As he passed two empty storefronts on 77th Street in New York back in 2006, Todd Layne Ofsink had an epiphany.
At the time, he had recently left his job at the global consulting firm McKinsey and Company and was seeking to start a business of his own.
The North East Fabricare Association (NEFA) recently held its 16th Fall Management Conference in November at the Artisan Hotel at Tuscan Village in Salem, NH. By all accounts the program was a tremendous success.
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.In a press release, NCA called Nealis a “beacon” in the drycleaning industry, noting: “Nora’s tenure as executive director was marked by her remarkable acumen and dedication.
In this chapter of our ongoing exploration into The Focus Method, we look deeper into its practical applications and influence within the drycleaning industry. For those just joining our series, I encourage you to read the other articles from the preceding months
So here we are, once again, at the end of the year holiday season and time for my annual wishlist. I work on this column throughout the year because I am always looking for new and better ways to do things. It helps to keep my mind open.
Last month we took the necessary components and cobbled them together into a configuration that resembled a boiler. In this installment, we’ll learn how the different components are organized into a system that maintains the proper water level inside the pressure vessel of your boiler.
Let’s say John was fired for “inappropriate behavior, not being a team player, and unsatisfactory work performance.” It said so in his personnel file. Does anyone know what John did or did not do to be fired?
This month, I want to bring to you a case study that I recently read about. It shows the importance of having and practicing a company’s core values. I hope you find it interesting and applicable to your own business.
In the competitive third-party logistics (3PL) sector,
The easiest way to evaluate a drycleaner’s stain removal rate is to check the amount of “sorry” tags used. Drycleaners use sorry tags to explain to customers why they cannot remove a stain.
After 20 years of route building and ride-alongs, I have seen it all — from every animal known to man to various responses that cannot even be printed; yet, The Route Pros continue to train on the art of face-to-face sales. .
The drycleaning industry lost one of its staunchest supporters, someone who will be sorely missed. Nora Nealis, the longtime leader of the National Cleaners Association, spent close to 50 years of her life in the industry before passing away at the age of 70.
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.
Clean Franchise Brands (CFB) recently announced an agreement to open three Martinizing Cleaners locations in Austin, Texas. Locally owned, the new stores will include a drycleaning plant/store and two satellite locations.
ZIPS Franchising LLC is pleased to announce that Jennifer Hall, formerly a store operations and development manager for the company from 2008 to 2019, has rejoined the organization as Field Training Manager.
Clean Franchise Brands (CFB) recently announced the opening of a Martinizing Cleaners in Saltillo, MS. Martinizing Cleaners of Saltillo is owned and operated by Gregg Kennedy and his wife Margaret Ann. The Tupelo, MS, residents converted the former Town Creek Drycleaning and Laundry into a Martinizing in July. Martinizing Cleaners of Saltillo represents the third Martinizing Cleaners for Kennedy.
Recently, GreenEarth Cleaning named Tim Maxwell as its chief executive officer. Since 2003, Maxwell had previously served as president of the company. In his new role as CEO, he will continue oversight of GreenEarth and the company’s network of affiliates. At this time, GreenEarth’s proprietary products and processes are available at more than 6,000 points of consumer contact around the globe.
ZIPS Franchising LLC announced that Mary Ann Donaghy has joined the organization as chief marketing and customer experience officer. Previously a member of the ZIPS Board of Directors, she brings three decades of consumer marketing leadership to the organization as it continues to grow its revenues and expand its customer base and franchisees.
America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) hosted its first live studio event for its WorkFlow suite of programs and training and development services on July 20-22, 2023, in Chicago, IL. Led by ABC Senior Consultant Liz Davies and Executive Director Chris White, the three-day event was built around the principles of production management for cleaners. Sixteen leaders from across the ABC affiliation came together to build a community exchanging best business practices, systems development and coaching techniques for team success.
In 2023, Tide Cleaners has opened four stores in Charlotte, NC.
These new stores are in addition to the three existing stores and home delivery services from the Charlotte franchisee.
America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) recently partnered with Dress for Success Pittsburgh for the launch of EmpowerWear. ABC will assist in collecting gently used women’s professional and casual attire via a pilot program with its local affiliate, Owl Cleaners.
Earlier this year, Javier Garcia became the owner of the Lapels Cleaning of Buckeye, AZ, located at 1510 S. Watson Rd.
“Lapels Cleaners has been received very well here in Buckeye and we’re excited to continue that with the environmentally friendly cleaning methods Lapels has developed,” said david Grippi, Lapels Cleaners’ chief operating officer.
Trade Show Executive magazine recently announced its Gold 100 list — the top 100 trade shows for the year — and The Clean Show made the cut.
Clean ’22, held in Atlanta, GA, was run by Messe Frankfurt, Inc. Overall, close to 10,000 attendees showed up to visit booths by 347 exhibiting companies that filled up over 216,000 sq. ft. of exhibit hall.
Members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists (AWGS) met recently in Napa, CA — famous for being the heart of the Napa Valley wine region.
The group, however, toured a drycleaning business with a fine vintage — Greene’s Cleaners — the oldest cleaning company in the Napa Valley founded in 1919 by George Greene. Today, it is owned by Laurie and Alonso Corona.
Recently, Lapels Cleaners announced the re-opening of its location in Martha’s Vineyard at 395 St. Rd. by two new partners, Marcia DeSousa and Suely Oliveria, both of whom are also island residents that will now run the day-to-day operations at the drycleaning plant and store.
Forenta recently celebrated 62 years of manufacturing pressing equipment in Morristown, TN, by hosting a breakfast for its employees and for members of the local Chamber of Commerce. In attendance were former Forenta presidents Lee White and Jerry Rose, Industrial Board Chairman Jack Fishman, local business leaders and city council members.
Ryan Hames, the owner of Martinizing Cleaners in Westerville, OH, recently added a second location in the state with the purchase of LA Cleaners, located on Maxtown Rd. in Westerville. This expansion makes a total of four Martinizing Cleaners locations owned and operated by the Hames family – all of whom are GreenEarth affiliates.
GreenEarth Cleaning was awarded a U.S. Patent earlier this year for the development of an anti-viral cleaning methodology which has been incorporated into the GreenEarth Cleaning System.
The patent enables GreenEarth affiliates to integrate vaporization into the drycleaning cycle to deliver the highest level of protection from current and future lipid-layer viruses.
Now, Model-7D EZPress™ users can apply barcode labels or text labels to personal clothing at 330° F in only four seconds.
Our original presses and all competitors’ presses apply labels at 380° to 420° in eight to 12 seconds. Our new press gives you a major improvement in productivity, resulting in half of the normal application time and a temperature reduction of over 50°. This lower temperature will dramatically reduce the risk of damaging delicate and expensive garments.
Dr. Julie King, executive dean for the School of Digital Technologies and Arts at Staffordshire University, has been named the new chair of the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry (ABSCI). Additionally, Garry Knox, sustainability director at GreenEarth Cleaning, has been appointed as vice-chair alongside existing vice-chair Jonty Wilson.
Nearly 15,000 cleaners and their suppliers throughout the United States and around the world read Clothesline
