American Drycleaner - May 2019

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drycleaner

May

LIKE A KID AGAIN Clean ’19 Show Guide New Orleans

The Clean Show event June 20-23 in New Orleans is upon us! Play the Zydeco music, que the jazz band, let the rock music make you dance and sweat in the summer heat of the Crescent City. Oh yeah, and, get ready to look over this Show Guide for all the exhibitors, educational sessions, a story about John Riddle, longtime show organizer, and tips from the Clean Show floor, as well as more things to see and do in the city which lives by the ode: “Let the good times roll!” Check it all out inside with 24 pages dedicated to your favorite show: Clean ‘19!

Tim Burke, Editor

64 Show Your Red, White and Blue Spirit

It’s that time again we ask you our reader to share your stories of a patriotic nature from your drycleaning industry. So many of you clean items for our service personnel and veterans. Please share your story and a photo with us to help create our reader favorite Red, White and Blue (And You) special feature for the July issue. Won’t you help us?! We can’t do it without you sharing. E-mail: tburke@atmags.com. Thank you! Tim Burke, Editor

American Drycleaner, May 2019

NEED HELP FINDING THE HIDDEN HANGER?

Scan this QR Code for help in finding the hidden hanger on this month’s cover. Good luck!

(Photo by Zack Smith courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

“Business has never been better.”

“The support from CBS was great. Even before we signed up, they were responsive and flexible in their approach. They have helped our team become more efficient.”

“We’re moving faster. We’re moving better. We’re moving more efficiently. That means profitability”

Just Like A Kid Again

The Show! The Show! The Show!

The Clean Show is only a month away; coming to the Crescent City, June 20-23. But you knew that already. Are you getting charged up and happy?!

This is our big-big-big Show Issue, chocked-full of show details about exhibitors, educational sessions, tips from the show floor, a story about John Riddle, longtime show organizer, and more to do about town! ...Getting amped?!

Joe Ricci, Clean ’19 executive committee chairman, and president of TRSA, the association for linen, uniform and facility services, says this about the big event: “We work closely with show management and vendors to create a marketplace that promotes innovation and a forum for the exchange of information regarding trends and best practices.”

Tim Burke

Just as our cover says, you’ll feel like a kid again enjoying the city’s excitement, and diggin’ everything Clean ’19 has to offer over four days at the Ernest Morial Convention Center.

Mary Scalco, CEO of DLI, says: “Our goal with the Clean Show is to bring the newest technology and the best educational opportunities to the fabricare industry and to throw in a little fun as well.”

There’ll be fun. Oh yes. (How can there not be?!) We’ll be in New Orleans. <NEW ORLEANS, PEOPLE!> And fabricare will be together to show off its best, brightest and newest.

Other features in this issue include Diana Vollmer on the power of word of mouth in her column Word! Along with a Call for Stories for our Red, White and Blue (And You) popular special feature coming in July (we need you to share), and more.

It’s showtime in Crescent City next month. Make sure to visit us at our booth #4645 at Clean ‘19. Get happy. Get giddy. You’ll be partying in a place that goes by the saying: “Let the good times roll.” And they will, kiddo, they sure will. ADC

American Drycleaner (ISSN 0002-8258) is published monthly except Nov/Dec combined. 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 Drycleaner, Subscription Dept., 440 Quadrangle Drive, Suite E, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Volume 86, number 2. Editorial, executive and advertising offices are at 650 West Lake Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60661. Charles Thompson, President and Publisher. American Drycleaner is distributed selectively to: qualified dry cleaning plants and distributors 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 Drycleaner 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 Drycleaner 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.

American Drycleaner, May 2019

Publisher

Charles Thompson 312-361-1680 cthompson@ATMags.com

Associate Publisher/ National Sales Director

Donald Feinstein 312-361-1682 dfeinstein@ATMags.com

Editorial Director

Bruce Beggs 312-361-1683 bbeggs@ATMags.com

Editor Tim Burke 312-361-1684 tburke@ATMags.com

Digital Media Director

Nathan Frerichs 312-361-1681 nfrerichs@ATMags.com

Production Manager

Roger Napiwocki Advisory Board Mike Bleier Steven Dubinski John-Claude Hallak Mike Nesbit Herron Rowland Fred Schwarzmann Beth Shader Ellen Tuchman Rothmann Contributing Editors Dan Miller Diana Vollmer Martin Young Office Information Main: 312-361-1700 Subscriptions 630-739-0900 x100 www.american drycleaner.com

All In The Family

When asked in this May 2019 American Drycleaner Your Views survey to tell us: “Are you a familyowned dry cleaner?” 95% responded “Yes,” and 5% “No.”

The survey then asks: “If you are family-owned, how and when did you start?”

Respondents answer:

• “A father-son team purchased the business together for current ownership but we have been family owned since the 1940s.”

• “Three brothers born to immigrants from Greece began business together in 1946.”

• “I started when I was 17 years old when I helped press shirts and dry clean at my fathers plant — that was 59 years ago.”

• “Started full time in 1971 from college to help out my mother. I had worked during holidays and weekends over the prior years. Took over in 1972 upon my mother’s passing.”

The survey also asks: “Tell us what generation owner you are?” Fifty-one percent are first generation. Thirtyfour percent are second gen. Twelve percent are third gen. Three percent are fourth generation. See graphic.

The survey then asks: “What is the key to continuing your family ownership?”

Respondents explain:

• “Hard work and open-mindedness. A family that works together needs to allow differences to pass.”

• “It’s mostly been luck in our case. We were all exposed to the business early in life and helped out to earn pocket change.”

• “It will not go to any of my three sons. All three have worked the counter during college and are not interested in the business.”

• “Accepting the responsibility after living the truth.”

• “Productive fights.”

• “Still trying to figure that out honestly.”

• “I’m training my kids to take over. It’s not easy if your kids don’t like the biz, but my luck is good, my kids like to continue, that’s a blessing.”

• “Loving what you do.”

The survey then asks: “Will there be a next generation owner in your family?”

American Drycleaner, May 2019

Respondents share:

• “Not sure yet, my children are too young. Time will tell; part of me hopes so and, speaking honestly, part of me hopes not.”

• “Yes but doesn’t want it.”

• “I am third generation and plan to take over when my father retires.”

• “Possibly, but right now I would say doubtful. I think my father would have said the same thing....”

• “That’s the plan.”

• “Unlikely.”

• “My kids don’t want to work that hard and I doubt that the industry will survive 10 more years.”

• “Yes, both owners have children that may continue in their fathers’ footsteps.”

The Your Views survey offers a current snapshot of the trade audience’s views. Qualified subscribers to American Drycleaner e-mails are invited to participate anonymously in the unscientific poll.

By Tim Burke, Editor

In For The Grin! All smiles as this young man enjoys a powdery-sugary beignet from the famous Café du Monde, which opened in 1862, and is a famous landmark that sits right near the Mississippi River serving tasty treats and a distinctive-flavored chicory coffee all its own. It’s pure New Orleans!

Clean Show 2019, June 20-23, Summertime in New Orleans

Welcome to the Clean ’19 Show Guide! Feel like a kid again?...

You will when you hit town in the Crescent City this summer for the Clean Show and all the convention fun, networking experiences, booth surfing, and of course all the tasty things to

American Drycleaner, May 2019

get busy sampling while you’re in New Orleans. (Just like that beignet from Café du Monde the young man is thoroughly enjoying!)

And we haven’t even mentioned the opportunities to listen to all the great jazz, rock, R&B, and Zydeco music you’ll be hearing on the streets and in the clubs.

(Photo by Zack Smith courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

The Clean Show is almost here, and we’ve got details about it, an updated exhibitors list (as of this publishing), educational programs, a story about longtime show organizer John Riddle, and tips from the show floor.

We also bring you a look about town from locals for more cool things to do and great places to eat and snack, and drink, and taste-test in New Orleans, when you get outside the convention center, beyond the booths, and after reveling in the big show’s magic each day at this year’s Clean ’19!

Started in 1977, the Clean Show celebrates its 42nd anniversary in New Orleans June 20-23.

Joe Ricci, Clean ’19 executive committee chairman, and president of TRSA, the association for linen, uniform and facility services, says this about the big event: “The Clean Show is a culmination of nearly 24 months of hard work and cooperation between sponsoring associations that represent nearly every facet of the textile care industry, from small local, single facility or store operations to regional, national and even international companies.”

Ricci also notes: “We work closely with show management and vendors to create a marketplace that promotes innovation and a forum for the exchange of

information regarding trends and best practices; all focused on helping our respective members improve productivity, operations and profitability.”

Clean Show management firm Riddle & Associates describes the big fabricare get-together as, “the largest industry show in the world featuring working equipment and education.”

The Clean Show, known by its full name as the World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning, has a new proprietor, Messe Frankfurt, Inc., which bought the show earlier this year.

Five associations sponsor the Clean Show: Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI); Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA); Association for Linen Management (ALM); Coin Laundry Association (CLA); and, Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA).

Mary Scalco, CEO of DLI, relates this thought on the coming show: “Clean 2019 in New Orleans is shaping up to be one of the biggest and best Clean Shows. Exhibit sales are rivaling Las Vegas, which is always a great site for the Clean Show, and hotel reservations are near peak.”

It’s Always Sunny in Crescent City! Clean’19 hits town, and in between four days of show floor exhibits and educational activities, there’s always time to enjoy the bright summer fun ‘n’ sun in New Orleans! (Photo by Zack Smith courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Scalco adds that, “Our goal with the Clean Show is to bring the newest technology and the best educational opportunities to the fabricare industry and to throw in a little fun as well.”

“There will be offered 30 hours of education sessions,” show management explains, “that will focus on technical information, trends, business management, and environmental and regulatory issues.”

As of this press time Riddle & Associates says it anticipates more than 12,000 attendees from over 100 countries and six continents, and over 400 exhibiting companies, filling over 210,000 sq. ft. of booth/stand space.

Those planning to attend Clean ’19 can register online at www. cleanshow.com.

This year Germany-based Messe Frankfurt, an international trade fair, congress and event organizer and the largest in the textile care industry, purchased the Clean Show from the five sponsoring associations, Riddle notes.

As part of the acquisition, the sponsor associations will maintain their close involvement with the show, and Messe Frankfurt aims to continue the Clean Show success story.

The Clean Show has developed with the times, the

show organizer says, and has a strong social media presence. Attendees and exhibitors can get updates on the upcoming show, registration, and Clean Show facts on its Facebook and Twitter pages. (Check these: #clean2019 and @thecleanshow.)

“As social media takes a larger role in communication, the Clean Show interacts with attendees and can answer questions on social media platforms to better engage with its followers,” Riddle adds.

About Clean Show history.... Several U.S. cities have hosted the Clean Show over the years. The first two shows were in Chicago, where it has been held four times. New Orleans is hosting Clean 2019 for the sixth time, tied with Las Vegas. Atlanta follows closely behind Chicago with three shows. Orlando has hosted twice and Dallas once.

The last Clean Show, held in Las Vegas in June 2017, was named one of Trade Show Executive’s 50 FastestGrowing shows of 2017, Riddle points out.

“The Clean Show has become the most highly awaited trade show in the industry,” Riddle notes. “Clean ’19 provides a platform for all industry professionals and companies to come together on the show floor to share ideas, technologies, education, and networking. If you are in this industry, the Clean Show is something you do not want to miss!” ADC

American Drycleaner, May 2019

Joe Ricci is the Clean ’19 executive committee chairman, and president of TRSA, the association for linen, uniform and facility services.

Lining Up For A Good Time! Attendees at the last Clean Show two years ago get ready to enter on the first morning. For Clean ‘19 in New Orleans excitement will be equally high. (Photo by Nathan Frerichs)

The following companies and organiza tions have reserved exhibit space in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for Clean ’19 as of April 10, according to show manager Riddle & Associates.

The list totals approximately 420 exhibi tors at press time; it’s possible that more exhibitors will be added in the final weeks leading up to the June 20-23 event.

Where available, the descriptions of products and/or services provided here are general in nature and should not be consid ered all-inclusive.

Listings are subject to change without notice. Check www.cleanshow.com for any updates.

123

❏

21st Century Dry Cleaners 1304

Route Pros

Training services: route sales/ marketing; management/customer service.

❏

AABG Systems 1855

Healthcare textile traceability and identification systems.

❏ Abrasive Technologies 4472

❏ ABS Laundry Business 4752 Solutions

Route accounting, garment tracking and linen management software and systems.

❏ Ace Heaters LLC 4257 Water heaters and related equipment.

❏ ADI American Dawn 3164

Reusable textiles for rental and institutional laundries, including toweling, table linen, bed linen, patient gowns, scrubs, chef apparel, lab coats, butcher frocks, wraparounds and specialty apparel.

❏ Advanced Poly Packaging 4357

Customized equipment solutions designed to bag bar towels, mop heads, microfiber towels, gloves or other small textiles, as well as folded or bulky products.

❏ Air & Water Systems 4816 Specializes in industrial humidification and evaporative cooling equipment.

❏ Air World Inc. 4427 Manufacturer of pads, covers and drycleaning supplies.

❏

Albatross USA Inc. 4742 Cleaning chemicals, adhesives and lubricants for textile production and care.

❏

Alliance Laundry Systems 3543

Commercial laundry equipment and services under the Huebsch®, IPSO®, Primus®, Speed Queen® and UniMac® brand names.

❏ Alliant Systems 1730 Route accounting software for the textile rental industry.

❏

A.L. Wilson Chemical Co. 1136,1637 Stain removers and other chemicals for professional drycleaning and laundry use.

❏

American Associated 1203 Sources and distributes linens to healthcare, hospitality and commercial laundry markets.

❏

American Changer 1562 Manufactures banknote changers, redemption devices, custom solutions, and tokens.

❏

American Coin-Op 4645 Trade magazine, website, podcast and social media for self-service laundry owners.

❏

American Drycleaner 4645 Trade magazine, website, podcast and social media for drycleaning businesses and suppliers.

❏

American Laundry News 4645 Trade magazine, website, podcast and social media for managers and administrators of institutional/ on-premise laundries and textile rental companies.

❏

American Laundry Products 1865 Laundry textiles and associated items for flatwork ironers.

❏

❏

❏

American Locker 4702 Lockers.

American Pride Linen Co. 1167

American Reusable 1364 Textile Association (ARTA) Member association whose mission is to create greater awareness and appreciation for reusable textiles.

American Drycleaner, May 2019

Music In Me! The Jaywalkers, shown here, march The French Quarter and play jazz and that’s so cool! Enjoy Zydeco, R&B, rock, and blends in between. Just follow your ears to the good times and get the music — and the Clean ’19 good vibes — in you! (Photo by Richard Nowitz courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Visit us at Clean 2019, Booth 2657

❏ American Trade Magazines 4645

Publisher of American Coin-Op, American Drycleaner, and American Laundry News.

❏

AMS Products/Object Design 4659

Custom-printed laundry and route bags; mesh laundry bags; barrier and impervious bags; cart covers; and other bags.

❏ Angeline Group Ltd. 3906

Operating room textile and surgical apparel, including uniforms, incontinent pads, specialized garments, surgical drapes and other technical fabrics.

❏ ANKO 1028

OEM drain valves and chemical dispensing pumps.

❏ AquaRecycle 1101

Water recycling and dryer heat recovery systems.

❏

Aquawing Ozone Laundry 1643 Systems - AWOIS

Ozone laundry systems.

❏ ArbelSoft Inc. 4227

Specializes in creation, distribution and installation of POS systems and software created for dry cleaners, Laundromats, shoe repair and tailoring services.

❏ ARCO/Murray National 1754 Construction Co.

Design/build construction firm focused on the laundry industry.

❏

ArtiClean Ozone 2664 Laundry Systems

Ozone laundry systems.

❏ Association for 1233 Linen Management

Nonprofit trade association dedicated to the professional development of personnel involved in the textile care industry.

❏

Association of Wedding 4215 Gown Specialists

Nonprofit trade association for members specializing in wedding gown cleaning, preservation and restoration.

❏ A13 Srl 3573

Padding, covers, insulation, parts and accessories for ironing and drycleaning machines.

❏ Automated Packaging 1209 Systems

Flexible-bag packaging systems for industrial laundries and textile rental services.

❏ Automation Dynamics 2154

Automated sorting, counting and weighing equipment for various laundry applications.

❏ Autovalet Systems LLC 4273 Automated tracking and distribution for uniforms, scrubs and linen.

❏ Boca Terry 1262

Manufacturer/supplier of bathrobes, towels, spa wraps, lounge chair covers and slippers to hospitality, healthcare, textile/linen rental and corporate gift industries.

❏ Bootie Butler 1866

❏ BOWE Textile Cleaning GmbH 4252 Perc and multi-solvent drycleaning machines.

❏ Braun 3521 Batch tunnel washing, conventional washing, material-handling, drying, and finishing equipment.

❏ B&C Technologies 1710, 1811

BCommercial washers, dryers, ironers, feeders and folders.

❏ Bahnson Mechanical Systems 4802 Industrial construction services.

❏ BC Textile Innovations Inc. 4868

❏ BCC Payments LLC 1820 Vending payments and credit card processing systems.

❏ Beck’s Classic 1405

Reusable incontinence products, including underpads, clothing protectors, diapers and briefs.

❏ BeCreative360 1404 Marketing and promotions for dry cleaners.

❏ Beneficial Equipment 4926 Finance Corp. Equipment financing/leasing.

❏ Biosan PAA 4424

Peracetic acid formulations for sanitization and disinfection of laundry in commercial, institutional and industrial operations.

❏ Bissell Commercial 4643 Vacuums, power sweepers, extractors, flooring machines and other equipment.

❏ BLC Textiles 4625

Wide variety of imported textiles for the textile rental industry.

❏ Bobco Systems Inc. 1463 Material-handling and garmenthandling equipment and systems.

❏ Brim Laundry 1831 Machinery Co. Inc. Large-capacity washer-extractors and dryers; touchscreen control systems; OEM replacement parts and supplies.

❏ Brooks-Waterburn Corp. 1309 Insurance services for Laundromats.

❏ Brown-Eyed Girl Textiles 4172

❏ Buckeye Pads and Covers 3873

❏ Bundle Australia Pty. Ltd. 4225 Productivity software for laundry operations.

❏ Burkert Fluid Control Systems 3907 Water treatment process control, automation and filtration.

C❏ CACO Manufacturing Corp. 2564 Coin laundry furnishings, including folding tables, seating, clothes-hanging racks, and custom bulkheads.

❏ Calderon Textiles 1021 Distributes commercial linens to the textile rental, hospitality, cruise line and retail industries.

❏ Capital One 4205 Credit card for businesses.

❏ Card Concepts Inc. 1955 Automated card systems for Laundromats to handle cash collections, employee management, equipment service, and store marketing.

❏ Cart & Supply Inc. 1106

20 YEARS LATER, MAXIMIZED SUSTAINABILITY

.

. . BY WAY of GREENEARTH CLEANING

In 1999, three dry cleaners, Jim Douglas, Jim Barry, and Ron Benjamin, founded GreenEarth Cleaning to provide an alternative to perc. Now, after 20 years, GreenEarth has evolved into a process that is recognized by landlords, garment manufacturers, insurance companies, regulators, and consumers as the most sustainable way to care for fabric. Our sincere thanks go to our GreenEarth Members worldwide, who daily provide their customers with quality service and the planet, its people, and their business with the care they each deserve.

JIM DOUGLAS, JIM BARRY, & RON BENJAMIN / GREENEARTH CLEANING FOUNDERS

❏

CBA Machines 4611

Purchases and sells second-hand industrial laundry machinery.

❏ CDF Systems 4657 Mat processing systems.

❏ CeraMem LLC 4758

Ceramic membrane modules for water treatment applications.

❏ Chem-Tainer Ind./ 1631 Maxi-Movers

Bulk delivery trucks, shelved exchange carts, tilt trucks, utility carts and bushel carts.

❏

Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. 1166

❏ Chicago Dryer Co. 3003

Flatwork finishing equipment, including separators, feeders, ironers and folders; data tracking technology.

❏ Chief Clean 4511

Commercial janitorial dust mops and wet mops, handles and frames.

❏

Church & Dwight Co. Inc. 4447 Laundry detergents and chemicals.

❏ Clayton Industries 3265 Equipment for industrial process steam generation.

❏

Clean Cycle Systems 2603 Lint Filters

Lint collection and exhaust air systems.

❏

CleanCloud 4543

Point-of-sale software systems for dry cleaners and laundry services.

❏

Cleaner Business Systems 4243

Point-of-sale software systems for dry cleaners.

❏

Cleaner’s Supply® 4542

Wide range of drycleaning and laundry supplies and products.

❏

ClearToken 1467

Vended payment systems for Laundromats.

❏

CLM/Texfinity 729

Industrial laundry equipment, including feeders, ironers and batch washing systems.

❏ CM2W JSC 4405

❏ CMV Sharper Finish Inc. 2665 Commercial laundry flatwork ironing equipment.

❏ Coin Laundry Association 1243 Not-for-profit trade organization representing member laundry owners, prospective laundry owners, and equipment manufacturers and distributors.

❏ Colmac Industries 4130 Garment finishers, automated soil sorting and counting systems, and garment presses.

❏ Columbia/ILSA 3943 Machines Corp. Drycleaning machines.

❏ Commercial Coils Inc. 1734 Replacement coils for laundry and drycleaning equipment.

❏ Computer Software 1213 Architects Linen management and distribution software.

❏ Computer Systems 4510 Point of sale software for dry cleaning, Laundromats, alteration, and shoe repair.

❏ Consolidated Laundry 2365 Machinery Industrial dryers, shuttle conveyors, and mat rollers.

❏ Continental Girbau Inc. 2021, 2027 Vended, on-premise and industrial laundry equipment and solutions (booth 2021 focuses on vended laundry solutions, booth 2027 focuses on industrial and commercial laundry solutions).

❏ Covers Etc. Inc. 4349 Laundry and drycleaning pads and covers.

❏ Creaset® Permanent 4655 Crease Systems Garment creasing system.

❏ CryptoPay/WorldPay 4700 Card payment system for Laundromats.

❏ Cupron 4411

❏ Curbsidelaundries.com 1863 Wash and fold POS software for Laundromat owners.

D❏ Dajisoft Inc. 4311

Point-of-sale drycleaning software systems.

❏ Dark POS 4258

❏ Darman Manufacturing 1114 Co. Inc.

Cloth roll towel cabinets, paper roll cabinets, and towel winders and unwinders.

❏ Datamars Inc. 2255 Radio frequency identification (RFID) products for textile identification markets.

❏ Davis Packaging 4415 Laundry wrapping equipment and wrapping film.

❏ deister electronic GmbH 1162 Electronic, RFID and mechatronic systems for security, logistics and supply chain markets.

❏ Dexter Laundry Inc. 2227, 2536 Commercial washers, dryers, and laundry management systems for vended and on-premise laundries.

❏ Diamond Chemical Co. Inc. 4431 ❏ Dimmid Inc. 4272 ❏

D.J. Giancola Exports Inc. 4612 ❏ Doxon Mfg. Co. 1313 Commercial laundry equipment parts. ❏

DropLocker 4324 ❏

Drycleaning & Laundry 1442 Institute Trade association representing member dry cleaners and launderers.

❏ Duncan Fabricating 1766 Co. Inc.

Coin laundry bulkheads and commercial appliance outlet centers. ❏

Dunnewolt B.V. 730 ❏

Dura-Cast Products Inc. 921 Rotomolded aundry and linen trucks, and storage tanks.

❏ Dynaric Inc. 1037

Plastic strapping and strapping equipment.

❏

EEAM-Mosca Corp. 4006

Automatic strapping machines.

❏ Eastern Funding 2305

Offers loans to commercial laundry, professional garment care and other industries.

❏ ECC Horizon 4858

Environmental consulting and remediation company.

❏

Ecolab 2520

Laundry detergents and chemicals; dispensing equipment; water and energy management; and real-time data management for large-scale, commercial laundry operations.

❏ Ecotex Ozone Laundry 4247 Technology

Laundry disinfection systems.

❏ EDRO 2843

Industrial washer-extractors, tumbler dryers, and ozone laundry systems.

❏

Ekostar Textiles 1057

❏ Ellis Corp. 3343

Open pocket and sideloading washerextractors, industrial dryers, conveyors for automation, water heating and heat recovery systems, and wastewater and ceramic filtration systems for recycling laundry water.

❏

Encompass Group LLC 1366

Manufacturer and marketer of reusable textiles, professional apparel, and disposable and single-use medical products.

❏

Energenics Corp. 3911

Lint filters for dryer exhaust; cart-washing systems; and vacuum systems for lint collectors.

❏

Ensign Emblem 1047

Emblems, screen-print transfers and direct embroidery for industrial uniform and rental uniform companies.

❏

Envirochem Inc. 3807

Chemicals and detergents, specializing

in powder, liquid and solid laundry, housekeeping and warewash products.

❏ EnviroForensics 4664

Environmental consulting services.

❏ ESD 1743

Mechanical and electronic payment systems for the multi-housing, vended laundry, and arcade/ gaming markets.

❏ Euro Systems Corp. 3874

❏ European Finishing 4143 Equipment

Tensioning equipment.

❏ Eurotape BV 1659

Self-adhesive products for surgical covering materials.

❏ Evercare/Butler 4671 Home Products Lint rollers.

❏ Evoqua Water 4866 Technologies LLC Water and wastewater treatment products and services.

❏

EzProducts International Inc. 4312

Permanent tagless systems for textile labeling, heat-sealing clothing text and barcode labels to fabric; rope ties; hanger stands; and hanger equipment.

❏ F-MATIC Inc. 4746 Odor-control and restroom hygiene products.

❏

Fabricare Management 4635 Systems

Computer software systems for dry cleaners and laundries.

❏ Fashion Seal Healthcare 1502

Manufacturer and provider of scrubs, lab coats, patient and ancillary apparel to hospitals and industrial laundries.

❏ Felins USA Inc. 2109 Tying, shrink-wrapping and banding machines and systems.

❏ Felrap World Inc. 4665 Laundry wrapping equipment and supplies.

❏

Fibertech Inc. 4621 Laundry trucks and utility carts.

❏ Firbimatic 2657 Drycleaning machines

❏ First Film Extruding 935 Drycleaning garment bags and film.

❏ Foltex 1409 Feeding, folding and stacking equipment.

❏ Forenta L.P. 3821 Drycleaning and laundry presses, shirt units, conveyors, and water chillers.

❏ Foster-Stephens Inc. 4211 Wedding gown and garment preservation systems and supplies.

❏ FRSTeam Inc. 4607 Garment and textile restoration for the insurance industry.

❏ Fujitsu Frontech 4106 North America

Retail point-of-sale terminals, self checkout systems, kiosks, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and currency-handling equipment.

❏ Fulton Boiler Works 2765 Boilers and related equipment/systems.

F❏ G.S. Manufacturing 1301 Aluminum material-handling systems, including laundry carts.

❏

Garment

Systems

GManagement

Automated assembly systems, heat-seal machines, automated uniform-delivery systems and automated coat-check systems.

❏

❏

4521

Gemu Valves 1154 Valves, and measurement and control systems.

George Courey Inc. 1362 Bedding, linens and textiles for hospitality, healthcare and other markets.

❏ GKC Corp. 3872

❏ Golden Star 4656

Dust/wet mops and microfiber cleaning products.

❏

Gotli Labs AG 4854 Production management system for laundry operations.

❏ GreenEarth Cleaning 4455

Patented liquid silicone-based drycleaning solvents, with marketing/branding assistance.

❏ Greenwald Industries 4201 Coin/card acceptors, smart card systems and payment apps for self-service laundries.

❏

Gurtler Industries Inc. 1702 Advanced detergents and specialty chemicals for the commercial laundry industry.

❏ Gusher Pump 4105 Pumps.

❏ HJ Weir Engineering 4925 Flatwork finishing equipment.

❏ HJLite 4421

Retro-reflective materials for personal protective equipment, apparel and activewear.

❏ Hoffman Mint 1563 Laundry tokens.

❏ Hoffman/New Yorker 2864 Pressing and finishing equipment for laundry and drycleaning facilities.

❏ Hot Water Products 3803

Water heaters, hydronic boilers, steam boilers, solar thermal, combination heating applicances, tanks, pumps and accessories.

❏ Hunt Textiles 4465

Institutional towels, sheets, table linen, aprons, microfiber towels, and dry/wet mops.

❏ InnoClean Corp. 4666

❏

Innovative Management 2265 Designs RFID tracking systems.

❏ Inox Milton 736

❏ Irving Weber Associates 4451 (IWA)

Insurance services for dry cleaners, coin-ops, linen suppliers, commercial launderers and uniform rental.

❏ Isuzu Commercial Truck 1453 of America Trucks.

❏ Italclean Srl 4443 Drycleaning and laundry equipment.

❏ Itsumi USA Inc. 4165 Shirt finishing equipment.

❏ H-M Company 1962 Drain troughs, lint interceptors and related products.

❏ Hamilton Engineering Inc. 2221 Pre-packaged hot water solutions.

❏ HamperApp 4369 On-demand laundry service.

❏ Hanel Storage Systems 4425 Automated vertical storage and sorting solutions.

❏ Hans-Joachim 4531 Schneider GmbH

❏ Harris Pillow Supply Inc. 4473

❏

❏

Hartdean Ltd. 4744 Towels and robes.

Hayikama 4567

Industrial carpet cleaning systems.

❏ Healthcare Laundry 4610

Accreditation Council Non-profit organization formed to inspect and accredit laundries processing reusable textiles for hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities.

❏

❏

Heat Seal LLC 4173

High Mark Manufacturing Inc. 1824

Coin laundry bulkheads, drain troughs and furniture.

H❏ Hurst Boiler 4102 Steam and hot water boiler systems.

❏ Hutchinson Belt 4528 Drive Systems Belt drive systems.

❏ Hydro Systems Co. 4321 Chemical injecting, proportioning and dispensing equipment.

❏ Hydrofinity 1964 Sustainable fabric care technology.

❏

JJENSEN USA Inc. 2621 Washing equipment, finishing systems, material-handling systems, and system software and process technology.

❏ JiangSu Sea-lion Machinery 2103 Group (Corp.)

❏ JLT Co. Ltd. 4372

❏

I❏ Imonex Services Inc. 1566, 1567 Coin acceptors and pay-by-phone systems.

❏ Independent Textile 4564 Rental Association (ITRA) Network of independent textile rental companies that promote informational exchange and education.

❏ Industrial Gold Air 1266 Compressors

❏ Indy Hanger & Supply 4613 Galvanized wire hangers.

❏ Infinite Creative 4003, 4808 Enterprises Inc. Massage chairs.

J.P. Equipment Inc. 1803 Industrial laundry equipment sales.

❏ JS Fiber Co. Inc. 1265 Hospitality and healthcare bedding.

K❏ Kaeser Compressors Inc. 1401 Compressed-air equipment.

❏

Kannegiesser ETECH 3021 Washing, finishing and uniform processing systems; conveyor systems; production management software.

❏

Kemco Systems Co. LLC 2965

Water heaters, heat reclaimers, water recovery/reuse systems and water treatment systems.

❏ Keycolour Inc. 4325 Textile dyeing products.

❏ KioSoft Technologies LLC 4374

❏

Kleen-Rite Inc. 4673 Solvent filter/purifier system.

❏

Kleen-Tex Industries Inc. 4850 Commercial and industrial mats.

❏ Klopp Coin Counters 4924

Coin counters, sorters and wrapper crimpers.

❏ Kreussler Inc. 2357

Laundry, drycleaning and wetcleaning chemicals and detergents.

❏ Lavo Solutions 3672

❏ LCT 4572

❏ Leebaw Manufacturing 3902

Material-handling carts, garment carts, shelving units, lift tables and other products.

❏ Leonard Automatics 2943 Garment finishing, small-piece stacking, cart washing, and pressing equipment.

❏ LG Electronics 720, 721 Commercial washers and dryers.

❏ Linen Tech 1146 Laundry management software for industrial laundry facilities.

❏ Maxi Companies 4513

Export management company specializing in commercial and industrial laundry and drycleaning equipment.

❏ MaxiMizer Systems 3805

Direct fired water heaters, boiler stack economizers, and waste water heat recovery.

❏ Maxi-Press Elastomeric Inc. 4601 Membranes for water extraction presses; additional spare and special parts for other laundry equipment.

❏ Maxon Lift Corp. 1025 Truck and trailer liftgates.

❏

LLac-Mac Limited 1365

Reusable surgical gowns and drapes, and other healthcare apparel.

❏

Lapauw USA LLC 1621

Flatwork finishing equipment, washer-extractors, garment finishing tunnels, cart washers, and more.

❏

Lattner Boiler Co. 1300

Fuel-fired and electric boilers for dry cleaning and other industrial applications.

❏

Laundroworks Card Systems 3673

Card-based payment, control, and monitoring systems for multi-housing and vended laundries.

❏

Laundry Logic LLC 1267

Computer software and systems for textile rental.

❏

Laundrylux 2642

North American supplier of Electrolux and Wascomat commercial laundry equipment.

❏

LaundryPass 2063

Card payment/management system for Laundromats.

❏

Laundry-Trak 4414

Linen processing and tracking software.

❏

Lavatec Laundry 2343 Technology Inc.

Continuous-batch washers, washer-extractors, dryers, flatwork feeders, ironers, folders, stackers, material-handling equipment, and other equipment.

❏ Low Cost Mfg. Co. 2360 Parts for commercial washers and dryers.

❏ M&B Hangers 3811 Wire garment hangers and paper products for drycleaning and textile rental industries.

❏ M+A Matting LLC 4459 Mats.

❏ Maestrelli Srl 2537 Drycleaning and laundry equipment.

❏ Magid 4402

Personal protective equipment and safety solutions.

❏ Main Street Hub 4111 Social media management services.

❏ Mainetti 4768

Garment hangers and garment packaging products.

❏ Mamute Laundry 4464

❏ Marina Textiles Inc. 4468 Institutional linens for hospitality, healthcare, commercial laundries, linen rental, prisons, and other markets.

❏ Maruso USA Inc. 4864 Plastic garment hangers.

❏ Material Flow Systems 1113

Material-handling systems, including rail systems, conveyors and trolleys.

❏ Medline Industries Inc. 1731 Broad spectrum of healthcare textiles and other healthcare products.

M❏ Meese 1352 Bulk linen and laundry carts.

❏ Memories Gown Preservation 1305 Environmentally friendly wholesale gown cleaning, preservation, and pre-paid shipping.

❏ Messe Frankfurt Inc. 1432 Trade fair, congress and event organizer.

❏ Metalprogetti 2008 Automated systems for moving, handling, sorting and dispensing hanging and folded garments.

❏ Mevo Metzler GmbH 3165 Wire hangers, and drycleaning and laundry products.

❏ Micross Automation Systems 1055 Laundry tracking software and systems.

❏ Midwest Specialty Products 1112 Disposable towel and wiper products.

❏ Miele Inc. 4121 Laundry care equipment and products.

❏ Milliken & Co. 1520 Fabrics for tablecloths, napkins, placemats, aprons and tableskirts; dust control products; industrial and specialty textiles.

❏ Million Dollar Collar 1402 Placket stays for collared shirts.

❏ MIP Inc. 2503

Reusable healthcare products, including bed linens, underpads, carts, bags, etc.

❏ Miura America Co. Ltd. 4301 Steam, hot water and modular boiler systems.

❏ Mobile Computing 4766 Corp. Inc. (MCC)

Software for linen and textile delivery optimization.

❏ Monarch Brands 1762

Wholesalers and manufacturers of microfiber, commercial linen, institutional towels and wiper rags.

❏ Monarch Coin & Security 1158

Coin/token chutes, money boxes, locks and keys for coin laundry machines; bathroom locks.

❏

Moonsoft International 1165

Microfiber products, cleaning towels, and mop pads and materials.

❏ Morgan & Morgan Olson 1153 Walk-in step vans.

❏ Movexx 4002 Compact push/pull assist to move carts.

❏

Multimatic 4343 Drycleaning machinery.

❏ Nayax 4710 Cashless payment systems.

❏ NIE Insurance 4514 Insurance services for dry cleaners and coin laundries.

❏ Norchem Corp. 1321 Laundry chemicals; chemical dispensing systems; wastewater treatment and recycling systems; and system controllers and software.

❏ Noritz 4814 Tankless water heaters.

❏ NuMat Systems LLC 1504 Rubber-backed floor mats, and mat repair and remanufacturing service.

❏ Penco Products Inc. 4524 Garment lockers, hygiene products and storage products for textile and linen rental.

❏ Penn Emblem Co. 4410 Image and identification products for uniform, garment and apparel industries.

❏ Pepin Mfg. Inc. 4305 Lint rollers.

❏ Phoenix Textile Corp. 1049 Terry products, blankets, bedding, uniforms, microfiber, window coverings, cubicle curtains, furnitures, and design services.

❏ Pivot.IO 1156 Point of sale software for dry cleaners and laundries.

❏ Olin Corp. 4448 Chlorinated organics drycleaning solvent.

❏ OMNI Solutions 4501 Laundry chemicals.

❏ Onnera Group 1943, 2309

❏ Otto Trading Inc. 1264

O❏ Planiform Conveyors Inc. 1131 Garments on hanger automatic sorters and monorail systems for commercial laundries.

❏ Plexus Industries 1063 Commercial laundry bags.

❏ Polypack GmbH & Co. KG 3965

Full automatic bagging machines for hanging garments; single and set packing; bundling systems; labeling systems; conveyor systems.

❏

NNaomoto Corp./Apparel 4824

Machinery & Supply Co. Distributor for Naomoto irons, self-contained vacuum tables, and other finishing equipment; Hoffman pressing equipment; Koenig irons, mini boilers and automatic garment finishers; and Reliant fusing and laminating machines.

❏

National Cleaners 4764 Association

Trade association for professional garment/fabric cleaners and suppliers.

❏

National Combustion Co. Inc. 1862 (NATCO)

Water-heating systems.

❏

Navien Inc. 3903 Tankless water heaters and boilers.

❏ PAC Strapping Products 1400 Plastic strapping, steel strapping, strapping machines, strapping tools, and accessories.

❏ Parker Boiler Co. 1031 Steam boilers, indirect-fired water heaters and related equipment.

❏ Paypont 4820 Cashless laundry payment system.

❏ PayRange 929 Mobile payment systems.

❏ paystri 1565 Customized payment solutions.

❏ Pellerin Milnor 2703

Washer-extractors, automated tunnel washing systems, dryers, material-handling systems, and laundry computer networks.

P❏ Pony SpA 3665 Garment finishing and pressing equipment.

❏

Poseidon Textile Care 4557 Systems

Wetcleaning equipment, parts and service.

❏

Positek RFID 2511

RFID-enabled sorting and tracking software and systems for the textile maintenance industry.

❏ Prime Capital Inc. 1758 Independent equipment and specialty finance company.

❏

Pristine Collars 4774

❏ Quietaire Cooling Inc. 1065 Industrial fans and commercial ventilation equipment.

OurFounder, Mitsuyuki Uchikoshi began as a Dry Cleaner. Running a cleaning store, his eyes always went toward one thing – the pressing machines. Eventually, he decided to become a finishing equipment press manufacturer. This was the beginning of Sankosha Manufacturing over 40 years ago.

TheSankosha Dry Cleaning Store provided the inspiration to create new and innovative pressing equipment for future generations of our Industry.

OurState-of-the-Art manufacturing facility incorporates the latest in manufacturing technology for making the most reliable

❏

RR&B Wire Products Inc. 2420

Industrial laundry and linen transportation equipment and products, including carts and trucks.

❏

R.L. Williams Co. 1024 Restroom products for the uniform, linen rental and dust control industries.

❏

R.R. Street & Co. Inc. 4221

Solvents, additives, stain removal agents and filtration products for laundry, wet cleaning and dry cleaning.

❏

R.W. Martin & Sons Inc. 1125

Laundry equipment sales, expertise, parts, and equipment remanufacturing.

❏ Railex Corp. 4373 Garment and clothing conveyors, handling, and storage systems.

❏ RAMCO Laundry 4401 Machinery Inc. Commercial and industrial laundry systems.

❏ Rampi S.r.l. 4467 Laundry chemicals and detergents.

❏ Realstar USA 3755 Drycleaning machines.

❏ Reed Mfg. Co. 2405 Workwear and uniforms.

❏

ReflectiveStripe.com/ 1104 Block Bindings & Interlinings

Custom reflective striping for workwear.

❏

Rema Dri-Vac Corp. 4113

Air vacuum units, boiler feed systems, blow-off separators, boiler feed pumps, storage tanks and condensate systems.

❏ Rennco LLC 1032

Laundry bagging and packaging equipment.

❏ Renzacci SPA 4233

Drycleaning machines, washerextractors, dryers and wetcleaning machines.

❏ Riegel Linen Co. 1121 Broad range of hospitality, healthcare and institutional linens.

❏ Rochester Midland Corp. 1311 Water management programs.

❏ Rome Conveyors 1663 Conveyors and other materialhandling systems.

❏ Rotational Molding Inc. 4566 Linen and laundry trucks; material-handling products; liquid tanks.

❏ Royal Basket Trucks 1963 Basket trucks and specialty laundry carts.

❏ Royal Blue Textiles 1201 Bedding, terry products and patient apparel.

❏ Ryco Conveyors Inc. 1662 Design, sales and installation of material-handling systems.

❏ Setomatic Systems - 2409 SpyderWash

Electronic payment acceptance technology, drop coin meters, and other accessories.

❏ Shanghai Lijing Washing 738 Machinery Mfg. Co. Industrial laundry equipment.

❏ Shanghai Sailstar/ 3155 Everstrong Commercial Sailstar: Washers, dryers, wetcleaning equipment, drycleaning machines, ironers, folders and feeders; Everstrong: Bags, bag stands, carts, trolleys, cart liners/covers and casters.

❏ Shanghai Weishi Machinery 3855

❏ ShinePay 4800 Digital payment system.

❏ Sigma Garment Films 4404 Garment film and flexible packaging.

❏ Sigmatex-Lanier Textiles 1225 Wide range of textile products for the textile rental, healthcare and hospitality industries.

❏ San-Ai Industries Inc. 4810

❏ Sanitone by Fabritec 4860 Professional drycleaning detergents, wetcleaning soaps and spotting chemicals as well as restoration and shirt laundry products.

❏ Sankosha USA Inc. 3829 Garment-pressing equipment and bagging machines.

❏ SanMar 2303 Apparel and accessories.

❏ SEITZ, The Fresher 4535 Company Inc. Complete line of laundry and drycleaning chemicals.

❏ SEKO Dosing Systems Corp. 4631 Dosing pumps and metering systems.

❏ Select Risk Insurance Inc. 1110 dba Select Programs Insurance, risk management and business consulting services for the textile care industry.

❏ Senso Technics USA 4760 Software for laundry production optimization.

S❏ Sintex 1030 Textile manufacturer for hospitality, commercial laundry, healthcare, and airline industries.

❏ SmartBuy TK 4573 Uniform sales for employee apparel programs.

❏ SMC Corp. of America 4704

❏ SNA Manufacturing LLC 4565 Foam hanger covers and shoulder guards.

❏ Softrol Systems 2855 System controls and management information solutions for the automation of industrial uniform and textile laundry facilities.

❏ SonicAire Inc. 4313 Cleaning and cooling fans for laundries and drycleaning plants.

❏ Spartan Chemical Co. 4011 Laundry detergents and chemicals.

❏ Spector Textile Products 1765 Laundry bags and other textiles.

❏ Spindle 2611 Operations management software for commercial laundries.

❏ SPOT Business Systems 2002

Computer software and systems for drycleaning operations management.

❏ Springboard 2264

Suite of cloud-based tools for laundry pickup/delivery services.

❏ Springpress 1408

Spring padding, waxes and cleaners for ironers.

❏ SRS Conveyors 1667

Turn-key garment materialhandling solutions.

❏ Stahls Hotronix 4400 Heat presses.

❏ Standard Change-Makers Inc. 1221 Currency change machines.

❏ Standard Textile 3364

Healthcare, hospitality and institutional textiles and apparel, and linen management services.

❏ Starchup Inc. 4804

Digital ordering and route management software for dry cleaners and launderers.

❏ Storms Industries Inc. 2261

Flatwork ironer textiles and supplies, cleaners and belting; sling bags; cart covers; filtration and dust-control products.

❏ Streamline Solutions 1462

Recyclable soiled-linen bags, laundry hamper stands, laundry supplies, medical supplies, medical cart covers, disposable cart liners and other products.

❏ Striem 4367

Solids interceptors, oil separators and chemical waste tanks.

❏

Stry-Lenkoff Co. 4406

Stock tags, labels and business forms for the laundry/drycleaning industry.

❏

SUDSY Vending Supplies 1763

Broad range of coin laundry products and supplies.

❏

Sumal 4505

❏ System Laundry 1666 Management Co. Laundry/linen service.

❏ Tagitron 925

TRFID tracking for the textile industry.

❏ Tap Laundry 1363

Computer software to automate laundry operations.

❏ TBR Associates 1353

Custom-tailored consulting and management coaching services.

❏ Tecni-Quip Carts 2603

Aluminum, stainless and fiberglass laundry carts.

❏ Texas Automation Products 4327 Heat-sealing machines and accessories.

❏ Texas Microfiber Inc. 1466

Microfiber and cotton finished textiles, including cloths, mops, linens, cotton terry towels, woven cotton and polyester roll goods, and finished goods.

❏ Textile Care Allied 1543 Trades Association Trade association representing manufacturers and distributors of laundry and drycleaning equipment and supplies.

❏ Textile Technologies 4714 Computer software systems for the textile rental industry.

❏ The DECC Co. 1020 Abrasion-resistant release coating for dryer panels.

❏

The Huntington Co. 4553 Franchisor of Martinizing Dry Cleaning and Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network.

❏ TheLaundryList.com Inc. 1043 Used industrial laundry machinery; plant design and installation services; energy efficiency studies.

❏ Thermal Engineering 2161 of Arizona Inc.

Wastewater heat reclaimers, heat-recovery systems, shaker screens, water heaters, storage tanks, pumping systems, ceramic filtration systems and other products.

❏ Thermopatch 2403 Textile and garment identification products and systems.

❏ Thomaston Mills 1263 Bed and bath linens for the hospitality, healthcare and institutional markets.

❏ Thornell Corp. 4004 Odor elimination products.

❏ Tide Dry Cleaners 4265 Drycleaning business franchise.

❏ Tingue 1354 Laundry textiles, parts, supplies, remanufactured equipment, and rigging services for industrial laundries.

❏ Tolon Global Makina 3355 San. ve. Tic. A.S. Apparel/garments.

❏ Trevil America Inc. 4021 Professional ironing equipment and electric steam generators.

❏ TRSA, the Association for 1533 Linen, Uniform & Facility Services Trade association representing the textile services industry.

❏

UU.N.X. Incorporated 1143 Commercial laundry chemical products and dispensing systems for domestic and international markets.

❏ U.S. Jaclean Inc. 1655 Personal massagers and massage chairs.

❏ Union Drycleaning Products 3143 Drycleaning machines.

❏ Unipress Corp. 3743 Shirt-finishing machines, and laundry and drycleaning equipment.

❏ UniSec Div. of 3565 New York Machinery Drycleaning machines.

❏ United Soybean Board 4365

❏

United Textile Distribution 4652

Dust control products, table linen, bed linen, towels, hangers, aprons and other products.

❏ United Wire Hanger Corp./ 1736 UWH Industries

Wire and plastic hangers and related paper products for the uniform rental, drycleaning and apparel industries.

❏

Unitex International Inc. 4101 Distributor of cotton, microfiber and spun table linen textiles.

❏

Utilimaster 1755

Walk-in vans, parcel delivery vans and truck bodies.

❏ Valmet 1410

❏

Vega Systems USA 2142

❏ VEIT 3865 Garment finishing equipment and related systems.

❏ Vend-Rite Mfg. Co. Inc. 1921 Soap venders, bag venders, snack/drink venders, coin laundry signs, plastic laundry bags and drop-off bags.

❏ Vending.com 4212 Snack, beverage, cold food, frozen food and non-food merchandisers.

❏ Venus Group 1509 Tablecloths, napkins, aprons, sheets, towels, hospital linens and chef apparel.

❏ VF Workwear 4525 Workwear.

❏ Vintex Inc. 1130 Launderable barrier fabrics.

❏ Vita Microfiber 732 International LLC Microfiber mops and cloths, wet mops, dry mops, and related products.

❏ Voltea 1109 Water/wastewater treatment.

❏ Wesvic Systems 4667 Automated counting and real-time performance feedback system.

❏ wh Münzprüfer Dietmar 1657 Trenner GmbH Cashless payment systems.

❏ Whirlpool Corp. 3602 Commercial washers, dryers and specialty products under the ADC, Maytag® Commercial Laundry and Whirlpool® Commercial Laundry brands.

❏ White Conveyors Inc. 1501 Automated garment-sorting, storage and distribution systems.

❏ Williamson-Dickie Mfg. 4916 Workwear.

❏ Winona Services 4922 Towel and tissue products for textile rental companies, plus related training and marketing services.

❏ WonderWink 1500 Healthcare apparel.

❏ Woodbine Products Co. 1067 Hand-care products.

W❏ World Trading Co. Inc. 4773 Textiles for the hospitality, institutional, healthcare and home markets.

❏ Wasatch Co. 4661 Textile products for hospitality, food service and healthcare industries.

❏ Wash-Dry-Fold POS 2165 Point-of-sale system for Laundromats.

❏ Washin Jax 4256 Agitation system designed to reduce laundry detergent usage while boosting cleaning.

❏ Webb & Son Sewing 2364 Machine Sales Inc. Sewing machines and after-market products and services for the sewing industry.

V❏ Wedding Gown 4550 Preservation Co. Gown preservation services.

❏ WSI 1553 Wash-aisle chemistry, wastewater treatment, specialty chemicals, dispensing technology, and information systems.

Y❏ YAC Japan 4065 Laundry and drycleaning equipment.

❏ Yamada 1132 Air-operated diaphragm pumps.

❏ Yamamoto Japan Inc. 2556, 3765 Washer-extractors, combination washer/extractor/dryers, and small-piece folders.

❏ Zecron Textiles 4822

ZDirect importer and distributor of institutional textiles, primarily to the linen rental industry.

At SMRT systems We Get it

At the heart of SMRT, we are a dry cleaner. It’s the reason we created our software in the first place: To solve the everyday problems we ran into at our own business.

We’ve stood in your shoes -- pressing, cleaning the button trap, filling in when the driver is sick, making payroll, and replacing equipment.

And with a dry cleaner’s perspective, we’ve built, from the ground up, the best dry cleaning software in the marketplace.

We understand that dry cleaners are dynamic, high-performing entrepreneurs. It’s no small feat to run both the factory and the dealership every damn day. You deserve a software partner that knows your business and is there for you 24/7. You deserve SMRT.

Next-level customer service to match their next-level technology. The SMRT team is passionate about solving problems and supporting their users.

Jason Yerby

Vice President: Crest Advanced Dry Cleaners

There’s more to SMRT than great software. They really know the business, bringing a new dimension to customer support.

Daniel Cha

Owner: Orchid Dry Cleaners

SMRT is light years ahead of the competition! We’ve never been so on top of our business and in tune with our customers.

Wayne Edelman

Owner: Meurice Garment Care

Robust

Richard Aviles

Owner: Bridge Cleaners & Tailors, King Garment Care

President John Riddle and his staff at longtime Clean Show management firm Riddle & Associates are experiencing many “lasts” in the days leading up to Clean 2019 in New Orleans.

You see, Germany-based trade fair organizer Messe Frankfurt recently purchased Clean from the five associations that have sponsored the show for decades. The New Orleans show in June will be the last managed by Riddle & Associates, which has overseen the every-other-year event under contract since 1992.

John Riddle’s personal involvement in assisting with Clean dates back to 1981.

We visited Riddle, 78, in his Atlanta offices in late March to talk about the upcoming show, but also took the opportunity to quiz him on his storied past and to find out what he’s planning in semi-retirement.

“We had a great show in ’17 in Las Vegas, and New Orleans is right there with it right now,” he says. “Based on what I know and the years I’ve done this, I’m going to say that we can look for a good show, and, as always, you can come and actually see equipment work.”

Riddle says that aspect of the show is unique, due to the costs of shipping, setting up, and operating laundry and drycleaning equipment in a convention setting.

“We have … our package plan for exhibitor services (and) is such that it has enabled the exhibitor to actually come and operate his equipment in a cost-effective manner so that the attendee gets the advantage of that.”

Among the trade media that publicize and cover the Clean Show, Riddle is well-known for shedding a tear or two in appreciation during the press reception that is a fixture as soon as the exhibit floor closes on the opening day.

So, if he’s already prone to becoming emotional in that setting, how will he react knowing that it will be the last time he’ll greet the media at Clean 2019?

“It is an emotional thing for me to acknowledge the fact

that this will be the last show that I do,” Riddle says. “I hope it won’t be the last I attend but this will be the last one in which I am in charge of it. I’ve been blessed to have been involved in this great industry since 1981.”

Riddle’s age and his desire to spend more time with family played significant factors in deciding that it was time to step aside and enjoy his golden years in a trout stream or on a golf course instead of on a show floor at 5:30 in the morning. “We all have to say, ‘It’s time.’ I think it’s time for me particularly to do that. It’s been an honor for me and for everybody in our organization to be associated with such great people.”

CIRCLING THE BASES

Organizing a trade show requires relationship-building and teamwork, both of which have been at the heart of Riddle’s personal and professional growth.

He grew up in the cotton mill town of Kannapolis, N.C., the youngest son of a police officer and a 1st grade school teacher. You “made your own fun” in those days, he recalls, and he was drawn to team sports, especially baseball. In fact, he dreamed of playing professionally someday.

After graduating high school, he left home to attend Mars Hill Junior College and later Campbell College. At Mars Hill, he was an All-Conference and All-American first baseman in 1956 and 1957 (he was named to the College’s Hall Fame in 1988).

At a time when there were only 16 teams in Major League Baseball, Riddle was signed by the Baltimore Orioles as a center fielder in 1962. After four years, he was traded to the Chicago White Sox organization.

“I had the chance to play for (managers) Earl Weaver, Billy Hunter, Cal Ripken Sr.,” Riddle recalls. “I played with Lou Pinella, Jim Palmer, Mark Belanger, Davey Johnson, a number of people that some will know and some won’t know.”

Decades-long connection coming to end for event manager John Riddle, shown above.

Story and photo by Bruce Beggs

As a 21-year-old rookie playing for Bluefield, he slugged 16 home runs and drove in 61 runs in just 66 games, earning him Appalachian League All-Star honors. Working his way up, he also earned All-Star nods in the Class A California and Class AA Eastern leagues.

“If you ever saw (the movie) Bull Durham, you saw what minor league baseball was like,” he says. “Even when I got into Triple-A ball, we got out of yellowback school buses and old Greyhound buses, riding all over.

“There’s no time you can imagine, being with a group of guys at 2 o’clock in the morning, riding in a bus on a highway somewhere, dark, not a care in the world, and you’re going to go play a baseball game. That’s strong.”

But with so few MLB roster spots available, an Achilles injury that occurred on the base paths, and other circum stances, he never made it to the “Show” … as a player.

FRONT OFFICE FOUNDATION

Riddle had done some offseason work for the Atlanta Braves, which had relocated there from Milwaukee in 1966: “I was part of a team of ballplayers that were in the area who helped sell season tickets, did some PR for them.”

With a wife and a young son at home, he decided to leave his playing days behind and pursue a career of some sort. One day, he visited some friends at the stadium and left there as the Braves director of operations.

“I told the gentleman who hired me, a good friend of mine, ‘I don’t know anything at all about operations of a stadium,” Riddle says. “We laughed, we cut up, and he said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll teach you.’”

From there, he was promoted to director of advertis ing sales, plus he was promotions director for the newly formed Atlanta Chiefs soccer club owned by the Braves. He left there in 1975 to become the general manager of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“I had the No. 2 position there. My job was to run the Convention Bureau on a daily basis. It’s a big promotion, in multiple ways, of a municipality.”

He left the CVB after about two years. “I had a retail store in downtown Atlanta in Peachtree Center. It was called Terminus Gift Shop,” Riddle recalls. “It was the first store in Atlanta in which Georgia artisans had an outlet.”

At a regional art festival, Riddle met Xavier Roberts, who was creating soft sculpture dolls he called “The Little People,” dressing them in used children’s clothing and offering them up for “adoption.” Riddle asked if his gift shop could become an “adoption center”: “I was No. 1. People went absolutely nuts over this. … That put Termi nus Gift Shop, really, on the map.”

Soon thereafter, Coleco licensed the doll line as the Cabbage Patch Kids that caused shopper riots in the early ’80s and have delighted children and collectors for years.

American Drycleaner, May 2019

Another unique endeavor for Riddle was rodeo promo tion. With a friend he’d met through Terminus, he became interested in roping cattle: “I was 42, got on my first horse in a long time, and the bug bit me.”

Riddle was at an Atlanta restaurant one day when a friend, Spurgeon Richardson, then the president of Six Flags Over Texas, spotted him in his Western garb. The two got to talking and Richardson asked Riddle if he could produce a rodeo for the amusement park. Despite having no such experience, he said yes.

“Then, the journey began to find a stock contractor,” Riddle says. “And we did, Preston Folks. We produced ro deos for Six Flags for nine years. Sometime, if you really want to have some fun, we’ll talk about the day we were putting bulls in the arena to feed them for the performance the next day and they got out.”

In the years since, Riddle has learned that it’s much easier to rope attendees than steers.

THE EXHIBITION GAME

When he worked at the Atlanta CVB in the mid-1970s, he booked a National Association of Music Merchants show for the new Georgia World Congress Center. Right before the event, and after Riddle had left his CVB post, a tourist robbery turned fatal had the city on edge and visi tors leery of coming to Atlanta.

“A number of my friends that I had met when I was at the Bureau called and asked if I could do some things to help them. They wanted me to have meet-and-greets at the air port, be on the show floor and help the exhibitors know that the associations were really after their best interests. I did.”

Impressed by his performance, the Music Merchants asked if he’d come to California and offer the same servic es. He agreed, and soon he was helping manage shows for several associations and groups around the country.

“All of a sudden, all of the things I’ve got at home, I’m on the road, trying to make people happy on a trade show floor,” he says.

One day, Riddle received a call from Ward Gill, who was executive director of the Car Wash Association and Coin Laundry Association. Their trade show was coming to At lanta in 1981. They’d sell it but wanted him to run it: “I said I would, and I have been with the Clean Show ever since.”

He served the every-other-year event in that way until the opportunity to manage the whole thing came up.

“In ’92, they wanted to put the show out to bid for a management company,” Riddle remembers. “They asked me if I wanted to bid. I said yes. There were, I think, seven management companies and fortunately Riddle & Associ ates won that bid, and it’s been a blessing ever since.”

Riddle admits that the first Clean Show for which his firm was fully responsible (continued on page 65)

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EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

Thirty class sessions across four days at busy Clean ’19 New Orleans

Thirty hours of educational sessions — all included as part of Clean Show registration — will be spread across the fabricare event’s four days at the Ernest Morial Convention Center, June 20-23, in New Orleans.

Joe Ricci, Clean ’19 Executive Committee Chairman, and President of TRSA, the association for linen, uniform and facility services, says this about class sessions over the four days of the Clean Show: “While the Clean Show is definitely about the products and services on the floor, the sponsoring associations, both collectively and individually, create educational content and networking opportunities that enhance the value of the event.”

The 30 educational sessions run across four days of Clean ’19. They offer industry perspectives, idea-sharing,

and a chance to hear new voices, as Ricci explains: “Drycleaning, vended laundry and linen and uniform services professionals that attend the Clean Show benefit from time away from operational and customer demands to focus on strategic investments and innovations.”

Note that the individual educational opportunities begin Thursday morning, on the first day of the show, and there are also general sessions Thursday through Saturday afternoons at Clean ’19, with the sessions wrapping up Sunday morning, the last day of the show.

Mary Scalco, DLI CEO, adds, “This year there are more educational opportunities and events on the show floor then ever before. And for the first time, Clean Show sponsors have joined forces to bring top notch speakers to provide more business-focused education.” (continued)

Drycleaner,

The Clean ’19 educational program will feature 30 hours of class sessions across all four days of the Clean Show at the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans June 20-23. This photo is from a TRSA-sponsored session at the last Clean Show held two years ago. (Photo by Tim Burke)

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

THURSDAY, JUNE 20

u 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. Room: 238-239— Customer Migration, sponsored by Association for Linen Management (ALM).

Transparent usage data and a solid plan is critical to a smooth transition from one textile services provider to another. What happens when the exiting textile services provider is not forthcoming with data? How do you handle surprises that have a significant impact on the terms of the agreement?

u 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Room: 255257— Protecting Your Customer, Employee and Business Assets Through New and Improved Contracts, sponsored by Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA).

Join attorney Scott Kamins to get a review of the most updated law, contract terms, developments and strategies when it comes to drafting, enforcing and defending contracts with customers, employees, vendors and others.

u8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Room: 243-245

—

No Bad Days: Positive Attitude Is Everything, sponsored by Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI).

If you allow yourself to have a bad day, you LOSE! NO BAD DAYS is a philoso phy and mindset. Learn how to set your attitude up for success by rolling with the punches and finding opportunities where others see obstacles.

u8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Room: R6-R9 — Laundries Connecting Communities, sponsored by Coin Laundry Association (CLA).

This important opening session will fea ture the initiatives of the LaundryCares Foundation which aim to provide early childhood development and literacy support to the families who support our businesses. Learn how to connect with your community to benefit those families – and the profitability of your laundromat.

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: 238-239

— Preventing Microbial Growth and Infection in Laundry Facilities, spon sored by ALM.

Improve the overall cleanliness of your laundry by identifying and blocking key avenues of microbial contamination using applied microbiology techniques

and an HACCP assessment of the environment. Learn about the proper management of airflow, pressure dif ferentials between spaces, temperature control, surface cleanliness, and lint and dust control.

u2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Exhibit Hall — Social Media Marketing and Measurement. General Session.

u3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall

— Workplace Risks of Legalized Marijuana? General Session. Whether for medicinal or recreational purposes, legalized marijuana use creates new concerns for employers. Questions are plentiful when it comes to assessing impairment, the ADA, work ers’ compensation, and drug testing. Find out what rights you retain as well as where your responsibilities lie with keeping your operation safe and your performance high.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

u8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m. Room: 238-239 — Are You a Trusted Advisor? New Role of Sales, sponsored by ALM Customers are becoming more savvy, which means sales professionals must “up their game” to build credibility and relationships. Listen first and discover textile care customer needs and weak nesses, then show them how you will deliver solutions and improve their operations for years to come.

u8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Room: R6-R9 — Laundromat Lifecycles: Planning for the Future, sponsored by CLA. Like every small business, laundro mats must navigate the lifecycle of the business successfully to ensure longterm success. Understanding the key considerations of that cycle will be the focus of this session which will explore equipment replacement, lease negotia tion and planning – as well as tracking the present-value of the business. Make sure that you are maximizing your suc cess throughout the lifespan of your laundromat investment.

u8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Room: 255-257 — Venture Capital and Private Equity, sponsored by TRSA. Discuss pros and cons of debt versus equity financing and evaluate the various financing vehicles. Decide if potential growth is substantial enough to merit an effort to seek sufficient capital.

u8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Room: 243-245

What First Impression Does Your Website Make? Sponsored by DLI. Does your website provide the same amazing experience people get when they walk in to your store? Can they find answers to their questions? Can they request or receive services after hours? Hear how to improve your website’s performance and impress your custom ers even when you are not around.

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: 243-245 — Are Your Marketing Methods Changing with Your Clientele? Sponsored by DLI.

Hear how a successful cleaner has evolved his marketing techniques to attract the growing new wave of con sumers. The reality is your customers are changing whether you are or not. So now is the time to future-proof your customer base.

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: 342 — ARTA Study Shows Peracetic Acid Kills C.diff Spores, sponsored by the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA). The American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) will present the results of a study designed to determine whether the laundry process using a tunnel washer will adequately kill C.diff spores. One of ARTA’s researchers will share results from the study using Peracetic Acid and answer questions from the audience.

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: R6-R9 — CLA Connect LIVE: Interactive Idea Exchange, sponsored by CLA. Building on the popularity of the asso ciation’s online forum, this session will bring those valuable interactions to life in this interactive session. Come meet some of your favorite online contributors in a live setting while gathering the tips and tricks of the trade to propel your laundromat business forward. Make sure your visit to New Orleans pays off by networking with your most success ful peers.

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: 255-257 — Labor Law and Compliance: Current Issues and Trends, sponsored by TRSA.

Hear about the newest trends in employment law to watch for in 2019 and how you can help ensure your organization adheres to current and future changes. Get solutions to the latest HR and OSHA regulatory and compliance issues.

(continued)

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: 238-239

— New Textile Technologies for Infection Prevention, sponsored by ALM.

An increasing number of studies show that healthcare-associated infection rates may be improved by adding anti microbial textiles to hospital infection prevention efforts. We’ll review and discuss the range of available antimicro bial products and technologies, discuss evaluation criteria, and the impact of any process changes on hospitals and laundries.

u2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Exhibit Hall — Helpful Business Apps – Beth Z – Your Nerdy Best Friend. General Session.

u3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall— Secrets to Chick-fil-A Hiring & Training for Exceptional Customer Service. General Session.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

u8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Room: 243-245 — Customer Service: Being Good is Not Enough, sponsored by DLI. Customers expect the finest service and today’s market offers them plenty of choices for their clothing service needs. Wow them with service above and beyond their expectations to keep cus tomers coming back for years to come.

u8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Room: 255-257

TRSA Certification: Hygienically Clean, Clean Green, Certified Professional Laundry Manager (CPLM), sponsored by TRSA. Build customer confidence and offer your company a competitive advan tage with TRSA’s Clean Green and Hygienically Clean Certification pro grams. Learn how your company can meet these rigorous standards and quantifiable measurements includ ing inspections and testing. Speakers will also share info on earning TRSA’s Certified Professional Laundry Manager (CPLM) designation.

u8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Room: R6-R9 — Wash-Dry-Fold 2.0: What’s Next for Full-Service Laundry? sponsored by CLA.

The incredible consumer interest in “outsourcing” the weekly laundry chore is changing the way our business works – and will continue to disrupt the model into the foreseeable future. This session will feature the leading innovators in the

space talking about what we should expect next with wash-dry-fold and commercial accounts with an emphasis on the processes and technologies to which you must adapt in the immediate future.

u8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Room: 238239 — Consistent Benchmarks for Competitive Analysis, sponsored by ALM.

If you don’t keep track of where you’ve been, where you are, and how you stack up, how will you get to where you want to be? Participation in sound benchmarking initiatives provides a roadmap to operational success. Learn how solid, compatible data can lead to improved efficiencies and superior quality.

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: R6-R9 — Due Diligence: Preparing to Buy (or Sell) Your Next Laundromat, sponsored by CLA.

Buying (or selling) a small business is a complex and challenging endeavor that nearly every laundromat owner will encounter at some point in their laundry career. Begin the important prepara tion process for your next acquisition (or opportunity to sell) with this session focused on both what you can do to make your business more valuable to an educated buyer – and how to get the best price when you’re ready to add your next location.

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: 342 — LCA Data and How to Use LCAs to Help Convert Client to Reusables, sponsored by ARTA.

A panel of operators and a researcher from Environmental Clarity will share the newest LCA data on incontinence pads and tangible examples of how to use LCA data to convert clients to reusable textile items. ARTA has completed and published three peer-reviewed LCAs to date on: surgical gowns (AORN), isolation gowns (APIC), and cleanroom coveralls (IEST).

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: 243-245 — Tips for Entering the Wash Dry Fold Market, sponsored by DLI. In today’s economy, drycleaning isn’t enough. Customers expect you to offer a full spectrum of services. Diversification into wash-dry-fold is a natural fit for dry cleaners. Hear how one expert is running a booming busi ness in this expanding service. Wash,

Dry, Fold and Succeed!

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: 255-257 — Top OSHA Violations and New TRSA Safety Certification Program, spon sored by TRSA.

Learn about the most common OSHA workplace safety violations and how to avoid them. Get details on TRSA’s new est certification to gain recognition for your company’s Safety and Health pro grams and enhance your company as an employer and as a service provider.

u1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Exhibit Hall — Tips for Entering the Commercial Laundry Industry. General Session. There are pros, but also cons that come along with tackling a market you’re unfamiliar with. Hear from indus try experts on the best place to start if you’re interested in entering the linen, uniform and facility services industry to determine if it’s the right move for you.

u3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Exhibit — Hall #NotHere: Sexual Harassment Prevention. General Session. Given the heightened awareness of unwelcome sexual conduct, give your policies a check-up and ensure current concerns are addressed such as fear of reporting by migrant workers, cultural differences in acceptable behavior, how to respond to claims, and more.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

u8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Room: R6-R9 — Introduction to Laundromats for Investors, sponsored by CLA.

For those interested in becoming firsttime laundromat owners, don’t miss this session that will walk you through the basics of owning a laundry. Tap into the association’s decades of experience to learn whether laundromat ownership is a good opportunity for you.

u9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Room: R6-R9

— Top 10 Secrets First-Time Laundromat Owners Must Know, sponsored by CLA.

Why reinvent the wheel? Start your jour ney into laundromat ownership armed with the keys to success. Learn from those who’ve gone before you and are willing to share their mistakes and les sons learned. Knowing these secrets will cut your learning curve down to size and help you get started on the right path to profitability.

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Ten ways to make the Clean Show work for you

Join in the discussion and have some fun, says Clean ’19 show management firm Riddle & Associates in their Tips from the Show Floor. Talk it over with friends, as these two were doing at the last Clean Show two years ago. This is Ellen Rothmann of the Tuchman Advisory Group and American Drycleaner editor Tim Burke chatting. (Photo by Tim Burke)

The Clean Show is the fabricare industry’s place to meet and greet, connect with friends and business partners, learn about new equipment and technology, and get some fresh ideas.

The show is only held every two years, so you want to get as much as possible from the experience. Advance planning can give you a solid return on your investment of time and money and help keep your business running smoothly.

Riddle & Associates offers you ten tips on how to get the most out of your Clean ’19 experience:

1. Set specific goals. What do you want to accomplish? Is it purchasing or upgrading equipment, learning about new technologies, finding a solution to a business problem, or interacting with colleagues and friends? Prioritize what is important to you.

2. Develop an action plan. Search the Clean Show website, www.cleanshow.com, for the exhibitors and education that interest you most. Add these to your itinerary. Check the floor plan to locate the booths you want to visit. It will keep you on track and ensure that you meet your primary goals.

3. Learn in the classroom. Take advantage of the many educational sessions that are pertinent in today’s market. The morning classroom sessions and afternoon exhibitfloor sessions cover a multitude of industry-related topics for all segments of the industry. You would pay hundreds of dollars for these sessions in another setting, but they are included in your low Clean Show registration fee. Sessions are listed on www.cleanshow.com. Add those of interest to your itinerary.

4. Make advance appointments. For (continued)

a product you are particularly interested in seeing, make advance appointments with the exhibitors of that product. This ensures that you will get one-on-one time.

5. Don’t miss the new stuff. Leave enough time in your plan to the visit as many booths as possible beyond your original plan. See what is new and exciting, and

don’t miss the small booths. You might find a something that is just right for your operation.

6. Join the discussion. If you participate in Facebook or Twitter, connect with the Clean Show so you can be up to date on anything from Clean 2019 news to interesting facts about New Orleans.

7. Write it down. When the show is over, it can all seem like a jumble of information. Listening carefully and documenting important points in education sessions or exhibitor conversations can be invaluable in reviewing and analyzing your show experience. Use your phone or iPad, a notebook or write on the back of business cards for later reference.

8. Dress for comfort. New Orleans can get very hot and humid in June. Wear light, comfortable clothes and comfortable walking shoes. You will walk miles on the exhibit floor. Travel light. Carry only what you absolutely need. Several exhibitors offer bags for carrying item you pick up along the way. If you gather too much literature, you can mail it home from the building’s business center.

9. Have some fun. New Orleans has a lot to see and do! Take a stroll around the world-famous French Quarter or take a ride on a streetcar to visit the renowned Garden District. See what’s new in the Warehouse district. In the evenings, enjoy the region’s outstanding cuisine and enjoy the jazz music that plays on every corner.

10. Educate your coworkers. When you return home, share your new knowledge with coworkers who did not attend Clean 2019. They will feel like they had a part in it and can apply the information to make your entire operation go smoothly. ADC

American Drycleaner, May 2019

Art Deco! At night, lighted fountains make colors play across stucco walls and on lush vegetation in the discreet courtyards of the Crescent City! (Photo by Richard Nowitz courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Meet ‘n’ Greet! Convention visitors enjoy the Ernest Morial Convention Center, host site of the Clean Show 2019, June 20-23! (Photo by Chris Granger courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

One of America’s most vibrant cities goes by many names: The Crescent City, America’s Most Interesting City and, of course, The Big Easy.

New Orleans offers a unique lifestyle to its residents and visitors. The sultry southern town nestled in the Mississippi River’s crescent is full of museums, activities, and amazing restaurants that are must sees while in town.

Located in the state of Louisiana, New Orleans is the state’s largest city and metropolitan area, and one of the

United States’ biggest ports, notes Clean Show management firm Riddle & Associates.

The city was founded in the year 1718 and was named after the well-known Duke of Orleans. It is famous all around the world for its distinct and unique architectural style that encompasses French and Spanish elements.

During the first half of the 19th century, New Orleans became the United States’ wealthiest and third-largest city. Its port shipped the produce of much of the nation’s interior to the Caribbean, South America

Sidewalk art dominates this summery Crescent City photo. When you walk a town like New Orleans, you’ll experience all the little things that make it so special. (Photo by Richard Nowitz courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

This plaque is a reminder of Crescent City history, and historical reminders are everywhere, from architecture to the local lore, in this 301-year-old city. (Photo by Jeff Anding courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

SUCCEED TOGETHER

NETWORK AND CONNECT WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS, EXPERTS AND PEERS.

• 450+ EXHIBITING COMPANIES exhibiting over one-quarter-million net square feet

• 11,000+ PEOPLE from 100 countries

• LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS of the latest equipment and technology

• NETWORKING with manufacturers, suppliers and industry peers

and Europe. The historic heart of the city is the French Quarter, known for its French and Spanish Creole architecture and vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street.

The city has been described as the “most unique” in the United States, owing in large part to its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage.

While casually roaming the French Quarter’s charming streets is a fine way to spend time, a bit of knowledge about the unique architecture and history will enhance your stroll.

Embark on a walking tour to better understand the city’s beating heart and musical soul. Two Chicks Walking Tours takes you through the Quarter, known as Vieux Carre, past popular New Orleans attractions and sights, including Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and the historic French Market. You’ll learn how the city was built, and about the multi-cultural influence of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean architecture.

Be sure to visit the French Quarter Visitor Center where National Park Service rangers lead free talks and provide printable self-guided walk-

The City Park in New Orleans is a place of quiet reflection you might want to escape to early mornings pre-show, or evenings after a busy day at the show.

(Photo by Paul Broussard courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

ing tours. And, because it’s New Orleans, refreshment is always near.

Visitors have joined the line at the Crescent City’s most honored institution, Café du Monde, since the French Quarter coffee stand first began serving up beignets and café au lait, their sole menu items, in 1862. It’s 24/7 and there are no reservations, so scout a table then place your order.

Be prepared to leave with a healthy coating of powdered sugar — it’s impossible to contain the sweet goodness, and that’s part of the magic. For park-side locale, try Morning Call’s beignets, another beloved 24-hour café dishing up sweet eats.

To engage any New Orleanian in conversation, simply ask where to find the town’s best po’ boy or gumbo. A passion for good food

is the thread running through every neighborhood, home, and restaurant in New Orleans.

Through New Orleans cuisine,

visitors experience the city’s heritage as well as its bright future in every bite. Go out and explore New Orleans food. ADC

Visit us at the Clean Show Booth 4427

LOCAL

New Orleans residents provide a few more special places to check out.

Looking for more places to go check out while visiting the Crescent City for Clean ’19? Two locals share some of their favorite places in New Orleans with you. Check out the following tip from our friend and local resident Dr. Aaron Karlin: “Cochon — They have their own butcherie on prem-

ises. Excellent food. Clancy’s — The best gumbo in the city in my opinion. Mr. B’s bistro — BBQ shrimp is their specialty,” Karlin says.

“Drago’s, the downtown location,” he continues. “Only for their char-grilled oysters which are hands down the best in NOLA. Yes, lots of people, locals and tourists, come here, but it’s because it’s so darn good. I’d only go here if you’re wanting their oysters

This young girl tries oysters at one of the many great restaurants in New Orleans. Our local resident says to try different eateries such as Port of Call for the best hole-in-the-wall burger in town, and Drago’s for char-grilled oysters. (Photo by Zack Smith courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

and I wouldn’t wait for a table.

“The best way to do it, is to go straight to the grilled oyster bar where you seat yourself and you’re literally right in front of them making the oysters. Buy a Sazerac cocktail, sit back, and relax and enjoy as you wait for the oysters while having a great conversation with the guys shucking and grilling the oysters. I’d suggest doing this (it’s just down from the convention center) as an early evening appetizer and then going out for dinner right afterwards at one of these other places. That’s what we do!”

Karlin says: “K. Paul’s — what can I say, I love this place — but sitting by the kitchen window is a must. And if you’re ever in the mood for the best burger in a “hole in the wall joint” going to Port of Call on Esplanade Ave. just a couple minutes walk outside the French Quarter is a must. Have to get the cheeseburger and baked potato with an Abita beer to drink.”

Some other places Karlin suggests: “Kingfish; Upperline; Coquette; and other honorable mentions, such as: Gautreau’s; La Petit Grocerie; and, Brightsen’s. Look up their websites for details.”

Andree Bauer, the co-owner with brother Eric, of

Russell’s Cleaning in New Orleans, who also helped us in our last issue, adds this last Extra Extra (Extra!) tip: “The Lil Gem Saloon is a nice spot with various music, mostly jazz music. They have a brunch too.” ADC

Palms Up! New Orleans has nooks and crannies to steal away, explore, and sit and sip a cool beverage with a cohort, friend or, maybe, discuss the meaning of the last palm reading! Who knows? (Photo by Zack Smith courtesy of New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau)

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Word-of-mouth (WOM) consistently ranks highest in marketing effectiveness for dry cleaners when asked about their marketing results. This is true on both formal and informal surveys.

WOM creates similar results for consumer reaction in many industries and is even more pronounced in egocen tric and personal industries like beauty, personal care, phy sician selection and fabricare.

According to Impactbnd.com, “92% of people believe brand recom mendations from friends,” contrasted with a dramatic “75% of people don’t believe ads.”

That is a 167-point spread! “People are 4 times more likely to buy when referred by friends,” and “WOM generates 2X more sales than paid ads.”

(https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/word-of-mouth-mar keting-strategies-infographic)

These results provide real incentive to you as the busi ness owner to capture and share this powerful means of driving your sales to greater heights. Yet the same source indicates that “Only 33% of businesses are actively seek ing and collecting reviews.”

When you offer a unique and positive experience, you will automatically receive some positive word-of-mouth. The purpose of this article is to help you increase the in coming praise and leverage the positive PR.

There are many ways to amplify the WOM for your company.

ORGANIZE E XISTING T ESTIM O NIALS:

A good starting point is to organize your current testi monials (whether or not they were solicited). Most of you will have a few that were generated by your great work and service. You may have them posted on an employee bulletin board to boost morale or they may be hidden in a file. Never just file them! They provide a golden source for marketing your services in the proven realm of WOM.

Rank the testimonials and compliments by value and impact of the sentiment expressed. If you have not already done so, thank the writer and ask if you may quote them.

If the customer is recognizable in the community, attrac tive or representative of a target group, also ask if you may use their photo or a picture of the item that prompted the comment.

If the compliment was verbal in person or by phone, make the same request and have the customer approve the text.

If the answer is yes, immediately add the edited version to all your media including in store, on vehicles, hang tags, brochures, offline and online. Remember to make it relevant to your customers and prospects lives.

USER- G ENERATED C O NTENT (U G C):

If you don’t have a ready supply of testimonials or they need to be more current and relevant, It’s time to actively seek and collect reviews.

“86% of millennials say UGC is a good indicator of the quality of a brand or service. UGC videos can increase sales effectiveness by 20%. Millennials spend 5.4 hours per day with content created by their peers.”

(https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/word-of-mouth-mar keting-strategies-infographic)

1. Assess your current best customer lists for advocates from each group of consumers you are targeting. You may have lots of baby boomer testimonials but need to build millennials and younger supporters.

2. Contact your desired fans and ask them to provide an endorsement.

3. Add a simple survey button to your website and media posts that can

Word-of-mouth is powerful; for the ego and the wallet

Diana Vollmer

(Image licensed by Ingram Publishing)

YARNS SPUN HERE

La Chenille, Oui!

By Tim Burke, Editor

That beautiful caterpillar is known by its french name, “Chenille de grand porte queue.”

What does this ever have to do with the fabric chenille, you ask?

Chenille actually means caterpillar. And that one’s french name means Caterpillar of the Old World Swallowtail.

But chenille is “rather unstable” as a fabric, as Nor man Oehlke describes in American Drycleaner’s Spotting Guide. He writes: “The yarns are not anchored well or se cured to one another, and allow distortion, snags, pulls, and broken and unraveled yarns during wear and care.”

Chenille is definitely a “novelty”- type yarn, Oehlke further discusses. It has soft, fuzzy yarns on the surface, like a caterpillar.

He notes that, “probably the first time many of us heard the word chenille, it was in reference to a chenille bed spread or other household item years ago. Today, chenille is used in apparel — usually sweaters, two-piece suits,

dresses and home furnishings. And it’s usually a knit con struction, open or loose, that often warrants concern.”

It should be noted that some surface ends of chenille are cut and then brushed or napped to give a unique, soft, luxu rious appearance — as well as limited serviceability.

He writes that the fabricare specialist, “must know the peculiarities of chenille, learn how to identify it, check for possible damage from wear and know how to care for it in their operations.”

In the Spotting Guide, it says when dry cleaning chenille, to run on a delicate or fragile cycle for two to three min utes, using a net bag for cleaning and deodorizing.

If you decide you’d rather go out in your garden and clean “la chenille” individually, remember they squirm around and don’t like to be handled too much. Use a very tiny towel and please, PLEASE, take a video of your ef forts and share it with us. We promise not to laugh in your presence. Oui! ADC

(Image by Wikimedia Commons)

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

(continued from page 58)

generate new positive responses. (The negative ones are also a gift for you to use to improve.)

4. Have your customer-facing staff ask their fans for a recommendation.

5. Offer Raving Fan status and benefits if needed to en list ideal spokespeople/influencers.

S HARE THE LOVE:

Once you have the endorsements organized, it is time to share them to reinforce your status as the go-to fabricare professional for your existing customers and prospects. Social media and the Internet have made it much easier to share WOM while keeping it personal.

1. Personalized messages from your fans can have exponential impact when they Tweet, blog or post, i.e. on Pinterest. For example, they can post about their passion or a special event and add: “…Cleaners delivered my travel wardrobe suitcase-ready for the trip.” Remember that it shouldn’t be an ad, but rather a component of their lifestyle story.

2. Encourage events that provide your devotees a venue for sharing their love of your service. Examples:

a. One raving fan held “Ladies Who Lunch” events with the entry ticket being a bag of clothes for clean ing to be delivered to the location of their choice upon completion. Unique experiences are hard to come by, so this quirky approach was a big hit.

b. The sports-connected devotees may be able to get your van in front of the rink or near the playing field to promote a warm coat donation night.

c. Your retail partners can hold fashion and/or trunk shows where you are a visible sponsor.

d. Corporate executives that use your services might make your charity (i.e. Anton’s Belle of the Ball) a partner for their company community efforts.

e. Supply logo bags to hold the “goodies” that are distributed at their favorite charity event.

f. Provide a unique item for their charity auction that will grab the attention of the MC/auctioneer and keep them talking about your company donation, such as a basket full of laundry every week for a year.

3. Billboards, bus benches and buses, too can become panels that highlight your spokespeople photos and quotes. If you clean staff uniforms, ask for their em ployees to model for a before and after photo to be used in your media.

Invite your customers to take videos of themselves wearing/using your handiwork, such as a backyard party

showing the patio cushions you cleaned; or their holiday dinner table dressed in perfectly ironed table linens.

You may remember from a previous article: “Livestream research shows that 80% of audiences would rather watch live video from a brand than read a blog; and 82% prefer live video from a brand to social posts. 73% of B2B orga nizations report positive ROI from video marketing.”

4. Incorporate customer testimonials into your answer ing system, especially if you must put a call on hold.

5. Post customer stories regarding a problem you solved for them. (Everyone has problems they need solved and you provide solutions.) This could be the restoration of a special item such as: Granddad’s Christening gown for a new baby to wear (ask for video of the happy event); the cleaning of drapes to avoid purchasing new ones; the repair of an heir loom quilt; or the cleaning of a favorite but soiled handbag.

6. Credit on an electronic or hard copy program from a unique client, such as a museum, stage performance or concert.

7 Invite your raving fans and their guest(s) of choice to an event where they mingle, and you are tacitly endorsed due to their presence and shared experi ences with your company.

8. Host a nonpartisan community event that shows your commitment to the community, like a candi date night or get out the vote gathering.

9. Showcase key employees saying what they like about your company and working for you. This can be good for morale, impress your customers and re cruit new employees.

10. Provide speakers for professional programs, such as Rotary, Financial Women’s Association, and more. They always need interesting and informative speakers.

11. Network in the community where your customers and prospects circulate.

The tactics to leverage word-of-mouth marketing are endless. Embrace the ideas that best suit you and your company, and enjoy the very rewarding ego and financial results. ADC

Diana Vollmer is a managing director for Methods for Man agement, which has served dry cleaners and launderers with affordable management expertise and improved profitability since 1953. For assistance updating your “word-of-mouth” strategies, contact her at dvollmer@mfmi.com or call 415577-6544.

Get to Know ...

Jeff Jordan

VP of business development, Fabritec

Tell us where you were born, grew up, and reside today?

“I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, grew up in the surrounding suburbs in Ky., and now live in historic Bellevue, Ky.”

Hobbies (that you’ll admit to)?

“I love playing guitar.”

What gets you excited at work?

“That ‘Aha!’ moment from a customer when they see how big of a difference our products and procedures make in their cleaning process.”

Lastly, tell us a secret (keep it clean) nobody knows

about you?

“Very few people know that I won a college talent show doing stand-up comedy. It was my first and last performance.” ADC (Do you want to take part in an Off the Cuff, or know someone who does? Email tburke@atmags.com.)

Jeff Jordan with his wife Lydia.

New 70-pound wetcleaning machine New steam-free flex condensing boiler

Poseidon Textile Care Systems® (Poseidon) recently introduced a new 70-pound capacity wetcleaning machine, noting it has a soft-mount lineup, which now encompasses 20-, 30-, 40-, 60, 70-, 80- and 90-pound capacity models. Like all its machines, the firm says, the new 70-pound capacity model offers highly programmable controls, unrivaled efficiency, extract speeds up to 405 G-force, and unmatched production per linear foot.

“By partnering Poseidon soft-mount wetcleaning machines with our industry-unique dryers, plants can wet clean more quickly and cost-effectively than dry cleaning,” says Jeff Quail, co-owner. “Wet cleaning can boost plant production 50%,” he notes, “and demand a much lower investment.” Clean’19 booth 4557.

www.poseidonwetcleaning.com | 800-482-3400

A new condensing boiler called the Free Flex is available from Bryan® Steam LLC. According to the company, it’s a commercial condensing boiler with thermal efficiency of 95% and weld-free design. This boiler, the firm relates,“permits field access to the heat exchanger for cleaning and tube replacement. It is also available, the company says, in knockdown configurations and will operate in lowflow, variable-primary or traditional primary/ secondary designs.

Bryan Steam writes that it is the originators of the “Flexible Water Tube” design, and offers a broad range of steam and water boilers including: gas, oil, gas/oil fired boilers, and electric boilers. The company also manufactures indirect water heaters, pool heaters, feed systems and related boiler equipment and accessories.

www.bryanboilers.com | 765-473-6651

New scissor and clear buck presses

Forenta will introduce an improved line of drycleaning scissor and clear buck presses at the Clean Show in New Orleans. The new machines will function in the same way, but will have many improvements related to operator comfort, safety, productivity, pressing quality, mechanism reliability and ease of service.

Forenta is now offering an Optional Integrated Vacuum on all drycleaning presses, spotting boards, steam-vacuum boards. Clean ’19 booth 3821.

www.forentausa.com | 423-586-5370

iPad POS app for dry cleaning

Software company CleanCloud has launched a complete iPad point of sale (POS) solution for the drycleaning and laundry industry, it says.

Built for iOS and iPad, the new POS app, the firm writes, enables dry cleaners to, in their words, “have a slick, easy-to-use and low cost iPad setup in all their stores.”

It is able to use all of this firm’s features, which includes accepting orders from any location, selling in-store and online, managing delivery routes, invoicing customers and businesses, and getting real-time business reports.

David Griffith-Jones, CTO and co-founder with John Buni, states: “We are delighted to be launching the latest version, providing dry cleaners with a stylish and compact POS solution.”

The firm says it has cloud-based point of sale and order management software. Clean ’19 booth 4543. www.cleancloudapp.com | 415-212-5626

www.americandrycleaner.com

By Tim Burke, Editor

Call for stories and photos of when you cleaned something of a patriotic nature, for our July special feature; e-mail to: tburke@atmags.com

It’s that time again when we ask drycleaning owners to share stories of a patriotic nature from the fabricare industry.

So many dry cleaners do things for U.S. service personnel and veterans, including cleaning flags, uniforms and much more. And we put those stories and photos together in our reader favorite Red, White and Blue (And You) special feature coming in the July issue.

But we need your help. Please take a moment and share a story: maybe about an item you’ve cleaned that was particularly memorable; or a veteran’s story who comes in your drycleaning store; or fire, police, EMT and other service people who you have cleaned something for.

Send your descriptive write-up, be as detailed as you can (we all love details), and e-mail it to: tburke@atmags.com. Also, please include a high-resolution photo and a caption. Photos are very important so please make sure to include with your story!

As an example, here is one of the many stories and photos shared last year; this one from Joseph D. Gagliostro, owner, Muldoon Dry Cleaners Inc., Auburn N.Y., who shared this with everyone: “Cool gift of this photo (see photo) that this veteran made up for me. He has been bringing his uniform in for over 50 years on a yearly basis for the Memorial Day parade going back to my grandparents. We’ve never charged him a dime. He tears up every time he comes in.”

This Red, White and Blue (And You) special feature in the July issue helps celebrate our country’s Fourth of July spirit in our own fabricare style. But we can’t share great stories and images without you!

Won’t you help out this year and share a story and photo of something of a special patriotic nature, maybe something you’ve cleaned for our veterans or service personnel?

Just e-mail tburke@atmags.com and do it today!

NEED IT BY MAY 15. Thank you very much! ADC

(Photo: Tim Burke)

Joseph D. Gagliostro, owner, Muldoon Dry Cleaners Inc., Auburn N.Y., shared this photo in last year’s feature, a gift from his customer (seen in photo), a veteran who brings in his uniform to be cleaned for the Memorial Day parade every year for 50 years. (Photo: Muldoon Dry Cleaners Inc.)

frightened him.

“I was scared to death, tell you the truth. It’s a big job when you put a show of this magnitude together. Things have changed tremendously as far as our ability to commu nicate, the speed with which we can communicate.”

While the spotlight is focused on him in these final months leading up to Clean 2019, Riddle readily admits that he couldn’t have organized and managed the event suc cessfully without his loyal Riddle & Associates staff.

“They are my heroes,” he says. “Nobody could do this without a staff. Nobody’s that good, I don’t care who you are. I’ve been blessed for a career in baseball and many things that I’ve been able to do—God has been good to me—and one of the kindest things He’s ever done for me is put me in the midst of these people here.

“Whether it’s Paul (Philips), Beth (Scheuer), Ann (Howell), Jewell (Kowzan), Kayla (Brown), they’re un real. … What people will see at that show is done by five people. These people are like family to me. These people deserve the credit. They’re the ones who do the work.”

Beyond that group, there are many other people associ ated with the general contractors and the event venues themselves who contribute to the finished product.

“If someone would walk on the trade show floor at 9:30 or 10 o’clock at night before we open, you would say there is no way this is going to be ready at 8 o’clock in the

morning,” Riddle says. “If you don’t believe there is such a thing as miracles, come and spend that last night on a trade show floor, and when you come back the next day, it is spit-shined and polished.”

What will you miss most about the Clean Show? He takes a deep breath, then says, “People.” Relationships? “Yep. … There are so many of you out there I enjoyed friendships with, enjoyed cutting up and kidding with. I’m a big jokester. Love to have fun. I love to work hard but I love to have fun, too. I’m going to miss it. There’s no doubt about me being emotional.”

While Riddle will be slowing down without the Clean Show to manage, he says there are consulting opportuni ties for Riddle & Associates if he chooses to pursue them. But he’s not thinking about those just yet.

“I just hope that we can deliver the quality of show that, fortunately and thank God, we’ve been able to deliver, at least in our minds, to date,” Riddle says. “This is a great industry and we like being a part of its future. Hopefully, we can give it another good show.

“These guys that exhibit, they spend a lot of time and a lot of money planning and providing the best information they can for the industry. I’d like to see a large number of people come out and take advantage of that.” ADC

Beggs is editor of sister publication American Coin-Op

Bruce

A nton’s buys Champion

Anton’s Cleaners reports it has opened a new Woburn, Mass. location.

The cleaners recently added the new store through the acquisition of Champion Cleaners located at 84 Wash ington Street in Woburn, it notes.

The store is one of over 40 Anton’s locations, expand ing its sizable footprint in Eastern Massachusetts, the firms states, including existing nearby locations in Bur lington, Winchester, Wakefield, Reading, Malden and Melrose.

Previous owner Alan Kushinsky will remain on the team during a transition period of undetermined length, ensuring a seamless transition for both customers and employees.

In a letter to customers, Kushinsky writes: “Anton’s is a family-owned and operated business. After meeting Arthur C. Anton Jr., COO, and Charles Anton, president and CEO, I felt as though this was a natural fit for both myself and Champion Cleaners.”

Kushinsky: “You will continue to enjoy our exceptional customer service, extended hours, drive-thru, and on-site alterations as well as what has made Anton’s successful for over 100 years: high quality, VIP Express Program, month ly specials, and community service initiatives through their Coats for Kids and Belle of the Ball programs.”

The company relates that it plans to re-brand Champion Cleaners into an Anton’s Cleaners over the next 12 months.

“We are very pleased to bring Champion Cleaners, a quality service provider for the past 15 years, into the Anton’s family,” says Charles Anton, CEO of Anton’s Cleaners.

“Woburn is a thriving area filled with professionals and families, and we couldn’t be more proud to serve the Woburn area in 2019 and beyond. We are looking forward to a great relationship with the neighborhood,” says Anton.

Lapels lands hotel

Lapels Dry Cleaning, recently signed an agreement to provide dry clean ing to the Boston Harbor Hotel, it reports.

“We formed our corporate/hos pitality division a little over a year ago with the express purpose of providing better service to hotels, restaurants and corporate accounts that require and/or offer drycleaning services for guests and staff,” says Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels.

“Landing a property like The Boston Harbor Hotel demonstrates quite clearly the effectiveness of the new division and our offering,” says Dubois.

Lapels Dry Cleaning of South Boston and its satellite locations — Lapels Dry Cleaning of Boston Longfellow and Lapels Dry Cleaning of the Seaport District — will offer drycleaning services to Boston Harbor Hotel guests and staff, it relates.

The firm’s new division equips each of its plants to serve restaurants, hotels and other guest-oriented busi nesses with its full range of drycleaning offerings, it notes. This will include same-day and 24-hour dry clean ing and tailoring, it adds.

In addition to The Boston Harbor Hotel, the cleaner in dicates it serves a wide range of corporate clients, which includes Intel, Google, Marriott Corporation and others.

“A large part of the appeal is how we can help hotels, restaurants and corporations decrease their carbon foot print,” says Dubois. “We do that first by utilizing a more environmentally-friendly drycleaning process,” he points out.

Kevin Dubois

Anton’s Cleaners has bought Champion Cleaners in Woburn, Mass. The location is soon to be re-branded as an Anton’s, joining its more than 40 other stores. (Photo: Anton’s Cleaners)

He relates that: “All our locations serving corporate accounts use GreenEarth® solutions. Consequently, our cleaning process has no odor and is gentler on clothes, thus lengthening the life of clothes. That’s a comforting thought for business travelers.”

Fabricare Team Grows

Fabricare Manager has added three new members, Jer rard Cross, Brandon Dollar, and Mason Holmes, to its team within the last 12 months, the company notes.

Cross has been with the firm for almost a year, the firm states, and started out in the IT support department, Because of his skills in development, he has moved on to head up the company’s web-based interfaces and design.

“We are excited about what he has been contributing to Fabricare Manager. Jerrard hails from York, Ala., and is a graduate of DeVry University with a BS in Com puter Information Systems,” the firm says.

Cross explains: “I have over 12 years of experience in the web development and digital design fields as well as seven years software support experience. I enjoy web development, and Fabricare Systems allows me the op portunity to utilize my skills to solve various issues for customers. I am an avid college football fan and enjoy drawing, gaming, and web/illustration design in my spare time.”

“Brandon Dollar is also new to our IT department,” the company says. “He started with us late last year. Brandon brings a lot of tools to our team. He has been repairing computers since 1991 and programming since 2003.

Dollar says, “Most of my programming experience involves database work in ERP systems, but I am also comfortable in C++, and dabble in web languages. I (continued)

Three new team members have joined Fabricare Manager in its IT department in the past year. From left: Brandon Dollar, Jerrard Cross, and Mason Holmes. (Photo: Fabricare Manager)

have a wife Christy, a Chihuahua named Lucy, and a Pitt named Franklin. In my spare time, I enjoy games, puzzles, and programming. I also go far and wide to try to find new coffee shops when I can,” he adds.

“Being a part of Fabricare Systems allows me to solve problems for people, which I find rewarding and fun,” Dollar points out.

“Mason Holmes started with us in early January and is from Cartersville, Ga.,” notes the firm. “He has been in the IT and Telecommunications fields for over five years. Mason started as an installation technician con tractor for Comcast.

Holmes says, “I am proud to be a part of the Fabricare team because of the growth and opportunity of the com pany.”

Fabricare Manager describes itself as, “An industry leader of drycleaning computer software for over 20 years offering both cloud and self-hosted solutions. The firm is at the Clean Show in New Orleans, booth 4635.”

Sept. 25-27, 2019: Texcare Asia Show

The Texcare Asia and China Laundry Expo (TXCA & CLE) 2019 show will be held Sept. 25-27, 2019, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, China, notes show co-organizers Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and Unifair Exhibition Service Co. Ltd.

The new TXCA & CLE show, an international trade fair for textile laundry, leather care, cleaning technol ogy and equipment, is a new joint-venture agreement announced last year between the Texcare Asia show and the China Laundry Expo, reports Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai).

“TXCA & CLE will serve as a platform for gathering international and local players to meet, share new devel opments, and conduct business,” Messe points out. ADC

Drycleaner,

Hear-Here! American Drycleaner is turning up the volume on communicating to the drycleaning industry by podcasting with peers and experts. Join Editor Tim Burke as he talks with a special guest in one-onone conversations about topics of the day. This free channel provides another convenient way to hear industry voices talk about what’s happening in your fabricare world right now. Listen from your home or office; on cell phone, tablet or laptop. C’mon and lend us an ear....You should hear what you’re missing!

What It Takes To Build A Plant Design Award Winner

From site selection to cutting the ribbon, what it takes to design a plant, told by the grand-prize winner of American Drycleaner’s 58th Plant Design Awards, Tide Dry Cleaners, Sarasota, Fla.

Networking with Peers

How do you reach out to peers in the fabricare industry? Nora Nealis, executive director, National Cleaners Association, shares ways drycleaning owners can connect with colleagues.

Insurance for Drycleaning Owners in the Age of Convenience

Are your routes covered? Your customers’ clothing? Ann Hawkins, vice president, NIE Insurance, talks coverages, claims, and drycleaning owners’ commonly asked insurance questions.

NEW!

The Man Behind the Clean Show

John Riddle, owner of Riddle & Associates, and the man behind the Clean Show for decades, is the special guest of host Bruce Beggs, editorial director of American Trade Magazines. Riddle discusses professional baseball, the Clean Show, and his retirement.

Listen in at: americandrycleaner.com/podcasts

2019 RATES: One- to five-time rate: $2.15 per word, boldface $2.25 per word. Minimum charge: $25.00 per ad. Call or write for our three- and 12-time rates. If box number is used,

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add cost of 5 words. Display classified rates are available on request. All major credit cards are accepted. DEADLINE: Ads must be received by the 1st of the preceding month.

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For example, for a June ad, the closing date is May 1st.

PAYMENT FOR CLASSIFIED ADS: Must accompany order.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS

PLANTS FOR SALE

Our plant is 10,000 square feet and is located on 1.9 acres. There is room for further commercial development. Under current ownership since Feb. 1980. We have an A+ rating with the B.B.B. The plant is far from capacity. Located in Byhalia, MS. We are 15 miles from Memphis. The cost of living in this area is low compared to other parts of the country.

GARY DEPRIEST 662-838-2211 or 901-604-3693

Stop Shaking Out Shirts. Save time. Save money. Don’t be fooled by cheap inferior ones!

Lattner Boiler 54 Luetzow Industries 71

Mustang Enterprises 51 NIE Insurance 23 Newhouse Specialty Co. 71 Olin Corporation

25 Pariser Industries ................ 63 Parker Boiler Co. .............. IBC Poseidon Textile Care Systems ..... 41 Realstar 49 Renzacci SPA 45 Rite-Temp Mfg. 68 Royal Basket Trucks 65 Sankosha USA 29 SMRT Systems 35-38

SPOT Business Systems IFC

Starchup 15

The Huntington Group ............ 27

Trevil America .................. 11

Union Drycleaning Products ....... 13 Wedding Gown Specialists ........ 43 White Conveyor 47 Yamamoto 57

Public Parking: Downtown Deduction?

10 YEARS AGO. The recession may be loosening its grip, according to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, a compilation of economic data from its 12 regional districts. While the economy is still shrinking, its pace of decline is moderating. Five regional banks reported some signs of stabilization, and “several saw signs that activity in some sectors was stabilizing at a low level.” The Richmond Fed cited, “scattered positive reports.” Economic retraction is expected to last through the summer, however, with leading economic indicators down 0.3% in March.

35 YEARS

AGO. Why dry cleaning?

Many consumers don’t understand why they should dry clean a garment that could be washed at home. The International Fabricare Institute reports that the drycleaning industry recently received some help in explaining the reasons for this from an unlikely source. A major clothing designer and manufacturer recommends dry cleaning for many garments that are considered washable. The clothing designer says, “because it ensures one of professional service,” and advises against home cleaning, “because too many variables are involved… the main concern in specifying care instructions is that the garment is wellmaintained and will last.”

merchants recently got a boost from an Internal Revenue Service ruling. The IRS advised it would permit merchants to deduct voluntary payments to city authorities to help develop public parking near their places of business. What’s more, the IRS promised similar treatment where merchants chip in to remake or rejuvenate a street. They mentioned such things as ceramic tile sidewalks, a cobblestone mall and continuous canopies. The city would reportedly own and maintain all the improvements. … It Happened in Texas … Three women in mink coats, driving 1969 Cadillacs, recently smashed into each other on Houston’s Southwest Freeway. As a wag wisecracked, “You should have seen the fur fly!” … Business Opportunity: You Wanna Buy a Town? A town in Iowa is for sale — in its entirety — lock, stock, and barrel — for $7,000. So far, inquiries have been received from 13 states and Bermuda. Officials of a San Diego radio station are reportedly interested in buying: they want to give it away as a prize on a quiz program. And there’s a real estate man who says that he’ll, “top any offer.” The unincorporated onceacre hamlet is currently a “ghost” town — completely deserted. And as far as we know, there’s no drycleaning plant there.

May 1969 front cover of American Drycleaner.

war. Dry cleaners who are now planning postwar improvements, and who at present do not maintain a complete alteration and repair service, would do well to think about the possibilities of extending this department. Considering the inferior quality of the present average garment which will be replaced by a better one after the war, and considering the millions of returning men who will buy new clothes and have old ones altered, it is natural to expect increased alterations and repair business. This service will also be a help in meeting postwar competition.

50 YEARS

AGO. Public Parking: Downtown Deduction? Downtown

75 YEARS AGO. Open for Alterations and Repairs: Business in this department will increase after the

To read more of American Drycleaner’s chronicling of the industry over the years, visit www. americandrycleaner.com.

— Compiled by Tim Burke, Editor

Steam Boilers

101-105 Series

We expect 15 to 25 years from our interchangeable tube bundles, and 30 to 40 years of life our more out the boiler.

Indirect Fired Water Heaters

209-211 Series

We normally expect 10-25 years out of the copper heat exchanger, 30 to 40 years out of the boiler.

Thermal Liquid Heaters

207 Series

We expect 30 to 50 years out of our thermal fluid heater models

On all of the above units we have continued to build, and will continue to have available any part of the pressure vessel, burners, cabinet, and controls meaning that for as long as a customer wants, they will be able to infinitely repair their equipment rather than replace the equipment.

We are asked by many new and existing customers on what is our projected life expectancy of our products. We are not always the lowest initial price but know we have one of the lowest cost of ownership of any boiler manufactured in North America. These facts are based on our 90 plus years of boiler manufacturing, feedback and experiences from our end users, service departments, and all of our representatives and dealers worldwide. These life spans are based on our boilers being installed properly, and do receive our minimal recommended care, are applied to the correct application, and include the proper maintenance and water treatment programs.