Long before he started in the drycleaning industry, Joe Giaramita gathered years of experience in the food service industry — from the bottom all the way to the top.
With the next Clean Show still over a year away, those looking for drycleaning equipment may not want to wait that long to view cutting edge equipment. Fortunately, multiple regional associations have culled their resources together to make sure drycleaners will have two opportunities this year to attend an exhibition show — one on each side of the country.
The deadline for this year’s submissions for the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute’s (DLI) new Hall of Fame ends on May 15. The Hall of Fame Award honors individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the betterment of the drycleaning and laundry industry.
The Mid-Atlantic Association of Cleaners (MAC) will be hosting a full-day workshop on the business behind wash-dry-fold at the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute’s (DLI) headquarters in Laurel, MD, on Saturday, May 11.
The North Carolina Association of Launderers and Cleaners (NCALC) will be heading to Atlantic Beach, NC, for its annual convention from May 24 to 27. It will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel, beginning with a welcome reception with exhibitors on Friday evening at 5:30 p.m.
Ever hear the saying, “Keep It Simple, Stupid” (KISS)? You know it — that philosophy applies perfectly to drycleaning pricing. Let’s face it, those monstrous, multi-page price lists are confusing for both you and your customers.
Imagine you have a shirt laundry with a double-buck unit and you do 3,500 shirts per week. In that mis, you do about 145 hand-finish shirts, 275 pull-over knit shirts and 185 blouses and shirts that are too small for the shirt unit.
In this issue, you’ll learn how to identify and repair the other common cause of low boiler pressure: excessive clearance between the impeller and raceway in the Burks 5 and 7 CT family of turbine pumps, used on many of the return systems found in the drycleaning and laundry industry.
Last year, the federal National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decided a case restricting an employer’s ability to regulate workplace and off-duty conduct that would normally warrant termination.
Most founders and owners aim to boost sales, but prioritizing top-line growth can attract low-quality revenue, potentially reducing your company’s value. This also happens when evaluating a marginal store location.
Unidentified stains can be simplified if we understand stain categories and new chemicals needed for their removal. When we approach a mysterious stain or an unidentified stain, we are primarily interested in whether it is wet or dry.
As the famous fairy tale goes... once upon a time, a young girl decided to skip doing her chores and break-and-enter into a cottage in the woods instead. She proceeded to eat a lot of their porridge and rearrange most of the furniture.
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.
America’s Best Cleaners recently announced the addition of a new affiliate: dublin Cleaners of Columbus, OH.
The company, founded by Greg and Margaret Butler, has a rich history rooted in family tradition and commitment to excellence. It can trace its origins back to Greg’s father’s drycleaning venture established in 1934.
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.
Nearly 15,000 cleaners and their suppliers throughout the United States and around the world read Clothesline
