With the first half of the new regional show format experience a success — the DL EXPO East drew a large number of cleaners to Kissimmee in June — attention now turns to the second half. Expectations are big for the DL EXPO West, which will debut from Oct. 4 to 6 in Las Vegas. It will be at the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino.
The South Eastern Fabricare Association’s (SEFA) inaugural Drycleaning and Laundry EXPO East show that took place in early June was a huge success when measured with every industry metric.
SEFA opted to forgo the traditional regional show format, and instead worked on creating an event that was designed to attract participants from all over the eastern seaboard. Fortunately, it did not disappoint.
As president of the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI), Kathy Benzinger was well aware of the longtime efforts of many California drycleaners who had generously donated time and money to help improve the lives of the children of Orphanage Estado 29, located in Ensenada in Mexico.
Forenta President Rusty Smith and Garment Management Systems (GMS) President Brett McLeod recently announced during the DL EXPO East exhibit show in Kissimmee, FL, that Forenta has acquired GMS.
Coupons are not a dirty word. Let me repeat that, coupons are not a dirty word, but instead a valuable tool. Many in our industry believe offering coupons to current or potential customers puts them in the same category as those “discount cleaners.”
During a recent job in the Great White North, a client asked me to attend a meeting of his franchisees and do a presentation explaining what I do and how the job that I had just completed for this client benefited them.
With summer upon us, your drycleaning machines’ cooling system will be under greater stress. It doesn’t matter if you are using a water tower, chiller, or city water for cooling; conditions that weren’t an issue during the cooler months may become problems as the ambient (surrounding) temperature rises.
I like lists, as you probably know. They help me focus. So, in no particular order, here is a list of things that every supervisor — new or experienced — needs to know:
In today’s competitive market, having a team that can effectively sell your services is crucial. However, many business owners find themselves heavily involved in the sales process, which can limit their business’s overall growth and value. If you’re directly involved, your business may be less valuable than it could be.
I read a recent article concerning a controversy over the term sizing and retexturizing. This prompted me to write this article to expand the concept, clarify and, hopefully, not confuse the issue. The proper term that describes agents or procedures that are added to fabrics to enhance the properties of the fabric is called finishing agents.
Summer has begun and there’s a lot on the mind of our columnists... including coupons. If you are not a fan of the coupon, you can blame Coca-Cola. The soda company is credited with giving out the first coupon in 1887.
In August, the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI) will be hosting multiple events including this month’s web presentation on “How Do You Know? Measuring Metrics” with Jeff Alexander of Orlando Cleaners. The program will take place at 1 p.m. EST on Aug. 14 as Alexander walks through the key metrics that drycleaners should be tracking in order to make sure their stores are profitable.
The North East Fabricare Association (NEFA) has tapped James Peuster of The Route Pros to host a seminar on “The Business Behind Wash-Dry-Fold” on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Miele Professional recently announced the grand opening of an advanced technology training facility at its headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey. The center further demonstrates Miele’s commitment to excellence in service and sales through comprehensive training and development for customers and partners.
Clean Brands, the franchisor for Lapels Cleaners, has announced its newest location in Durham, NC. The company is owned and operated by Sukhjiwan Singh -- also known as Jay -- a U.S. Army veteran and experienced businessman who is now opening his second Lapels Cleaning location in the Research Triangle.
Value Drycleaners of America LLC(VDA), the company that franchises the ZIPS Cleaners brand, announced recently it has become the exclusive developer of Mulberrys Garment Care franchise locations throughout the U.S. Mulberrys has 13 locations across San Francisco and Minneapolis. This agreement will expand the brand into new markets — initially in the Baltimore/ Washington D.C. region.
Last month, Martinizing Cleaners unveiled an updated logo to reflect the brand’s celebration of its 75th anniversary. Since its 1949 founding in Buffalo, N.Y. by Henry Martin, the brand has grown to more than 350 store locations operating across seven countries including the U.S. and Canada. The new logo includes a silver 75 behind the iconic royal blue Martinizing Cleaners logo.
America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) held a WorkFlow Live event in May that focused on “Bridal – Couture & Vintage Cleaning and Restoration” in Owing Mills, MD.
The event featured a mix of group collaboration and classroom presentations taught by an impressive lineup of instructors, including Bob Edwards from A.L. Wilson Chemical Co., ABC Senior Consultant Liz Davies, ABC Executive Director Chris White and host affiliate Janet Garman of Glyndon Lord Baltimore Cleaners.
This August, the Midwest Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (MWDLI) will host its popular Summer Summit event at the Belterra Casino Resort in Florence, IN.
Taking place from Aug. 9 to 11, attendees can expect a fun weekend of golf, gambling, social receptions and educational seminars.
The Association of Wedding Gown Specialists (AWGS) will help wedding couples ensure the beauty of their gowns while helping safeguard our planet’s beauty, too. AWGS has established a ReforestationFundTM and will help provide support to the Arbor Day Foundation, the perfect partner to help make a positive impact in nature, to plant a tree for every gown our members preserve.
Methods for Management (MfM), recently held its Canadian Bureau’s second quarter meeting. Hosted by Lisa Loscerbo and Kevin Hiebert of Best Care Dry Cleaners, the event took place at the Inn at The Forks in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on April 17 to 18, 2024. This assembly was two days of industry collaboration and innovation among top-tier Canadian drycleaning professionals.
ZIPS Cleaners recently announced that it has become an official sponsor of U.S. Junior Amateur Champion golfer Bryan Kim. Kim hails from Brookeville, MD, near ZIPS corporate headquarters in Savage, MD. The partnership will support Kim as he travels to tournaments seeking to defend his title and expand into professional tournaments, including the upcoming U.S. Open. ZIPS sponsorship includes logo placement on his tournament shirts as well as media appearances and a social media collaboration.
The Drycleaning and Laundry Institute (DLI) gradulates the 385th Introduction to Drycleaning and the Advanced Drycleaning Courses.
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.
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.
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