American Coin-Op -July 2019

COVER STORY

FINANCING FUNDAMENTALS

When

GOIN’ WITH COHEN: THE NAME GAME

While today’s branding and affiliations remain strong to drive home a message of clean clothes fast, some operators think outside the box—way outside—when they choose their store’s name. Laurance Cohen introduces a few of them.

WISER WASHING: CONSERVATION IN THE LAUNDRY

By conducting business in an industry that uses tremendous amounts of water and other resources daily, the concept of conservation is worth keeping in mind. Here are some tips to help manage a store’s utilities usage.

OCEAN INFLUENCES MODERN LAUNDROMAT

Olas Express Laundromat—Olas means “waves” in Spanish, something near and dear to owner Chad Caldwell’s heart—opened in late 2018 to positive feedback.

COLUMNS

26 POINTERS FROM PAULIE B: HOW TO BOOST BIZ DURING SLOW HOURS

There are times that Laundromats are so busy that customers must wait for machines to open up, making them angry and frustrated. Other times, there are no customers in the store.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could smooth out those peaks and valleys, if you could shift some of the “herd” to slow times, if your mat operated consistently at 75% capacity for much of the time it’s open?

To come anywhere close to achieving this requires more than one solution, says retired multi-store owner Paul Russo, and he has some suggestions.

A CLOSER LOOK 14

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Bruce Beggs

SERVE AND CONSERVE

As a matter of course during the average business day, selfservice laundries across the country use countless gallons of water to enable their customers to wash their clothes. There is a cost for the clean water to enter your store, and there is a cost for piping the graywater back out through the sewer system for treatment.

It takes electricity to power all of those washers, dryers and other equipment. That, too, comes at a cost.

Maybe conservation doesn’t get the attention that it did a decade ago when being green was in vogue but it’s still worth keeping in mind. My Wiser Washing story on page 22 offers some tips for conserving resources by investing in high-efficiency equipment, upgrading lighting, attending to some store basics, and more.

Our cover story this month is called Financing Fundamentals It’s a Q-and-A featuring several representatives from equipment manufacturers and commercial lenders who talk about the state of lending, the financing options available to small-business owners like you, and the best approach to take in order to get the laundry project you’ve envisioned the stamp of approval. Check it out beginning on page 6.

Charles Thompson, Publisher

E-mail: cthompson@ATMags.com Phone: 312-361-1680

Donald Feinstein, Associate Publisher/ National Sales Director

E-mail: dfeinstein@ATMags.com Phone: 312-361-1682

Bruce Beggs, Editorial Director

E-mail: bbeggs@ATMags.com Phone: 312-361-1683

Roger Napiwocki, Production

Manager

Nathan Frerichs, Digital Media Director

E-mail: nfrerichs@ATMags.com Phone: 312-361-1681

ADVISORY BOARD

Kurt Archer Ann Hawkins Wayne Lewis Kathryn Q. Rowen

OFFICE INFORMATION

Main: 312-361-1700

SUBSCRIPTIONS

630-739-0900 x100 www.AmericanCoinOp.com

We’re completing this issue just prior to Clean Show 2019 in New Orleans, so that means our Clean Show Report will be front and center in our August issue. You can expect a sampling of the nearly 500 exhibitors and the products/services that were on display, perhaps a story or two based on Clean’s education slate, and, of course, plenty of photos. It’s our privilege to follow this industry.

Bruce Beggs Editorial Director

American Coin-Op (ISSN 0092-2811) is published monthly. Subscription prices, payment in advance: U.S., 1 year $46.00; 2 years $92.00. Foreign, 1 year $109.00; 2 years $218.00. Single copies $9.00 for U.S., $18.00 for all other countries. Published by American Trade Magazines LLC, 650 West Lake Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60661. Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER, Send changes of address and form 3579 to American Coin-Op, Subscription Dept., 440 Quadrangle Drive, Suite E, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Volume 60, number 7. Editorial, executive and advertising offices are at 650 West Lake Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60661. Charles Thompson, President and Publisher. American Coin-Op is distributed selectively to owners, operators and managers of chain and individually owned coin-operated laundry establishments in the United States. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising for any reason.

© Copyright AMERICAN TRADE MAGAZINES LLC, 2019. Printed in U.S.A. No part of this publication may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher or his representative. American Coin-Op does not endorse, recommend or guarantee any article, product, service or information found within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of American Coin-Op or its staff. While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the magazine’s contents at time of publication, neither the editors, publishers nor its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom.

&Q A

Financing Fundamentals

Options for raising capital to buy equipment or open new location

By Bruce Beggs, Editorial Director

Whether you’re already running a self-service laundry or you’re an investor looking to get into the industry for the first time, obtaining the financing necessary to, say, buy new equipment or launch an operation can seem daunting.

But by understanding where financing opportunities lie and then doing what’s needed to best position yourself to successfully get the funding, that dream project can quickly become a reality.

This month, American Coin-Op polled several equipment manufacturers and commercial lenders on the state of lending, the financing options available, and the best approach to take in order to get a stamp of approval.

Q: How would you describe the current lending market?

Leo Frazier, vice president and general manager, Dexter Financial Services: The availability of financing for customers looking to replace equipment, expand

their existing store, and/or build a new location is good. Captive and independent finance companies in our industry still have a strong appetite for well-qualified borrowers.

Jeff Harvey, manager of U.S. underwriting, Alliance Laundry Systems: Given the strong economic indicators, credit is readily available across a variety of different lending solutions. Interest rates have been increased over the past few years by the Federal Reserve but appear to be leveling off.

Tony Regan, vice president sales and marketing, Eastern Funding: The market seems to be healthy. A number of lenders are expanding their offerings to include real estate to go along with the business and equipment financing. We are seeing a number of non-industry lenders entering the vended finance market but not having a serious appetite or expertise to get projects funded.

current or prospective vended laundry operators when it comes to applying for funding?

Harvey: There are a variety of resources available to current and prospective laundry operators when it comes to applying for financing. Many lenders will have application checklists walking the investor through what information is needed to apply for financing. Investors can leverage the expertise of their local distributor to help put the finance package together. Additionally, there are several industry trade publications and organizations that discuss best practices when it comes to applying for financing.

Pam Kuffel, financial services manager, Continental Girbau: At Continental, we have a dedicated staff handling finance questions. We urge investors and laundry owners to call us so we might walk them through the steps and processes. We work closely — as a team — with borrowers and their distributors to address questions and fit the investor with the finance program

Q: What resources are available to

(Image: © iStockphoto/alexsl)

that best fits their needs.

Bryan Rausch, Northeast regional sales manager, Whirlpool Corporation Commercial Laundry: Whether buying a new store or retooling an existing store with new equipment, working with your distributor is a good way to get started. Your distributor can provide expert industry knowledge, guidance on equipment mixes and local data in terms of market information and demographics. In addition, he or she can guide you in the types of financing available, through a manufacturer or with a lender who understands the commercial laundry industry.

If you’re purchasing an existing laundry business, many forms and documents will most likely be provided by the current owner, and your distributor can help analyze this information for additional insight and help give an idea on what a return on your investment might look like.

If you already own at least one store, you may have the opportunity to borrow against equity and leverage that increased value to finance new equipment upgrades for a retooled location or for purchasing a new laundry location.

Regan: Some equipment manufacturers and independent finance companies have various options for both veteran operators and newcomers to the business. For new store projects, loans can be modeled to provide ample time for the business to ramp up. For veteran operators, there are usually a number of options to leverage their current business against new equipment, store acquisition, and/or expansion of new stores. The desire to own the real estate is something we’re seeing more of. Using a resource such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) can be less of a hassle if you partner with the right lender who can help navigate the process.

Frazier: Captive and independent finance companies in our industry are the two best sources of funds for an applicant’s vended laundry project. These lenders understand the industry, the collateral, and the collateral’s “remarketability,” allowing them to

be the most flexible in designing a deal to meet the applicant’s needs and give them the best chance for success.

Q: Understanding that each application is judged on its individual merits, what general lending criteria must a borrower meet to gain approval?

Kuffel: The criteria changes with the project’s scope and the borrower’s background. For new projects, we typically look for a 30% cash investment into the total project. For replacement equipment, we can finance up to 100% pending credit approval.

of two-three times what you’re looking to borrow, having a FICO score of 650 or above, and a minimum of two years of business experience. Should you have a lower score, try to provide a reasonable explanation if possible. This may include a medical bill situation. Lenders will listen and try to help when they can. And, laundry-specific business experience isn’t a requirement, but a background that includes managing people and collecting money is beneficial.

Regan: While it is said that the three most important components of a successful laundry are location, location, location, the borrower does need to be qualified. The goal of all industry-specific lenders is to help the investor get an approval. It is critical we make a good business decision for both the lender and borrower. Basic criteria includes good personal credit and net worth, experience running a business, and a certain cash investment into the project. After that, we look to the project, working closely with the borrower to make sure the cash flow of the laundry meets their needs and covers debt service.

Rausch: If you are looking to purchase a new store, financing could require 30-35% of the entire project down. It’s important to note that there are a number of different options to structure equipment and total project financing. For example, lenders may propose an offer of 100% financing with no cash down. This would simply mean that the equipment is 100% finance and the cash investment is on the build-out/ construction. Either way, there will need to be an upfront cash investment.

Beyond being able to meet upfront financial expectations, lenders will consider credit scores, net worth and business experience. Guidelines to score an A credit include being a homeowner, a net worth

Frazier: Lenders first and foremost want to make sure that the borrower is going to succeed and prosper, allowing them to repay the debt according to the scheduled terms. Borrowers must be a good-quality operator who has a strong repayment history, and a well-thought-out plan for where they like to go in this industry. An ample amount of working capital, along with cash flows from either a job, existing laundries, or other businesses are also necessary. If lenders believe in their plan, then it is just a matter of finding a solution to meet everyone’s needs.

Harvey: The application requirements typically vary based on the type of financing the borrower is requesting. For example, most lenders have different application requirements for replacement equipment financing, new laundry project, acquisition financing, etc. Lenders that specialize in the coin laundry industry have made it even easier to get replacement equipment financing with a one-page credit application.

(Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)

Credit scores are one piece of the investor profile. Certainly, higher scores in the 700s are desirable, and those customers may be approved for better rates and terms. However, lower credit scores in the 600s may be acceptable. Lenders will consider other factors, such as liquidity available, net worth, and business experience when rendering a credit decision.

the application-only limit, they will also need a personal financial statement, copies of the most recent two years of federal tax returns (business and personal), copies of the articles of incorporation/organization, copy of their building lease (or deed, if owned), a proforma/projection on the business, and demographic information.

Harvey: For borrowers looking to replace equipment, it may be as simple as completing a one-page credit application, as many lenders that specialized in the coin laundry industry can provide a substantial amount of financing with limited information.

Regan: Aside from the obvious, bad personal credit or recent bankruptcy, the individual borrowers should have some reserve capital as a safety net while the business ramps up. Those who go into the venture with little to no money can potentially get overwhelmed and fall behind if the business needs some time to build up to the expected revenue.

Rausch: To make the pre-approval process even easier, there are several documents you can prepare and have with you when you meet with your lender. These include: signed credit application, previous two years of personal and business tax returns, personal financial statement, and two months of personal and business bank statements. In addition, other items that may be helpful to have up front, if they exist, include a completed profit-and-loss statement, a signed or draft purchase agreement, three to six months utility bills from the subject store, and a copy of the existing premises’ lease or deed.

Regan: This depends on the situation. Some replacement equipment loans (typically for veteran laundry operators) only require an application, a valid form of ID and a copy of the sales agreement. For new laundries, one should be prepared to have a completed credit application, typically two years personal and business tax returns (if available), bank statements, a complete profit-and-loss statement, a copy of the equipment sales order, a copy of the premise lease or deed, and valid photo IDs of all guarantors. For acquisitions, it is important to have the most recent P&L statement along with utility bills for the laundry you’re buying.

Frazier: An applicant for smaller, application-only-type deals will need copies of the last three months of business and personal bank statements and a copy of their driver’s license or passport. For deals over

For borrowers looking for financing on new laundry projects, you will need to have some very common financial information

There are some tremendously successful operators in our industry and sometimes they are so good, they make it look easy to the untrained investor. They don’t see the hard work and intangibles that go into building the business, so one potential red flag might be that an investor’s expectation is that the business will build itself, run itself and take care of itself. Yes, owning a coin laundry might afford someone more free and flexible hours but there still is a certain amount of work and attention needed to get it moving in the right direction.

ready to submit. This would include a few months of bank statements to show your lender the funds you have available for the project, prior two or three years personal and any business tax returns, and a personal financial statement. If there are any past issues, or derogatory items, being upfront and providing an explanation will be helpful in supporting the application.

Other items that may not be required but could help support their application include a business plan and proforma projections that can show the lender the project potential and the due diligence you completed to ensure success.

Kuffel: At Continental, we have many types of programs and each one has different requirements. Generally speaking, a borrower should expect to provide their personal financial statement, tax returns, bank statements and location information.

Frazier: Inconsistencies in the data and information provided by the applicant(s) is definitely a red flag in the application process. Lenders have to feel they can trust the applicant and the information and data they have provided them so that they may make an informed decision on whether to approve them or not.

Harvey: Some common red flags include previous bankruptcy(s), charge offs, and any outstanding tax liens. Borrowers not being honest and forthright about their current or past financial situation are also red flags that can hinder a loan application.

Kuffel: Missing information on a credit application is the most common reason the lending process gets delayed. So, as a borrower, try to be as detailed as possible when submitting an application.

Q: When applying for capital, what records should a borrower prepare or gather to best support their application?

Q: What are some red flags you look for when weighing a loan application?

Q: In general, what are things that applicants should not do when seeking equipment or

(Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)

project financing?

Frazier: The most important thing an applicant should not do in dealing with a prospective lender is to be dishonest with them. Once a lender knows that the applicant has lied to them, it is very tough to rebuild that trust factor in order to get approved.

Harvey: I would recommend not trying to avoid any past financial/credit history blemishes you may have, but rather disclose upfront to your lender and provide the appropriate background about the past. If you’re looking for the quickest and easiest response, I recommend not sending your credit package requirements a little bit at a time. One fully prepared credit package will allow your lender to efficiently get through your review in the most time-effective manner.

Q: If an operator is turned down for a loan, what options do they have?

Harvey: With the strong economy, there are a variety of lending options. If an operator is turned down, I recommend looking at alternative finance solutions. If you started with your local bank, consider manufacturer-based lenders or laundry industry lenders to see if you can get approved through an alternative source.

An operator may look at trying to find a business partner or co-signer to assist in getting loan approval. This may get their foot in the door and establish a relationship with the lender that will allow for future financing requests on their own. If all else fails, talk to the lender about what they would need to see to provide financing in the future and try to achieve those goals.

Kuffel: It depends on why they were turned down, but there are options. For example, if there isn’t enough of a cash investment, the borrower could look for a partner.

Regan: It depends on why they were turned down. If it’s their personal credit, do what they can to repair it. If it’s having the right net worth, do what they can to build up a cash reserve to put toward the investment. Possibly bring in a partner or co-guarantor. If it was an acquisition that was declined, maybe the cash flow didn’t support the valuation and the selling price

was too high for the investment. If so, try to negotiate a better price.

Frazier: If an operator is turned down for a loan, they should make sure that they understand exactly what factors caused the lender to turn them down and see what steps that lender recommends for them to correct or improve those factors so that they might get approved in the future.

Q: Once an operator is approved for financing, what’s the next step?

Kuffel: The borrower needs to review and accept the loan terms and rates. Once that is done, the loan documents are prepared. This typically takes about one day.

Rausch: Pre-approval is the first step in the planning process and allows you to move forward. Next steps will include establishing an approximate budget, determining a location that meets that budget, negotiating a lease or contract to buy, and identifying the right equipment mix.

Your distributor can help you make key decisions in terms of equipment and space through market research — a competitive analysis, market size, income range and employment rate. This type of information will guide you along the way and can ultimately have an effect on your location’s success.

Regan: Keep things moving. Stay organized and set a timeline for either the construction and/or equipment delivery and installation. For acquisition of an existing laundry, make sure all of the legal entities are identified and all paperwork is in order so you can close without any complications, problems or snags.

Frazier: Once approved, a commitment letter will be sent out to the borrower to verify the terms of the deal and get them committed to the deal with a commitment fee. After that, the final loan documents are sent out to the borrower so that they may complete and return to the lender. Once done, the lender may issue a commitment letter or purchase order to the vendor so that they know they have a valid deal and can proceed with the ordering, delivery, and/or installation of the equipment.

Harvey: I always recommend that operators or potential operators get preapproved financing as early in the process

as they can. This can be prior to deciding on equipment, new laundry locations, existing locations, etc. It’s a similar process to home buyers who get pre-approved for a mortgage before they go home shopping to know what financing they have available. After being pre-approved, the operator can finalize their intended purchase to receive their formal approval.

Once approved, technology has helped make the financing process easier, as many lenders allow for loan documents to be executed electronically. If you’re working on a new laundry project, many lenders require lease step-in rights documentation, which should be presented to the landlord as early as possible to ensure it’s approved as a part of the lease. Once all documentation is complete, the operator will work with their distributor to set up delivery and installation of the machines, at which point their lender will fund the loan to pay the distributor.

Q: Aside from the information you’ve already shared, what advice do you have for current/ prospective store owners who are seeking financing?

Rausch: For those owners considering retooling a store, upgrading your equipment can be a bigger investment at the front end, and every retooling project will be unique. However, retooling can help provide countless benefits not only to you as a business owner, but also to your customer base as well. New equipment may help increase profitability, help decrease utility costs and potentially gain customer loyalty.

That said, whether looking to retool an existing store or purchase a new store, it’s a good idea to look at the total cost of running your business and make a plan. There are a lot of costs beyond the purchase of a building or equipment when it comes to a laundry business. Planning ahead for the total capital needed to get your business up and running can help in the long run.

Regan: Be organized; it will make the process go smoothly and quickly. As mentioned, the finance companies are looking for ways to get you financed, not reasons to turn you down. When I tell people we want to get paid back on our loans, their reaction is sometimes shock that I said

that. However, I explain it such that we don’t want to put you in a bad loan; we’re investing in your success, not your failure. If you are paying us back, it means your business is successful.

Take advantage of the abundance of free information and checklists available that outline specifically what is required. Work with industry-specific lenders who can help you with due diligence, who can work around any challenges that may arise during the process, and understand the coin laundry business.

Remember to stay focused on what your needs are for your project. Just because someone approves you for a million dollars doesn’t mean you have to take it.

Frazier: Come well prepared with all the necessary financial information in order and be openly honest with your lender regarding your financial history and what you are looking to do. Lenders ultimately

want (to be) repaid and to build a relationship that goes beyond this one transaction. Thus, lenders are more likely to loan you money if they trust you, believe that you will honor your obligation to them, and share in your vision.

Harvey: I recommend that current and prospective store owners take the time to find the right lender for them. This starts by the store owner identifying their own short- and long-term goals and determin-

ing which lender is going to best help them achieve those goals. Interest rates are a critical factor to determining the right lender, but there are a handful of other important factors to consider.

Store owners should consider factors such as what types of Laundromat finance programs does the lender provide, ease of use, collateral requirements, down payment requirements, length of term, flexible payment options, fees, etc. These factors and building a strong relationship with your lender can help store owners achieve their long-term goals.

Kuffel: Talk with the lending source and understand the different programs available. Remember, it is key to submit a complete finance package with all the checklists fulfilled. In doing so, borrowers provide a more complete picture and eliminate missing information.

ACO

(Photo: © depositphoto/gustavofrazao)

ecisions, decisions, decisions. Washer islands or shotgun along the wall?

Stainless steel — with or without chrome? Round-the-clock or 6-to-10? And then there’s the biggie — what to call your business. Welcome to The Name Game.

Way back when self-service laundry was in its infancy, naming that 20-washer, 10-dryer baby fell to those who supplied the equipment and their parent manufacturer. Depending on the machinery and

Word play helps these uniquely named stores spell out coin-op success

by Laurance Cohen

D Name ame The

region, the sudsy emporium was typically tagged as a Laundromat, coin wash, coinop, washeteria, wash house or similar soapy title.

While today’s branding and affiliations remain strong to drive home a message of clean clothes fast, some operators think outside the box — way outside. They spell success with laundry names that may have you doing a double-take or just plain knock your socks off.

Transformation-Surprise Laundromat is where Stota and Daulot Fountain turned around a neglected Seattle coin-op to the delight of neighborhood residents.

“They would step in and say, ‘Wow, you’ve really transformed this place. What a nice surprise,’” Stota Fountain recalls.

Her husband credits Sri Chinmoy, who he describes as a “man of great peace,” with both the name and logo art. With an updated equipment mix and extra care given to drop-off bundles, the couple invites locals to step inside and “Transform your clothes like new!”

In sunny Fort Myers, Florida, it’s a happy life at The Happy Wife Laundromat. Here, spouses, families and singles find contentment on wash day with a choice of immaculate rows of self-service machines or personalized, full-service wash-dryfold.

Bowser’s Bubbles is named

after owners Kei Kuanchai and Michael Lincoln’s pet, a half Thai/half Rhodesian Ridgeback mix with celebrity status at the newly renovated coin-op in Smithfield, Rhode Island. This wide-eyed, playful canine graces the store’s logo and makes occasional appearances much to the delight of kids.

Kuanchai says she hopes to unleash the full potential of her first laundry venture with an unforgettable mascot and bubbly décor makeover.

And speaking of mascots, hop on down to any of The Blue Kangaroo Laundromats in and around greater Chicago and southeastern Wisconsin.

If you’re inclined to go long when it comes to names, try “Dixie Rose Deluxe’s Honky-Tonk, Feed Store, Gun Shop, Used Car, Beer, Bait, BBQ, Barber Shop, Laundromat” on for size. It’s not a real coin-op, but country music artist Trent Willmon did sing the praises of this allpurpose outlet with an eye toward Dixie’s daughter Becky Jo.

Displaying civic pride by placing the community first is always a winning move. That’s cemented at the eponymous Concrete Laundromat in Washington state. Regulars of this quaint storefront find the aisle paved with heavy-duty washers and always make sure to leave plenty of time to dry.

When your next-door neighbor offers up an aerial adventure of ziplines and one-ofkind gorge kayaking, why not name your coin-op after the main attraction? That’s exactly what they do at the Thrillsville Laundromat in Slade, Kentucky, delivering wet wash and fast extract in seven front loaders along with exhilarating coin-op showers.

Bowser is top dog at partners Michael Lincoln (left) and Kei Kuanchai’s Bowser’s Bubbles coin-op in Rhode Island. (Photo courtesy of Kei Kuanchai)

GOIN’ WITH COHEN

GERMAN VIBE IN THE LAUNDROMAT

One new kid on the block is certainly giving locals something to talk about. Amanda Bell doesn’t just think outside the box, she thinks outside the country. Her Waschsalon — the German name for Laundromat — debuted last year in Jasper, Indiana, a city of 15,000 residents with deep German ancestral roots.

Bell showcases the establishment’s unique name inside and out. The bold logo leaves no doubt this is the place to get your wasch on. A power entryway leads to banks holding 32 front loaders accented by decorative block letters spelling out the laundry’s name, along with a boutique dress form displaying a staff T-shirt. The subtle calling cards are enhanced by chandeliers overhead and sconce lighting at the walls.

Bell says she and her husband David’s vision of a “German vibe in the Laundromat” began by streaming hours online to research what sets waschsalons

apart from their American counterparts. Bringing an interior designer on board turned her dream into a reality. She pulled off the feat without traveling overseas and hopes one day to make the journey to take

in the foreign laundry scene from a new perspective.

Contrasting Waschsalon’s modern machinery is old-world rustic beauty in the form of show-stopping wooden folding tables meticulously handcrafted by Bell’s father, Jeff Johnson.

Loyalty card payment, cushioned seating, background music, and a water dispenser are some of the creature comforts on offer in the 3,000-square-foot venue, delivering what the owner describes as a welcoming and comfortable experience for patrons.

Bell says she and her staff pride themselves not only on the facility’s services, but also how it’s maintained in an environmentally safe manner. Their secret eco-friendly tools: vinegar, water and Dawn dishwashing liquid.

ALL RIGHT THERE IN THE FAMILY NAME

Store operator Jo Andryshak didn’t have to look across the ocean in search of what to call her laundry. It was all right there in the family name.

For the past 13 years, The Laundry Shak has built a big reputation in the small town of Florida, New York, some 90 minutes north of Gotham.

Before throwing open the doors, the Andryshaks held a vote. Their surname presented a neat word play. Out of the two finalists, “The Wash An Dry Shak” and

Lucky Bora Bora Laundromat raffle drawing winners receive a six-piece towel set donated by the store owner’s import business, Veteran Textile Towel. (Photo courtesy of Yusef Arslan)

Storage lockers with keyless entry pads were added to Dino Coin Laundromat to enable bundle drop-off and pickup during unmanned hours. The memorable Dino Coin Laundromat name and logo (inset) was created by one San Diego operator’s daughter. (Photos courtesy of Ana Chacon)

“The Laundry Shak,” the latter got the nod.

While Andryshak cast her vote with the minority, she nevertheless rose to local prominence sporting the vanity license plate “Mrs. Shak.”

The 22-washer/22-dryer-pocket coin-op is known for its machines on the floor and on the wall. What began as a simple coloring sheet to help kids pass the time morphed over time into a floor-toceiling gallery along one side of the double-storefront laundry. “The Shakie,” a caricature of a happy washer, got a workout from the Crayolas before being laminated and displayed for all to admire. Shakie’s long run was interrupted recently when the showcase wall was cleared for a fresh coat of paint as part of a store refresh.

Asked where name ranks when it comes to successful operations, Andryshak says it plays a pivotal role in driving store traffic: “The name will get you in the door, but the equipment is what gets them coming back.”

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

While some families put laundry naming to a vote, others hand the big decision off to one member. For Ed Kratz, it meant turning to his then-4-year-old daughter Alana to see what she’d like up in lights at the newly purchased laundry. Her response: Dino.

“It was the first thing that came to her mind. It was her choice, and that was fine,” Kratz chuckles. “We didn’t know what to name it so we gave it to her. She’s proud of the fact that it’s her Laundromat.”

The tot drew up a likeness of a prehistoric creature, and Dino Coin Laundromat and its whimsical logo started turning heads in San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood.

Kratz leverages the Dino name in local marketing to build awareness for the location’s fluff ’n’ fold service. Gift certificates are

Naming a laundry was all in the family when it came to Jo Andryshak’s New York coin-op. (Photo courtesy of Jo Andryshak)

GOIN’ WITH COHEN

donated to a pair of elementary schools and auctioned off at fundraisers. The logo also graces local newspaper ads and laundry totes.

Dino’s wash-dry-fold service is roaring, the owner reports, thanks in large part to Kratz’s wife, Ana Chacon, who ensures orders are processed and finished to each customer’s specs. She was also the brainchild of Dino’s storage locker service, enabling patrons to drop off or pick up laundry bundles during unmanned hours.

Locker program participants needing a refresher on operating the keyless pads can find a helpful step-by-step instructional video on the Dino website.

Kratz says property owners participating in home share arrangements like Airbnb are turning to the couple’s full-service coin-op as a convenient outlet to have linens, bedding and other large items dropped off and laundered.

To meet the uptick in demand, Dino is adding a 60-pound front loader to the 26-washer/26-dryer-pocket mix.

That little dynamo Alana, now 7, has her own set of responsibilities, according to her father: “Alana’s job is to put out candy and make sure her spot at the fluff ’n’ fold area is clean.”

MORE BLEACH THAN BEACH

Turns out more than one child had a

helping hand in naming a laundry. The exoticsounding Bora Bora Laundromat might not be a tropical destination, but the coin-op in Ansonia, Connecticut, has a kid connection to French Polynesia.

Co-owners Yusef Arslan and Ozgur Bora reopened the shuttered 1,000-square-foot location five years ago as part of a new business enterprise. Bora honeymooned on the famed South Pacific island, where he and his bride conceived their first son. The boy was given the name Bora Bora and became a frequent visitor in the startup company’s office area. Brainstorming led Arslan to suggest the two partners name both their corporate entity and the coin-op after the tot.

Make no mistake, Bora Bora is more bleach than beach. Here, warm turquoise waters slosh around with hot and cold while powdery soap replaces soft sand. Patrons load up any of the 15 washers and 13 dryers and take a respite in a massage chair as children flop down in bean bag chairs at the kids’ corner.

No trip to an island would be complete without towels and Bora Bora has got you covered. Arslan, who served over a decade in the U.S. Army after emigrating from Turkey, helped launch Veteran Textile Towel two years ago. The firm imports premium Turkish towels and markets them online through Amazon.

Donations of towels to organizations, hospitals, and shelters serving veterans and their families, both locally and across the country, are made on an ongoing basis. Bora Bora patrons are also on the receiving end of the company’s generosity, with a six-towel set given away in free raffles conducted at the store every few weeks.

Wrapping your body in a free towel is easy for customers. Wrapping your head around a laundry named Bora Bora isn’t.

“After we opened the Laundromat, a lot of people would ask what was the connection between us and the islands. We always used to laugh, as not that many people had heard the story,” Arslan says. “But when I have time, I’ll tell them what happened.”

ACO

Laurance Cohen crisscrosses the country seeking out the most unique vended laundries. He served as American Coin-Op editor in the early 1990s and currently operates Laundry Marketing Concepts based in Hallandale Beach, Fla. He can be reached at goinwithcohen@outlook.com.

Logo for the uniquely named Transformation-Surprise Laundromat in Seattle. (Photo courtesy of Daulot Fountain)

Modern machinery and old-world rustic beauty come together at Waschsalon in Jasper, Indiana. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Bell)

Wiser Washing:

Conservation in the Laundry

by Bruce Beggs, Editorial Director

By conducting business in a service industry that collectively uses an untold number of gallons of water daily, plus the electricity and gas needed to power and operate its machinery, the concept of conservation is something every self-service laundry owner should keep in mind.

You want to supply enough water and energy to satisfy your customers’ laundry needs — an executive from an equipment manufacturer once described the vended laundry as a “utility reseller” — but exceeding that level of resources would be wasteful and costly.

Dealing with the high cost of utilities is often a store owner’s biggest challenge, according to American Coin-Op’s 2018-19 State of the Industry Survey report released earlier this year. When given the chance to pick from eight suggested choices plus the option to write in others, nearly 65% of respondents counted dealing with high utilities among their biggest challenges; it received the largest share of votes among the challenges identified.

That specter of ever-rising utility costs should be enough to send any self-service laundry owner in search of strategies to help them better manage their store’s water, natural gas and electricity usage.

EQUIPPED FOR EFFICIENCY

Equipment manufacturers design their commercial washers to deliver exceptional washing results while consuming the minimum volume of water. If you attended the Clean Show in New Orleans last month, you saw the latest in cutting-edge washing and drying technology.

If it’s been several years since you’ve upgraded your laundry equipment, it may be time to seriously take a look at it. Utilizing the right mix of new laundry equipment minimizes water and utility usage plus offers new profit-generating opportunities. This would certainly involve making a sizable investment, but it may make sense for your operation once you determine how much water and electricity your older, less efficent machines are going through.

Without focusing on any one brand’s offerings, here are some of the features available in washers and/or dryers on the market:

• Automatic weighing within a washer determines the actual weight of a soiled load and adds precisely the right amount of water, thus lowering water consumption and energy costs.

• High-speed extraction removes more water from clothes, shortening dryer time and lowering gas consumption.

• Sump-less washer design reduces the amount of water used with each fill.

• Customizable wash programs that includes water level, temperature and drum action.

• Stronger machine frames and leak detection reduce preventative maintenance and repairs as well as lower utility expenses.

• A dryer sensor determines when laundry is dry and lowers the operating temperature or stops the drum altogether.

Aside from lowering costs thanks to energy savings, you may be able to take advantage of incentives offered by local utilities or other organizations.

For example, EnergyTrust of Oregon offers monetary incentives when business customers in that state purchase Energy Star®

Tips to help manage a store’s utilities demand

(Image: © KronaLux/Depositphotos.com)

*

* Prices good with trade in only.

* All orders must be placed and signed by July 31, 2019, with agreed payment terms/financing/deposit.

* All equipment must be delivered, installed and funded to CSC no later than August 30, 2019.

*

front-load washers with a Modified Energy Factor (MEF, an equation that takes into account the amount of dryer energy used to remove the remaining moisture content in washed items) greater than or equal to 2.2, and whose water heating and electricity are from a participating utility. Incentives for installing qualified water heaters and boilers are also available.

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

It might not seem like much but you could lower your utilities usage by upgrading your store lighting. While LED lighting systems are more expensive up front, the bulbs last much longer than incandescents.

DTE Energy, Detroit, offers some lighting tips to save energy in your small business:

Use CFL Bulbs — They cost about 75% less to operate, and last about 10 times longer.

Switch to LED Bulbs — Energy Star®-certified LED bulbs require less energy than incandescent bulbs and generate considerably less heat, potentially reducing cooling needs.

Install T8 or T5 Fluorescent Lighting — Replacing the old fluorescent and incandescent lighting can not only save energy, it can improve light quality and reduce heat gain.

Replace Old Open/Closed and Exit Signs with LED Lighting — LED signs require less maintenance, and each sign can save about $10 per sign in electricity every year.

And Efficiency Vermont, that state’s energy efficiency utility, offers these LED lighting tips to save energy in your small business:

• Switch frequently used lights first, as the biggest return on LEDs comes from lighting that’s always (or frequently) on.

• Consider the benefits of better lighting beyond saving energy. Replacing dim, yellow or flickering lights with high-quality LEDs can boost employee productivity, customer comfort and store appeal.

• Choose your color and ambiance for directional and dimming applications.

• Match the light to the task: overhead fixtures, task lighting, exterior lots, etc.

• Add lighting controls and sensors, because they can save you money by automatically turning off lights when they’re not needed (be sure to balance this with your security needs).

• Upgrade tube fluoroscents to high-performance T8 fluoroscents or convert existing fixtures to accept linear LEDs.

• Make use of natural light. If it makes sense for your budget and space, add skylights and daylighting controls that adjust interior light levels based on available daylight.

WINDOW TO THE WORLD

Large plate glass windows are a standard feature in many selfservice laundries today. And when the sun penetrates a store’s windows, the temperature inside rises and so do the utility bills. But there are opportunities to conserve that energy.

One option is installing windows with low-emissivity, or low-E, glass. Low-E glass can filter 40-70% of the heat that is normally transmitted through standard window glass, reflecting heat back to its source. Glazed with a thin metallic coating, low-E glass filters out infrared light while allowing the full amount of visible light to pass through. This reduction in solar heat decreases the need for air conditioning, as well as dependence on artificial lighting.

Another option is to install window film. Solar control window films applied to existing glass in windows and doors are an effective method to reduce peak demand during hot months and conserve energy, according to information shared by many utilities.

BACK TO BASICS

Finally, by attending to some basic things around your store, you can conserve resources and avoid unnecessarily spending more on energy than you must:

• Always make sure your dryers’ lint filters are cleaned regularly. If lint is allowed to collect, this lowers dryer efficiency and increases fire risk.

• Encourage customers to avoid overfilling washers and dryers, which lowers their efficiency.

• Keep doors and windows air-tight by utilizing weather stripping and caulk.

• Check for and repair leaks in washer connections, washer drains, restrooms, etc.

• Programmable thermostats keep store temperature at a comfortable level.

These are but a few strategies for conserving your laundry’s resources and thus keeping utilities cost in check. After you’ve taken stock of your store’s utilities usage, it may be time to take action and brighten your bottom line.

(Image: © belchonock/Depositphotos.com)

FROM PAULIE B

HOW TO BOOST BIZ DURING SLOW HOURS

There are times that Laundromats are so busy that customers must wait for machines to open up, making them angry and frustrated. Other times, there are no customers in the store.

While it can be a great feeling to come in and see your mat operating at full capacity, most likely this is occurring only a few hours a week. And more importantly, it’s likely that you’re losing customers due to their unpleasant experience of having to compete for machines!

Worse, fights between customers can break out. I’ve seen some really bad fights that required us to call police and ambulances. It’s something that no normal person likes.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could smooth out these peaks and valleys?

Wouldn’t it be great if you could shift some of the “herd” from these busy times to the slow times?

Wouldn’t it be great if your mat operated consistently at, say, 75% capacity for much of the time it’s open? (That would be a win for you and a win for your customers.)

To come anywhere close to achieving this requires more than just one solution. Here are my suggestions:

OFFER A SENIOR DISCOUNT DAY

Retirees can usually come to the laundry anytime they wish. Don’t you get frustrated to see these customers show up on a Saturday afternoon?

Supermarkets, which have similar customer-flow patterns as those of Laundromats, offer “Senior Discounts” on their slowest days, usually a Tuesday or Wednesday.

They offer this discount because it works. I’m a senior citizen myself, and shop at my supermarket on its senior day. Why would I want to come on a Friday evening and wait in long super-

market lines, when I can breeze through the store on a Wednesday morning and get a discount for doing so?

The parameters of the discount are totally up to you,

Retirees can usually come to the laundry anytime they wish, so try offering a senior discount on your slowest days, usually Tuesday or Wednesday. (Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)

Paul Russo

but even just a 5% discount every Wednesday, for instance, can motivate seniors to show up on that day. Or, you can offer a “buck off” your slowest (least used) group of washers.

Don’t forget that many seniors have not prepared adequately for their retirement, according to a senior living blog post at APlaceforMom.com (Why 74% of Americans Are Not Ready for Retirement), and are looking to save wherever they can.

Some laundry operators don’t believe in offering discounts, thinking it will hurt their profits.

If you already have a healthy price structure in place at your mat, offering a dollar off on your slowest group of machines will accomplish a few things. How much does it actually cost to offer a discount to a specific group of seniors for just one day? I’ll answer that: not much. Chalk it up to advertising.

And don’t forget, many seniors have friends who are seniors as well, so you will get valuable “word-of-mouth” advertising. This is the best kind of advertising you can get because they will be endorsing your mat to their friends. Some of them may even post positive online reviews.

Not only will the promotion help you to level out your customer flow, it will help to level out usage on your machines! I would much rather have a machine break down on a Tuesday than a Sunday, and I would rather have a machine from a slow washer group break down than one from a busy group.

You will attract new senior customers who are always on the lookout for a senior discount, and you will be drawing them in on your slowest day, making it easy to absorb them and to assist them in using your machines. Attendants often are too busy on weekends to give new customers the proper help on their first visit.

Also, since the discount will be shifting seniors away from your busiest days, the other customers on those days will be more likely to have a happy experience, not dreading going to your mat to compete with others for a machine. Therefore, the customer attrition rate on a Saturday, for instance, will drop.

As your business’ peaks and valleys smooth out with happy customers, you will be able to easily compensate the cost of the discounts by raising prices on other things. It could be something as simple as raising your soap vending supplies by a quarter. You may “lose” $50 on your senior day, but you may win back that money by having slightly higher soap prices 24-7.

It’s also worth noting that most seniors these days are baby boomers, which is the largest demographic group in America

OFFER A POLICE/MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDER DISCOUNT DAY

If any group besides seniors deserves a discount, these heroes do. When people learn that they can get a discount that is tailored only for them, they will feel more inclined to use it. And because these police officers, military personnel and first responders are considered by most of society to be special, your other customers won’t complain to you about their discounts.

Many of these heroes work on rotating schedules, so many of ▲

POINTERS FROM PAULIE B

them will have the flexibility to come to your mat during a slow day that you pick (but don’t offer it on the same day as your senior day, so you can fill in two slow days instead of just one)

You stand to gain other benefits when offering this type of discount. It’s not all about money.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have more of these high-quality people in your mat? Word of your discount offer will spread amongst these groups just like it will with seniors … maybe even more so! Your business will be looked at by your local police as being “policefriendly,” for example.

Note: Another idea for a possible discount day is “Ladies Only.”

POST SIGNS STATING YOUR STORE’S LIGHT AND PEAK PERIODS

Post signs stating your store’s slowest hours and your busiest hours (we posted ours right at the entrances). This is a simple, near-zero-cost solution that helped me shift some customers to less busy times.

It’s important to put them at the entrance because if a customer walks in and sees your mat is overcrowded, they will often walk right out, and I don’t blame them. Some of them may choose to go to a less crowded competitor. Before any of that happens, you

want your signs to tell them when they can come back to your mat.

If they’re aware of your busy and slow hours ahead of time, and they love your mat, they will have the information they need to know when it’s best to come in.

Your sign could read: Too Crowded in This Laundromat? Our slowest hours are (insert your typical slow times, including rain or snow days), and our busiest hours are (insert times when your store is typically crowded).

Speaking of rain or snow days, you can also post a sign or two inside your mat with some kind of simple deal for those days: If it’s raining outside, ask us for a free plastic bag to protect your laundry when you leave.

This helps give some customers the confidence to brave the rain, conditions that create a slow day for you, and what does it cost you? A nickel a bag?

And don’t forget to smile when you hand them that free bag. A smile is more important than you may think.

You create a little goodwill for your business. People may decide to choose your mat, the “friendly mat,” on a rainy day instead of your competitor for this reason alone. You may even get a few rainy-day customers to become regulars.

No one wants to do their wash and then discover there are no dryers available because it’s one of your store’s busy times. Post signs stating your store’s light and peak periods so customers know the best times for them to come in. (Photo: depositphotos/Deklofenak)

OFFER A DEAL FOR ALL CUSTOMERS ON SLOW DAYS

Offering a deal to everyone on slow days to shift the herd and bring in new customers is an obvious, ageold technique … but what kind of deal? Free soap, a buck off, two-forone — basically, it’s up to your own imagination.

Don’t forget that you can also shift your drop-off customers to slower times with a deal like 10% off during weekdays (and you raise your dropoff prices slightly before or after that to compensate).

Now, be mindful that offering a deal for all customers is the last solution I suggest you try because it involves a more serious discounting approach that may prompt your competitors to respond in kind, triggering a price war. No one wants that!

Just keep your offers to one or two slow days of the week and you may be able to get by without triggering your competitors.

I would stay away from offering “free dry,” even if it’s just one day a week. It will bring in customers, but it’s an expensive deal, and is the riskiest as far as generating a response from competitors.

Here’s to “speeding up” those slow times, to the benefit of you and your customers.

Paul Russo owned and operated multiple Laundromats in New York City for more than 40 years before retiring recently. He’s a regular on the Coin Laundry Association’s online forum, posting under the pseudonym “Paulie B.” He invites comments from readers at MyLaundromat@aol.com.

ACO

What special you choose to offer your customers is up to your own imagination. (Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)

Ocean Influences Modern Laundromat

Olas Express Laundromat is making waves in Southern California

Aborn and bred Southern Californian, Chad Caldwell has had an interesting and varied professional life, including stints as a ski patroller, logger, server/bartender and a solar salesman. In recent years, he’s worked as a commercial real estate agent, a role that provided him the opportunity to invest in a prime piece of real estate in Ventura, California.

Caldwell bought a building in an older section of town, near a busy intersection on North Ventura Avenue, that housed a newly constructed 7-Eleven convenience store in its front half. Pondering what to do with the 4,000-plus-square-foot rear half, he spent some time researching various types of retail businesses before eventually deciding upon a Laundromat.

Caldwell’s bright, airy, new store called Olas Express Laundromat—Olas means “waves” in Spanish, something near and dear to this surfer’s heart—opened in late 2018 to positive feedback.

He thought developing a Laundromat would be a good idea given that the densely populated neighborhood includes many older residential apartment buildings that he says lack modern laundry facilities.

And these days, Caldwell figures, consumers expect their local Laundromat to be clean, bright and safe, with modern, high-capacity laundry machines and other amenities that allow them to do their laundry quickly and in first-class comfort.

To get up to speed on the coin laundry business, Caldwell attended the Excellence in Laundry Conference in Ojai, California, in 2016, and joined the Southern California chapter of the Coin Laundry Association.

At one of the monthly SoCalCLA meetings, he met Michael Ambrose, a coin laundry expert with commercial laundry equipment distributor Western State Design.

Ambrose sold Caldwell on the benefits of installing Dexter Laundry commercial washers and dryers in his Laundromat.

Ambrose, who has many years of experience helping coin laundry operators successfully launch their businesses, was also instrumental in helping Caldwell decide on the equipment mix for his store.

With Ambrose’s guidance, Caldwell chose to install a number of high-capacity (“jumbo”) Dexter commercial washers and dryers to: a) serve the large families that reside in the area and b) maximize his revenue per square foot. In particular, he focused on having enough drying capacity to keep up with the washers to avoid potential bottlenecks for his customers, enabling them to get in and out quickly.

Olas Express Laundromat offers six T-350 Express Washers, 11 T-450 Express Washers, 10 T-650 Express Washers, 10 T-950 Express Washers, six T-1450 Express Washers, two T-450 Stack Washer/Dryers Express (for fluff ’n’ fold), 13 T-50x2 Stack Dryers, six Dexter T-30x2 Stack Dryers, six C-Series 80-pound Dryers, and DexterLive

Chad Caldwell’s bright, airy, new Laundromat called Olas Express Laundromat—Olas means “waves” in Spanish—opened in late 2018 to positive feedback, the owner says. (Photos: Western State Design)

networking. Vend payment with either coin or card is through a Spyderwash system from Setomatic Systems.

Judging from the early reviews on social media, Olas Express Laundromat is a big hit with local customers who rave about how special the business is, particularly the customer service, Caldwell says. Other high points are the cleanliness, the décor, and the comfortable kids’ corner stocked with English- and Spanish-language books.

When asked if he was daunted by the prospect of successfully managing a brandnew venture, Caldwell explains that he comes from a long line of retail entrepreneurs who owned and managed gas stations and truck stops throughout Southern California. He says he is a “avowed people person” and understands the importance of meeting customers’ needs.

Operating hours at the attended Olas Express Laundromat & Wash and Fold are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (last wash 8:30 p.m.). The store also offers free Wi-Fi, numerous folding tables, and free parking.

And if a customer works up a thirst doing his or her wash, there’s a reverse osmosis, purified water dispenser on site. ACO

The comfortable, spacious kids’ corner at Olas Express Laundromat is stocked with English- and Spanish-language books.

IMONEX DEBUTS ANIMATED PAYMENT VIDEO

Imonex is taking a colorful approach to laundry payment marketing by employing an animated video to acquaint operators with dollar coin and token vends, as well as kick-start its YouTube channel.

The professionally produced segment titled Imonex Laundry Explained in Two Minutes guides viewers along multi-coin’s circular payment flow in a Laundromat setting delivered by caricature spokesman “The Imonex Guy.”

Drowning in quarters, floating in space and returning safely back to the wash aisle, the narrator, aided by a store owner and patron, demonstrates dispensing, paying, collecting and sorting in an informative and entertaining fashion, Imonex says.

In addition to serving as a quick primer for operators exploring payment options, Imonex reports the explainer

WEB UPDATE

video is proving to be a handy marketing tool for its network of distributors representing the manufacturer’s coin and token acceptor product line.

www.imonex.com | 800-446-2719

As your appetite for knowledge to improve your business grows, give our American Coin-Op Podcast a listen. Join Editor Bruce Beggs as he engages a special guest in one-on-one conversation about the topic of the day. This free channel provides another convenient way for you to gain self-service laundry information and insight from industry peers and other experts—no muss, no fuss.

Laundromat Dryer Care and Maintenance

Maintaining your store’s dryers properly helps prevent service issues, controls utilities cost, and lowers fire risk. ADC’s Joe Carrita outlines best practices in this episode.

The Man Behind the Clean Show

Retiring show manager John Riddle talks Clean history and reminisces about his long career, including his time in pro baseball, stadium management, rodeo production, and more.

Making the Most of Vended Laundry Technology

Scott Chiavetta, chief information officer for Alliance Laundry Systems, examines leveraging equipment and data-gathering systems to boost store operations and build customer relationships.

Drop-Off Service Do’s and Don’ts

Fluff-and-fold can be a profitable service addition if handled properly. Consultant/ trainer Beverly Kay Blank shares her drop-off do’s and don’ts in this episode.

EVI INDUSTRIES TO ACQUIRE PROFESSIONAL LAUNDRY SYSTEMS, AFFILIATES

Commercial laundry and drycleaning equipment distributor EVI Industries reports that it has executed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire substantially all the assets and certain liabilities of Commercial Laundry Products Inc., Professional Laundry Systems of PA Inc. and Professional Laundry Systems West Inc. (collectively “PLS”).

PLS is a New York-based distributor of commercial and vended laundry products and a provider of related installation and maintenance services.

EVI will use a combination of cash and EVI common stock to make the acquisition; the purchase price was not announced.

“We are honored to join the EVI family of commercial laundry businesses,” PLS co-owners Alex Harris and Paul Cousins said in a joint statement. “We are excited about the new opportunities available to our employees and we look forward to working with the EVI businesses and our loyal suppliers in the pursuit of longterm growth.”

Given EVI’s acquisition of PAC Industries in February, EVI says the addition of PLS is consistent with its stated goal to grow its sales and service operations across the Northeast.

The acquired companies will operate under the name “Professional Laundry Systems,” with its current team of 15-plus laundry professionals and with the support and resources provided by EVI.

“Alex Harris and Paul Cousins built a successful business servicing thousands of commercial laundry customers in the Northeast. We welcome them and their team to the EVI family and look forward to working together to build PLS,” says EVI Chairman and CEO Henry M. Nahmad.

At press time, the transaction was expected to close upon the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

EVI also owns Washington Automated, Skyline Equipment, Worldwide Laundry, Industrial Laundry Services, Scott Equipment, Aadvantage Laundry Systems, Tri-State Technical Services, Martin-Ray Laundry Systems and Western State Design, all distributor acquisitions made since fall 2016.

BCC PAYMENTS ADDS SPERRY TO STAFF

BCC Payments, a manufacturer of vending payment and credit card processing systems that includes The Laundry Boss, has hired Mark Sperry as its vice president of route sales and distributor relations.

BCC says the “strategic hire will further empower customer relationships and provide efficient solutions to their problems.”

Sperry will also help build and manage The Laundry Boss’ growing distributor network, working alongside team members Charlie Pasquale and Wagner Lopez.

A 16-year veteran of the laundry industry, Sperry began his career with the Fowler Route Co., where he helped fuel

the brand’s growth into national recognition. BCC says his experience will translate directly into the value provided by The Laundry Boss.

“Mark is the ideal addition to The Laundry Boss team thanks to his long record of success within the industry,” BCC says in a press release. “As a self-starter, he’ll fit keenly into the fast-paced and ever-changing environment of the company. More importantly, Mark understands the value The Laundry Boss provides to their customers and end-users. His ability to convey this value to our customers will be felt immediately and can help fuel the technological growth of the industry as a whole.”

Sperry formerly owned two TCBY yogurt franchises, which BCC says proves his business acumen and ability to understand how a company grows to meet new challenges.

An avid outdoorsman, Sperry and his wife, Kim, have an 18-year-old daughter.

WASH STRENGTHENS MIDWEST OPERATIONS WITH NEW SALES TEAM MEMBERS

WASH Multifamily Laundry Systems, a laundry facilities management service company, reports it has strengthened its Midwest regional operations with the appointment of Jaime Crawford as director of business development for Midwest sales.

Additionally, the company has hired Amanda Hedglen as district sales manager in Detroit.

“WASH is entering a new phase of growth and expansion,” says Nick Bartlett, regional vice president of sales.

“We are fortunate to have both Jaime and Amanda joining our team to contribute their expertise and support the growing demand for WASH’s laundry services in the Midwest region.”

Crawford brings a wealth of experience in multifamily laundry operations to his new role. He first joined WASH in 1997 and is the former Southwest regional director of operations. Among his notable career achievements, Crawford was responsible for opening new micro-branches, executing strategic operational plans and fostering relationships with high-profile clients.

“It’s rewarding and exciting to be moving into a new role with WASH, where I can continue to apply my knowledge to help the company grow,” says Crawford.

Hedglen joins WASH as an experienced sales and marketing professional. With nearly a decade of working in the

Mark Sperry

Jaime Crawford Amanda Hedglen

apartment sector, she has a strong understanding of customer and market dynamics.

“As district sales manager, I’ll serve as a vital asset to WASH’s customers in the greater Detroit area, providing the services and support they need to manage their laundry facilities,” says Hedglen. “I’m thrilled to join the WASH team!”

WASH says it has been operating in the Midwest for more than 70 years. Throughout the region, WASH has six branch offices and a team of expert local service technicians offering laundry room management, machine sales, parts and service to the region’s customers.

“As the Midwest is one of our fastest-growing regions, we are proud to continue the expansion of our services and operations there,” adds Bartlett, “and we are honored to have such talented leaders joining our sales team.”

MOUNTAIN ELECTRONICS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS

In 2019, Mountain Electronics is celebrating its 20th year of repairing electronic circuit boards for the commercial laundry industry. Throughout its history, certain things about the com-

pany have remained fundamental: it’s maintained a three-tiered approach to business practices, focusing on quality repairs, excellent customer service, and environmental sustainability.

“We have become the industry leader in circuit board repair by always staying ahead of the curve in terms of research and development,” says co-owner and CFO Whitney Brasington. “Our technicians attend local service school seminars and the Clean Show to keep abreast of the technology in the newest machines. By the time they start receiving these new circuit boards in for repair, they already have an understanding of the boards and the machines.”

The company also hosts solder training courses at its Burnsville, North Carolina, facility every few years so that technicians have a complete understanding and up-to-date training in soldering.

“Mountain Electronics has built a loyal customer base through its conscientious attention to our customers’ needs, as well as offering repairs and refurbished boards at competitive prices,” Brasington says.

Environmental sustainability has been a company focus from the very beginning. Repairing circuit boards not only helps

businesses to get the most from their investment, but it also helps lessen the resources needed to replace the boards and the machines they run.

“Additional sustainable practices we employ are reusing clean packing materials without compromising shipping integrity, and recycling as much of our waste as possible,” Brasington says. “When using new packaging materials, we choose to use biodegradable cornstarch packing peanuts as well as an innovative recycled paper wrapping for the repaired control boards.”

Whenever a control board is unrepairable and the customer does not want it back, Mountain Electronics harvests any remaining usable parts from the board and recycles the rest.

The company has also been generating at least half the electricity it uses through a 15kW solar array installed a few years ago.

Mountain Electronics renovated and moved into a 10,000-square-foot facility last fall, which is a far cry from the spare bedroom where the business started in 1999. Some of the renovations include a high-efficiency fume extraction system and LED light panels along with natural lighting provided by skylights.

WASHIN COIN LAUNDRY RECEIVES CHAMBER’S SUSTAINING SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

During its recent Small Business Awards ceremony, the Calhoun County (Alabama) Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center named Washin Coin Laundry/Golden Springs Laundry Company this year’s Sustaining Small Business of the Year.

“The Sustaining Small Business of the Year is presented to a

business that, through extraordinary contribution and unwavering commitment, positively affects the economical development of our communities,” the Chamber of Commerce reports.

The Chamber says it created the Small Business Excellence Awards, of which the Sustaining Small Business of the Year is one, to showcase the achievement and impact of small businesses in its region. Each year, businesses with fewer than 75 employees are recognized for their creativity, vitality, stability and relevance, but equally important in selecting winners are civic involvement and responsiveness, mentoring, corporate responsibility, employ-

Ken Barrett (second from left), president and founder of Washin Coin Laundry and Golden Springs Laundry Company, accepts the Calhoun County (Alabama) Sustaining Small Business of the Year award. (Photo: Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce) (continued

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ee recognition and concerns regarding service issues.

Accepting the Sustaining Small Business of the Year award was Ken Barrett, president and founder of Washin Coin Laundry and Golden Springs Laundry Company, divisions of KBar Inc.

“Receiving this award is really a tribute to the many people that supported this business,” Barrett says. “A great staff and management team, support businesses in the area, family and, of course, the customers, many of whom I have known for years.”

Started in 2010 on Quintard Avenue in Anniston, Washin Coin Laundry expanded in 2011 with the acquisition of a location on Greenbrier Dear Road that instituted a drop-off service. With continued growth but limited space, it was decided to renovate a Hamric Drive building in Oxford, including things such as free Wi-Fi, a children’s area with books, small chairs and a TV.

LaundroMax Oxford was purchased in spring 2018. This location provides a different variety of lower-cost washers and dryers for price-conscious customers, according to Barrett.

Washin Coin Laundry then expanded to the Lenlock area of Anniston with the revitalization of a building that had been vacant for many years.

2018 continued to be a busy year for the company, which added a pickup and delivery service. Golden Springs Laundry Company offers local laundry services to residential and commercial customers in the Anniston/Oxford area.

With a recent “Book Drive for Kids” and plans to provide free books and other literacy support to children while they are at the Laundromat, Washin Coin Laundry shows no signs of slowing down.

“We provide a basic necessity of health, clean clothes, but we also want to be seen as a supporter of the community,” Barrett says. “Our focus now is on the children of the community and helping to build their futures through literacy.”

LAUNDRY OWNERS WAREHOUSE WELCOMES GONZALEZ TO STAFF

Commercial laundry equipment distributor Laundry Owners Warehouse, in furthering its commitment to provide quality services and better solutions, reports it has hired industry veteran Robert Gonzalez as a foreman for growth and quality elevation in services.

“With over 42 years of experience in delivering laundry equipment and supplies, Robert is a perfect fit to spearhead change and expansion of Laundry Owners Warehouse’s services,” says owner Joshua Prager. “His expertise in managing commercial laundry distribution comes decorated with multiple ‘Distributor of the Year’ accolades. The network and fresh perspective that he brings will help Laundry Owners Warehouse explore more opportunities and avenues in the coming time.

“This strategic partnership comes at a very exciting time for

Laundry Owners Warehouse. In the recent years, the company has been achieving new heights of quality and excellence. With a large collection of commercial laundry equipment and supplies and a strong team offering support, Laundry Owners Warehouse is quickly becoming a favorite of Laundromat owners and customers alike,” Prager adds.

CONTINENTAL GIRBAU WEST, ELITE BUSINESS INVESTMENTS HOST SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE

Commercial laundry equipment distributor Continental Girbau West and coin laundry developer/broker Elite Business Investments recently co-hosted the Pre-Clean Preview Open House. The event drew Southern California vended laundry owners and investors who enjoyed equipment rebates and demonstrations, special parts pricing, giveaways, expert presentations and discounts on store brokerage services.

“Our goal was to bring a high level of industry experience and knowledge together so store owners might enhance their own, unique business models and enjoy greater revenue, success and profit,” says Tod Sorensen, CG West vice president.

Carol Dang, of Elite, agrees: “This event created an opportunity for us all to share ideas and strategies related to laundry investment, management and best practices. The presentations were also well-received.”

Presentations included Out of my Comfort Zone by Art Jaeger, a multi-store owner in Santa Clarita, Calif., and Zombiemats by Brian Grell, of Eastern Funding. ACO

Robert Gonzalez

Brian Grell (standing, holding mic) of Eastern Funding talks about Zombiemats during his presentation as part of the Pre-Clean Preview Open House staged by Continental Girbau West and Elite Business Investments. (Photo: CG West)

• Designed to deliver more strength, storeowner control & servicing ease.

• Advanced programmability of water temperatures, fill levels, cycle times, spin speed & vend prices.

• Individual sensors are removable & replaceable.

• New twin spray water-delivery system ensures a quality wash.

• Inverter Direct Drive provides superior durability & reliability.

• Optimized Washing System automatically detects over-sudsing & counteracts with a suds-reduction process.

• Quiet, energy-efficient & 400 Gs!

• Compact footprint & stackable configurations for more capacity &

per square foot.

Brian Holland, Partner

Why did you choose an ESD system?

We obviously wanted a state-of-the-art card system that would give us a competitive advantage, but we also wanted a company that was as celebrated for their service and customer care as they are for their most successful products. ESD is the gold standard in the industry because of superior products, well-trained personnel, and outstanding customer service.

What is your experience in the laundry industry?

In the purest sense of the word, we are “newbies” to the vended laundry arena - excited to be here, eager to play, hungry for knowledge, and humble enough to learn from anyone who is willing to offer guidance. At the same time we have seasoned experience and battle scars from both corporate- and small business experiences in unrelated industries. While the industries are completely unrelated, the foundational business principals that they taught - Customer Service, Finance, Marketing, Sales, People Management, HR, Operations - are all directly relevant. Maybe we’re newbies with a little seasoning.

What

The Laundry Café is located in a fantastic destination location, but it is in a an internet challenged area of the city. ESD exceeded all our expectations by creating a wireless network even though none of the major internet providers were available. ESD has an internal team of IT professionals who customized our system to meet our needs, from design to installation.

Is there anything that surprised you about the ESD system?

I was pleasantly surprised at the managerial utilities. The reports are thorough, comprehensive,and seamlessly integrated. I can produce performance reports that track nearly everything. These are great for tracking your business and making informed adjustments for improvement.

Brian Holland & Tyrone Akins of

The Laundry Café

are the unknown challenges that you faced with your new store? How has ESD’s system helped you to overcome these challenges?