, Jennifer Fleiss and Jennifer made like-new as fast as possible to be ready to rent Hyman, who thought women might be interested in rent- again. ing rather than owning high-fashion attire. When Ickes started with Rent the Runway, garments The company was still relatively small by the time had four-day turnaround from when they were first re- Ickes joined it in 2011, handling 150,000 pieces per year ceived to when they could go out again. That wasn’t sus- with all the drycleaning outsourced. He brought with tainable, he said. Since they are dealing with many cus- him a background in drycleaning having worked for tomers who want garments for weekend occasions, they Madame Paulette in New York and Dependable Cleaners would essentially lose a week of rental possibilities if in Massachusetts. garments took that long which would require having Now he said the company’s drycleaning facility near twice the inventory just to maintain the rental rates where Charles Ickes former chief logistics officer for Secaucus is the largest in the world with enough business they want them. Rent the Runway, discussed the drycleaning op- to keep its 78 drycleaning machines spinning through This led Ickes to explore and experiment with every eration of the garment rental company during a session at NCA’s recent Texcare show in Secaucus. two shifts a day with four million pieces cleaned in 2017. aspect of the process, from marking in to cleaning, fin- Rent the Runway’s customers can make their selection Continued on page 8

EPAThe Environmental said Protection Agency toing document” put for perc andbrakes action on that granted Solvents on Inustry banning Alliance. “Alternatives toTCE TCE require more time is postponing indefinitely a proposed ban chemical could take a few years. But soon In comments to EPA on the proposed on the spotting board in an attempt to re- on the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) as a after publishing the list, EPA ban, the HSIA said it “is based on a very move the same stain from the garment,” drycleaning spotting chemical, according announced that it was proceeding with a deficient risk assessment completed before Meijer said. to a report in The New York Times. ban on TCE when used as a degreaser and TSCA was revised.” Alan Spielvogel of NCA said the ban The report comes a year after EPA an- a spot removal agent in drycleaning. “The better course would be to assess could negatively effect a drycleaner’s bot- nounced that TCE was among chemicals Specifically, EPA said it wanted to pro- the risks from spot cleaning and aerosol tom line. Alternatives to TCE are not as ef- on fast-track to be banned, possibly as early hibit the manufacturing, importing, pro- degreasing as part of the required upcoming fective, present risks to the garment that do as the end of 2017. cessing and distribution of TCE for use in TCE assessment,” HSIA said. not exist with TCE and are more time con- EPA now has placed a ban of TCE on a aerosol degreasing and spot cleaning in HSIA said that EPA had given no notice suming to use in order to achieve similar list of “long-term actions’’ without a set drycleaning. that its 2014 assessment would address results, he said. deadline. The agency said it had identified serious TCE’s use as spot cleaner in drycleaning, “Our position is that between labor and TCE and perchloroethylene were both risks to workers and consumers associated thus there was no participation by utilities, an increased cost as a percentage on a list of 10 chemicals that EPA said it with TCE uses in a 2014 assessment that drycleaner representatives and no peer re- of gross sales of between four and five per- would be reviewing under the revised Toxic concluded that the chemical can cause a view of the spot cleaning assessment. Nor cent of gross sales can be expected if TCE’s Substance Control Act passed by Congress range of adverse health effects, including was there a Small Business Advocacy Re- use is prohibited as a spot cleaner in the in- in 2016. That legislation required EPA to cancer, development and neurotoxicologi- view, even though spot cleaning is done by dustry,” Spielvogel said. publish a list of chemicals to evaluate for cal effects, and toxicity to the liver. drycleaners who are virtually all small busi- Last summer, the U.S. House Appropri- potential risks to human health and the en- According to the EPA, the majority of nesses. ations Committee urged EPA to back off its vironment. TCE is used as an intermediate for manu- HSIA also questioned EPA’s claim that proposed TCE ban. Publication of the list triggered a statu- facturing refrigerants. Much of the remain- the rule would have no significant eco- “Rather than continuing with those rule- tory deadline for EPA to complete risk eval- der — about 15 percent — is used as a sol- nomic impact on drycleaners. In proposing makings, the committee encourages EPA uations for these chemicals within three vent for metals degreasing. Other uses the ban, EPA said drycleaners have avail- to consider those chemical uses as part of years. If an evaluation determined that a include as a spotting agent in drycleaning able a number substitutes that are compa- the risk evaluation process for the ten pri- chemical presents an unreasonable risk to and in consumer products. rably priced. ority compounds recently designated by humans and the environment, EPA would The proposal drew criticism from the In comments to EPA, DLI’s Jon Meijer EPA under TSCA section, which include need to mitigate that risk within two years. Drycleaning and Laundry Institute, the Na- said that while alternatives are available, the chemicals in question,” the committee So far EPA has published only a “scop- tional Cleaners Association and the Halo- they aren’t necessarily equally effective. report stated. Sneak Peek 24 Winds of change 36 Who’s calling? 20 That collar cone 30 What’s up for 2018? What do you do Mobile phones are Collar cones have James Peuster when things around everywhere now, many uses, some checks his crystal you change? Sell including the workplace. good and some not. ball for what out? Move away? Frank Kollman says Don Desrosiers changes could be Improve in place? Or business owners need asks, how do you coming in the route just stand pat? to address their use. use yours? business in 2018. PAGE 2 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / JANUARY, 2018 DECEMBER, 2016 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 2

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National A national newspaper for drycleaners and launderers January, 2018 Volume 59, Number 4 communicationsBPS inc. Publisher of NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE PO Box 340 Clothesline Willow Grove, PA 19090-0340 WeatheringManagement consultant, educator the and author business Peter Drucker once noted: world’s“Trying to predict the future weather is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window.” Although, Drucker does believe there is one Phone: (215) 830-8467 way to be successful at forecasting the future: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Fax: (215) 830-8490 It’s human nature to try to pinpoint what is going to happen to exercise a semblance of control on a life full of chaos and [email protected] challenges. Sometimes, we can be pretty accurate (on some things anyway). Statistician Nate Silver wrote in his essay “The Weatherman Is Not a Moron” that weather prediction has greatly Web: www.natclo.com improved over time and is now typically accurate within about 2 to 2.5 degrees according to National Weather Service data. PUBLISHER The most accurate forecasts from the likes of the National Weather Service, AccuWeather and the Weather Channel (using data accumulated from Forecast Advisor) correctly predicted if there would be precipitation the following day 82 percent of the time Carol Memberg back in 2013. However, accuracy plummets considerably the further in advance meteorologists attempt to forecast. Too many EDITOR factors can change over time. Hal Horning Of course, predicting weather is much more accurate than predicting other things, especially those that have a much greater human element in them such as sports bets or consumer trends. If it were so easy, we’d all be much richer. Still, just CONTRIBUTING WRITER because we can’t expect to accurately be able to forecast the future does not mean that we cannot better prepare for it. Chris Pollay If you want to weather the upcoming business world weather, it’s a good time to refocus your resolutions. Keep in mind, the main thing that causes people to fail is that their goals are often too ambitious and without a clear direction. MANAGING DIRECTOR Start small when you look at your business and see things you want to change. Work on the first specific marketing, Leslie Schaeffer production or customer service problem, then go to the next. Trying to fix all areas of concern at once can be overwhelming. ADVERTISING Instead, change one thing at a time and work to keep your goals in the forefront of your mind. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it and don’t beat yourself up too badly when you slip up. It will inevitably Richard Cappo happen. Just be patient and measure your progress. GRAPHIC DESIGN Most people become frustrated that they cannot change a behavior that has occurred for years in a short span of time. Mary Castro-Regan Still, it’s nice to see any improvement in order to keep motivated. Oh, and one last thing: keep your sense of humor. As Mark Twain reminds us: “Now is the accepted time to make your NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE is not owned regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” or operated by any national or regional trade association. Advertisers are solely responsible for statements made in their advertising. ThisTraditionally year the beginning let’s of a new year begin is a time to reflect getting on where we have been, younger where we are now and, perhaps NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE (US ISSN most important, where we hope to go. #07446306) is an independent trade newspa- These are challenging times for the drycleaning industry. Piece counts and consumer spending on drycleaning have been per published monthly by BPS Communica- falling for several years. At the same time, the cost of being in business — rents, taxes, utilities, wages — rises. The traditional tions Inc. Periodical Postage paid at Willow small mom-and-pop cleaner faces challenges from well-heeled competitors who attack the market with low prices and/or fancy Grove, PA, and at an additional mailing office. upscale stores. To boost revenue, cleaners have emphasized marketing to get more business. Many try to leverage the internet and social Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Na- media to capture and keep customers, but for many others that’s just not in play due to lack of resources or interest. Pick-up and tional Clothesline, PO Box 340, Willow Grove, delivery route service has made made a huge comeback in the industry and adding 24-hour drop-off and pick-up locations have PA 19090-0340. been growing, both making it more convenient for customers. •Subscription price for anyone actively en- These things can help individual cleaners hang onto and even grow their share of the market, but they don’t address the gaged in the drycleaning and laundry indus- underlying problem the industry faces. The established pool of drycleaning customers is getting older and entering their retirement years with less need for drycleaning. The persistent popularity of casual dressing combined with the increase in try in the United States: $35; Canada $40 (US); washable garments means that people have fewer clothes that need to be drycleaned. These factors point to continued decline in All others, $75 (US). piece counts. •This newspaper is published in two sepa- The long-range picture for the industry looks bleak unless we can develop new customers — not existing customers rate sections. If you do not receive all sections, claimed from other cleaners, but truly new customers. The potential is out there in the form of a rising generation of Millennials please notify our office. just now entering their prime. To reach this vast pool of new customers will require new thinking by cleaners. Reimagine the industry as garment care professionals ready to serve the interests of a new and different generation. © 2018 BPS Communications Inc. Contents News & Features Columns The amazing Graces Steve and Adam Grace try to be all Dan Eisen The right chemical substitutions can 6 things to all customers at their 90-year-old family business 10 often provide a much safer stain removal alternative Obituary: Everett Bergmann He spent his whole Don Desrosiers What are the misconceptions and 8 working life at the family business before he died at 86 20 realities of using collar cones on shirts? Regions Deborah Rechnitz It may be time to rethink your 20 business model and improve your cost structure South In early 2018, NCALC has scheduled a pair of OSHA 12 seminars along with an upcoming winter meeting James Peuster You can expect this year to be a good one for growing and developing delivery routes Southwest SDA’s Cleaners Showcase includes a full 30 14 speaker program; Scholarships available from SDA Frank Kollman Mobile devices are addictive and a Midwest The Michigan Cleaning Fund is renewed; 36 potential problem at work if parameters aren’t set 16 Zengelers continues partnership with Glass Slipper Project Bruce Grossman To learn more about your air Midatlantic DLI plans seven resident courses this year at 38 compressor, let’s break it down into its components 18 its school in Laurel; PDCA moves Expo 2018 to Baltimore West CCA taps the FabriCoach for two finishing seminars Departments 32 this month; Fabricare 2018 will return to Long Beach

Northeast The Vermont DEC has decided to preemptively Newsmakers 34 test seven child care sites located near drycleaning sites 40 JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 5

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f the original founder of Fairmount went to General Electric. I spent some printers and scanners and iPads on the hand cleaning. Even the historical gar- ICleaners could see his business time in their financial division. That trucks.” ments, which are much less sturdy, re- today, he would probably be terri- kind of taught me to sit at a desk and quire a delicate touch as some date fied. At least that’s what his grandson shuffle some papers around. From nother big change has been the back to the early and mid-1800s. Steve and great-grandson Adam be- there, I went into the pet industry. I Aaddition of the K4 cleaning sol- lieve. The duo currently own and oper- was a pet salesman where I learned to vent that took place about seven hatever the job, Fairmount ate the 90-year-old business in the work with the public and learned some years ago. It has proved to be a wise de- W Cleaners willingly goes the greater Cleveland area. sales. All those things are necessary to cision for the Graces. extra mile. Oftentimes, Steve “We still have one foot firmly run and operate your own business.” “We were one of the first in the area receives the same kind of satisfaction planted in high-end customer service with K4,” Steve recalled.”It’s better for for cleaning a precious garment prop- and we’ve firmly got the other foot teve may well have been content everyone. It was a dream of ours for a erly as he once did for selling a cus- planted in computerized washers and Sto sell pets for a living perma- long time but when you’re invested in tomer a furry companion. computerized drycleaning machines. nently, but life threw a curveball. perc and moving with it, there’s an evo- “Whether it’s a historical item or a The technology is just crazy. They are incredibly complex machines and they’re better,” Steve explained. “It would scare him to death.” Still, there wasn’t much else that seemed to scare Joe Hoare (rhymes with “glory”), who immigrated into the U.S. in the early 1920s, after he served in the English Cavalry in World War I. He teamed up with a cousin in Cleve- land who had one of the few central- Steve & ized clothes cleaning operations in the city. “His cousin actually did the wholesale cleaning and Joe did the finishing and had a tailor on the premises,” Steve Adam said. “I think probably the fondest story for me is Joe offered a valet service and I never really understood what it was. www.fairmountcleaners.com Then I came across some original advertising from the early 1920s. He would charge $1.50 a month for a full “It was the greatest job I ever had. It lution to it.” Gracechristening gown or it’s something for valet service. He would determine was transaction-based gratification. Despite all the technological up- a museum or a theater, there’s always what needed pressing, what needed People would have disposable income grades, they still battle to remain rele- the opportunity to touch people just in cleaning and if anything needed tailor- and go to the pet shop to buy love. It vant to customers, especially in a cul- their day-to-day lives and brighten ing or repairing.” was a positive experience,” he said. ture that once wore suits to professional somebody’s day,” Steve explained. In fact, the early incarnation of Fair- “But dad had a mild stroke at one point baseball games and now sometimes While much of the work can be com- mount Cleaners, which started offi- and he was out of work for a week, wears shorts to work. plicated, sometimes the smartest cially in 1927, remained somewhat of a week and a half. I was able to step in Today, the fastest growing division method of cleaning turns out to be the mystery to Steve until he watched a and keep the company moving. It was is the wash-n-fold service that has simplest one, at least when dealing certain show on television one day. during that week that I realized it grown 50 percent over the last year. It with more modern items. “It all started to click for me when I would be a good means to an end and doesn’t fit one specific demographic; it “I burn up a lot of reading glasses started watching Downton Abbey,” he I made the decision to leave the pet in- seems to be everybody. around here,” Steve noted. “Even recalled. “This was the culture that Joe dustry and join the company full time.” “It’s remarkable,” Steve said. “The though I’ve been doing this for 37 brought with him from England.” bottom line component is people don’t years, I’m reading more care labels now hat was in 1983. It wasn’t long be- really want to be bothered or if they than I ever did in my career. I just fol- ot long after Joe’s son, Sid, re- T fore Steve influenced the busi- can afford to have somebody take care low manufacturer’s instructions most Nturned from serving in the Air ness in his own positive way, of it, they will. As far as the industry of the time.” Force during World War II, he focussing on ways to improve its tech- goes, our motto is ‘We sell free time.’” joined the company which then under- nology. With more customers not wanting ith such a diverse clientele, went a significant change. “I’ve always had a particular pas- to deal with dirty laundry, Fairmount W the key to success often “It was in those days, in the early sion for systems and technology. I com- handles a lot of clothes daily, so much hinges on whether or not you 1950s, that my father purchased our puterized us in the late 1980s. I up- so that it can easily become tedious. can actually give the customer exactly first drycleaning machine, which was graded and replaced my father’s “You know, McDonald’s has sold what he or she wants. an old Detrex transfer unit,” Steve drycleaning machine, which oddly billions and billions of hamburgers… In other words, there is no one-size- noted. “Tanks and everything, it took enough went from 120 sq. ft. to about and I’ve done hundreds of thousands fits-all approach that works for every- up about 120 sq. ft. It was all cast iron, 20 sq. ft. It was the first dry-to-dry sys- of garments. It gets kind of boring, so body. Instead, Fairmount Cleaners extremely heavy. It was just a huge tem that Fairmount Cleaners ever had.” when something special comes through strives hard to be all things for all of its footprint.” The fourth generation of the family the door you realize that somebody customers. Still, it was a footprint that made a had no intentions of pursuing a career cares about the item they’re handing “During the early part of my career, lasting impression as the company at Fairmount Cleaners, either. How- over to you. That’s the type of thing I prided myself in being the highest- grew under Sid’s guidance to the point ever, after Adam Grace graduated from where it can give you a little extra grat- priced cleaner around. I felt that I was that he would work 65 to 70 hours a Kent University with a bachelor’s de- ification,” Steve said. offering the best product. Now, I still week, 6 1/2 days a week trying to keep gree in Business Administration, he offer an excellent product,” Steve said. up. Such a grueling schedule was a big faced a tough, unforgiving job market ver the years, there have been “I think part of it is to keep your eyes reason why he encouraged Steve to go in 2009. Omany gratifying and interesting open and recognize who you are talk- in another direction with his life. “It was a bad time to graduate from accounts, ranging from the ing to, understand what their needs are “I never wanted anything to do with college,” he exclaimed. “My plan was Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and use technology and your equip- it and I’m pretty sure dad did his best to join the company for a couple of to the Playhouse Square to the Western ment and staff to provide a competitive to keep me away,” he laughed. years and get some experience that Reserve Historical Society. product.” Instead, Steve (who legally changed would look good on a resume. But, I In just the past year alone, Fair- After all, Steve is betting that the his name as a young man to “Grace”) never left.” mount has handled costumes for such cleaning companies still standing in the focussed on going to school — well, a Now that’s he been there for about 9 productions as The King and I, Wicked future will be ones who aggressively school of sorts. years, Adam has no intention of leav- and Something Rotten. pursue more kinds of work. “I was in the school of hard knocks. ing. Instead, he likes to help add his “Some of these costumes are just “If a revenue stream presents itself Every job I did kind of prepared me to own improvements to the company. ridiculous,” Steve said, laughing. and a response is profitable, I believe run a business,” he recalled. “I punched “I do a lot of customer service. I am “They’re 10 to 15 pounds each!” smaller operators must respond,” he a clock in restaurants for a while which the route manager,” he said. “I digital- Such garments are too heavy and said. “There was a time I was much taught me hard work and public serv- ized the routes from index cards that burdensome to clean in a machine, so more specialized and discretionary as ice and customer service. From there, I we put in people’s bags. Now, we have Fairmount Cleaners resorts to a lot of to what I processed. Not so anymore.” JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 7 The Evolution of Clean Join these satisfied customers... Hear what they have to say...

“5is is my third Columbia, they never cease to amaze me. “I’ve been in the drycleaning Each generation business for 28 years, always using gets better and perc. I have been searching for an better with their alternative solvent for the past two engineering design years. After researching Sensene, and maintenance. It visiting plants running with puts this end of my Sensene for the past few months, it business on cruise has been beyond my wildest control!” expectations. It’s better than perc! As the owner of Ruthie’s Cleaners, Owasso, MI, I am a hands-on operator and the one that has ~Kurt and Drew Skasik, Skasik’s Quality Dry Cleaners always done the cleaning. 5is solvent is just phenomenal. 5is is my second Columbia machine. In “Ten days ago we made the transition from a Columbia perc 23 years Columbia has always been the leading company in machine to a Columbia technology and my new Columbia is a testament to that fact.” SENSENE machine. ~Robert Marks, Ruthy’s Cleaners Having been a perc operator for so long, I was very nervous about making the move. Fast forward 10 days, “Having ﬁnally bought my I can honestly say I am Columbia I can honestly very happy with the say I’ve entered the 21st purchase! 5e learning Century. 5is machine curve is minimal, the produces exceptional solvent does the job as cleaning and is eﬃcient, advertised, we are down whites are white and I to 4 spotting chemicals, the running cycle is just a little bit longer don’t have to worry about than perc, the clothes come out soft and the colors are vibrant. And anything after I hit Start. when you open the door at the end of the cycle, instead of getting My only regret is having a blast of perc, you get a pleasant and refreshing smell.” waited so long!” ~Craig Ford, Owner/Operator, SeaBreeze Cleaners ~Mike Ingalls, Iron Mike’s Cleaners

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steam finishing and found that the coming new things,” Ickes said. Rent the Runway initially rented gar- AnContinued inside from page 1 look at Rent the Runway plaint rate didn’t change. The expectation One source of learning is the customers ments one at a time but has since added a ishing, quality assured and prepared for of customers were different. We learned themselves, he said. They can tell you what subscription service. shipping out for tens of thousands of pieces. what the customer wanted and what the you are doing well and what you need to For $89 a month, a customer can rent It’s a process of continuous learning, he customer cared about.” improve. four pieces during the course of the month; said. This involved testing, not being afraid Ickes acknowledged that customers “How good are you at servicing your a subscription of $159 a month allows un- to make mistakes and talking about the fail- might view garments coming from a customers?” he asked. limited rentals during the month. The sub- ures. cleaner differently than what is sent to them That might seem to be an easy question scription programs also give the customer “When something went wrong, it was from Rent the Runway. to answer, but unless you truly measure it, the option of purchasing the piece at a not about who screwed up and whose head “I don’t know, but you might want to you don’t really know, he said. “members-only” discount. is on the block,” he said. “It was what do find out because it can save you a lot of “Are you tracking your problems and The company is also expanding its of- we have to learn here and how can we do it money,” he advised. how fast you resolve them? How many ferings into career wear, blouses, sweaters, better.” They’ve also been able to experiment channels of communication with customers coats, and accessories such as handbags in That built a culture where people were with solvents, not hard to do when you do you have? There are many — phone, its quest for keep growing. That includes comfortable making mistakes and making have 78 drycleaning machines on hand. The text, email, or chat. expanding into a half-million square-foot things better and growing and learning, he bar code on each garment specifies which “It’s not really about your mistakes, it’s facility. said. solvent should be used or if wetcleaning is how you respond to your mistakes,” he “There are no new markets. It’s about “If you have a process and somebody is preferred. said. the offerings,” he said, noting that the doing it differently, you might want to find Ickes said he was skeptical of Green- He suggested singling out the most en- drycleaning market itself is not growing. out why they’re are doing it differently. Earth, but in trying it out he learned a lot. thusiastic customers — the raving fans — And the company is not yet profitable, They do it everyday and probably know “I learned that GreenEarth is just as who are the ones who will promote your it could be if not for its emphasis on growth better than you do.” good as any solvent,” he said. But more business. and marketing in its quest to gather up 10 The learning process led to many important, GreenEarth introduced him to Surveying customers will reveal who is percent of the drycleaning pie. changes in the operation. diatomaceous earth, which resulted in a 50 a raving fan and how they compare to those “It’s about marketing for growth,” he At first, all garments were pre-spotted percent reduction in utility use. who are not. While “raving fans” can be al- said. “If you slow down marketing, you before cleaning, but that involved pre-spot- “Because we were going to 24-hour pro- lies in promoting the business, there’s also could be profitable easily.” ting many pieces. So they went to post- duction, we were looking at modifying ma- much to be learned from those who are not Rent the Runway’s quest for more mar- spotting and letting the cleaning machines chines at a cost $5,000 each so that we so happy if you ask them why. ket share and profits will have to continue do the work using optimized detergents. could scrape them without having to cool “We collected data on everything we without Ickes’ participation. He left the Another change that sped the process them.” possibly could and as we grew we learned company last summer after six years to join was using tunnel finishing, which saves Converting to diatomaceous filtering not what data was relevant,” he said. a start-up company in the Boston area deal- much on time and labor.. only reduced utilities but cut capital expen- “You can’t get better unless you under- ing with sustainable local agriculture. “We found out that the customers ditures by not having to retrofit dozens of stand where you are at and what you are “It was getting very large and lost its weren’t as sensitive to the finish,” he said. drycleaning machines. doing to get to the next level. If you aren’t feel for me,” he said of Rent the Runway. They tracked the complaint rate of cus- The lesson, Ickes said, is “never stop measuring it there is no way to tell if you Besides, as he said, he likes to explore the tomers on garments that were pressed vs. learning; never stop testing; never stop do- are getting better or not.” world and keep on learning new things. Obituary

EverettEverett A. Bergmann, whoBergmann7 at age 86. Benjaminled Franklin family University. He taugh business in 1955 and the couple growth spent his working career in the He was born in Washington, also served in the U.S. Army dur- raised their nine children in Falls family business, Bergmann’s DC, in 1931 and graduated from ing the Korean War. Church, VA, where they were part Cleaning and Laundry, died Dec. Fishburne Military School and He married Carole Ruth Mur- of the St. James and Bishop All Equipment Tested Your Satisfaction O’Connell communities. Prior to Shipping Assured Bergmann’s Cleaning and Laundry marked its 100th an- USED* STOCK # DRYCLEANING EQUIPMENT PRICE Hoyt 2795 50 lb. Petroleum Reclaimer $9,000 niversary in July, 2017. It was Marvel 2870 30 lb. Transfer Washer/Extractor $3,995 founded in the Brightwood Sec- Marvel 2916 100 lb. Transfer Washer/Extractor $12,995 tion of Washington, DC, by W.C. DRYCLEANING PRESSES Bergmann to supplement his in- Unipress 4770 Double Puff Iron $850 come as a lamplighter by picking Forenta 4569 Utility Press $2,950 up laundry and cleaning in his Unipress 4620 Hot Head Mushroom Topper $3,200 horse drawn truck, then delivering LAUNDRY WASHERS & DRYERS it back to his customers, all Speed Queen 8142 120 lb. Gas Dryer $3,995 freshly cleaned and pressed. Speed Queen 3680 30 lb. Stacked Gas Dryer $2,500 As the business grew, W.C. also enjoyed spending time at the Milnor 3689 45 lb. Washer $2,995 Speed Queen 3695 125 lb. Washer $7,500 was joined by his sons, Franz, Bergmann family place on the LAUNDRY PRESSES Bud, Pearson and Everett. They Rhodes River off the Chesapeake Ajax 3748 Double Topper $3,295 opened the first Bergmann’s Bay. Unipress 9833 NT2 Double Buck $18,500 Cleaning store in Northwest He is survived by his children, Hoffman 4612 Double Topper $3,599 Washington. Christopher Bergmann (Kathy) of Fujistar 2816 Double Buck w/unloader $14,000 Over the years, the number of Houston, TX; E. Peter Bergmann Ajax 3746 Double Legger $3,600 Bergmann’s stores increased. As (Kim) of Leesburg, VA; Susan √ Unipress 3761 ABS Sleever $5,995 the suburbs grew, Bergmann’s be- Lucas (Michael) of Front Royal, Ajax 3747 Single Legger $2,900 gan offering a growing list of cus- VA; William Bergmann (Rosina) OTHER tomers quality cleaning, as well of Front Royal, VA; Patrick Simplex 6900 66” Gas Ironer $4,995 Superstarch 6922 Starch Cooker $2,995 as the convenience of free pick- Bergmann (Terri) of Stevensville, Ingersoll Rand 6870 7 1/2 HP 120 Gal. Compressor $1,250 up and delivery at the door. MD; Jeanette Engel (Stuart) of DRY CLEANING In recent years, a fleet of sleek Ashburn, VA; Debbie Magnuson Easysec 40 lb. Hydrocarbon Dry to Dry $29,600 vans replaced the old familiar blue (Don) of Ashburn, VA; Mary Beth Forenta Triple Puff Iron $1.849 trucks, operating with 20 routes Fischer (Dwight) of Leesburg, Hoffman Dry Cleaning Mushroom Topper $5,795 and servicing the entire Metropol- VA; and Anna Thompson (Rob) Lattner 20 H.P. Boiler $12.995 itan area from Reston, VA, to Co- of South Riding, VA. Survivors LAUNDRY lumbia, MD. The company is now also include 31 grandchildren and Forenta Double Topper $6,199 in its fourth generation of family nine great-grandchildren along √ Forenta 19VS Topper $4,450 management with 125 employees. with his brothers, Carl Kenzig √ Ipso 50 lb. Gas Dryer $3,195 Bantam Body Press $3,995 The diversified company pro- Bergmann and Dennis P. Forenta Double Legger $7,400 vides the traditional services such Bergmann and a host of cousins, Wascomat 83 lb. Gas Dryer $3,525 as drycleaning, shirts, rugs, laun- nieces and nephews. Unimac 35 lb. Washer $3,995 dry and draperies as well as spe- He was preceded in death by Ipso 75 lb. Washer $9,800 cialty services such as hospitality his parents, Everett A. and Anna Electrolux 62 lb. Washer $7,995 linen and fire and flood restora- Mae Bergmann; his brother, Hoffman Double Topper $5,795 tion. The company has always ad- James R. Bergmann; and his wife, Forenta 53” Laundry Legger $6,695 hered to the principles of its Carole Ruth. √New Listing • *Used equipment subject to prior sale FOB San Antonio • **New Equipment FOB Factory founder: quality and service. In lieu of flowers, memorial www.MustangEnterprises.com • San Antonio, TX After his retirement, Mr. donations may be given to the 210-734-3644 • [email protected] Bergmann enjoyed traveling Adler Center for Caring at 24419 while continuing to support and Millstream Drive, Aldie, VA To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads work in the family business. He 20105. JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 9 HURRICANEHURRICANE HS-2 DOUBLE BUCK HIGH QUALITY MEETS HIGH PRODUCTION

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THE SPOTTING BOARD BY DAN EISEN

Saferere are some chemical alternativesprotein and tannin formulas. do not produce for color loss onstainrust remover. removalthe removal of tannin stains. It Hsubstitutions that can be Prepared protein silk or color change on fabrics Tannin formulas still should be tested. used for safer, effective formulas as stronger alkalis such as am- Oily-type paint remover spotting. monia would do so. These are safer than acetic (environmentally safe) Neutral lubricant Prepared protein formulas Protein formulas are also ef- acids mixtures. They do not are only slightly alkaline and fective for removing and neu- produce color change or color These agents do not contain This should be the mainstay some are enzyme based. They tralizing strong acids such as loss as stronger acids would. trichloroethylene. They are of your spotting arsenal. Neu- Oxalic acid safer to the fabric and color tral lubricant is the most effec- and remove dryside stains ef- tive formulation for all wetside Neutral lubricant is the most This is a safer acid to use for fectively. They also can be flushed wet or dry effectively. stains. the removal of rust than hy- Oily type ink remover It not only removes wetside effective formulation for all drofluoric acid or rust remover stains effectively, but reduces wetside stains is. (acid-based) the need for using expensive It is also an effective acid for These are effective agents for the removal of ink and also plastic-based stains found in glues, nail polish and paint. Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide when used alone is safer on fabric than when used with ammo- nia. Sodium bisulphite

Sodium bisulphite is a safer reducing agent than sodium hydrosulphite and titanium sulphate. It often can be used to remove dye on colored fabrics. It still must be tested before use. Sodium percarbonate

Sodium percarbonate is a more efficient soaking bleach than sodium perborate. It dis- solves easily in cooler water, releases its oxygen slower and more effectively for better stain removal. It must be neutral- ized with an acid after use. Dan Eisen, former chief garment analyst for the National Cleaners Association, can be reached at (772) 340-0909 or (772) 579- 5044 or by e-mail at [email protected]. He offers independent garment analysis and provides consulting services. His website is www.garmentanalysis.com.

Martinizing Cleaners in Dal- las, TX, purchased a Colum- bia CDT 255H through Wayne Jones. The owner, Joe Darcy (right) is pictured with Chris Hogard of Columbia Dry Cleaning. To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 11

“ e recently installed 4 new Sankosha double buck Wshirt units and 2 quad collar and cuff presses. We have experienced phenomenal quality and productivity. $e new units have been very user friendly and easy to train our pressers to produce great quality very quickly. $e shirt equipment has given us the confidence in the quality of the shirts leaving our plant that has allowed us to increase our shirt pricing significantly. $is is our second purchase of Sankosha shirt equipment as we upgraded and stayed with Sankosha after 10 years due to the quality of the equipment, customer service and finished product. With shirt quality being one the main factors in a customer’s decision to use your business I would only put my trust in Sankosha for quality and service.

~Steve Grashoﬀ President of Peerless Cleaners and CRDN of Northern Indiana

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OSHAThe North Carolina Associa- seminars,NCALC members and friends, winterurday meetings and thatmeeting night’s of OSHA-related seminars for the fol- NCALCa.m. and a coffee and light break- tion of Launderers and Cleaners though early registration is highly dinner is to be paid individually lowing month. fast will be provided at each pro- will be hosting its winter meeting recommended so proper prepara- at the venue, but the Friday The seminars will cover the es- gram. as well as a pair of seminars that tions can be made. evening dinner will require an ad- sentials of OSHA compliance Each session will run from 9 will teach cleaners all of the es- The association’s board meet- vance payment of $80. sentials in complying with the ing will begin at 8 a.m. on Satur- NCALC also has a reserved U.S. Occupational Safety and day morning and is expected to block of rooms at a rate of $119 Health Administration. run until about 12:30 p.m. per night, plus state and local First up will be the meeting, At 6 p.m. on both Friday and taxes, for a standard room at the which will be held from Jan. 26 Saturday evenings, the association Marriott. Call (800) 468-3571 for to 28 at the Renaissance Hotel will host dinner functions giving reservations and mention the as- South Park located in Charlotte, attendees a chance to network and sociation. NC. socialize. After the winter meeting in late The event is open to all There is no charge for the Sat- January, NCALC will host a pair

Chris Edwards received the President’s Award in recognition of his many years of dedicated service to North Carolina As- sociation of Launderers and Cleaners and to the fabric care industry throughout North Carolina. Rita Foley, NCALC president is shown presenting the award.

standards, including: an introduc- a.m. until noon. tion to OSHA; the OSHA inspec- The price for each seminar is tion process; record-keeping; and much cheaper if you sign up at lockout/tagout requirements. least a week before it is scheduled Workplace injuries and ill- to take place. nesses and OSHA violations can Early registrants pay only $49 be very costly to a business, so each for DLI/NCALC member keeping current with the agency’s plant employees and $74 each af- regulations is a good way to avoid ter that date. RAINBOW CLEANERS in Danville, KY, is the newest Tailwind Systems client. Perry Carrico (left), owner of Rainbow Cleaners, is pictured with Don Desrosiers of Tailwind. any unnecessary costs or prob- Non-members pay only $79 lems in the future. each when signing up at least a The sessions will be presented week prior; otherwise, the cost by Tom Wilder, a safety education rises to $104 each. specialist with the North Carolina Participation is limited, which Department of Labor. He special- is another good reason to sign up izes in training and technical as- as soon as possible. sistance for its division of Occu- To do so, contact NCALC by pational Safety and Health Bureau calling (919) 313-4542 or visit of Education. them at their site online at The target audience is plant www.ncalc.org. owners and managers. The first A little further down the road program will take place on Satur- this year, the association has a few day, Feb. 10 at Medlin Davis more events planned, including its Cameron Village at 2021 Small- Spring Meeting that will take wood Dr. in Raleigh. place from May 18 to 20 at the The second will occur on Sat- Courtyard by Marriott in Carolina urday, Feb. 17 at the Golden Cor- Beach. ral at 9430 South Blvd. located in From Oct. 19 to 21, NCALC Charlotte. will host its annual convention in Students will check in at 8:30 Raleigh, as well.

MASTER KLEEN FINE DRY CLEANING in Columbus, GA, purchased a Union HL880 cleaning machine through Gulf States Laundry Machinery. Pictured from left are Chris Eysel, Rhonda Eysel and Warner Wade of Master Kleen and Jason Smith of Union. To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 13 KnowK How

commmitted to you for the e long term.erm. We supply thethe mos effectivt e cleaning solvent and the only Class IV non-c tiblombus solve ent ailablav e tailabl o the indus . Wtry We kno. w w ttho o support and encourage s safsafit e usage and disposal. s what wwIt’ e’ve done for 70 yearor s. It is what we will continue to do.

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Days”Keynote speaker Bruce Hamil-at speakerApril and sales trainer, Showcasewill of- “Laundromat Industry 2018 Fore- ton will discuss ways to energize fer a humorous presentation at cast” that will draw on his quarter your company and improve indi- 8:30 a.m. on Friday morning that century of experience in the self- vidual employee performance will emphasize the power of pos- service laundry industry. when he speaks at the Southwest itive attitude adjustment. On Friday afternoon, there will Drycleaners Showcase, scheduled Afterwards, there will be two be additional presentations in the from April 5 to 7 in Shreveport, classroom discussions at 10 a.m. exhibit floor’s educational area LA. Consultant James Peuster will lec- starting at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 His program is called “No Bad ture on “Hiring and Retaining p.m.; there will be another one at Days,” a title that might also be Employees — Tips and Tricks” to 11 a.m. on Saturday. STAR BRITE CLEANERS AND LAUNDRY in New Braunfels, applied to SDA’s show, the first examine how to find the right staff On Saturday morning, Kyle TX, purchased a Union HXL-8018-C 40-lb. hydrocarbon sys- regional one to take place in 2018 and keep them. Nesbit, vice president of business tem through Gulf States Laundry Machinery. Pictured from and a premiere industry event for At the same time, Coin Laun- development at MW Cleaners, left are Stephen Santell, manager, Matt A. Lipman, Union the southwest. dry Association President and will give a classroom presentation Drycleaning Products, and Bryan Foreman, the owner. Hamilton, a professional CEO Brian Wallace will deliver a at 9 a.m. Also on the docket is a program by Jon Meijer, director of marketing and membership for the Drycleaning and Laundry Insti- tute, which will begin at 10 a.m. Both will run for about an hour. Another highlight of the weekend will be the exhibition hall full of technology and other tricks of the trade. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. There will also be a “Sneak Peek Exhibit Extravaganza” from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evening. Prior to that, SDA will host its Member Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and its Board and General Mem- bership Meeting at 2 p.m. Cleaners can also take part in a tour of the Shreveport Hilton’s new laundry facilities at 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. A full schedule of events is available at the association’s site at www.sda-dryclean.com. Visitors can also register there and make hotel reservations at the event’s host hotel, the Hilton Shreveport located at 104 Market St. The link goes directly to the site and ensures that attendees receive a show discount. SDA offers scholarships

forThe deadlineearly is fast 2018 approach- ing for applicants of the South- west Drycleaners Association’s Gerald Stavely scholarship. To be eligible, applications must be sub- mitted by Jan. 15. All applicants must be an SDA/DLI member for at least one year and be employed by a member of one of the eight SDA member states (Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas). If awarded, the scholarship must be applied towards an upcoming DLI class: either Intro- duction to Drycleaning from Feb. 26 to March 2 or Advanced Drycleaning from March 5 to 16. For more information, visit www.sda-dryclean.com and click on the “Scholarship Application” To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads link under “Resources” from the main page. JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 15

To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads PAGE 16 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / JANUARY, 2018 MIDWEST MILD renews Cleaning Fund;

$23Following million another profitable mium returned since all unused premiums sincecarpet cleaning, 1981 and commercial year, the Michigan Cleaning Fund collected to finance the Fund (mi- janitorial. recently announced that it will dis- nus the amount needed for claims The Fund strives to offer more tribute $2,243,033 to its members. and administrative funds) are re- than traditional insurance options The history of the Michigan turned to its members at the end by being the most cost-effective Cleaning Fund traces all the way of the year. workers’ compensation option on back to 1981. It is a member- Participants of the Fund must the marketplace. owned self-insured workers’ com- be a member of the Michigan In- In addition to the profit returns, pensation program. stitute of Laundering and Dry the Michigan Cleaning Fund of- Throughout the Fund’s 37-year Cleaning or Midwest Carwash As- fers aggressive claims handling, history, it has returned profits of sociation. competitive upfront pricing and a over $23,900,000 to those who Also, the majority of payroll selective approach to underwrit- CLOTHING CARE CENTER in Albert Lea, MN, purchased a participate. must fall into one of the following ing new members, all designed to Unipress HS Hurricane single buck shirt unit through Wein- berg Supply. Robin Carstens, owner of Clothing Care Center The current year’s return rep- classifications: drycleaning, in- save members money over the is picutred with Richard Reese of Unipress. resents an average equal to 50 per- dustrial laundry and uniform, long term. cent of a member’s annual pre- coin-operated laundry, car wash, The program also emphasizes accident prevention and proper claims management to keep the cost down as much as possible. In fact, the Fund offers its members numerous safety resources and loss control programs that are specific to the cleaning industry, as well as training resources that focus on creating a safer work culture by working with owners/supervisors on proper claims handling, accident investigation, return-to-work programs and making every employee accountable for safety on the job. Safety is not the only area that is accentuated; the Fund also aims for diligence when claims are handled, seeking to fight fraudulent claims by requiring all claim set- tlements to be authorized by a board of trustees that is comprised of various Fund members. Contact RPS Regency for more information or visit micleaning- fund.org. Zengeler renews partnership with Glass Slipper Project for 2018 This year will mark the 17th anniversary of Zengeler Cleaners working with the Glass Slipper Project in order to help thousands of high school women experience their prom in style. The family-owned cleaning business will serve as the official north suburban collection point for the drive, accepting donations of gently-worn prom dresses and accessories at all eight of its locations in Lake and Cook Counties. “Zengeler Cleaners looks forward to another fabulous collection effort on behalf of the Glass Slipper Project,” said Tom Zen- geler, president of the company. “Their work provides an extremely important service for teenagers in low income communities at a very vulnerable time in their lives. We are proud of our 17-year relationship with Glass Slipper and are excited about the upcoming collection drive,” he explained For more information, visit To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads www.zengelercleaners.com. JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 17

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The Drycleaning and Laundry Advance class students will DLI school readies classesInstitute has scheduled for seven in- 2018also learn about subjects such as stallments of its comprehensive using bleaches, wetcleaning introductory and advanced classes wools, silks and more, maintain- throughout the year with the first ing and changing filters, trou- two set to begin starting in late bleshooting the drycleaning ma- February. chine, distillation procedures, The five-day Introduction to current regulations facing the Drycleaning course will run from drycleaning industry, customer Feb. 26 to March 2 at DLI’s service techniques, getting clean, School, followed by an offering white laundry, pressing laundered of its ten-day Advanced Dryclean- shirts, designing the most effec- ing course from March 5 to 16. tive work flow and understanding Graduates of the Introductory Drycleaning Course held at DLI in October included, in front The introductory course will the differences between solvents from left, Lillana Madrigal, Mountaineer Cleaners, Boone, NC; Citlalli Simon, Puritan Clean- help industry newcomers or those including perc, GreenEarth, hy- ers, Richmond, VA; Eva Santos-Portillo, Puritan Cleaners, Richmond, VA; Meredith Reeves, with less than one year of produc- drocarbon and K4. Chickasaw Laundry Services, Ardmore, OK; Joan Swets, Dutch Maid Cleaners, Delavan, WI; tion experience learn about a wide The advanced class meets from Caroline Joyce Owigar, World Food Programme, Nairobi, Kenya; Lindsey Buckingham, variety of topics ranging from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday Clothesline Drycleaners, Boise, ID; and Gabriela Buchanan, Lakeridge Cleaner, Reno, NV. In sorting drycleaning loads and soil through Friday for two consecu- back are Brian Johnson, DLI director of education and analysis; Victor Teran, Lavanderias and cleaning theory to stain re- tive weeks. Other dates in 2018 Norte S.A., Quito Pichincha, Ecuador; Carol Bower, Mountaineer Cleaners, Boone, NC; Daniel moval procedures and using ten- include: July 23 to Aug. 3 and Oct. Cook, Mountaineer Cleaners, Boone, NC; Beth Zimmerman, Sew Clean, La Crosse, WI; Loraine sioning equipment to improve fin- 22 to Nov. 2. Sexton, Jim Massey Cleaners, Montgomery, AL; and Matt Barber, Harvey's Cleaners, Dublin, ishing quality. Tuition is $1,549 for DLI CA. The class will also explore top- members (or $1,349 each for two ics like fibers and their character- or more from the same member istics, pressing pants, coats and company). Non-members must skirts, cleaning silk, satin and pay $2,049 each to attend. other fabrics and fabric construc- There are discounts available tions. for those who opt to take the in- The class will also take place troductory and advanced classes on three other occasions through- concurrently (over a three-week out 2018: June 4 to 8; July 16 to period). Students who sign up for 20; and Oct. 15 to 19. both classes only pay $1,895 each It meets from 9 a.m. to 4:30 for members (or $1,595 each for p.m., Monday through Friday and two or more from the same mem- tuition is $1,095 for DLI members ber company) and non-members (or $959 each for two or more pay $2,795 each. from the same member company. For information on any of Non-members must pay DLI’s courses or to register on- Graduates the recent DLI Advanced Drycleaning Course included, in front from left, Lauren $1,449 each. line, visit www.dlionline.org. Houston, Crest Cleaners, Cocoa, FL; Andre Yarrell, Lyerly’s Cleaners, Mount Pleasant, SC; Those who complete the intro- Caroline Joyce Owigar, World Food Programme, Nairobi, Kenya; Carmelina Chavarria, Pu- ductory course or who have a few ritan Cleaners, Richmond, VA; Gabriela Buchanan, Lakeridge Cleaners, Reno, NV; and Alyssa years of production experience PDCA to host Packard, Gwynnie Bee, Groveport, OH. In back are Brian Johnson, DLI director of education may want to consider the ad- & Analysis; Víctor Terán, Lavanderias Notre S.A., Quinto Pichincha, Ecuador; Brad Houchin, vanced course, which covers Expo 2018 in Chickasaw Laundry Services, Ardmore, OK; Sean Hively, Gwynnie Bee, Groveport, OH and many of the same topics but is Michael Jackson, Gwynnie Bee, Groveport, OH. much more in-depth. Baltimore, MD The Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association will take a break from tradition this year for its Expo 2018. Instead of being held in At- lantic City, NJ, the venue will be moved to the Baltimore Conven- tion Center in Maryland for the weekend, which is set to take place from Nov. 9 to 11. The convention center is located at 1 W. Pratt St. and features a total of 1,225,000 sq. ft. since its expansion and renovation completed in 1997. Additionally, there is 300,000 sq. ft. of exhibit hall space and 85,000 sq. ft. devoted to the meeting rooms. PDCA believes the new location will provide easier access for attendees traveling from central and western Pennsylvania, as well as other area. It is located only about eight miles from BWI airport, making transportation more convenient from those who are arriving from greater distances. Coming up long before the convention will be an open board meeting for the association that is planned to be held at Nittany Lion Inn in State College on March 10. For more information on any of PDCA’s upcoming events, visit To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads them online at www.pdclean.org. JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 19 Turn Your Customers into Your Sales Team!

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SHIRT TALES BY DON DESROSIERS

Whathis month, let’s talkdotomer thatyou steam finishing doagree so withquickly with the last aTrue collar or false? youcone? button it. T about collar cones — shirts in a drycleaning depart- three. Both. “It is a thing to hold hang- what they’re for, what ment is some sort of upsell or “A thing to make tying a It is only true if you also add ers.” they are not for, how they can an upgrade. Forget that. It’s a button easier.” several dozen more seconds to True or false? help your quality and how huge downgrade used as a True or false? let it sit there for a while, after Continued on page 22 they can hurt your quality. mask to avoid by chance dam- Both. So, first things first. What aging an expensive garment. You can get rather fast tying are they for? I get it. The least that you buttons if you learn to pull The intent is to improve can do is rest that against the cone while doing your quality by neatly round- “drycleaned” shirt on a good it, but you are clearly missing ing the collar and smoothing collar cone for a couple of min- the point if you tie a button the inside of it; the part of the utes. Avoid like the plague giv- while pulling against the cone collar band that touches one’s ing an expensive shirt that and then promptly hang the neck. The resulting shirt has a looks like the one in the photo shirt on a hanger and send it collar that is perfectly round, to the customer. on its way. doesn’t droop in the front and What they are not for: It is true that you get better stays that way. A coffee cup holder. at tying a button that way than I have had some people tell A place to throw wet shirts tying a button on your own me that they have a “faster on. shirt, due to sheer repetition, way.” Not everything is about A place to throw a pressed but this is far from the intent “fast.” Some things are about shirt on for a while until you of the collar cone. It’s all rela- quality. Collar cones are all can get to button it. tive. It’s all what you are used about quality. A thing to make tying a but- to. With so many shirts these ton easier. Consider that there are col- days that (supposedly) need A thing to hold a shirt for a lar cones on the market that handfinishing, like Robert Gra- few seconds while you tie the cost over $500. I wouldn’t care ham and similar brands, you button. how much easier button tying need two collar cones because And (sorry about this one) got, I wouldn’t be able to jus- some shirts are done in the it is not a thing to hold hang- tify $500 unless the shirt but- drycleaning department. ers. toned itself! Plant managers, owners My guess is that you knew “A thing to hold a shirt for and customer service staff all about the first three no-no’s a few seconds while you tie the A collar job that you don’t want to give to the customer. seem to try to sell to the cus- here, but are not inclined to button.”

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For as long as I've been in dry cleaning, I've been using Seitz products. • does not contain CMR substances From their spotting chemicals to dry cleaning detergents, all performed beyond my expectations. So when it came time to make the switch • reduces the effort when finishing from Perc to an environmentally friendly solvent, I turned to SEITZ. Their answer was intense®. It's cleaning and grease cutting ability This new Solution is a real alternative in Textile Cleaning. made my transition from Perc very easy. I'm glad I chose SEITZ. ® Thank you for another quality product! intense has an outstanding cleaning effect, but is also suitable

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WhatContinued from page 20 dopassé. If youyou can’t leave a shirtdotools at with your disposal. You a3. Therecollar are hangers in the videdcone? that you train your peo- False. You get no latitude on on there for 30 seconds due to have a collar cone, but you are way that prevent the shirt col- ple how to use it, show them this one. production, get a three-headed not using it for as intended. lar from ever being pulled taut what to avoid, and then super- In spite of the fact that some one. It is the ideal solution for You will lower your quality around the cone. vise! brilliant inventor decided to all but the lowest volume if your presser pulls the shirt 4.The collars of the shirts are “If you do what you’ve done, cut a slot in a collar cone so plants. It virtually assures that down on the cone in such a carelessly pulled down on the you’ll get what you always got!” that it could hold hangers is in- 1) hangers will not be used way that the front of the shirt, cone. This, instead of curing Don Desrosiers has been in the consequential to me. I will not with them because there are no where the collar button is, rolls the collar in the upright posi- drycleaning and shirt laundering waiver. hanger slots and 2) the shirt down and folds over on itself. tion, cures the collar in the business since 1978. He is a It is not a place to hold will stay on the cone for 60 sec- This is very undesirable. “drooping down” position. work-flow engineer and a man- hangers because the very fact onds or more. In fact, I think that this is If you are curing the collars agement consultant who pro- that there are hangers in there So how can a collar cone the reason that most folks buy in the “drooping down” posi- vides services to shirt launderers prevents the shirt from hang- lower you quality? a collar cone in the first place. tion, you are using a tool that and drycleaners through Tail- ing low enough on the cone to This is the scariest thing They are trying to fix the prob- is intended to improve your wind Systems. He is a member of do its job. It is okay to buy one about collar cones: using them lem that we generally call product to actually lower your the Society of Professional Con- that has a slot in it, as long as incorrectly. “drooping.” quality. It’s like buying a ham- sultants and winner of DLI’s you don’t use it. If you do any of the things I would universally endorse mer to pound a nail, but Commitment to Professionalism The presser needs to tie the listed above — not using a col- collar cones if they invariably pounding your thumb instead. award. He can be reached at button around the collar cone lar cone at all, using it to hold fixed droopy collars. They do Ouch! 186 Narrow Ave., Westport, MA and then push the shirt down the shirt while you tie it or not, however, for one or more Get a nice heated, three- 02790 or at his office by fax on the cone firmly. It should leaving it to droop on a hanger of the following reasons: headed collar cone to improve (508) 636-8839; by cell (508) stay there for 30 to 60 seconds. while the cone never even 1. The collar cones are not your quality. Each shirt will 965-3163; or e-mail at tail- The cone should be heated touches the shirt, you aren’t re- heated. stay on a cone for two or three [email protected]. The in order to be supremely effec- ally deteriorating your shirts, 2. The shirt doesn’t stay on press cycles. You will be Tailwind web site is tive. The wooden ones are you just aren’t using all of the the cone for any length of time. pleased with the results pro- www.tailwind systems.com.

obvious choice for the 2018 Tail- just give this option a try, he went that use barcodes. The 2016 Tail- TailwindBY DON DESROSIERS names Manager of the Year wind Systems Manager of the after it with a vengeance. Donny wind Systems Manager of the Every year, at this time, I an- Year and I present him to you with has used (count ’em) four differ- Year was Tim Vick in Kinston, nounce the Tailwind Systems great pride. He became the obvi- ent types of automated assembly NC. And the 2017 Tailwind Sys- Manager of the Year. The pream- ous choice several months ago in addition to assisted assembly! tems Manager of the Year was ble to the announcement is often simply because he is really good He has systematically jettisoned Shayne Golden who is the plant a dialogue about how difficult it at running his plant using the Tail- each of those five barcode options manager of Ziker Cleaners, a Met- was for me make a selection wind System. And his focus is in favor of a return to the Tailwind alprogetti plant. among a few highly qualified can- unique, which makes him the System. Donny Moore has used both of didates. Well, surprise, surprise! most qualified Manager of the It is important to understand the systems that these managers This year’s choice was simple. Year in a long time. that the Tailwind Systems Man- operate but he has found that the And you might know the winner. You see, I met Donny a dozen ager of the Year does not neces- Tailwind System is the most prof- Donny Moore at Sunshine years ago when he did a self-in- sarily need to be running the Tail- itable way to run a drycleaning Cleaners in Baton Rouge, LA — stall of the Tailwind System. He wind Assembly System. In fact, plant. We, of course, agree, but you may know him as the Fimas went on to switch to barcodes and the past two Tailwind Systems Donny has an even better perspec- equipment dealer — became the automated assembly. But he didn’t Managers of the Year run plants tive than we do! He has continu- Donny Moore ally made Sunshine Cleaners for the management of it for sev- more profitable each year that he eral years. Between networking has owned it. He is a world class with other business professionals Keep Business on Track operator. We interviewed his par- and getting his hands on any read- ents, the founders of Sunshine ing material which he thinks Cleaners, and they certainly agree: would be beneficial, Donny is Replace your bearings at half the cost! As a teenager, Donny started constantly improving the total as- working in the family drycleaning pect of the business. Throughout plant, assembling and bagging the history of Sunshine Cleaners clothes to earn extra money. At there has never been a down year. least once a day he would say “I’ll Each and every year has seen an never do this for a living!” Little increase. did he know…. That is quite an evaluation. we back our bearings with a 30-day money-back guarantee. At about 22 years old, he de- And I certainly agree. Donny is cided he wanted to be more en- very passionate about running the gaged in the family business. His drycleaning plant and loves doing first area of training was in the it. It shows. He occasionally sends cleaning department. Without be- me pictures of improvements that ing directed, he took it upon him- he has implemented in his plant. self to learn more about opera- Those pictures always make me tions of the plant, from minor smile ear to ear. I love his enthu- equipment repair to pressing. It siasm! was apparent he was developing When Donny invited me to a huge interest in the business and work at his plant during the Clean wanted to learn more. So off he Show in Las Vegas, converting his went to DLI in Silver Springs, plant back to the Tailwind System MD, to take the three-week train- was not on the radar. I did not go SARATOGA / WHITE / RAILEX SPEEDCHECK WHITE / OLD STYLE ing course. there with that intention. Donny “Trolley” Bearing “Trolley” Bearing “Trolley” Bearing At this point in time Sunshine did not foresee that eventuality. Manufacturer’s Price $2.72 Manufacturer’s Price $7.00 Manufacturer’s Price $4.60 Cleaners was no longer consid- But what he did have is a desire Our price $2.15 Our price $5.50 our price $2.50 ered a small “mom and pop” op- to make his plant as manageable eration. We needed to put better and as profitable as possible. systems in place in order to man- More than following a path to that In Stock – Immediate Delivery! age our growth. Eventually he got goal, Donny blazed a new path We accept Visa, MasterCard involved with Al Robson’s man- and the results are amazing. Call Today! & American Express agement group. He is now associ- Beyond all that, Donny is just ated with a local management a really nice guy and I am proud 1-800-392-1769 group. Being that a large portion to present him with the 13th an- www.trolleybearingcompany.com of our business is routes, he is also nual Tailwind Systems Manager part of a national route manage- of the Year. He has been presented ment group. a custom-made commemorative Orders of 200 units or more will be discounted an additional 20%. At 38 years old, Donny has desk clock, a certificate of accom- earned majority ownership of the plishment and my respect and ad- To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads business and has been responsible miration. JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 23

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MANAGEMENT BY DEBORAH RECHNITZ

Areo you own yourthings own proper- perfect, around and then the environment an outyou parcel, next to thechanging? primary gro- but installing the pipework for the gas, D ties? Some of them? All of them? changes. cery store chain in the area. A great lo- water and running the electrical. Rarely Just the main plant? Dry stores cation. is there a financial benefit to just mov- Each one of these purchases were The grocery store moved. You can’t. ing an existing plant, but times change. major decisions and created long-term We all know that change occurs, but Half your volume disappeared. Now In addition, at one time, the main financial commitments. it’s so hard to see when, how or in what you’re hoping for a new anchor to plant may have been central to all your Once purchased, the locations were direction it might occur. move in, but the center is desolate in other locations. Now, the traffic patterns have changed. The customer demographics Cleaners may be tied to properties, but customers have changed. You may have been proactive and moved the retail loca- aren’t. Neighborhoods cease to be high drycleaning tions to follow your customers, but delivery schedules from the plant are now harder to meet and to add to the chal- areas. Shopping centers lose their center draw. lenge, as volume has perhaps dropped you have more space than you can effi- treated as valuable assets with cashflow For instance, the dry store you pur- the meantime and the future of these ciently use. from the business providing payment chased may have been a stand-alone types of centers does not look good. Risks outweigh rewards to the bank and maybe even income to location on the main commuting line Operating plants you without the added burden of pay- to work. Perfect. Today, many operators are tied to roll taxes required from higher salaries. Then the road changes occurred. The Ownership of the main plant has their properties, but your customers Maybe you’re even able to charge over- main drag now misses your location other considerations. It may or may not aren’t. Neighborhoods may no longer market rents with larger tax benefits. entirely. Nearly all business activity has have had a strong front counter. Re- be high drycleaning areas. Shopping In addition, these acquisitions re- been lost. You have disastrous sales and gardless, the investment of the infra- centers lose their center draw like the duced the risk of landlord rent in- if you’re even able to sell the property structure along with all of the equip- grocery store. Customers rely on grow- creases, arguments over building im- it’s worth less than you paid for it. You ment is significant. ing routes and competitors starting provements and threats of took a risk and lost. Moving is a costly exercise, not only routes. Lockers in condos and offices redevelopment clauses. It all seemed so Alternatively, the dry store was on involving the moving of equipment, Continued on page 26

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To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads PAGE 26 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / JANUARY, 2018 Deborah Rechnitz

AreContinued from pagethings 24 equately reinvest around for the taken into account andyou often associated changing? costs begin to more is a large infrastructure in slow store growth in densely changing business model. the risks are hard to predict as than offset the original advan- place. It’s very expensive to populated areas. All of these examples are some of these changes occur tages? move. Most people just keep Sales at the retail locations obvious risks connected with over 10, 20 or more years of What’s your next move? chugging along dealing with slowly fall. Costs remain the purchasing your properties. operation. the increasingly challenging same or increase, leaving less During the purchase decision The question now becomes: Willing to make changes delivery times and the slow cashflow in the business to ad- the risks may or may not be What to do when the risks and from these imbedded financial degradation in the infrastruc- structures is critical. It’s a little ture as you aren’t motivated to easier with a lease. You wait it maintain and certainly not im- out for five years and then plan prove the facility. to close it up or move it. Some people have become Presto Cleaners in When you own the property very creative in this area. As Miami, FL, installed a Co- it is a much harder decision. It volumes decrease, some large lumbia drycleaning ma- feels like admitting failure, but dry stores may be able to be- chine using Sensene it isn’t. It is just recognizing come small plants — laundry solvent. Pictured from that times have changed and only, drycleaning only or even left are Beatriz Roldan, you need to change, too, which a new, smaller combined facil- Frank Lopez and Maria requires being a little flexible. ity. Corea of Presto Cleaners. It may even mean taking a Brand new warehouses, “loss” on a property, but keep with 20-year leases and op- in mind, you received a lot of tions, are often available. Rent- benefit from it for a long time. ing out a part of the building A main plant is a much or selling the building frees up more difficult decision. It’s the capital to invest in new probably fully paid for. There technologies, reducing your operating costs and creating a new plan for the next generation of cleaning which might look quite different from this one. Drycleaning Stain Removal Consider what happens if: • You sell the main plant; move to a smaller operating Has Never Been So plant with efficient utility de- signs, productivity improvements, and plans for growth in the newer, expanding product lines. • You sell your dry store lo- Easy! cations, and move to a more mobile delivery system. • You sell your plant and wholesale your production. Unheard of? Being done more and more. In any case, this is not the time to give up. It is also not the time to rely on old business models. It’s a time to be a bit creative; to think outside of the box. Consider ways to modify your business model, to improve your cost structures and to move to the next level of business activity. If you plan to stay in this type of business for the next 10 to 20 years, you have no other choice.

Deborah Rechnitz has been an independent management consultant to drycleaning industry members since 1980. She also • More Effective held the position of chief operating officer of one of the largest • Use as Spray Spotter USA drycleaning operations in 2008. Her speaking engage- or On the Board ments have included the Drycleaning and Laundry Insti- • Excellent Leveling Agent tute, the International Dryclean- ers Congress, the Japanese Fabricare Research Association • Flushes Freely in and the Drycleaners Institute of ALL Solvents Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Personnel Administration; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Inter- personal Com munications; and To learn more, visit an MBA in Operations Manage- ALWilson.com ment from Case Western Re- Become a STAINSTTAINAIN WIZARD at ALWilson.comALWilson.com or call 800-526-1188 serve University. She has also A. L. WILSON CHEMICAL CO. been a University Instructor in Finance. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or phone at (253) 405-7043. To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 27

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THE ROUTE PRO BY JAMESPEUSTER

Whatell, another year fliescanthe need for we more updated expectoptions as many of our current toand moresee outside players in en- it,2018? if your current computer W by as many mark an- technology. Based on what I systems move forward with tering the field. SMRT systems systems haven’t improved other notch on their saw on the road, what I hear technology. Starchup pre- has really made a big push as lately, it’s time to change. Re- belt for either survival pur- in the field and client testimo- sented the industry with few SPOT’s Route Trac excited member this — if your POS poses or for increased market nials, here is what to expect for POS systems a futuristic look many of their users with a pa- software is making your life share. 2018. at how to run routes. Since perless manifest option. harder instead of easier, it’s 2017 proved one thing — First of all, expect more POS then, there have been more No matter how you look at worth changing. Second, more dry or drop stores are closing. This pattern Look for more routes, some of it stemming from those has been going on for awhile and many don’t see a change who don’t even have stores. Don’t think that they in this direction. So many other retail stores are closing around won’t take some of your customers, because they will. you. This trend is driven by Amazon, etc. Many of our clients are striving to get over 50 percent of their business on routes. Men’s Wearhouse in Texas is a perfect example of how you don’t need stores to build your business. A third thing to look for is more and more competition of routes. Just like I forecasted last year, more competition is stemming from some who 1.800.287.0870 don’t even have stores. Don’t think that they won’t take some of your customers, because they will. “WORLD CLASS SERVICE FOR WORLD CLASS CLEANERS” Fourth, the on-demand de- bate will continue. Washio made some noise a couple years back and many reacted to the on-demand mindset. Many of the new POS systems are built around this model. It’s no secret where The Route Pros stand when it comes to building your business. I challenge you to research all the on-demand businesses out there and see where and why many have failed. Keep one thing in mind — we have to make two round trips to take care of the customers. Others only have to make one. Finally, the most successful cleaners will look at profiting more by having a growth mindset, not a “sit back and see” one. You must look at sales and marketing as an investment, not a cost. Failure to do so will lead to, ' " !" well, failure. Don’t be like the "!!! ( "! & !$!&"$$!&! " many who continue to decrease in sales and blame $ & !!" !! !# #! # everything else around them. %! ! "! ) Finally decide to grow instead of go! James Peuster is a consultant who specializes in route development, management and maintenance. He offers onsite consulting as well as ongoing coaching across the country. He also has cost groups to monitor " $ route efficiency. For more information, call him at (816) 739- 2066 or visit his website, www. theroutepro.com. To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 31

To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads PAGE 32 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / JANUARY, 2018 WEST Two CCA finishing seminars planned

withThere is a fine FabriCoach art to quality Ave. in San Francisco on Satur- finishing and drycleaners will day, Jan. 20. On the following day, have a chance to hone their skills the program will be hosted at when the California Cleaners As- Bryans Cleaners & Laundry at sociation teams up with Fabri- 544 S. Arroyo Parkway in Coach.com for two programs this Pasadena. month. Each seminar will cover a lot Both will be presented by Jim of material, including: how to pro- GREEN STREETS CLEANERS in Belmont, CA, purchased two Union HL 890 K machines for Groshans, the owner and head duce a quality-finished garment in running K4 solvent through K2 Drycleaning Service. Pictured from left are Matt A. Lipman coach of FabriCoach which offers drycleaning and laundry; how to of Union, Ryan Herren, operations manager for Green Streets, and Paul Kim of K2. training and technical solutions set production standards for your for the fabricare industry. drycleaning and shirt laundry de- Groshans has accrued over 35 partments; how to set individual, years of experience in the departmental and plant PPH’s drycleaning, laundry and wet- (pieces per hour); how to manage CCA looking ahead to its 2018 cleaning business, much of it was your production floor, decrease earned as he grew up in his fam- your labor hours and increase your FabricareThis summer, the California trade Cleaners Association show200 S. Pine in Ave. Long For a $210 nightly Beach discounted guest ily’s drycleaning business. He also profitability; and how to under- will be returning to a familiar site — the Long Beach room rate, call (562) 491-1234 and mentioning Fab- has an extensive background and stand the importance of work flow Convention Center — to host its Fabricare 2018 ricare. experience in developing techni- and proper equipment placement. Show from Aug. 17 to 19. Across the street from the convention center is cal solutions for a major industry The cost to attend is $79 per Currently, the association is seeking sponsors by the Renaissance Long Beach located at 111 E. Ocean manufacturer. seminar for association members offering a multitude of options ranging from general Blvd. They are offering attendees a $179 nightly The seminar will take place and $179 per seminar for non- ($500) and bronze ($800) to silver ($1,000), gold room rate. For reservations call (562) 437-5900 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at two dif- members. ($1,500) and President’s Reception ($2,000). mention your affiliation with the show. ferent locations on consecutive Those who plan on attending Booth sales are also underway and CCA has in- For more general information, contact the CCA days. may register by calling CCA at cluded a link to the floor plan of the exhibit hall. office directly by calling (916) 239-4070 or visit First, it will be held at the (916) 239-4070 or visiting them Those making hotel accommodations will have them at www.calcleaners.com. Laundry Locker at 1530 Custer online at www.calcleaners.com. two nearby options. The Hyatt Regency Long Beach For information on exhibiting, contact show man- is adjacent to the Long Beach Convention Center at ager Leslie Schaeffer by calling (215) 830-8467.

4TH AVE. CLEANERS in Brighton, CO, has installed a Colum- bia Ipura Narrow cleaning machine. Greg LaLan (left), owner of 4th Ave. Cleaners, is pictured with Chris Hogard of Colum- bia.

FABRICARE CLEANERS in Bremerton, WA, installed an 18- ft. Quicksort automated assembly system. Brett McLeod of Garment Care Systems is pictured with Teresa Mosey, owner of Fabricare Cleaners. To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 33

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To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads PAGE 34 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / JANUARY, 2018 NORTHEAST Vermont tests child care sites

forIn what theydrycleaning are describing as and air quality testing chemicals in coordi- the indoor air of the child care fa- precautionary and proactive test- nation with the Department of cility will be tested. ing, Vermont environmental offi- Health and the Department for If indoor air levels are high, cials are assessing child care fa- Children and Families. more steps will be taken. Steps cilities near drycleaning sites to The DEC said that chemicals may include more testing or in- see if there are any contamination associated with drycleaning can stalling a mitigation system to concerns. seep into the ground if not stored keep the chemicals from getting The state identified seven child or disposed of properly and move into the air. care facilities within 200 feet of from the ground into the air of Under state law, the owner of a former or current drycleaning sites buildings through the foundation. current or former drycleaning out of a total of 420 such sites Air pockets in the soil beneath property may be responsible for SMART CLEANERS in Dumont, NJ, installed a Hi-Steam statewide. the building of each child care fa- covering the costs, but the state’s SAM multi-garment finishers. Eric Seo (left), Hi-Steam’s Ko- The Vermont Department of cility will be tested for dryclean- Environmental Contingency fund rean sales manager, is pictured with Ji Sup Jung, owner of Environmental Conservation ing chemicals. If the levels of will be used to pay upfront costs Smart Cleaners. (DEC) is leading the assessment chemicals in the soil gas are high, for sampling and mitigation if the owner cannot or is unwilling to cover the costs. er s State officials said there have gh tan been no reported cases of illnesses hi d a linked to this issue and there have E r H d T not been any issues reported with any of the children’s programs be-

u y ing tested. s t i t l o All seven child care and pre- m a e u school facilities are open and op- r Q e fir m erating as usual and officials said st upre s there is no need to keep children home from their child care or preschool program where the assess- ments are happening. Department of Health State Toxicologist Sarah Vose said it is unclear at this point what the testing may find, and that collecting this data is a first step to understand what chemicals, if any, may be present. “Just like with any other chemical that could be present in our drinking water or the air we breathe, the first step is to collect data to understand what chemicals may be present.” Vose explained that if chemicals are present in the air, depend- ing on the concentration, the state may recommend that the child care or preschool program relo- cate to a temporary facility while the building is treated to remove the chemicals. In most cases, a sub slab de- pressurization system will be installed. It is similar to a radon mitigation system. Once this system is installed, the levels of the chemicals in the air will be lowered, making it safe to be in the building again. To ensure that the system is working properly, testing will be required at least each year until the chemicals in the soil are gone and will no longer get into the indoor air. “We’ve put in a lot of work to identify the location of drycleaners throughout the state, including conducting historical research for establishments that have been out of business for many years or even decades,” said Julie Moore, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. “We are reaching out to child 1901 Landmeier Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 • TOLL FREE: (888) 427-9120 TEL: (847) 427-9120 • FAX: (847) 427-9634 care and preschool programs in close proximity to the identified drycleaners to test and mitigate any possible risk with as little impact to the program and their fam- To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads ilies as possible,” Moore said. JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 35

To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads PAGE 36 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / JANUARY, 2018

KEEP IT LEGAL BY FRANK KOLLMAN

Aboutown an iPhone and iPad. I celluments? When phones they were started practicing in law, office theI tend to wantworkplace the govern- phones and computers in their Ihave two computers in my bored, they sat there staring smoking was permitted, so I ment to have to work hard to jobs. Everything belongs to the office. One is a MacBook Pro into space, got a soft drink or should add that people pry into my life, even though company, not the employee. In at my standing desk, and the coffee, read a newspaper, or smoked in their offices more it will find the most boring situations where such equip- other is an HP Desktop com- closed the door and took a nap. than they napped. Cigarettes, stuff it has ever seen. I hope ment is provided, it also makes puter running Windows. Now, they play with their cigars and pipes. People who the Court agrees. sense to require employees to While they all have made my phones. would have grabbed a smoke But what if your employer use that company equipment, job easier in many respects, they are also great time wasters. Personal cellphones (and the personal use of company I walked past two offices today, and the occupant in each cellphones) are here to stay. Setting down parameters was looking at or touching the screen of an iPhone. It made me think back to the days be- for their use should be proactive, rather than reactive. fore office PCs (around 1985) in an effort to remember what In fact, I heard someone re- in the 1960s are now getting wants to see your smartphone rather than personal devices to lawyers did in their offices be- fer to smartphone fiddling as carpal tunnel syndrome from to see where you have been, do their jobs. fore smartphones and comput- a replacement for the habit of thumb typing. who you were talking to, and That brings us to the need ers. Read books, write on legal smoking 30 years ago. Come In my practice, two princi- whether you emailed confi- for policies concerning the use pads, and dictate drafts of doc- to think of it, when I first pal issues have arisen over dential emails to a competitor. of personal electronics, espe- smartphones, and they are at My home state prohibits em- cially smartphones, at work. the opposite ends of the spec- ployers from requesting social My firm has no such policy trum. First, there are issues media passwords from their because personal cellphone surrounding policies prohibit- employees, but it does not pro- use is not a problem. That does ing personal cellphones at hibit other demands by em- not mean, however, that we work. Second, there are issues ployers about computer and won’t hire someone in the fu- surrounding requiring em- cellphone data that could dis- ture who makes work a fourth ployees to use their personal close personal information. priority after Messages, Face- smartphones as part of their At least for now, there is no book and Twitter. jobs. Prohibition versus legal reason why employees Some companies go so far mandatory use; restrictions on cannot be required to use their as to prohibit personal cell- use versus requirements to personal smartphone or com- phones from coming onto the use. puter in their job. As a practical premises. That is extreme, but Even the Supreme Court matter, however, the phone, bad employees frequently fos- had to deal with cellphone use the computer, their data, and ter extreme rules. You need to in the context of searches and their history belong to the em- determine what works for you. services under the Constitu- ployee, not the company. If smartphones (or to a tion. The only leverage a com- lesser extent computers) are In late November, the Court pany has is the threat of dis- becoming a problem at your heard arguments whether law charge if an employee refuses workplace, you may need to enforcement officers have the to provide data. That leverage adjust or adopt some policies. right to subpoena the phone is gone once the employee is Because cellphones have be- KACHINA CLEANERS in Phoenix, AZ, installed a Unipress carrier (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) gone. come almost a right, protected HS singlebuck shirt unit. Richard Reese (left) of Unipress is for information the phone car- It therefore makes sense to by the Constitution in some pictured with Stacy Tsantilas of Kachina Cleaners. rier has from your cellphone provide such equipment to people’s eyes, it might be a without a warrant. employees if they need to use good idea to have a company meeting to discuss the problem and possible solutions. Getting input from employees will avoid being blindsided by an Planning For the Future? employee revolt when a new policy is issued and they can’t Want to grow in a thoughtful and productive manner? text emoji to their friends. Personal cellphones (and Are you considering Our clients seek the personal use of company cellphones) are here to stay. family transitions? confidentiality Unlike cigarettes, their princi- pal medical risk takes the form buy / sell strategies? of distracted driving (which should be part of any company taking advantage of efficient and policy involving vehicle use). Setting down parameters for future growth trends? effective consulting their use should be proactive, rather than reactive. Now, iPhone or Galaxy? I building measurement and sure do miss my Nokia flip control systems? insight and clarity phone. Frank Kollman is a partner in the improving cash flow? law firm of Kollman & Saucier, Involved with the drycleaning industry since 1980 Independent PA, in Baltimore, MD. He can be reached by phone at (410) 727- consultant, COO of $80,000,000 operation, international expertise, 4300 or fax (410) 727-4391. His firm’s web site can be found at formal financial and operational training. www.kollmanlaw.com has arti- cles, sample policies, news and Contact: Deborah Rechnitz [email protected] other information on employee/employer relations. To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 37

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WRENCH WORKS BY BRUCE GROSSMAN

Caringast month I discussed the tonfor moves down your to suck in ever a ballair valve will do compressornicely L basic components of a re- more air, there is a check valve if you remember to use it. ciprocating compressor — (see item 1), generally in the • As air pressure increases motor, pump and receiver tank, which permits the air to inside the tank, there needs to (tank) which you’ll find on flow into the receiver but pre- be a method to shut off the mo- every machine in this family of vents the air from flowing back tor when the desired air pres- compressor. out. sure is reached. An electrical This month I’ll be explain- • There is a pressure relief air pressure control switch (see ing the function of other com- valve (see item 2) guarding item 5) is generally used to ac- ponents which, when com- against excessive pressure complish this. This switch bined, make up a complete air building up inside the cylin- opens an electrical circuit ei- compressor. der. When the pressure setting ther controlling a motor starter In review, the electric motor of this valve is exceeded, this (see item 9) on larger compres- is connected to the pump using safety device opens, venting to sors, or directly opening the belts. the atmosphere thereby reliev- power circuit to the motor on The rotary motion of the ing excessive pressure inside smaller compressors. motor turns a flywheel on the the cylinder. • When the air pressure in pump linked to a crankshaft • A valve provides a means the tank has reached the set- which moves piston(s) inside of shutting off the air flow out ting on the pressure control the pump cylinder up, com- of the compressor (see item 3). switch, shutting off the motor, pressing air and down sucking Ball valves serve nicely for this pressurized air is trapped be- air into the cylinder to be com- purpose. tween the top of the cylinder pressed during the next com- • Contaminants in the form and the tank check valve. pression cycle. of small amounts of oil as well When the air pressure in the The compressed air leaves as water accumulate in the tank drops and the motor the cylinder through the top tank and must be removed. restarts, this pressurized air portion called the head and is This is accomplished by a would resist the piston from pushed into a large vessel drain valve located at the bot- moving up inside the pump called a receiver or tank. tom of the tank which when cylinder, thereby placing an ex- There are some compressors of a resettable thermal over- In order to familiarize your- opened, provides a path for tremely high load on the motor (usually larger types) that, load device combined in one self with air compressors, de- pressurized air to blow con- while it’s starting. when the desired pressure is control. If excessive current scriptions of the individual taminants out of the tank (see In order to prevent this, a reached the motor continues to flows through the motor the component parts are as follow: item 4). small valve called an unloader run. However, the cylinder circuit automatically opens • To prevent the air from I highly recommend in- (see item 6) is used to bleed off head is unloaded to the atmos- shutting the motor off before just flowing back from the tank stalling an auto drain type this high-pressure air when the phere using an unloader valve damage can occur. into the cylinder when the pis- valve to accomplish this, how- pressure control switch opens. (see item 6a) so there will be That’s it for this issue. I’ll be The 21st Century Consumer Has Changed, no further increase in tank back in the next issue with pressure more good stuff on air com- Have You? • Located near the air pres- pressors and compressed air sure control switch is a gage systems.Bruce Grossman is the chief of that indicates the pressure in- R&D for EZtimers Manufactur- side the tank (see item 7). ing, maker of the new EZ Level • To protect the tank from return tank water level control. excessive pressurization, a re- To prevent boiler scaling and lief valve is used. These valves other damage, the EZ Level re- are generally calibrated to turn tank water level control re- open at a preset pressure ex- places that troublesome ball hausting to the atmosphere float valve in the condensate re- and should never be tampered turn tank. For saving money on with and always be replaced handling waste, the Sahara and by valves having an identical Drop in the Bucket line of high pressure rating (see item 8). purity separator water • To safely control the mo- mister/evaporators provide a tor switching on and off, a mo- thrifty, legal method to get rid of tor starter is used (see item 9). the separator water generated The term “motor starter” by the drycleaning machine. For means that there is a magnetic more information, visit motor contactor (switch) www.eztimers.com. Address which does the actual switch- questions or comments to ing of the motor as well as [email protected] or call some form of motor overload (702) 376-6693. Management Development protection, usually in the form Customer Service Training Retention Programs Route Building Changing the Culture of Dry Cleaning by Managing the Millenial Shift www.theroutepro.com www.21dc.biz HIGH POINT CLEANERS in Richardson, TX, purchased a (816) 739-2066 Union Nova 60-lb. cleaning machine through Gulf States Laundry Equipment. Pictured are Matt A. Lipman (left) of Union and Rafiq Khoja, owner of High Point Cleaners. To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 39

To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads PAGE 40 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / JANUARY, 2018 NEWSMAKERS

The Textile Care Allied Trades Association has relocated from Fairfield, NJ, to Tampa FL, and added a new staff member. Luci Ward is replacing Cheryl Paglia as office manager. Paglia is leaving the association after seven years. Ward brings to TCATA a wealth of experience in a variety of areas, including administration, social media, marketing, database maintenance and bookkeeping. She worked for many years in an administrative position with Howard County Public Schools in Mary- land. She also worked as a business development manager and, for the last four years, worked in the admissions department for a private school in Florida. TCATA’s new address is 4023 N. Armenia Ave., Ste. 270, Tampa FL 33607; the phone number is (813) 348-0075. Luci Ward

Jamie Albano has joined Radford University and is a grad- Methods for Management as the uate of the Dry Cleaning and director of member development Laundry Institute. She has worked after attending two recent member in every aspect of the business and meetings in Durham, NC, and believes in paying attention to the Greenville, NC. small details and knowing what Her responsibilities will in- great customer service is. clude new member recruitment Methods for Management and development of additional serves privately owned businesses member services, including social through independent consulting media. relationships as well as coordinat- Albano grew up in the family ing and facilitating management drycleaning business, working the bureaus that provide a safe, non- front counter and learning the im- competitive environment where Stain removal specialists from Milt & Edie’s Drycleaners in portance of customer service in members are comfortable sharing Burbank, CA, completed an intense, three-day course that Tidewater, VA. information, issues and concerns Jamie Albano covered handcleaning, spotting and wetcleaning for couture She has a Bachelor of Science with peers. www.mfmi.com or call (253) 851- fabrics under the instruction of Dan Eisen. Students pictured in Business Management from For more information, visit 6327. with Eisen (third from left in the back) are, in front from left, Sen Hoong, Romualdo Garcia and Rafael Montano. In back Darlene Gardner has joined Gardner gained experience in with Eisen are, from left Emilio Perez, Maria Jacobo and Leonard Automatics as purchas- the manufacturing industry at Daniel Costa. Montano, the spotting manager, pre-tests all ing manager. Her duties will in- companies including IBM and spotting chemicals for effectiveness and safety before they clude building relationships with Solectron in the capacities of pro- are used by his staff. Perez creates special mixtures of chem- the company’s suppliers to reduce duction supervisor, manufacturing icals that create the most efficient methods of removing soil. cost and inventory and to continue manager and materials project He also uses special hand cleaning solutions that enhance the to streamline the ordering process. manager. Her 27 years of experi- color and luster of leathers. Jacobo is very proficient in iden- She is also part of the team that is ence in the industry gave her tifying stains and potential fabric problems. preparing Leonard for ISO 9001 knowledge of the supply chain. certification. In her former roles, she devel- What this industry has needed for decades… oped customer focus teams to get in touch with their specific needs. Plant Management Software! She recently worked with Leonard A program that walks a manager Automatic’s steering committee to through the day-to-day plant operations. implement a KANBAN program, Major Features Comparison Reports – How does Daily Cost per Piece – All a scheduling tool used in lean volume, cost per piece and departments processes and just-in-time inven- Darlene Gardner Labor Management – Daily Reports productivity compare? tory material replenishment to Fully Customizable she said. “Also, I applaud the team Productivity Reports – presser Equipment Maintenance Logs help improve production and re- that make up this well established production graphs Real-Time Management Reports – duce overall inventory. company I represent with pride. It Vehicle Maintenance Logs You’ll know how your costs are Trending Reports – How does trending every minute of the day! She has certifications in lean is a great and talented group of today’s cost and productivity Employee Vacation Scheduling manufacturing and contract man- people working for Leonard Au- compare to the past 30 days? Comprehensive User Guide Employee Absenteeism Tracking ufacturing, which along with her tomatics.” Employee Hours Management – Constant Real-Time PPH Reporting experience in manufacturing, pre- Scott Abernathy, general Custom Dates Reporting – Costs How many hours? By employee, pared her for the role as purchas- and Productivity over a speci5ed What are the results? manager of Leonard Automatics department, day range (even exclude some dates!) ing manager for Leonard Auto- said that “Darlene’s talent and Stunning labor savings! matics. wealth of experience will make a Available as a software “I hope to be instrumental in significant impact in Leonard’s download or broadening supplier partnerships,” supply chain management.” pre-installed on a laptop

At the annual ZIPS Cleaners franchisee meeting, held in Buy online! www.Tailwindsystems.Com Questions? Call 508.965.3163 Greenbelt, MD, FabriClean Supply was awarded “Supplier of the Year” for 2017. Accepting the award for FabriClean Sup- ply is Dwayne Gwaltney (left) and Orville Johnson. To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads JANUARY, 2018 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / PAGE 41

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To learn more, see the Index of Advertisers on page 42 or visit www.natclo.com/ads The Future Is Here!

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