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PAGE 4 / NATIONAL CLOTHESLINE / JANUARY, 2021
National A national newspaper

Clothesline for drycleaners and launderers
January, 2021
Volume 62 Number 4

Working together toward a tough but brighter future

Admittedly, taking the 2020 calendar down brought a palpable sense of around there is a crucial difference: We are not the same people we were last year.
satisfaction, but the truth is we’ll still be feeling the effects from this year for some For that matter, the drycleaning industry is not the same as it was before. Covid
time to come. In a word, 2020 was brutal. created untold challenges for it to overcome, but in doing so, it also worked as a
It began with the country of Australia burning and the tragic helicopter crash catalyst for change, as Peter Blake notes in his column this month on page 18.
that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and seven others. The In truth, Covid changed the drycleaning industry so much that it should
year also nearly began with World War III when Iranian missiles shot down Ukraine probably now just be the cleaning industry because plant owners are leaving no
International Airlines Flight 752, killing all 176 passengers. garment or home furnishing unturned in their efforts to try and bring in more
Also early in the year, the House of Representatives instigated impeachment volume. Many cleaners who have always considered adding routes to their business
proceedings against President Trump even as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle quit had no choice but to stop procrastinating and start picking up and delivering.
the royal family and Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was convicted on rape Still, the change in the industry has not just been relegated to increasing
charges. At the time, the coming novel coronavirus pandemic barely captured diversification and convenience, the pandemic also forced business operators in all
headlines with so many competing stories. industries to scrutinize their numbers more closely, resulting in wise cost-cutting
That changed dramatically in March, a month that saw COVID-19 cases measures and improved efficiency. More plant operators began to finally tap into the
quickly spread across the globe, erupting in an unparalleled level of upheaval in our power of social media marketing and opening additional lines of communication
daily lives. One microscopic virus wreaked untold havoc on the world, leveling with customers and staff.
whole economies and infecting over 73.5 million people in the world (as of Dec. 16, The transformation has been greatly expedited by circumstances, but it was
2020). More stunningly, it has killed over 1.6 million people... and counting. made possible only because the industry has been willing to help each other. Allied
Then, on top of everything else, the same pernicious virus killed many more trade companies and industry associations and other groups have stepped up,
jobs and businesses, isolated us from each other and even contributed to a greater embraced technology and come up with creative solutions to keep the valuable flow
divided electorate, some of whom risked their own lives in order to protest racial of information open. That was the key. Those who found solutions to problems chose
disparity or personal liberty. There is little doubt that 2020 was the “Year of Doom not to keep those secrets to themselves. Industry members have shared ideas and
and Gloom,” and even though it is finally over, we are still living in a world of leaned on one another in a strong show of unity. Personally, we’ve heard many
question marks and foggy forecasts. stories about cleaners helping their competition as if they are in the same fight
However, as we learned long ago from German philosopher Friedrich together.
Nietzsche (and more recently from Kelly Clarkson), what doesn’t kill you makes you So, as Covid continues to march on and problems inevitably pile up, it’s just
stronger. For those who did make it through 2020, we have had to face our fears head business as usual now. Things will get better. We know this, but must continue to
on. True, Americans were quarantined, locked down and socially distant, but there is practice patience. Vaccinations have begun to roll out, and while it’s hard to guess
no place to hide from the effects of a pandemic of this magnitude. Most of us have when the virus will be under control, it’s a little easier moving forward knowing that
consistently felt exhausted, anxious, confused and frustrated for the better part of a help is on the way. If that doesn’t comfort you, then think about this: in this industry,
year, yet somehow we found the strength (and perhaps the good fortune) to keep you are certainly not alone and you managed to keep your business running through
trying to move forward, or at the very least, not falter too far backwards. the hardest year most people have ever faced.
Unfortunately, that won’t all stop simply because we have taken down the 2020 Most of us felt far too much sadness and anxiety last year, but many of us have
calendars from our walls. Covid numbers keep raging higher and there will be more emerged a little stronger, wiser and appreciative of the things in life we love the
challenges to accompany our journies through these next few months. But, this time most. Let’s try to stay that way. Good luck. Stay safe. Keep improving.

Contents

News & Features Columns

6 His own path At 71, friends told Mark Watkins he was 8 Dan Eisen When used properly, acids and alkalis can
crazy for building a new plant, but he has no regrets
help solve many garment problems
10 Doing due diligence When buying or selling a plant, 14 Bruce Grossman Keeping on top of your gaskets can
protect yourself with a environmental site assessment
help you prevent costly solvent leaks
Departments
16 Frank Kollman Vaccinations are coming, which is
good news unless some on your staff opts to refuse them
22 Classified advertising
18 Peter Blake Covid has acted as a catalyst of change
for the industry, forcing numerous improvements
Be sure to check out our new website,
www.nationalclothesline.com, for additional coverage and James Peuster When buying or selling a delivery
news from the drycleaning industry. 20 route, what should you expect the cost to be?

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EdITOR
Chris Pollay
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