Content about Dry cleaning

HANOVER, Mass. — Kevin Dubois, CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning, received the Franchise Executive of the Year award from the New England Franchise Association (NEFA), during its April 9 Franchise Relations Summit in Norwood, Mass.

His role in Lapels Dry Cleaning’s growth, commitment to greener dry cleaning processes, and community outreach efforts were among the reasons NEFA honored him with the distinction.

Murray Vetstein, NEFA president, considers Dubois a “most worthy recipient” of the award.

“Under [Dubois’] leadership, Lapels has raised the bar when it comes to its business practices, and how much the company and its franchisees give back to the communities they serve,” he says.

In the past 10 years, Lapels has created eco-friendly dry cleaning solutions, making it one of the few dry cleaners in New England to have “no hazardous waste in their process,” NEFA says.

“Considering the high caliber of franchise executives in NEFA and the area which the association covers—the six New England states—this truly is an honor,” Dubois says.

CHICAGO — A majority of dry cleaners report they have given raises in the last six months, according to data from this month’s unscientific American Drycleaner Wire survey.

When asked if they’ve reviewed employee compensation in the last six months, 64.7% of respondents replied yes, saying they “raised pay on an individual basis,” while 23.5% “raised pay across the board.” Only 11.8% replied no, saying that they “did not raise pay.”

Coinciding with this trend, more than half of cleaners (52.9%) report that they pay their employees more than other plants in their market area. Roughly 41% of respondents have kept their pay rates about the same as other area plants. Just 5.9% report paying their staffers less than other plants in their area.

Just 17.6% of respondents report having had to lay off employees in the last 12 months for financial reasons.

CHICAGO — In today’s competitive business environment, it makes sense that every dry cleaning plant operator is seeking ways to increase profit. But one can increase prices only so much. And with any potential labor savings having generally been rung out of most plants, operators must find other ways. Simultaneously, environmental impact is a major concern.

One of the areas in which to save, yet one that is often overlooked or glossed over, is the high cost of energy: electricity, heat and water. Hence, prudent dry cleaning plant operators are, or at least should be, having a critical look at this expense and seeking ways to reduce this financial drain.

The best way to reduce this expense is to implement a pre-planned assessment (a.k.a. audit) of the energy consumers in your dry cleaning plant. Much of this you can do yourself. For those systems and equipment items that could prove more difficult to assess, most utility companies are more than willing to assist, usually at little or no cost to you.

LAUREL, Md. — The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) and the Textile Care Allied Trades Association (TCATA), both sponsors of the Clean Show, are partnering to host a “blockbuster meet-and-greet networking party” for DLI members and top industry suppliers at the upcoming Clean 2013.

All DLI and TCATA members are welcome at the party slated for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 21, in the Royal Sonesta Hotel’s Grand Ballroom.

The cooperative effort between major industry associations is designed to strengthen ties between cleaners and the companies who supply them. The party is a way for both associations to thank members for supporting the industry, says DLI CEO Mary Scalco.

“The bond between cleaners and their suppliers is incredibly strong,” she says. “One of our most important roles at the Institute is to create opportunities for our members to associate, network, get together, or whatever you prefer to call it. By working with TCATA on this event, we are creating an informal atmosphere where suppliers and cleaners can relate on a personal level.”

CONCORD, N.C. — In a previous edition of American Drycleaner, readers like you were given a “heads-up” about what to expect from the fashion styles entering the marketplace (Fashion vs. Fabricare, November/December 2012).

The Federal Trade Commission’s recent request for comments on garment care labeling is a symptom of the continuing problem facing our industry.

The manufacturer’s focus on marketability and profitability at times runs contrary to serviceability. It is the obligation of the garment care professional to recognize that the customer’s item has a unique set of handling characteristics and then determine the best way to protect those unique characteristics while reconditioning the item for continued use in the future.

That is a mouthful, I admit, but I hope you get the point. “They” design the garment and “we” have to clean and finish the garment.

SAN FRANCISCO — America’s Best Cleaners (ABC) Affiliates from across the United States gathered in Scottsdale, Ariz., last month for three days of networking and presentations around industry and general business best practices.

The March 13-15 meeting included presentations by consultants from various industries and businesses that support dry cleaning, as well as a tour of local Affiliate Z Cleaners’ new production facility and a dinner hosted by Frank Dubasik of Metalprogetti.

Speakers included Nicholas Regine, technical design and application specialist from Swarovski Crystals, who discussed the latest trends in fashion embellishments and application techniques. He also talked about how Swarovski supports ABC Affiliates across the country and applied a custom ABC’s crystal transfer to a shirt owned by ABC’s executive director, Christopher White.

EVANSTON, Ill. — I once wrote an article titled Training Foreign-Born Hispanics for Supervisory Jobs in the Dry Cleaning Industry due to the need to teach the growing numbers of Latino first-level supervisors how to improve performance in the face of customer demands for high-quality cleaning and next-day service, all at competitive prices.

The article explained how dry cleaners could boost productivity and speed turnaround times by training Hispanic supervisors to adapt the traditional authoritarian Latino leadership style to a U.S. “best practices” mode of supervision. I also discussed the five key elements needed for effective training of Hispanic supervisors.

Here are those elements, and the continued results of the training from six dry cleaners using this approach. Each had four to seven drop-off stores, for customer convenience, feeding their garments to a single central plant.

CLIFTON, Va. — Crest Cleaners has become the first North American dry cleaner to install an ultra-low-water bead cleaning system marketed by Xeros Inc., a subsidiary of UK-based Xeros Ltd. Overall, it is Xeros’ third U.S. installation since first entering the market last September.

Historically, items that are not dry cleaned, such as men’s dress shirts, are laundered in traditional washing machines. Xeros’ proprietary system looks to replace those machines by producing “cleaner laundry with a significantly lower impact on the environment, using very little water and patented Xeros polymer beads,” the company says.

The beads’ molecular structure, coupled with a proprietary detergent, attracts and absorbs dirt from soiled items, the company says. It claims the system uses up to 80% less water, 50% less energy and 50% less detergent than conventional washing.

CONCORD, N.C. — I am hoping we have turned the corner on the “casual workplace” trend and will begin to see an increase in the neckties to be cleaned. Much like the rebirth of natural fibers 25 years ago, many cleaners have little experience in the proper cleaning and finishing of a necktie.

Men have an emotional attachment to their ties. Favorite ties are worn until the edges and knot areas are threadbare. I am guilty of having more than 50 ties, but I wear one from the same eight or 10 on most occasions. My red tie with diamond shapes of royal blue and silver has been retired but still brings back memories of my first consulting job.

Cleaning a necktie is as much art as it is skill. It involves knowing more about what not to do than about aggressive techniques. Ties are not cheap. Polyester ties often sell at between $20 and $50; a good silk tie may sell for around $140. At the point where emotion and investment meet, the cleaner can easily find a profitable item.

CHICAGO — A late-night fire scorches a two-story home, but firefighters are able to douse the flames before the structure is destroyed. Still, the smoke and water damage is extensive. Now, in his time of greatest need, the homeowner turns to his insurance company to begin the process of getting his family’s lives back to normal.

So, who does the insurance provider turn to at a time like this? It’ll call in contractors to see about repairing and/or rebuilding the structure, but before that can happen, something has to be done about the family’s personal belongings. Can they be saved? Are they worth saving?

That’s when the smart adjuster calls in a dry cleaner that specializes in restoring garments and soft goods. Long an offshoot of dry cleaning, restoration has come into its own as the add-on that can easily eclipse the core business.

NEW YORK — Beginning next February, New York City dry cleaners will be required to disclose to consumers the primary chemicals used in their dry cleaning process, says the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

About 1,400 dry cleaning businesses throughout the Big Apple will be required to list the chemicals and a link to information about their health effects, so that consumers can access their potential impact.

DEP will work with affected businesses over the next year to implement the new rule ahead of the enforcement date.

“The local dry cleaner is an essential part of life for most New Yorkers, and it is important that information about all the chemicals used by these businesses is available,” says DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland. “At virtually no cost to businesses, this rule will ensure that this important public health information is available to the public.”

HANOVER, Mass. — Lapels Dry Cleaning has built its franchise upon environmentally friendly dry cleaning methods, “outrageous” customer service and marketing, the company says, and now it’s looking to bring those signature services abroad with a new international division.

“I believe there are markets outside the United States that will be as strong, if not stronger, because of the lack of quality competition and the importance of quality garments and the care of those garments,” says Michael Eisner, director of franchise development for Lapels. “Over the years, we have been inundated with requests for franchising from overseas.”

“Being able to have your garments cleaned in an affordable and timely fashion that doesn’t negatively impact the environment is something that’s appreciated everywhere, not just in the U.S.,” says Lapels CEO Kevin Dubois. “With this new division, we are currently speaking with Franchise Partners from across the world and anticipate opening our first store within 2013.”