When Glen Gould says drycleaning “is the most interesting business I’ve ever been involved in,” he has quite a frame of reference for comparison. After all, his first business venture started at a very young age.
In just two months, the Drycleaning and Laundry EXPO East will debut at the Gaylord Palms Resort Convention Center located in Kissimmee, FL.
The event, which takes place from June 7 to 9, will be the first of two special new EXPOs that will be hosted this year.
As of April 1 of this year, the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI) will begin accepting nominations for this year’s class of its new Hall of Fame Award, considered to the organization’s highest honor.
The National Cleaners Association (NCA) has officially appointed Dawn Hargrove-Avery to the organization’s position of executive director. Recently, Hargrove-Avery has been serving as interim executive director following the passing of Nora Nealis in November.
Imagine you’re facing a critical business challenge. Your boiler breaks down, and it won’t be fixed for at least a week; or, new labor regulations emerge, shifting the playing field. Feeling isolated? Don’t be. The answer might lie in a network you haven’t fully leveraged.
Many managers have heard this and it is difficult to argue with. It makes perfect sense, but what is hard to understand is that few managers live by this golden rule.
Here’s an easy repair you can do yourself to reduce the cost of production and utilities while helping to keep your employees happy.
I started my law firm in 1988 after practicing with three other firms. The first two were large law firms and the third was a moderately-sized outfit where I was a “partner.”
One of the eight factors that impact your company’s value is something the team at The Value Builder System™ refers to as “The Switzerland Structure,” which emphasizes the importance of business independence.
Silk continues to be a troublesome fabric for many drycleaners. Independent Garment Analysis Service receives many silk garments ranging from color loss due to oxidation and spotting procedures.
At its core, the concept of neutrality is an honorable goal, but it is one that is very difficult to achieve and maintain. This is why it is so impressive that, for over five centuries now, Switzerland has epitomized neutrality.
Recently, the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association (PDCA) and the Mid-Atlantic Association of Cleaners (MAC) consolidated together in an effort to create a stronger, more unified professional community that will enhance both sets of members.
The Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI) will continue to offer educational and learning opportunities in April including “Defining Culture: How You View Your Team and Clients” with Dave Coyle of Maverick Drycleaners on April 17 at 1 p.m. EST.
Also coming up is a Member Virtual Reception and Orientation at 3 p.m. EST on April 3 and an installment of the association’s Marketing Lab at 3 p.m. EST on April 17 that will focus on “How do you use social media to effectively communicate with customers?”
Members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists (AWGS) met recently in Dublin, OH, to tour Dublin Cleaners, owned and managed by the Butler family, and to listen to a variety of seminars and socialize.
In early March, Jim Vaudreuil, CEO of Huebsch Service of Eau Claire, WI, passed away at home surrounded by family and loved ones.
In a statement, the Vaudreuil family noted that, “Following a reoccurrence of esophageal cancer, Jim spent his remaining time sharing love, experiences and memories with the many people who have filled his life with adventure, fun, love and purpose. He led a serendipitious life, blessed with good luck, friends, adventure, love and fun. He will be dearly missed by so many.”
Recently, Clean Brands named Brent Greenwood as vice president of franchising for Martinizing Cleaners. He took on the role in January of this year.
In that role, Greenwood will lead efforts to recruit new Martinizing Cleaners franchise owners in the U.S. and abroad. That initiative includes the acquisition of independent drycleaners to be converted to Martinizing locations, as well as the development of new plants, satellite locations and delivery territories.
Longtime business owners Michael and Kelli Lausen recently inked an agreement to bring Lapels Cleaners back to Louisiana. The Lausens plan to open a drycleaning plant and store in 2024 at a location to be determined.
“My wife Kelli and I had been looking at business opportunities, specifically in the area of coin-operated laundromats,” noted Michael Lausen. “That’s how we found Lapels. The more we learned about Lapels, particularly the environmentally friendly cleaning methods the brand employs, the more we liked the idea of bringing a first-class cleaner to Houma.”
After more than a decade of dedicated service and leadership, Ellen Tuchman Rothmann has announced her retirement as president of Tuchman Advisory Group (TAG).
Reflecting on her journey, Rothmann stated, “One of the great joys of my life has been my involvement in the drycleaning industry. My father, the legendary Sid Tuchman, owned Tuchman Cleaners which operated 35 plants and drop stores in Indianapolis, IN. Following the sale of his business in 1986, my dad established a consulting business, and it was my honor and pleasure to step in and continue growing his good work through TAG.”
Sid Tuchman received the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute’s Diamond Achievement Award in 2011 and was recently inducted into their Hall of Fame for his invaluable achievements and lasting impact to the industry.
America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) continues to pave the way for sustainable practices within the garment industry by joining the American Circular Textiles (ACT) group in support of the Americas Trade and Investment Act (Americas Act) to spearhead the Circular Fashion movement.
ABC’s role within ACT underscores its commitment to advocating for a circular economy via this groundbreaking bi-partisan bill aimed at revitalizing the garment infrastructure and creating jobs nationwide. Introduced to Congress on March 6, 2024, the Americas Act represents a historic milestone in incorporating circular textiles into federal legislation.
Lapels Cleaners, recently announced the opening of a new satellite location in West Bloomfield, MI, at 5538 Drake Rd.
“Lapels Cleaners is thrilled to be back in Michigan with the opening of this new satellite location,” said David Grippi, Lapels Cleaners’ chief operating officer. “At Lapels, we use a sustainable, non-toxic method for drycleaning clothes. Subsequently, clothes feel better when you wear them and last longer while doing no harm to the environment.”
Spot recently announced its 2024 Spring User Conference that will take place from May 2 to 4 at The Marriott City Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The conference is designed to help laundry and drycleaning businesses discover new strategies for automating their operations and maximizing overall profitability. Attendees will uncover actionable insights on how to improve key areas of their business: hiring, operations, sales, financials, and future growth plans.
Clean Brands recently announced that John Cale is the new owner of Martinizing Cleaners of Hudson, OH. The drycleaning plant and store, located at 118 West Streetsboro Street, had been owned by Hudson resident Craig Hons.
Hons purchased his Martinizing Cleaners location back in 1996 after spending 21 years in the car rental industry. After 28 amazing years -- all as a Martinizing franchise owner -- he’s ready to transition to the next chapter.
Fabritec International, maker of Sanitone, Fabritec and Stamford products, announced the addition of Paul Mastrola to the Sales and Technical team as northeast regional director of sales. Mastrola joins the team as a fifteen-year veteran of the industry as a drycleaning owner/operator.
“Paul’s experience as a plant owner and operator gives him a unique view of the supplier relationship that we feel will resonate well with our customers, present and future. We are very excited about this addition to our team,” said Jeff Jordan, vice president.
After 32 successful years in the laundry business, Rudi Moors believes it is time for him to give back to the industry he has made his career. An executive with a unique skill base and an excellent understanding of a laundry operation, he has created Beyond Washing, LLC. The strategic services consultancy is designed to inspire, challenge and assist vendors by offering meaningful solutions, as well as help operators further improve their bottom line with specific recommendations.
America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) is excited to announce the extension of its impactful partnership with Dress for Success Pittsburgh into the year 2024, marked by the continued success of the EmpowerWear program. EmpowerWear, a collaborative initiative focused on empowering women, supporting local communities, and promoting environmental sustainability, has witnessed significant achievements since its launch.
The laundry and drycleaning sector faces a critical juncture in an industry traditionally marked by face-to-face interactions and manual processes. Rising staff costs and escalating competition are pressuring businesses to seek innovative solutions to provide a more convenient service, keep costs down and find more customers. At the forefront of this transformative wave is a simple yet revolutionary concept: laundry lockers.
The Sigma Plastics Group is happy to announce that Ben Levine has joined the company working in their Sigma Garment Films division. Ben had been working in software sales after graduating from Florida State University in 2017 before his hire with Sigma in August 2023.
The Association of Wedding Gown Specialists (AWGS), a not-for-profit trade association of cleaners in eight countries who focus on caring for specialty gowns and luxury garments, recently launched an all-new website. Designed not only to appeal to wedding couples but also to provide AWGS members with a seamless and enriching experience, the new website includes a members’ only section featuring information and resources.
Methods for Management (MfM) recently celebrated its 70th anniversary in style. Members, guests, and industry experts gathered at The Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile Suites from Oct. 26 to 28 to celebrate the consulting firm’s longevity with Success 2023.
Nora Nealis, the longtime executive director of the National Cleaners Association (NCA) and an indefatigable defender of the drycleaning industry, passed away on Nov. 12 at the age of 70.
Recently, Xplor Spot announced an innovative feature for its business management software called virtual Assistant. This new feature can handle basic inquiries, enhancing efficiency for both businesses and customers as well as delivering a seamless customer experience.
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